Over 20,000 at Ireland’s ‘largest cosplay ever’
MORE than 20,000 Jokers, Throners and midnight walkers descended on Dublin’s docklands yesterday for the fourth annual Dublin Comic Con.
In what was described by reveller Rachel Linnie, who turned heads as Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad, as “Ireland’s largest cosplay event ever”, the capital’s Convention Centre was swarmed from 8am yesterday, with comic book and sci-fi fans hoping to snag a selfie with cast members from The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones.
Saturday’s highlights included a photo opportunity with a replica of the Iron Throne, as well as a sold-out Q&A with Tom Wlaschiha, aka The Faceless Man or Jagen H’ghar from Game of Thrones. The Walking Dead’s Scott Wilson, who played Hershel Greene from series one to five, was on hand for autographs and selfies, while John Romero, creator of the Doom video game, gave gamers a first-hand lesson in a multi-player game.
But the real action was taking place in the merch tent, where thousands scrambled to get their hands on items like life-size Beetlejuice and Exorcist figures, original Stormtrooper helmets — which cost upwards of ¤200 — or what proved most popular with punters, Marvel wall canvases, going for just ¤10 each.
Cillian Gleeson (12), who went along with his aunt, Eleanor Hall, said: “The best part was seeing all the rare comic books. I couldn’t quite afford the ¤7,000 Batman comic, but I got a Spider-Man and The Hulk one to add to my collection.”
The convention continues today, with Tomm Moore of Oscar-nominated The Secret of Kells chairing an animation panel, while there is another chance to win best costume.
And judging by yesterday’s standards, a black sack as a cape just won’t cut it.