Deadpool, Daft Punk, and Daleks have braved the sweltering bank holiday weekend heat for London's MCM Comic Con 2026. Thousands of cosplayers headed to the ExCel centre at the Royal Docks dressed as their favourite superheroes, comic book characters, and video-game icons for the three-day event.
Celebrity Guests and Cosplay Highlights
Celebrity guests at the exhibition centre included actors Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion from the cult-classic series Firefly. Among the cosplayers pictured were Doctor Who's feared enemies, the Daleks, who were inside the costumes despite the brutal 29-degree heat. Others opted for some slightly more forgiving outfits, including Star Wars characters, Marvel superheroes, and a plucky Captain Jack Sparrow.
Popular Costume Choices
Deadpool and the Mandalorian were popular choices for Comic Con enthusiasts to dress as this year – the latter often joined by Baby Yoda. Universes collided as The Mandalorian, Deadpool-Darth Maul, Lego Deadpool, and Star Wars bounty hunter Cad Bane posed together. Baby Yoda, also known as Grogu, waved in the summer sunshine while standing on The Mandalorian's shoulder.
Dalek Encounters and Beat the Heat
A Dalek got a stern telling off from a police officer inside the ExCel convention centre. Two very different Dalek interactions occurred: a furry hugged a Dalek in the unforgiving summer heat, while inside the convention centre, a young Iron Man battled a Dalek. One Comic Con enthusiast wearing a birthday sash had the right idea – using a hand-held fan to battle the heat.
Star Wars and Other Fandoms
May the force be with you! Obi-Wan Kenobi's face was illuminated by his blue lightsaber. A death trooper stood to his right, and a fellow Jedi and Hoth soldier to his left. Behind them was a Tauntaun, native to the frozen planet Hoth. Princess Peach and her counterpart Princess Daisy put up peace signs in their colourful ensembles. A music fan dressed up as one half of Daft Punk, wearing the 'RAM helmet' which musician Thomas Bangalter wore between 2013 and 2021.
More Cosplay Action
Pirates of the Caribbean protagonist Captain Jack Sparrow held his bottle of sand in one hand and a flintlock pistol in the other. A red Power Ranger wearing a helmet that hides his facial features clutched his laser pistol next to his head. Another Deadpool, which proved to be a popular costume choice at this year's Comic Con, took a selfie wearing a pair of cat ears. A Dragon Ball Z fan dressed up as the character Goku, clenching his fists and screaming up into the air as the sun beat down.
