Be whoever you want: Duke City Comic Con draws cosplayers, artists
Published
Modified
Cosplayers, comic book enthusiasts, cult film celebrities and legendary wrestlers packed the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid on Saturday.
Zachary Garnaat-Duran arrived dressed as a Titan Trapper from the hit animated show 鈥淭he Owl House.鈥� In the story line, Titan Trappers are a cult-like group of witches who aim to eradicate the species of titans.
Garnaat-Duran made his impressive costume complete with a horned mask for his head, a blue-hued robe for his body and clawed feet that resemble his beloved character. While he wasn鈥檛 ready to enter the cosplay costume contest, he enjoys attending comic conventions like Duke City Comic Con.
鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely a lot of cool people dressed up here,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 definitely like to come see the costumes and I definitely like to come buy comics every year.鈥�
Duke City Comic Con doesn鈥檛 lack for celebrities.
Donald Gibb, who portrayed Ogre in 1984鈥檚 鈥淩evenge of the Nerds,鈥� is part of the convention. Gibb is a former member of the University of New Mexico Lobos basketball team. He played for the Lobos in 1972.
鈥淭he funny thing about 鈥楻evenge of the Nerds鈥� is it seems to run the gamut from 6 years old to 85 years old,鈥� Gibb said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of neat because it keeps perpetuating the movie. When the young kids dig it, it perpetuates it.鈥�
Gibb said he enjoys being part of comic conventions 鈥� they鈥檙e less stressful than movie sets. He said it also gives him an opportunity to hang out with other comic convention guests who he considers good friends.
鈥淭his is more kind of relaxing for us,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou just sign autographs, because when you are doing a film, you鈥檝e got to learn dialogue. You鈥檝e got to know it, and it鈥檚 a lot of work. You can鈥檛 go on the set and go, I don鈥檛 know. But here, you can just sit here and do whatever you want.鈥�
Duke City Comic Con continues today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the conference area of the hotel at 5151 San Francisco NE. Admission is $25 for ages 14 and older, $5 for ages 9 to 13, and free for children 8 and younger at . Tickets increase by $5 on the day of the show at the door.
