Dublin City was in safe hands earlier this month as Batman, Captain America, and the Amazonians all joined forces to celebrate the return of Dublin Comic Con.
While costumes were optional, fun was mandatory. It seemed that throughout the weekend, there was a smile on everyone's faces. It was clear to see that Comic Con had been sorely missed.
Of course, one of the most enjoyable parts of Comic Con was the costumes. And Ireland's cosplay talent did not disappoint. Throughout the weekend, every Luas and Dublin Bus was a mixture of comic book heroes, villains, and one or two Stormtroopers.
At times, the main foyer was a pickin' mix of geek culture, as sci-fi, comics, anime, TV, and gaming were all present and accounted for. From Batman to Moon Knight, Naruto to Spirited Away, League of Legends to Genshin Impact – even Kratos popped by from his holidays.
Kudos goes to every single cosplayer who was generous with their time and happy to stand in the baking heat of the Convention Centre for a photo or three. You made the day for so many of us.
Star-studded cast
Of course, the stars behind some of our favorite characters and shows were also in attendance over the weekend. From comic book writers Scott Synder and Brian Azzarello to gaming icon Felicia Day, Ireland's very own Dominique McElligott, currently starring in The Boys, legendary voice actor Charles Martinet, and at least one bona fide screen icon, original Robocop star Peter Weller!
A host of panels through the weekend allowed you to get up close and personal with the industry greats, and there was more than one opportunity for a photo-op. Various seminars on cosplay creation, animation, game design, and cosplay contests ensured everyone had something to learn.
As you walked through the different levels of the Convention Center, the sheer volume of Irish talent on display was unmissable. Over The Top Wrestling provided plenty of stunts and action in the ring to the backdrop of countless vendors.
It was far too easy to part with your money over the weekend. The crème of Irish illustrators, tabletop suppliers, special effects artists, and artisans were littered throughout the main hall. A complete list of vendors can be found here if you missed something over the weekend.
Heroes of all shapes, sizes, and species were also in form. The Irish Guide Dogs stand was a particular hotspot of activity, where four-legged heroes came to greet their adoring fans. Nearby, you could get up close and personal with various owls and a gigantic raven that would appease any Game of Thrones or Harry Potter fan.
Dublin Comic Con's return with sold-out events in the spring and summer of this year has long been overdue, and fans were out in force to make it a weekend to remember. It didn't matter what show, comic book, film, or game you were a die-hard fan of – there was something for everyone to enjoy.
From the high caliber of cosplays to the beautiful artwork and crafts on sale to the variety of panels and seminars, the event's greatest strength is its ability to put Irish talent front and center.
And with next year's spring edition already in the sights of many geeks, now's the perfect time to take out that needle and thread, plan your costumes, and get ready to geek out with your community.
For more information about Dublin Comic Con, you can visit their website here. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter, too.
