Comic Con draws thousands to Niagara Falls
Derek Goar wasn’t going to let a broken foot cramp his style.
The constraints of the large foot cast and crutches couldn’t stop the Beamsville man from donning a black and grey Deadpool costume and hobbling off to the sixth annual Niagara Falls Comic Con on Saturday.
“My son was losing sleep, worried that I wouldn’t be able to suit up because I’m usually a crowd favourite,” he said.
Goar simply incorporated his injury into his cosplay by adding a “speech bubble” that explained he’d lost his healing factor.
He wasn’t the only guest at the comic con nursing a broken foot.
Celebrity guest Robert Englund,
best known for his role as the dream-invading murderer Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street movie series, broke his foot a few weeks ago and was also sporting a cast.
The veteran actor said he’s constantly impressed by how much Canadians love their movies.
“You guys are hard core movie fans,” he said.
“If do a speech or a panel say in Toronto and I forget the name of some esoteric character, there’s always someone in the audience who knows who I’m talking about and I expect it’s the same here as well.”
While he’s appeared in more than 75 movies and appeared in a number of television series, he’ll forever be associated with the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise which first appeared on movie screens in 1984.
“I am spoiled and blessed by the fact that I came of age first with video, then cable, then DVD, now streaming,” he said. “I’m on my third generation of fans now.”
Englund was one of a number of celebrity guests at the three-day event held at Scotiabank Convention Centre.
At 15, Caleb McLaughlin is becoming a veteran of the con circuit.
“This is my 11th one,” said the young actor who played Lucas on the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. “I love meeting with fans.”
The New York native, who began his career on the Broadway stage as young Simba in the musical The Lion King, became a fan favourite when the quirky science fiction series debuted in 2016.
“It was a team effort and we all worked really hard to make it a success,” he said. “It’s basically a love story to the ’80s and everyone really enjoyed it.”
Christopher Dabrowski, show manager and co-founder of the popular convention, said the show continues to grow each year.
“We definitely had our biggest Friday and, so far, it looks like today will be the biggest we’ve ever had,” Dabrowski said Saturday.
Approximately 27,000 people attended the 2016 event. He expected to top that figure this year.
Seven-year-old Lily Blaker was one of the younger attendees.
“It’s fun,” said the Niagara Falls girl dressed up as Bat Girl.
Her stepfather Edmond Ritchie attended last year’s event, but not in costume. Lily wanted to go this year — but only if they both wore a costume. He obliged, as Captain America.
Lukas Milinkovic, 11, and his dad Michael decided to come to the Niagara Falls Comic Con after attending a similar event in their hometown of Hamilton. The duo were dressed as soldiers from the Call of Duty video game.
“We’re having a lot of fun,” Michael said.
More than 100 vendors were on site, including artist Andre Guindi, who showcased his Bros Before Foes collection.
“It’s an art series that deconstructs the hetero-normative status quo standards within the comic culture and pop culture,” he said.
The Toronto-based artist attended the local event last year and said his work was so well received he decided to return for a second year.
“I’m a big comic book fan,” he said. “I’m in my element here.”