Comics, dressup, and LARPing, oh my!

STORY BY DYLAN PAISLEY
PHOTO GALLERY BY ROBERT SGOTTO & DYLAN PAISLEY

Fans swarmed the Metro Toronto Convention Centre last weekend for Toronto ComiCon, the annual multi-day event that brings fans together to celebrate their love for TV, movies, anime and comics.

“When we first started, I think anime was the thrust of it- anime and manga,” said Toronto ComiCon event and programming coordinator James Armstrong. “Since then we added a lot of interests that are the same as Fan Expo, so covering more bases with comic books, science-fiction, horror movies, that kind of thing.”

Fans experienced events and panels like cosplay workshops, Q&As with their favourite celebrities and 6teen episode script reading with the cast.

“Giancarlo Esposito from Breaking Bad – this is an example of a guest who had a tremendous role on television that he was nominated for an Emmy. It is definitely my favourite show” said Armstrong. “Even though it’s not related to our typical science-fiction, fantasy kind of celebrity, he definitely has a lot of interest with the fans.”

Other celebrities that were there were Tatiana Maslany and Jordan Gavaris from Orphan Black , Sean Astin and Billy Boyd from Lord of the Rings and Eliza Dushku from Dollhouse.

The convention was filled with vendors selling things like comics, toys and T-shirts. Toronto ComiCon also had an “Artist Alley” exhibit within the vending area where local artists sell their art.

The creations ranged from posters of famous characters and scenes to handmade comics and crocheted toys.

“I liked Artists Alley. Looking through that was really cool,” said Sheridan College Illustration student Alyse Nicholson.

This Comicon was Nicholson’s first convention.

“I’ve just never been to a con, so I just went ‘why not?’ We just went with a bunch of people from Sheridan,” said Nicholson. “It’s just a very small con which is nice to throw you into it.”

The convention is a great way for groups such as the Toronto Ghostbusters, the Doctor Who Society and Nero Canada to recruit members.

Nero Canada is a live action role playing (or LARPing) group out of Hamilton. It’s one of the largest LARPing groups and has been running for over 20 years.

LARPing involves people making up their own character, dress in costumes. Players then fight each other with foam swords, arrows and spells.

“LARPing is live-action role play so basically, anyone who tabletops DND (Dungeons and Dragons). It’s like that but you play your own character,”said Nero Canada spokesperson Kelly Smith. “So you are the one actually swinging the sword, you’re the one blocking the moves, you’re the one casting the magic.”

On Saturday there was an after party at the club Tattoo, where people showed up in costume and even some of the celebrities showed up.

Hobbystar will next be putting together the bigger Convention FanExpo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre at the end of August.

: A shocking costume from Raptures Big Daddy

: The main characters from the new Lego movie pose with their fans.

: R2-D2 hanging out in theMetro Toronto Convention Centre

: ALI as Katniss

: Toy Ironman is ready for action

: Jedi and Sith put aside their differences for one last photo together.

: When two obi-Wans collide

: Kavolina Flicek as Fionna from Adventure Time,Alyse Nicholson as Spinel sun Cardcaptor Sakura and Holly McGillis as the traveler from Journey.

: Master Chief's ready to fight for that last issue he needs for his collection

: Boba Fett and his Mandelorians pose menacingly.

: Minecraft fans of all ages were abound at Comic-con.

: Molly Heffernan as Edward kenway from assassins creed 4, Jena Tilley as Elsa from frozen and Jocelyn Grills as Abaddon from supernatural

: Rarity striking a fabulous pose at comicon

: Krista-Marie Porter stands ready in her cosplay at Comic-con

: Connor Kenway carries enough weapons for a small army.

: Nero Canada sparring

: Garrett stands alert with his bow drawn from Thief.

: Jordan Duncan as Themistokles from 300

: Jedi and Clone troopers draw their weapons while Hulk takes a quick reading break.

: Saruman and Tauriel set grudges aside and team up.

: Nero Canada Kelly Smith, James Murphy, Sarah Jane Murphy, Alexander Dotzteo.

: Fans buying their tickets before the convention starts

: Jennifer Maillet as Gambit from X-Men

: Nero Canada sparring

: Just a lazy Saturday for ash and his Pikachus

: The 501st legion, a group of cosplaying Star Wars characters, brought a piece of the deathstar with them to Comic-con, letting people sit on the Emperor’s throne.