If you needed proof that comic-con culture in Britain is no longer something that happens a handful of weekends each year, Sunday 13 September provides it rather neatly.

Today, fans can choose between substantial events in Cardiff, Sheffield and Winchester, each offering its own take on the convention experience.

And wherever you happen to be heading, there is one element that connects all three: the people.

The traders hunting down unusual stock. The collectors searching for that one missing piece. The cosplayers who have spent months creating something that may only be worn for a few glorious hours. The artists, actors, creators and fans who collectively turn a sports hall or exhibition space into something completely different for the day.

Cardiff: stars, comics and collectibles

Film & Comic Con Cardiff continues today at the National Indoor Athletics Centre, with doors open from 9am until 5pm.

The official event line-up includes recognisable names from British science-fiction, film and television, alongside comic creators, cosplay attractions and a trader hall full of collectibles.

There is also something ASACC particularly approves of: trader stalls full of things you didn’t realise you needed until you saw them sitting on a table.

Because every collector knows how that conversation goes.

“I’m only looking.”

Five minutes later: new bag.

Sheffield: Comic-Con comes to Ponds Forge

Further north, Sheffield Comic Con takes over Ponds Forge International Sports Centre today from 10am until 4pm.

Creed Conventions lists comics, movies, TV, gaming, anime, cosplay and pop culture among the day’s attractions, with displays, props, traders, celebrity guests and cosplay competitions.

For fans across Yorkshire and the surrounding area, it provides exactly what regional comic cons increasingly do well: a full convention experience without requiring a trip to London.

And that matters.

The growth of regional events gives independent traders, artists and collectors opportunities to meet audiences throughout the year.

Winchester: when Comic-Con meets a science centre

Possibly the most unusual venue of the weekend belongs to Comic Con Connections, spending its second day at Winchester Science Centre.

Running 10am until 6pm, the convention combines celebrity guests, Q&As, autographs, photographs and cosplay with two floors of interactive science exhibits, live demonstrations and the Planetarium.

That combination is rather brilliant.

Comic-con fandom has always existed somewhere between imagination and possibility. Spaceships inspire engineers. Science-fiction inspires scientists. Children who encounter technology through films, games and comics sometimes end up building the real thing.

Putting those worlds under the same roof therefore feels surprisingly appropriate.

Three events — one growing community

Cardiff, Sheffield and Winchester are very different events.

That is precisely the point.

There is no longer one definition of a British comic con.

Some visitors come for celebrity guests. Some come for comics. Some spend three months making a costume. Some spend three hours digging through boxes looking for an obscure action figure.

And plenty arrive intending to spend £20 before somehow leaving with considerably less money than they planned.

We know nothing about that last category. Obviously.

What matters is that events such as these give fans somewhere physical to discover things, meet people and support independent businesses.

ASACC exists to help keep that experience going after the convention doors close.

See something at Comic-Con? Find the trader. Discover another event. Track down the collectible. And keep exploring.

Because Comic-Con shouldn’t disappear when Sunday evening arrives.

Saw it at Comic-Con? Find it on ASACC.

Sunday at a glance

Film & Comic Con Cardiff
National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff
9am–5pm

Sheffield Comic Con
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield
10am–4pm

Comic Con Connections
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
10am–6pm