Thousands descended on San Diego over the weekend for the city’s first in-person Comic-Con in more than two years after previous cancellations due to Covid-19.
While the costumes on display at the event came in many different shapes and sizes, all attendees had two props in common – face marks and a red wrist band.
All attendees had to prove that they had either been vaccinated against Covid-19 or had recently tested negative for the villain that has kept the beloved geek-fest shuttered since July 2019 – and had to wear the red wrist band as proof to gain entry into the venue.
While this year’s three-day cosplay spectacular was scaled down from the usual summer crowds, estimated to have drawn over 160,000 in its past three iterations, its superfan regulars – old and new celebrated its return with typical pageantry.
Pictures from the the waterfront San Diego Convention Center showed the eccentric fans dressed as an array of superhero, science-fiction and fantasy characters ranging from the famous to the obscure, and in bright wigs, squeezed into spandex and armed with plastic weapons.
But safety was also at the forefront of the event, with its attendees often incorporating masks into their costumes. Everyone at the event was required to wear an approved face covering regardless of their vaccination status.
Cosplayers Matt Mullis as Captain America, Jake Garabedian as Starlord, and Trevor Newton as Ronin pose for photos at Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 28, 2021 in San Diego. Thousands descended on San Diego over the weekend for the city’s first in-person Comic-Con in more than two years after previous cancellations due to Covid-19
Cosplayers Lisa Lower as Holiday Black Widow (L) and Shawn Richter as Santa Red Guardian pose for photos at Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 28, 2021 in San Diego
Cosplayer Jordan Blaza Olsens as the Funimation Logo poses for photos at Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 28, 2021 in San Diego
tar Wars cosplayer Austin Verberg as Luke Skywalker with a baby Yoda in his papoose poses for photos at Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 28, 2021 in San Diego
Cosplayers dressed as characters from the video game Fallout walk by the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, November 27
William and Carola, dressed as steampunk Santa and Mrs. Claus, pose outside the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26
DC Comics Batman, Robin, Superman (L-R) cosplay at San Diego Comic-con International Special Edition on Saturday November 27, 2021 in San Diego
Actor John Cena surprises fans dressed as his character from HBO Max New Series ‘Peacemaker’ during 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition at the San Diego Convention Center on November 27, 2021 in San Diego
Attendees – mostly wearing masks – wait in line to enter the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26, 2021
A volunteer attaches a red wristband – signifying they have either been vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recently tested negative – to an attendee indicating they are vaccinated or have had a negative covid test, at the convention center
Ahead of the Comic-Con special edition, organisers worked to manage expectations, saying that due to Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines, the event was not intended to be the large gathering seen in previous summers.
‘Reduced in attendance, shorter in the number of days, and purposefully smaller in scope, this convention is meant to be a more intimate gathering while still evoking the fun community feeling our conventions are known for,’ the event’s website said.
But that did not stop an estimated 40,000-50,000 fans putting in just as much effort as previous years.
And like previous years, characters from the Avengers once again appeared to be the most popular costume of choice for many, with Star Wars also a fairly ubiquitous theme.
People dressed as characters from Netflix’s South Korean mega-hit Squid Game were also plentiful, and given the time of year, there were also many Christmas-twists on classic costumes.
An attendee looks at merchandise at the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 27, 2021
A view from above of the Comic-Con Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
Cosplayer Martin Villanos as Master Roshi from Dragonball waits in line to enter 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
Two fans dressed as the Marion Bros walk in front of the convention center on Day 1 of Comic-Con International on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in San Diego
Parents take pictures of their son by Squid Game’s Younghee doll at the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 27, 2021
A group of Marvel cosplayers dressed as the Avenger’s Thor and Captain America attend 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
Randall L., dressed as ‘Captain Spidey’ – a Spiderman/Captain America crossover – stands in line in front of the convention center on Day 1 of Comic-Con International on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in San Diego
A Spiderman cosplayer attends 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego, California. Comic-Con International was not held in 2020 or the summer of 2021 due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic
Speaking to the Los Angeles times, William McElligott – dressed as a steampunk Santa with a white beard covering a green plaid mask – said ‘I wouldn’t say it’s normal. But if you want to come, it’s what you’ve got to do.’
