MIDLANDS, ARE YOU READY?!
Because things are about to go full-blown circle pit meets comic strip this weekend as the mighty forces of Slipknot, Lamb of God, and Anthrax descend on Comic Con Midlands at the NEC Birmingham, July 12–13 πŸ§Ÿβ€β™‚οΈβš‘

Forget your standard Batmen and Barbies β€” we’re talking corpse paint, battle vests, and roaring growls echoing through the halls of geekdom. And leading the charge? Some absolute legends ready to scribble their names on your vinyl, posters, body parts, or, let’s be honest, your mate’s forehead.

🧷 Who’s Appearing (and Melting Your Face With Their Presence):

🎧 Sid Wilson – Slipknot’s Masked Mayhem Machine

Aka DJ Starscream. Aka the guy who flips off speakers and scratches records like he’s possessed by Satan’s Roomba.

Autograph: Β£40
Photo Op: Β£60
Combo Total: Β£100

Mask optional. Swagger guaranteed.

🎀 Randy Blythe – Voice of Lamb of God, Master of the Growl

Fresh off setting festival stages ablaze (figuratively… we hope), Randy’s bringing his fury and kindness in equal measure.

Autograph: Β£40
Photo Op: Β£60
Combo Total: Β£100

Don’t ask him to scream in your voicemail. Actually… do. Just record it.

🎸 Scott Ian – Anthrax Guitar Wizard & Beard Icon

The man whose downpicking wrist could probably cut glass. And yes, his beard deserves its own panel.

Autograph: Β£40
Photo Op: Β£60
Combo Total: Β£100

Also answers to: β€œThe Dude from VH1 That Time.”

🎸 Frank Bello – Anthrax Bass Thumper & Eternal Legend

Anthrax’s backbone with a grin that says, β€œLet’s party” and basslines that punch like a bar fight in Queens.

Autograph: Β£30
Photo Op: Β£50
Combo Total: Β£80

If you don’t leave his booth shouting β€œI AM THE LAW,” you did it wrong.

🧾 How Much Is This Going to Set Me Back?

Let’s break it down like a Slipknot bridge into chaos:

Band MemberAutographPhoto OpCombo Price
Sid WilsonΒ£40Β£60Β£100
Randy BlytheΒ£40Β£60Β£100
Scott IanΒ£40Β£60Β£100
Frank BelloΒ£30Β£50Β£80

πŸ’₯ That’s before booking fees and your Comic Con Midlands entry ticket, mind. If you’re going full metal collector mode, it adds up β€” but this is a once-in-a-lifetime level of geek-to-metal crossover.

🎟️ Important Bits You NEED to Know (Read This, Butt):

  • You’ll need a valid Comic Con Midlands ticket for the day you want to meet the legends. These prices are on top of your day ticket.
  • Diamond Passes only give you queue jump privileges. If you want that sweet selfie or signed drumstick, buy autograph and photo tokens separately.
  • Photo op rules: You can bring one mate for the snap (two adults max). Babies under five? No charge. Just don’t give them a Randy Blythe pick β€” they’ll try to eat it.
  • If anything’s not sold out, you might be able to pay on the day at the guest’s table. But don’t risk it if you’re keen β€” pre-book that bad boy online!

πŸ‘‰ Get your tickets here: www.comicconventionmidlands.co.uk

🧨 What About the Osbournes?!

YEP. The First Family of Rock ‘n’ Roll are in the house too πŸ’€πŸ–€
Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne are also doing meet-and-greets. There’ll be plenty of crossovers between fans of horror, rock, reality TV, and bat decapitation (allegedly). Expect long queues, iconic stories, and maybe a few β€œSharon!!!” screams echoing across the NEC.

πŸ›οΈ Merch? You Bet.

You’ll be able to buy prints, posters, vinyls, Funko Pops, and more to get signed. Or bring your own. Just maybe leave the goat skull at home. (Unless you’re trying to summon Dio’s ghost β€” in which case, crack on.)

🎸 Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

YES MUN!
Where else are you gonna meet the men who literally wrote the riffs that gave you whiplash in 2005? Comic Con Midlands has become the melting pot of fandoms – and this year it’s bringing the mosh pit with it.

Whether you’re a die-hard metalhead, a cosplay connoisseur, or someone who just really wants to tell Scott Ian that β€œIndians” changed your life – this weekend is gonna be LUSH. πŸ–€

πŸ’¬ Let us know who you’re meeting, what you’re getting signed, and how many horns you’re throwing up in the queue. Tag us @theriffreport and show off those selfies 🀘

See you in the pit – erm – panel room. Tidy! 🏴