Pop culture is in the spotlight this weekend as Ottawa Comiccon made its return to the nation’s capital. Thousands of movie, television and comic book fans went all out and descended on the Cohere Centre on Saturday. Anna Hopkins attended for her birthday with her dad – dressing as the Joker and Batman for the event. She says it’s her second year coming to it. “I am a huge comic nerd. So, obviously, I decided, we’re going to have to dress up as Joker and Batman,” she said. “It’s really nice to see everyone dress up and put a lot of effort and time into it. It’s absolutely gorgeous.” In its 12th year, Ottawa Comiccon draws more than 40,000 attendees to the event centre each year, according to spokesperson Jason Rockman. “If you don’t know Comiccon, I tell people it’s like a sporting event,” Rockman said. “If you’re a hockey fan, you go to Game 7, there’s an ambience. If you’re a football fan, you go to the Super Bowl, there’s an ambience. If you’re a pop culture fan, you come to Commicon and it’s like our Super Bowl.” Fans can also meet and get signatures from some of their favourite actors. Canadian actress Lexa Doig, who has appeared in the science-fiction television series’ Andromeda and Stargate SG-1, says it’s a great chance to connect with fans. “The fans that I’ve met so far today here in Ottawa are awesome,” she said. “They’re so Canadian. I just love Canada.” “The thing that I appreciate most about (conventions) and Comiccon and generally sci-fi conventions, is the opportunity to meet the fans… It reminds you that the work isn’t just about the business of being an actor. It’s actually about storytelling to people that are going to sit at home and watch it and get something from it.” There were collectables and artwork from hundreds of vendors. One local business owner says it’s not just great for fans, it’s good for business too. Sarah Saunders, who owns Seaway Crafters Guild in Morrisburg, says for weeks afterwards they see visitors to their store, and this weekend will be a major boost for the shop. “A weekend like this generally represents almost a month’s worth of sales in our store,” she said. “This helps us get through our winter, when it’s lean, when everybody’s got those bills to pay after Christmas.” Dressing up with her daughter Ivy, Melanie McDonald says she’s been coming for more than a decade, she says while she has been to a few Comiccon’s, this one remains an important one for her and her family. “We love coming,” she said. “We have friends that we see every single year, and we love meeting new people as well, seeing the vendors. It’s just such a joy to take it all in.” Sophia Mulcahy says there’s a sense of community. “it’s a time where you can be, like, literally anybody you want,” she said. “And it’s just so fun meeting people who are into the same things as you.” Ottawa Comiccon runs until Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online.
