Zzzap! comes to Birmingham's MCM Comic Con.

Photo Credit: The Girl With The Glasses Cosplay

Once again it was time for MCM Comic Con to return to Birmingham's NEC during March. I had attended the previous one dressed as Neil Buchanan, complete with red Art Attack jumper and giant pencil. Made with toilet roll tubes, paper mache and paint. An effort I'm sure Neil would be proud of.

The cosplay actually went down a storm with numerous people approaching me for photos. A few people asked me if I remembered Zzzap! Not only do I remember the show. It's had a special place in my heart and nostalgic affections for quite some time. I watched it religiously back in the day. I'm still have to occasionally watch an episode now.

I was surprised I was asked as I didn't think many would remember the show. It finished in 2001 and hasn't had many repeats since. So the idea started brewing in my head.

The show had a few characters I'm sure you're aware. The natural choice after cosplaying as Neil would be his alter ego Smart Arty.

Now, I'm not a skilled costume maker, I haven't touched a sewing needle since primary school. So making a costume was a no and finding the right parts which look close to the real thing was difficult. Plus, someone else has already done a really good job.

So I chose Cuthbert Lilly. Complete with pink suit, yellow shirt and polka dot bow tie and pocket square. All of which were purchased easily online! The pink suit if you're wondering how to get one was available from Opposuits!

I also roped in a friend of mine to go as Daisy. She had to put up with me stressing for weeks that her costume looked right. But after much shopping around. We got there with a few days to spare.

I also created a comic for us to carry. I'd like to say I drew it free hand...that would be a bit of a lie. I actually traced it from the t-shirt available from Truffleshuffle which I own. But even that was a hard task. Tracing a t-shirt on to tracing paper. Imprinting it on to normal paper and then drawing the lines in with a pen before colouring.

I'm pleased to say the costume went down brilliantly with lots of good reactions and lots of pictures taken! Nice to hear from other people who enjoyed the show back when it was a staple of CITV's schedules.


On to the pictures!

As a Father Ted fan. These guys win it for me.

Photo Credit: Andrew English.