San Diego Comic-Con International 2015: The Booths/Exhibits

A huge part of the dazzling sensory bombardment that is the Con floor (and, increasingly, spilling out beyond the Convention Center itself) are the booths and exhibits, the fact that they stand in the way of the flow of human traffic notwithstanding. It’s always a treat to take a peek at props from movies and TV shows that are being put on auction – I’m proud to admit I got a genuine thrill out of seeing Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft gun belt from the first Tomb Raider flick. More significantly, there were Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman’s costumes from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and there was also the original Rebel Blockade Runner model used in the famous opening of the first Star Wars

THE BOOTHS/EXHIBITS

Hasbro’s epic, epic Marvel Legends diorama has EVERYYYOONNNNE fighting Ultron drones!

Including, for some reason, the Lizard, in the, uh, sewer on this jungle island.

“HULK RIP PUNY ROBOT IN HALF!”

Natasha looking cool as all get-out, as usual.

Do want this Amazon four-pack!

Terminator Genisys wasn’t great, but this statue looks badass, particularly lit like that!

Guyver bust by Cinemaquette

Medusa bust

Wonder Woman Barbie – pure class!

Digging the wooden grappling gun handle.

Mattel’s Wonder Woman

Mattel’s Superman

Mattel’s Batman

Mattel’s armoured Batman

The Reverse Flash’s screen-used costume!

Captain Cold

The Flash himself
Jay Garrick’s helmet

The Arrow’s outfit

The Dark Archer

Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman outfit

Ben Affleck’s armoured Batman outfit

Henry Cavill’s Superman suit, with the colours brightened up a tad 

Black Canary
 
Felicity Smoak’s glasses, as worn by Emily Bett-Rickards.

Said the X-Wing to the TIE Fighter, “come at me bro!”

The Rebel Blockade Runner model used in that iconic, awesome opening shot.

The Winnebago Space Ship from Spaceballs!

Sideshow’s Premium Format Power Girl statue

Ledger Joker

Arkham Knight Batman

Yoda

Space Jockey 
Still waiting on Hot Toys figures of the rest of the HIMYM crew.

Bewitched

“It’s awfully well-balanced.”

Loki loves Comic-Con, especially after invading Hall H in 2013.

The Gotham figure I’m most excited about. You go lil Catwoman!
Captain Solo is home.
Man that’s a handsome, handsome John Barrowman headsculpt!
Brace yourself for a super punch!
Come on in, it’s roomy!
Captain Archer’s beagle!
The Rocketeer’s helmet
One of many, many Enterprises.
Original flavour Stormtrooper helmet
“You call thish archaeology?”
Oscar-winning glasses!

Arrrrr.
Kick-Ass’s scuba suit headpiece!
Hey, USA Today doesn’t look like that in 2015!
The First Order Stormtrooper, an exclusive I did not want to wait in line for.
The Book of Vishanti Doctor Strange figure set, ditto.
A wacky Lego dimensions sculpture. Samurai mech-suit Homer assisted by Wonder Woman? Hell yeah!
Hold up a second, that’s just Hawkeye’s head with red glasses instead of purple ones!

Hot Wheels’ Batman v Superman Batmobile – this beast is a beauty!

NECA’s always-impressive line-up, kicking off with Quarter-Scale Christopher Reeve Superman.

Pengy!

Arkham Knight Batsy

Terminator 2 Pescadero Mental Hospital diorama

Badass Sarah Connor is badass.

“Old, but not obsolete”

The egg crate packaging is a hilarious touch. Bishop isn’t as thrilled about it as I am though.

“Get away from her you…UNPLEASEANT WOMAN!”

Kaiju in cardboard city

Interstellar dolls! Amelia Brand can go hang out with Catwoman

Speaking of which, here’s the Michelle Pfeiffer version from Sideshow. Mrrow.

Jurassic Park art prints! They were also selling reproductions of the map pamphlets from both Jurassic Park and Jurassic World.

XM Collectibles’ shiny Iron Men.

Was there anyone who watched the end credits of Avengers: Age of Ultron and said of that marble marvel, “I don’t want that”?

Surprise! Remote control opening hatch!

