'These are my people' - Comic Con attracts thousands

Jim, who goes by the name, the Belfast predator cosplay experience, spent between £600 to £700 on his costume depicting the demon god, Akira

For some, Comic Con Northern Ireland is one of the highlights of the year.

For others, it's just one stop in a tour of fantasy conventions and dressing up as a fictional character that takes up a lot of time, money and creative flair.

Thousands have descended on the Eikon Exhibition Centre just outside Lisburn for this year's event, a convention celebrating comic books and popular art forms like fantasy movies and video games.

One attendee started work on his costume 18 months ago, and, careful to keep the costs involved secret from his partner who was standing next to him, whispered that he'd spent £1,200 to depict a very realistic Mandalorian.

"It's just great to get together with other like-minded people," he said.

"I'm not the only one here geared up in costume."

This Mandalorian costume was 18 months in the making

Along with vikings, Star Wars' characters, and fighters from the prominent video game, Halo, the expense involved in having the best costume isn't lost on these fans.

Jim, who goes by the name the Belfast predator cosplay experience, sighs when asked how much he had spent on depicting the demon god, Akira.

"Between £600 and £700," he said.

His outfit is complete with a voice changer strapped to his chest.

But he added that the actual Akira, the protagonist of an anime series called Devilman, didn't have a Belfast accent.

Artists were among the exhibitors at Comic Con Northern Ireland

'I've finally found my tribe'

A young woman who spent months on her costume, inspired by the staff on a ride at Disney World in Florida, said: "The best thing about Comic Con is definitely the people.

"They are all so kind, and so talented.

"These are my people, I've finally found my tribe as my mum would say."

This group said the best thing about Comic Con is the people

Ocean, who was dressed as a witch, said: "It's so nice to see everyone's costumes and being able to recognise the characters."

Her friends, one of whom is in wheelchair sporting a rainbow tutu, and the other who's in a waistcoat and top hat with blood all over her face, agree.

"I think being a bit of a weirdo in normal life, it's kind of nice to be somewhere where everyone is a little bit nerdy," she said.

Ocean and her friends say "it's nice to be somewhere where everyone is a bit nerdy"

'Expensive'

Celebrity selfies and autographs are one of the big draws at any Comic Con.

Queues of people waiting to see the likes of Andy Serkis, Billie Piper and Peggy, the dog from Dogpool, stretch almost the length of the exhibition hall.

But several attendees said it was a shame that it costs so much to get an autograph and a photo, which can come to a combined total of £150 depending on the celebrity.

Gillian, who brought a group of young people, said: "It's very expensive to have fun here, and the price of meeting celebrities goes up after lunch."

Organisers charged £90 for an autograph, and £90 for a selfie with the actor Andy Serkis

Luke, who dressed as a character called Adam from Hazbin Hotel, thinks its fair to be charged for an autograph, but thinks that a separate charge for a selfie is unfair.

"At other conventions you pay for an autograph and just ask for a photo as well but here you've to pay for both," he said

A spokesperson for the organisers said "with the cost involved in bringing these artists to the UK, all autograph, photo and selfie opportunities are always chargeable at these events."