Meet the man behind Buxton's first comic convention

UPDATE due to severe snow Buxton's first comic event unicon which was to be held at the Devonshire Dome this weekend has been postponed as the university has issued a disaster protocol - information correct at 15.30 Friday, March 4 2016.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Mar 2016, 08:49 BST
Updated 4th Mar 2016, 14:31 BST
Steven Howard centre is organising Buxton's first unicomSteven Howard centre is organising Buxton's first unicom
Steven Howard centre is organising Buxton's first unicom

UniCon organiser Steven Howard, 37, who lives in Hayfield but owns the Toy Cupboard in New Mills, is looking forward to the event.

He said: “I can’t wait for the weekend.”

Planning has been going on since summer last year and the team behind the WHY?Con festival last year want to bring the event to the people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Steven howard, centre, is organising Buxton's first unicomSteven howard, centre, is organising Buxton's first unicom
Steven howard, centre, is organising Buxton's first unicom
Most Popular

Steven said: “Not everyone can travel to the larger venues for a comic-con so they never get to experience the atmosphere and excitement and we feel people shouldn’t miss out.”

Having the venue in the Dome is also a real attraction for Steven. “We walked in and were like ‘yes, this is the place’,” he said. “It makes a lovely change from sports halls and conference rooms.”

Steven has always been into comics and collecting and was involved in toy train fairs, but his passion is comics.

He said: “It’s part of me and part of my family.”

Steven howard, centre, is organising Buxton's first unicomSteven howard, centre, is organising Buxton's first unicom
Steven howard, centre, is organising Buxton's first unicom

The dad-of-four loves the fact his daughters are developing their own tastes of what they like.

Hide Ad

“It’s not all comics,” he explained. “I have a daughter who loves Doctor Who and another who likes transforms.

Hide Ad

“The comic-con world is so varied, but I think having an event like this opens people’s eyes to what is out there.”

A traditional part of comic events is the cosplay, where people dress up in costumes of their favourite characters.

Steven said: “This is what I am most looking forward to about the day, people go to so much effort whether that is shop-bought or home-made.

Hide Ad

“I know there will be some Warhammer costumes on the day and they are really big, with a lot of time going into them to make them perfect and that needs recognition.”

He added: “We have been planning this for such a long time and it is great to know that all our hard work is coming together for the first UniCon event in Buxton.

“I’m very excited.”

What will be the day’s highlights?

Hide Ad

There will be something for everyone at the Dome on Saturday, March 5, between 10am and 4pm.

Steven said: “For a first event in a rural area, we have secured some big names who will be meeting people which should be good.”

Hide Ad

Not only will there be an original Stormtrooper as Chris Bunn makes an appearance, there will also be James McKenzie from CBBC’s The Raven.

They will be joined by Norman Lovatt from Red Dwarf , Paul Warren from Star Wars The Force Awakens, Matthew Dale from Doctor Who, Peter Roy who has been in James Bond and Martin Valentine from Batman.

There will also be trade stalls for action figures, memorabilia, collectables and handmade goods.

Tickets are £4 for adults, £2 for under-12s and free for under-fives. For tickets, click here .

Related topics:BuxtonPlanningTickets