PRINCESSES posed with dinosaurs, comic heroes and villains hung out and cult classic film stars rubbed shoulders with gaming, wrestling and cosplay fans at Durham Comic-Con today.
Becky Courtney, stage manager for Unleashed Events which hosted the event at Rainton Arena, said: “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are a fan of, we are all accepting and appreciate people taking time to make their costumes or simply come along to spend time together.
“Some people will have watched all the Harry Potter films seven times and know every word, some will spend hours getting dressed up and others will have been dragged along by their kids.
“But, the atmosphere is beautiful and everyone is having the same amount of fun– it’s incredible.”
Eleven-year-old furries Shana Moore, of Bishop Auckland, and Miley Rogerson, of Ferryhill, loved the day.
Shana’s mother Joni Moore said: “Shana is autistic and struggles with anxiety but this helps massively, she doesn’t usually like to go out but was really excited about this. She started making costumes out of cardboard boxes and designed her Fennec fox outfit and had it made, she put it on and had the confidence to come here and have fun.”
Big draws to Unleashed Events’ first County Durham event included actors Chris Rankin, Percy Weasley in Harry Potter, Colin Baker who was Doctor Who from 1984 to 1986 and Clem So of Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel fame along with writers, comic creators, stalls, meet and greets, talks and photo opportunities.
Seven-year-old Dillon Mason, from Murton, went as Clark Kent with mum Vicky Rochester and her partner Matt Quartley, both in Stranger Things outfits.
He said: “Superman is the best because he always does the right thing.”
Enjoying their first visit to an event of this kind were friends Ryan Rudkin, 17, of New Brancepeth, as Joker and Kai Walker, 18, of Langley Park, as Miles Morales/Spider Man.
“I was nervous but it’s amazing to fit in,” said Kai.
A highlight for father and daughter John and Jasmine Osborne, aged 49 and 13, who went as Doctor Who and Harley Quinn, of Batman Universe, was meeting Colin Baker.
Mr Osborne said: “I was born in 1970 and grew up watching Doctor Who, I’ve always liked it and I’ve met them all except Peter Davison but hope to at an event in Doncaster in April.”
Caiden Diaper and Keira Hughes, both 13 and from Darlington, loved seeing what other fans of RPG video game Undertale came up with for costumes.
And friends Ellie McBride and Ella Storey, of Durham, were fascinated by the artistry and creativity on show.
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