The DC artists have doodled on the table in-between autograph sessions – just like in school, then!

“Blue Harvest: Horror Beyond Imagination”

That gun belt.

No photos of the Doctor Who figures you say? I too like to live dangerously.

Worry not, Sherlock’s got POSEABLE ARMS!

American Horror Story: Hotel‘s hotel. Not actual size.

When being in the doghouse isn’t such a bad thing after all

 
♫I fought the law and the law won♫

Heroes that fit in the palm of your hand!

“Eyes on me!”

It’s the LEGO Jurassic World Raptor Squad! Adorable.
Clever girl.

And as I’m caught in between the wrath of the Science Bros, it’s a wrap!

San Diego Comic-Con International 2015: The Celebrities

This year, I camped out overnight in line for Hall H. Thanks to my brother Tedd for holding a spot in line for the afternoon and earlier part of the night! I’ve gotta say, it was worth it. As Comic-Con gets bigger and bigger each year, the studios roll out more and more of –

THE CELEBRITIES

Had the opportunity to interview Zachary Levi! Seriously one of the nicest celebrities I’ve ever met. Laid-back, charming, absolutely no airs about him at all. Super cool.

Thanks for obliging my request for a photo!
William Shatner and David A. Goodman, author of the James T. Kirk autobiography

Doctor Who! Moderator Chris Hardwick, stars Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez and showrunner Steven Moffat

The Doctor-Donna asking the panel some questions!

Chris Hardwick attempts to stop Jenna Coleman from hearing Peter Capaldi’s answer to a fan question about what other companions the 12th Doctor would like to travel with other than Clara.

Wil Wheaton is excited for the Con Man panel.

“I am a leaf on the chair!” Alan Tudyk in costume as Wash.

Mindy Sterling, Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton and special effects artist Barry Bishop

Nathan Fillion, Michael Trucco, Seth Green, Alison Haislip and Nolan North

Wash and Mal reunited

A rambunctious bunch

Felicia Day. Swoon.

Special effects artists Barry Bishop and Billy Brooks got engaged to each other in front of the Hall H crowd!
Writer Alan Burnett, producer Bruce Timm and voice actor C. Thomas Howell of Justice League: Gods and Monsters

Casting and voice director Andrea Romano, director Sam Liu and Burnett again

Howell again with fellow voice actors Paget Brewster (Lois Lane) and Tamara Taylor (Wonder Woman)
Okay, I’ve waited in line all night, it’s time for the Warner Bros. Hall H panel on Saturday.

The men and women of U.N.C.L.E.

Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki

Armie Hammer and Henry Cavill, Ilya Kuryakin and Napoleon Solo, The Lone Ranger and Superman

Director Joe Wright and titular star Levi Miller from Pan.

Garrett Hedlund (Hook) and Hugh Jackman (Blackbeard)

The Suicide Squad enters Hall H!

Adwale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Killer Croc), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flagg), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller) and Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn)

Task Force X assemble – including Will Smith as Deadshot! 
Moderator Aisha Tyler and director Zack Snyder

The cast of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice takes their places. Holly Hunter, Jesse Eisenberg, Amy Adams, Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck

Lex Luthor and Lois Lane

Jeremy Irons (Alfred) and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman)

Gal Gadot

“The red capes are coming! The red capes are coming!”

The World’s Finest

Ben Affleck

The Eleventh Doctor himself, Matt Smith

From Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: author Seth Grahame-Smith, director Burr Steers and actors Douglas Booth and Jack Huston.

Bella Heathcote (Jane Bennet)

Natalie Dormer and Matt Smith of Patient Zero

Clive Standen, John Bradley-West, Natalie Dormer and Matt Smith

Moderator Chris Hardwick and Quentin Tarantino, in Hall H to present his latest film Hateful Eight – to be shown in glorious 70 mm! 

The very impressive cast of Hateful Eight assembled. 

Beatrix Kid-do asking a question of Mr. Tarantino! 

Quentin Tarantino, Kurt Russell and Jennifer Jason Leigh

Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern

Legendary Pictures studio chief Thomas Tull

Guillermo del Toro, director of Crimson Peak

Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain

Guillermo del Toro, Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain

Director Michael Dougherty with stars Toni Collette and Adam Scott of Krampus.

