Gavin Logan reports from the Belfast Film & Comic-Con…
Earlier this year the city of Belfast hosted its first Comic-Con at the King’s Hall but unfortunately I was unable to attend that event. So when Showmasters announced its inaugural event would be landing at the Odyssey Arena in October I was all over it. Some of the guests in attendance included Billy Boyd (Pippin from Lord of the Rings), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Paul McGann (Doctor Who), Billie Piper (Rose from Doctor Who), Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy from Game of Thrones), James O’Barr (creator of The Crow) and tons more.
All the big fandoms were represented. I’ve never seen so many versions of the Doctor running around. However there was a heavy Star Wars presence throughout the course of the two days, courtesy of the Emerald Garrison and the 501st Legion. It was literally impossible to walk up any of the aisles without bumping into a Stormtrooper or Jedi Knight.
Check out some of the highlights below:
I also attended three individual talks with Billy Boyd, Paul McGann and some of the Game of Thrones cast. Billy Boyd mentioned that he and best friend Dominic Monaghan (Merry from Lord of the Rings) are constantly writing together and are currently working on a television show and feature film.
And in a “sort of exclusive”, Paul McGann revealed during his Q&A session that Peter Davison currently has plans to write and produce another episode of The Five(ish) Doctors in the near future, although he didn’t seem to know any further details and was hesitant not to “start a rumour”.
Undoubtedly for me the highlight of the weekend was meeting Kenny Baker and presenting Billy Boyd with second breakfast. Also the fact that I got to hold a Platinum Mint Grade 10 version of The Killing Joke that had a price-tag of £3,500. I felt like a peasant even looking at it.
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