David Glanzer, a Comic-Con spokesman, told the newspaper: ‘There seems to be a general sense of excitement among attendees, volunteers, exhibitors and all involved. … I think everyone is relieved to be returning to a sense of normal, even if it is a somewhat smaller version of the typical Comic-Con event.’
Last year, the event was held virtually after the event was cancelled for the first time since its launch in 1970.
The event was so mourned by its fans that a memorial alter was set up near the convention center, with people leaving flowers, memorabilia and messages including: ‘I Love You. I Miss You. … Just Wear a Mask’ and ‘#NerdsUnite.’ With the pandemic continuing, the virtual event returned this summer.
Andy Holt, a 54-year-old database administrator from Irvine dressed as superhero Hawkman, said of being back at Comic-Con: ‘These are my people. ‘They get my geeky references. When I talk to people here? They understand what I’m saying.’
Attendees enter the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 27, 2021
Chris Canole dressed as ‘Dude Vader’ poses in front of the convention center on Day 1 of Comic-Con International on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in San Diego
Andrea Seale, dressed as a character from Disneyland’s Haunted House, poses in front of the convention center on Day 1 of Comic-Con International on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in San Diego
Masked attendees browse comic books at the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26, 2021
Cosplayer Brian Pineda as a Funko Pop Toy waits in line for a chance to buy Funko Pop toys at 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 27, 2021 in San Diego
Cosplayer Ruy Arenas as Deadpool poses for photos at Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 28, 2021 in San Diego
HALO cosplayers William Shimmin, James Hall, Benedict Choy, and Ian Milward pose for photos at Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 28, 2021 in San Diego
Ghostbusters cosplayers Britain Neptune, Trenton Mello, Stacey Bronk, and Alex Flores attend 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
Attendees walk through a convention hall at the weekend’s Special Edition Comic-Con
Cosplayer Cassandra Stevens as Harley Quinn attends 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego, California
Cosplayer Matt Jensen as Batman villain The Riddler, with a matching mask, attends 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
A man takes a photo of Star Wars cosplayers at the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 27, 2021
A cosplayer dressed as Spiderman takes a stroll outside the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 27, 2021
Cosplayers Shawn Richter as Batman (left) and Elijah Gallina as Joker pose for photos at 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 27, 2021 in San Diego
A man takes a photo of a toy at the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 27, 2021
Photographer Brandon Jackson captures a cosplayer in the Sail Pavillion at 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
Attendees dressed as Squid Game’s characters (one with a Christmas twist) pose at the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 27
Cosplayer Connor Patrick Breen as The Grinch attends 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
A Bob’s Burgers stand at 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
The dog Poe (for Poe Dameron from Star Wars) and his owners dressed as Loki pose outside the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 27, 2021
Attendees walk by a wall of t-shirts in the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26
Cosplayers Miguel Capuchino (left) and Lucy Capuchino as Mandalorians attend 2021 Comic-Con: Special Edition on November 26, 2021 in San Diego
Attendees dressed as characters from ‘Squid Game’ are seen outside the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26, 2021
A costumed child poses with the Younghee doll and guards from ‘Squid Game’ at the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26, 2021
A cosplayer walks in the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26, 2021
Attendees browse comic books in the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26, 2021
A young attendee plays with Wolverine claws in the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26, 2021
Tegheer Konner of Apple Valley, Calif, left and Keith Aguilar of Apple Valley, Calif, pose in the exhibit hall on day two of Comic-Con International on Saturday Nov. 27, 2021, in San Diego
Attendees wait in line to enter the convention center during Comic Con Special Edition in San Diego, California, November 26, 2021
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