Comic Con big hit with fans and celebs

Superheroes and anime characters descend on Dubai along with stars from top shows for three days of indulgence.

Zainab Ahsan came to the Comic Con as Sapphire from Steven Universe. Reem Mohammed / The National

DUBAI // It was a chance to get dressed up as their favourite film and comic book characters, see some of their heroes and let their geek chic shine through – and it was a chance sci-fi fans did not fail to miss.

Thousands eagerly made their way to the fifth annual Middle East Film and Comic Con, which started on Thursday.

Last year, about 54,000 people attended the three-day event at the Dubai World Trade Centre, and organisers hoped to get 70,000 people through the doors this year.

Wrestler and actor Randy Orton was one of the celebrities to take part in this year’s fanfest and he was thrilled to attend –and visit the Middle East.

“I’ve been honoured to be in this part of the world about half a dozen times, and every time I come I get to meet more and more lovely people,” he said.

Game of Thrones’ Jamie Lannister – also known as actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – made a superhero fast visit during a short break in his schedule.

“I met a lot of fans and it was amazing to see the excitement, creativity and joy,” said the Danish actor.

Emmet 'Doc' Brown made a Back to the Future stop off in 2016 so that he could drop in on the fun.

While he was making an adjustment to his DeLorean time-machine car, his alter ego, actor Christopher Lloyd said he was sure the time-travelling mad scientist was very impressed by what Dubai 2016 had to offer.

“I think he would be thrilled to see the amazing architecture and the people,” the American actor said of the hugely popular movie trilogy character.

Other guests included British actor and comedian Nick Frost, who starred in the television series Spaced; Summer Glau, who portrayed River Tam from Firefly/Serenity; Veronica Taylor, the voice of Pokemon's Ash Ketchum; Max Landis, screenwriter, director and producer; and Darryl McDaniels, a founding member of hip-hop group Run-DMC.

Momo Al Mansouri, 30, from Abu Dhabi, has been coming to the Middle East Film and Comic Cons since they were launched, five years ago.

“I’ve always been a big fan of comic books and anime and was very excited to learn of the event when it started in the UAE,” she said.

"I didn't dress up the first year but have the following years, and this year I am Lux from League of Legends."

She also said Comic Con reflected positively on the UAE, as the events were up to international standards.

For Afreen Baig, 19, from India, this was her second time taking part in the Middle East Film and Comic Con.

"Last year, I came as an elf, and this year I'm the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland," she said. "He's my favourite character because he's wacky and weird, and just like me."