The cast of Duncan Jones’ Warcraft.

Paula Patton

Clancy Brown, Ruth Negga and Daniel Wu

Dominic Cooper and Rob Kazinsky

The Women Who Kick Ass panel: Moderator Sara Vilkomerson, Gwendoline Christie, Hayley Atwell, Gal Gadot, Jenna Coleman and Kathy Bates

Gwendoline Christie and Hayley Atwell

Gal Gadot

Jenna Coleman

Jenna Coleman and Kathy Bates

When Agent Carter met Wonder Woman

Joss Whedon receiving his Icon Award. “Very kind of them to scratch off JJ’s name and write mine,” he joked. 
The cast of The Maze Runner

Dylan O’Brien, Rosa Salazar, Ki Hong Lee, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Giancarlo Esposito

Director Paul McGuigan with stars James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe of Victor Frankenstein.

James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe getting a little touchy-feely

And Tumblr went wild

Director Josh Trank, writer Simon Kinberg and stars Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell and Toby Kebbell of Fantastic Four.

Our Fantastic Four

Reed and Sue

DOOM!

Ryan Reynolds

The cast and director of Deadpool

Morena Baccarin

Gina Carano

T.J. Miller and Brianna Hildebrand

Ryan Reynolds and Morena Baccarin

Brianna Hildebrand

Director Tim Miller and Ryan Reynolds

Hughverine!

Hugh Jackman and Bryan Singer

The cast of X-Men: Apocalypse takes their places

Hugh Jackman jumps in Jennifer Lawerence’s lap

Oscar Isaac (Apocalypse) and Olivia Munn (Psylocke)

Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique) and Michael Fassbender (Magneto)

Evan Peters (Quicksilver), Lucas Till (Havok), Lana Condor (Jubilee), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nightcrawler) and Tye Sheridan (Cyclops)

A young Scott Summers and Jean Grey (Sophie Turner)

Surprise appearance from Stan the Man!

Attempt at the largest comic book movie selfie ever

The night’s DC TV program kicks off with an appearance from the Green Arrow, formerly known as the Arrow. 

Katie Cassidy, Willa Holland, John Barrowman and producer Wendy Mericle

Stephen Amell and Katie Cassidy

Father-daughter goofiness

David Ramsey, zen as always

Olicity!

Candice Patton, Grant Gustin, Tom Cavanagh and Danielle Panabaker from The Flash.

Iris and Barry

Caitlin and Cisco (Carlos Valdez)

Legends of Tomorrow

Caity Lotz, returning as The White Canary

Ciara Renee, Victor Garber, Brandon Routh and Wentworth Miller of Legends of Tomorrow

Camren Bicondova and David Mazouz, young Catwoman and Batman from Gotham

Ben McKenzie as Gotham’s heroic Jim Gordon

Donal Logue and Robin Lord Taylor

Sean Pertwee and Camren Bicondova

Melissa Benoist, Supergirl herself

The cast and creators of Supergirl

Jeremy Jordan

Melissa Benoist and Mehcad Brooks

Jimmy Olsen: scrawny no more!

Moderator Ian Somerhalder with Melissa Benoist

Acrobatics performance inspired by the DC TV shows

The cast and writer of Lego Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom!

Voice actors John DiMaggio and Troy Baker

Voice actor Kary Payton

Voice actor Dave B. Mitchell and writer Heath Corson from Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem

Yuri Lowenthal

Will Friedle and Yuri Lowenthal

San Diego Comic-Con International 2015: The Cosplay

Hey everyone, I’ve just returned from my third year at San Diego Comic-Con. While I didn’t have as good an experience as last year, I’m not taking the privilege for granted and as with the two previous years, here is my series of mega picture posts. Here we go with – 

THE COSPLAY

Kicking it off with a cosplayer as Jay Garrick, the original Flash! In the bottom left hand of the display case, you’ll see the prop helmet from that amazing moment in the Flash season finale when it tumbled out of the portal.

“I will break you!” “I will make you tell the truth!”

Gender-flipped Joker and Poison Ivy
Gamora! 

Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, with Bat-mite in a baby bjorn. Or maybe that’s Bat-mite with Zur-En-Arrh as a backpack

5 + 11!

Ridiculous abs. Just ludicrous. Unbelievable. Other superlative adjectives.

With LeeAnna Vamp

GlaDOS

Zatanna attempts to keep Batman out of Deadpool’s grasp

Pretty hard for Deadshot to miss because Batman’s right there in his hand.

Reverse Flash: “grr, curse you Barry!”

Fourth Doctor!

This gentleman can’t help but give a far more amiable smile than the Joker’s known for. Still cool!

The chainmail section on this Green Arrow’s costume is neat!

Look close enough and you can see the Batman figure blush.

Hey Kristoff!

Lots of Mad Lovin’ couples, as with most years.

It’s Slumber Party Harley! D’aww.

Agent Carter’s a little thrown by someone who’s fallen in from the wrong universe.

Stormin’ it up

This Comedian has the psychotic grin nailed pat!

Hey 11! 

Fraggin’ great Lobo!

Hooked on a feeling and shooting straight!

“Mr. Fredricksen, may I please have a photo?”

There’s the War Doctor in the middle! NO MOAR! 

Arkham City Harley!

KidPool

One of many Harleys rocking the Suicide Squad movie look.

Sisterhood of the con-going dresses

I am the one who knocks! And is the first in line for the exclusives!

Mega-Man!

Raven

Well hello there Amy Pond!

Bat-villains, including a gender-flipped Harley Quinn!

The Arkham Knight look for Harley’s one of the favourites so far.

11 is 10’s mum? Awesome!

The Boy Who Waited and his Kissogram beau! 

Steampunk Poison Ivy!

Pretty much the best Spider-Gwen cosplay I’ve ever seen. I think she might be Maid of Might cosplay. 
“Who’s scruffy-looking?”

Hey 12! How about a hug!

Don’t blink. Blink and you’re…

TOO LATE!

Why yes, I would kiss that Ms. Quinzel.

Just the sweetest-looking Ariel!

The Black Queen, Jean Grey

Loki and Black Widow looking great together!
Love this Barry’s good-natured grin
X-cellent! And an Adorable Cyclops leading the charge, too!
Another lovely Arkham City Harley!
No disintegrations Boba!
Steph Batgirl!


I was wearing just the right shirt for it, too!

Jurassic World Margarita Guy! Just about my favourite cosplay this year.
Squirrel Girl’s guns
It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad Wonderful World


Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver group cosplays were very popular this year!

Captain Cold and Golden Glider have Ollie in their sights!
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Sith Lord
Cruella de Vil, Cruelle de Vil, if she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will…
Darth Revan
Ash celebrating the release of Ash vs. The Evil Dead raising his boomstick!
Capable from Mad Max: Fury Road
Love this Gamora’s costume and makeup, and it helps that she looks like Zoe Saldana too!
This gender-flipped Quicksilver from Days of Future Past is adorable!
Cutest little Berserker rage
Lady Deadpool
Boba Knievel
Hey Poison Ivy! Hmm, that looks a lot like an Ariel wig. 
Eye candy for all.
Knirhs!
Double serving of Owen with a print of T. rex concept art!
Triple Pratting at Comic-Con
Back to back Pratt!
Really rad Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch – that Quicksilver in particular has quite the likeness to Aaron Taylor-Johnson!
This George Lucas cosplayer was carrying a sign that said “Jar Jar 4 Life” on one side and “Greedo Shot First” on the other.
The World’s Finest – doesn’t matter that Batman’s six inches tall.
Awesome throwback with Batman and Joker from Batman ’89!
Immortan Joanna and Nux
Lady Sif and Thor
John Hammond, who has spared no expense.
Red Hood

Arkham Knight Red Hood

Check out the back of that jacket!
Ring ring! Shame!

Hey kids, it’s Mikey!

Gender-flipped Indy

And gender-flipped Han!

A.I.M. soldiers – for science!

An appropriately sinister Jafar

Gender-flipped Daredevil taking on the Kingpin

Claire has had it with Owen’s antics

Let it not be said that I studied theatre for nothing!

