Comiccon 2016

A stroll through the EY Centre at Comiccon will allow you an introduction with countless celebrities of the nerdy fictional world. Much like how Santa Claus sends out his world-wide team of mall representatives, many of my favorite anime, television, film, graphic novel, book and videogame characters were walking around in the flesh, happy to introduce themselves and pose for pictures. I met many favorites, who unbeknownst to most of us, call Ottawa home.

Comiccon 2016 was probably one of the most well organized geeky convention yet. The panels and presentations were (mostly?) fascinating, the vendors were (finally!) varied and were not all selling the same items, the artists and their gorgeous pieces were simply remarkable (I bought a painting :p), and some unique nerdom elements, such as The Doctor’s TARDIS and the Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1, were present for fans to enjoy. Though sometimes the volunteers didn’t really understand what they were doing (they try their best!), signs were badly posted leading to misinformed guests, and the schedule was as unpredictable as ever (the website lies), I do feel sorry for those who missed the event.

As cool as everything was however, seeing the effort Ottawa convention goers put into transforming themselves into the amazing personalities residing within them is the best part of attending Comiccon. I realized that these heroes, villains and idols, on a daily basis, cannot reveal their amazing identities and live among us, incognito. They come out for conventions to meld into the crowd, mingle with their peers, and meet their adoring fans. Here are a few people I met!

 

Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury were just attending panels and hanging out, like best friends would!

 

Aang the Avatar is all grown up and was incredibly friendly, such an honor to meet him!

 

These fine people were from Steampunk Ottawa and were an absolute pleasure to encounter.  They are Lady Annabella Hettie Passmorious (also known as Vanessa Passmore), Professor Gustave Morbeus the Patametaphysicist and Karmaidyan (www.facebook.com/gustave.morbeus), Samuel Augustine Blackmore (also known as Kelsy O’Neil) , Joel Casselman and Dr. Bones, also known as François Bonneau on a visit from Montreal.

 

 

Vincent Valentine was outside, as usual, avoiding crowds, but didn’t mind posing with me! This is Kait Merciless, Cosplay Artist (facebook.com/KaitMerciless, twitter.com/KaitMerciless)

 

 

 

Gorgeous and dangerous, this Dalek Princess was deceptively very pleasant! (Created by Sandra Villeneuve Custom Sewing and Alterations: Instagram: @iwasntdoneyet, sandra.villeneuve@gmail.com)

 

 

One of the most complex Doctor Who characters I have ever met; Madame Vastra, woman lizard from the dawn of time turned Victorian paranormal investigator.

These are only a few of the many amazing people, creatures and champions who made an appearance.

I of course stuck around for the main event of the convention; the Masquerade. I saw plenty of other nerdom super stars, intricately made outfits and many with original presentation styles. I must comment here on the fact that this costume contest was very poorly organized and felt more like a high school pep-rally than a professional event. The hosts, two ladies who I supposed were thrust on stage without much direction, were dragging on the event with improvised jokes that never seemed to end. What should have been minimal and entertaining banter between co-hosts, turned into nothing less than stealing the spotlight from the cosplayers. Only my interest in seeing the final contestants kept me in the room until the end.

Comiccon in Ottawa has improved with each coming and I certainly plan to attend in the next years. The fans and those who enjoy transforming into their favorite characters to bring cherished stories to life, I am sure, will be waiting eagerly for Comiccon 2017.

Oh! I forgot to mention- I was held up by a Psyco….actually a blast!

 

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