We're about a month out now and the lineup is looking... thin.
On the comic side they've got Richmond attending now which is nice to see, but it leaves the comic-related lineup looking like this:
- Gary Erskine
- Graeme Neil Reid
- Richmond Clements
...which is a major step down from the last Hi-Ex (which had, from memory, John Higgins, Colin MacNeil, Graeme Neil Reid, Gary Erskine, Cam Kennedy, Nigel Dobbyn, Al Ewing and others, plus a good small-press presence and people from a few different Euro publishers).
They seem to be more interested in their "entertainment guests", but even that list is looking a bit skimpy now that Jason David Frank has dropped out (because of the events at Phoenix, I assume?). I think the full lineup now is:
- Sean Johnson (Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue)
- Alison Macinnis (Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue)
- Kai Owen (Torchwood, but maybe better known now as Creepy Pete from Hollyoaks)
- Josh Herdman (Gregory Goyle from Harry Potter)
- Paul Warren (apparently a creature performer on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, among others)
- Miltos Yerolemou (Syrio, from Game of Thrones)
- Richard Oldfield (Hobbie from Star Wars and others)
£15-20 a pop for an autograph or photo with the folk on the list above too, according to the website.
Beyond that, there seems to be a mix of exhibitors selling photos, merchandise, some indie outfits I hadn't heard of before (no slight; I'm not as up on the indie comic scene as I was 5 or 6 years ago), cosplay outfit sellers, jewellery makers etc. Nothing stands out as being particularly exciting there, but there may be some gems mixed in if you go looking.
It's the first time the organisers have done this kind of event, as far as I can see, so it's probably fair to make some allowance. That said, now that we're only a few weeks away my take on it from what has been announced is:
If you're into comics and want a good local comic con, don't bother.
If you want to meet some relatively minor sci-fi/fantasy TV/film celebs and browse what looks like a glorified merch sale, then it might be for you.
Disappointing.