Cap and Widow

Flash and Batgirl

More Poison Ivy

Lara Croft

And a Lara based on the reboot game!

Great Scott, it’s Doc Brown!

Double dose of mini-Ahsoka, joined by Boba Cap

Beyond.

Cutest lil Thor

The mum’s Ursula and the daughter’s Ariel…messed up but wonderful!

Poison Ivy

Black Mask

’66 Catwoman

Comic-Con wouldn’t be complete without a Slave Leia!

Excellent Daenerys cosplay!

Mother of Raptors

Gender-flipped Green Arrow

Morpheus offers the red pill or the blue pill.

Jem! Truly truly outrageous!

Think McFly!

Great Scott, it’s a timey wimey confluence of temporal voyagers!

Another Margarita guy carries his beloved cocktails away from the Pterosaurs

Black Widow and the Winter Soldier

Rogue and Angie from Agent Cater

Galactus, right before devouring that world

Casey Jones, with an Arrow figure since Stephen Amell’s playing the character in the next film.

Ace Ventura, Mutant Detective

Uncharted: Drake’s Convention

Zoey and Mal from Firefly

And we cap it off with a tale as old as time. Gorgeous Belle (which is a tautology)

By Royal Command: Kingsman: The Secret Service press conference

As published in Issue #60/61 of F*** Magazine

Text:

BY ROYAL COMMAND

F*** is at Comic-Con to hear the stars and creators of Kingsman: The Secret Servicediscuss the spy movie
[San Diego Exclusive] 
By Jedd Jong 
                Further into 2015, a certain famous fictional spy will be embarking on his latest cinematic adventure. But in February, moviegoers can look forward to kicking off the year with a different kind of espionage movie in the form of Kingsman: The Secret Service. In the film, Colin Firth plays Harry Hart, a dapper middle-aged gentleman who just happens to be a member of an elite covert organisation known as “Kingsman”. Harry plucks ne’er-do-well Gary Unwin, nicknamed “Eggsy” and played by newcomer Taron Egerton, off the streets to become a Kingsman recruit. The young man is put through his paces as a threat emerges in the form of maniacal biotechnology magnate Valentine, played by Samuel L. Jackson.
The film is based on the 6-issue comic book series The Secret Service by writer Mark Millar and artist Dave Gibbons. Millar is known for working on Marvel Comics titles such as Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimates Fantastic Four and Civil War, in addition to creating Wanted and Kick-Ass. Matthew Vaughn, director of Kick-Ass, reunites with Millar on Kingsman, Vaughn working from a screenplay he co-wrote with writing partner Jane Goldman. F*** is in attendance for the press conference held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, with Millar, Gibbons, stars Firth, Jackson, Egerton, Sophie Cookson and Sofia Boutella on hand to discuss the movie.
                This writer steps up to ask the panel a question regarding the tone of the film and the balance struck between that of an homage to 60s-style spy fiction and the exciting, sometimes-shocking panache director Vaughn is known for. This writer can’t help but feel a little nervous as Samuel L. Jackson replies “who do you expect to have the answer to that question?” It seems Vaughn would be best-suited to answering the query, but he is not on the panel. Luckily, Mark Millar steps in.
                “He’s a genius so he had no problem with it at all,” the Scottish author says of Vaughn. “He’s a big fan of all this stuff [spy-fi] growing up and like all of us here, probably, he’s into that eclectic pop culture, like Quentin Tarantino, [who] takes all the stuff that he loves and puts it into one movie.” It is a good move invoking Tarantino, seeing as Samuel L. Jackson is an oft-collaborator of the director and will also appear in his upcoming film The Hateful Eight. Millar reveals that the seeds for The Secret Service were planted when he and Vaughn chatted about old-school spy movies on the set of Kick-Ass. Millar credits the Roger Moore-starring The Spy Who Loved Mewith igniting his love of spy movies and bemoans how contemporary entries in that genre have become too self-serious. “When I was a kid I used to go see James Bond and say ‘I want to be him when I grow up’ and now you go and see James Bond and he’s crying in the shower!” He remarks, referencing 2006’s Casino Royale, to laughter from the crowd. Granted, Bond was comforting Vesper who was crying in the shower, but we see where he’s coming from. “I think you want to see a spy movie where you don’t want to kill yourself after!”
                Much has been made of how this will the first big action film for Colin Firth, who like fellow esteemed British thespian Helen Mirren, has gone from winning an Oscar for playing royalty to “kicking arse” in a comic book adaptation. He describes his character Harry Hart as “the Henry Higgins of the spy world.” “It was great fun,” he says of getting to play a deadly action hero. “I’ve never had to do anything this physical, unless you include having to pull Hugh Grant’s hair,” he quips to laughter from the crowd, referencing Bridget Jones’ Diary. Firth worked with various experts including gymnasts, martial artists and ex-Special Forces soldiers to prepare for the part of the superspy. “The training was extraordinarily intense and unfamiliar to me. It was long and incredibly gratifying by the end. I wish I had done more of it.”
                Firth grew up in England in the 1960s, right in the middle of the spy-fi boom. “I think to a very large extent, in terms of style and the character of the spy movies that I fell in love with, [it] has its roots in the ‘60s,” he says, name-checking The Man from U.N.C.L.E., the Harry Palmer films, The Avengers and of course the early Bond flicks. A lethal streak hidden beneath a composed, proper surface appeals to Firth: “It’s the guy in the suit who seems slick and cool and capable but very, very contained – but you cross him at your peril.” Firth reveals that he had been “sitting here waiting for the offer on Bond for long enough” and recalls, “he [Vaughn] came to me and said ‘I think you’re the last person on earth anybody would expect to kick anyone’s ass and I think it would be a big surprise but I would want you to really do it.’” Vaughn and Goldman hadn’t finished the script when they approached Firth, but the comics were enough to sell him on the idea. “I loved it, I couldn’t put them down.” Vaughn told him up front that the training process would be an arduous one but Firth was up for the challenge. “He wanted me to

