THE first signs of something unusual going on were the Stormtroopers clutching blaster rifles as they marched backwards and forwards along the corridors. Outside Spiderman and Poison Ivy and dozens of other film and comic cartoon characters waited patiently for the doors to open.
At 11am yesterday they did and Film and Comic Con Glasgow was alive at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow with instantly-recognisable characters pouring in look at and buy from the stalls selling teeshirts, posters and the best of TV and film memorabilia available from hundreds of stalls, as well as a masquerade and event zone featuring the best of today's video games.
For some, the preparations for the convention seemed to be as exciting as the event itself. Men gabbed in the toilet stalls as they put on their outfits, while others stood over the sinks meticulously applying the make-up that would transform them for the day.
Clipboard-carrying organisers nervously whispered in ears and Red Dwarf actor Robert Llewellyn took to the main stage. Two of those dressed as the webbed superhero had even driven up from south of the border for the day, with one Spiderman saying: "It's just about meeting others who are as mad as you are. Everyone is friendly and accepting, comic cons are just fantastic events."
The event, formerly known as Collectormania Glasgow, this year welcomed stars from both the big and small screen, with actors from Star Wars, Doctor Who and Game of Thrones among those drawing crowds of fans for a picture and autograph.
A collection of Bond girls featuring Octopussy's Janine Andrews, The Spy Who Love Me's Caroline Munro and Valerie Leon took their places on the venue's main stage at lunchtime before fans of Doctor Who and HBO's Game of Thrones were treated to some of the show's favourites.
Night King Vladimír Furdík joined fellow cast members Clive Russell, James Faulkner and Ian Whyte for a discussion onstage before returning for photo opportunities later in the day. Only a cancellation from Doctor Who actress Katy Manning put a dampener on the afternoon, with stormy weather in the south of England stranding her there.
Closing Saturday's festivities was a showing from World of Sport Wrestling performers Rampage Brown, Adam Maxted, Lionheart and So Cal Val while cosplayers were given crash courses in design and lines of fans waited with bated breath for a short picture opportunity with the actors and actresses behind the characters.
The two day event continues today, with a more limited programme of guests and a greater focus on visitor participation. Just two main stage events are scheduled, with a bigger emphasis on cosplay, giving the opportunity to learn from TV and film's best and brightest designers and offering fans the chance to get their photograph taken in the outfits which they no doubt spent hours, if not days, preparing.
The 2018 event is clearly a hit, with attendees taking to social media to share their delight at the day.
Tickets – from £4 for a child to £20 for a family –remain for today's event which runs from 11am until 6pm.
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