really do it, to be able to really sell it, not just cut to a stuntman. He wanted it to really be me, to be utterly, convincingly me.”

                Though certainly not a traditional “action star”, Samuel L. Jackson has markedly more experience in the action genre than Firth. When asked if he offered any advice to his co-star, Jackson recalls when Vaughn showed him Firth’s big fight scene. “I was sitting there slack-jawed. I was like ‘that’s Colin Firth? Really?!’ So he didn’t need any help from me.” Like Firth, Jackson was attracted to Kingsman because of the escapism of the spy action genre. He reminisces about playing pretend with his friends when he was growing up. “I get to do it as an adult on a grand scale. I get to have a real gun in my hand and it shoots fake bullets but now, when I shoot somebody, unlike my friends who always go ‘you missed me’, their chests explode. I love that.” 


Jackson has something of a reputation for giving reporters a hard time – he egged film journalist Jake Hamilton on to say the “n-word” and decimated a news anchor for confusing him with Laurence Fishburne. Today, we get a taste of that when a reporter’s mobile phone, placed on the table to record the press conference, starts ringing. Jackson answers. “No, this is Sam. What’s going on? Who’re you looking for? You know, whoever you were calling was in the middle of a press conference and had their phone on the desk as a voice recorder and you just f**ked that up. So you want to call him back in like 30 minutes? Awesome.” The crowd is amused; the owner of the phone probably less so. “Come on, don’t be ashamed,” Jackson chides. “Claim your f**king phone.”
It must be thrilling for the younger actors to go toe-to-toe with these titans of cinema, not to mention the other big-name supporting players Michael Caine and Mark Strong. Sophie Cookson, literally fresh out of the Oxford School of Drama, plays the lead female role of Roxy, a Kingsman recruit alongside Eggsy. She concedes, “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly intimidated but we were all in it together and we all wanted to make the film as good as possible and have as much fun doing it and doing it with titans such as these has been an absolute honour and we’re very lucky.”

          Algerian dancer and actress, Sofia Boutella, known as the face of Nike Women, plays Gazelle, henchwoman to Valentine. In the comics, Gazelle is male. The film retains the character’s deadly bladed bionic legs. Echoing Cookson’s sentiments, she says of getting to act alongside Firth and Jackson, “it was absolutely amazing. I think it was such an honour for all three of us to get to work with them and could not believe what was happening to us, to be honest. They’re all really, truly generous and they were absolutely amazing with us on set. It was a great experience.”

               Welsh actor Taron Egerton seems a little overwhelmed by just being at Comic-Con and stays quiet through most of the press conference. He starts to answer a question about the training he had to undergo in preparation for the part of Eggsy, but is cut off by the afore-mentioned phone call. However, we do get the feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more from him soon. As a young actor, he is understandably thrilled to be in the film with Firth and Jackson. “I think the two gentlemen next to me, I think it’s probably fair to say are the quintessential living English and American movie stars and for me, getting to do scenes with both of them was not only wildly different but also completely wonderful in different ways and is something I’ll always remember.”

San Diego Comic Con International 2014 – The Cosplay

Hey everyone, having returned from Comic-Con for a few days I’m hunkering down to put up the mega picture-posts, as per last year. This was my first year going as a member of the press so I did have more opportunities to be up close to the cool stuff. Major thanks to my parents for structuring our family vacation around Comic-Con again this year and am really glad that my brother could join us too.

THE COSPLAY

One of the undeniable highlights of Comic-Con is seeing pure dedication on display in the form of fans dressing up as and embodying their favourite characters. I have serious “fear of missing out” (FOMO) when it comes to cosplays at conventions and of course there is no way one would able to see it all, but I am really glad I got to witness some awesome/cool/cute/beguiling ones this year! I brought along props – a Batman custom action figure, a Selina Kyle one and a Captain Jack Harkness figure. Thanks to everyone who obliged my request to pose with the figures!

The first cosplayer I took a photo of at the convention! Thanks Ms. Nygma! 

This Fall on ABC Family: Bucky, Nat and the silly Singaporean geek.

One seriously cool family. Does that mean their son calls the shots? 
A comedy of terrors and high-caliber fourth wall breakage!

I regret I wasn’t able to get Captain Jack out in time for this River Song cosplayer to pose with.

Lots and lots of  great Tardis dresses!

Yoo hoo! And the prize for best dad of the Con goes to this gentleman.

Shhhhh

The nametag says “Doctor Hu”. It is his real surname.

“Get off my plane!” That’s the right Gary Oldman movie, yes?

“Judge Dredd wants YOU to Kickstarter that darn sequel”

The Blues Brothers 2014 beat the Blues Brothers 2000 any day of the week

At this point in his career, Dick Grayson is still quite affectionate towards his guardian/mentor.

Four times the Marvel loveliness!

She’ll be shooting for her own hand, thank you very much!

The Arkham Knight Harley outfit is probably my favourite from all the Arkham games so far.

Old-school Lara, complete with red-tinted sunglasses!

Bombshell Harley, gotta love that Bomber jacket!

They can show you the world…and some great abs!

Queen of the Sea! Now all she needs is Guy!Mera.

Hammer…sickle…Red Son Harley Quinn? Awesome!

Kickin’ it old school with Wonder Woman and Superman

Rule 63 Damian Wayne Robin

The frost detailing on the hoodie is very nice.

Male-ficent. Geddit?

Gotta love the severed Sentinel head/shield

Jay and Silent Bob in the midst of striking back.

Something to crow about.

In which I attempt to outrun the Flash while all Iron Man has to do is look ridiculously cool.
This is not the Trinity you’re looking for, but I’m not complaining.

Conan the crimson Cimmerian!

Tanks for the memories!

I believe this demonologist/master of the dark arts was hired to help entertain us waiting in line for the Constantine dome screen experience.

Quiet on the set!

Just a nice sweet Gwen Stacy cosplay…until you notice the blood dripping from her nose. Oh snap, that’s dark!

A delightfully goofy 11th Doctor!

Hawkgirl’s wings were nice and fluffy! 

A quartet of Bat-rogues

Purrr….fe – okay, that’s been overdone. Sorry.

Chief Junior knows what’s up.

Zatanna has shrunken Batman down to size.

Who could resist that smile? Certainly not the Joker, and certainly not me either.

It’s Anarky from Arkham Origins and his mini-me!

Atomica ahoy!

This here is one Talon-ted cosplayer!

Love that spiffy-looking TARDIS!

Clark off to save the world/cover a story. 

You know nothing, Jon Snow. Thor’s a woman now!

I didn’t know Gobber was Hiccup’s optician too!

The renowned Hannah and Hilly Hindi of the Hillywood show ham it up with tiny Jack!

Lotsa lotsa Elsas this year!

Death and Deadpool…these two didn’t actually know each other but I thought they did and asked them to stand together.

I feel a sudden wave of pity for Chow Yun Fat’s Hollywood career now.

I for one hope these guys were successful on their road trip.
Mr. J wasted no time in getting right to torturing the Bat. Harley approves.

The craziest and the last…and me!

Let’s cook! “Bottom. hee-hee-hee.”

Disclaimer: this moment in no way represents my real life. Back to my lonely corner to curl up and weep for a while, bye! 

This wonderful Maleficent let me hang on the staff. I exclaimed “I know wield the power of Diaval!” She replied “tsk, tsk, only I do.”

FABULOUS!

Diaval says SCREEE!

Ow…great job on that makeup sir. At least I hope it’s makeup.

It’s great seeing how all the different Doctors react to lil Jack.

Purple and blue!

Red and Red team up to take on mini-Batman. And the best part?The Poison Ivy cosplayer’s first name is actually – wait for it – Pamela!

Castiel on a wing and prayer. 

If it bleeds, they can kill it!

Love how plush those fabrics are, Anna!

May the odds (of finding a seat in Hall H) ever be in your favour.

Okay, so this Catwoman is just utterly gorgeous.

A healthy serving of classic Who and some 12! They appear thoroughly nonplussed about Jack.

An Aspen Comics booth babe.

“My name is Dr. Hank McCoy, and you’re gonna hear me RAWR!”

It’s Mallet Time, Batman!

Zoë! 

The little red camera just completes it.

Stay moist!

The Arkham Knight Harley outfit again, done gorgeously!

Tinkerbell admitted that she left Pan for Hook because she wanted a real man.

The Cinema Makeup School crafts one mean Apocalypse!

Lady Nightwing! Call me…

1, 2, 3…MULTIPASS!

AICE COLD FREEZE FROZEN…CHILL! 

Gangsta style from Deadpool!

Huntress and Kronen? Why not?
TEDD’S PHOTOS
My brother is much more of a photography expert than I am, and wasn’t locked up in panels as much so he could take in more cosplay. Here are selections from Tedd’s camera! 
Let the Wookiee win, Tedd!

Regina Rabbit?

Glad Rapunzel got some love, seeing as how it’s clearly Frozen that’s in vogue this year!

Dammit Wade! I can look at literally nothing else now!

Doctors 1 – 12 in order – not forgetting 8.5! 

Hypnotically accurate 1st Doctor cosplay!

Dat smirk.

The Mandarin descends!

Bucky approves.

The Mad Hatter and the Red Queen in full regalia

This Mikey was just hopping all about doing acrobatics and martial arts.

Dashing onto the CW this fall…

Spy vs. Spy vs. parenthood

All those monsters…

The Hatbox Ghost from The Haunted Mansion!

This sister is about to do battle. Get outta her way!

It’s a jolly holiday in San Diego!

Guessed it yet? That’s a Rocket Raccoon cosplay! Oh…yeah! 

If you like it then you should’ve put ten rings on it

Harvey Quinn!

“Must…stay…positive…”

“I AM FEELING THE OPPOSITE OF HAPPY!”

The Doctor Squees

She’s one dynamite gal!

Drake and Lara strolling rather than traversing cliff faces.

“Junior?!” 

“Well, all things considered, I’d say Experiment Weapon X was a smashing success!” 

Now this Harley is packing some serious punch! 

Kim Possible and Shego looking awfully happy in the midst of combat

Okay, now that’s uncanny! 

Elsa wins. There.

The Second Oe

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I’m thinking now would be a very good time to stay, Cortana.

Vanellope approves! 

Jew-verine!

Swampy! 

No, let lil Lando go!