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Be whoever you want: Duke City Comic Con draws cosplayers, artists
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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 “The Owl House.” 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’t ready to enter the cosplay costume contest, he enjoys attending comic conventions like Duke City Comic Con.
“There’s definitely a lot of cool people dressed up here,” he said. “I definitely like to come see the costumes and I definitely like to come buy comics every year.”
Duke City Comic Con doesn’t lack for celebrities.
Donald Gibb, who portrayed Ogre in 1984’s “Revenge of the Nerds,” 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.
“The funny thing about ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ is it seems to run the gamut from 6 years old to 85 years old,” Gibb said. “It’s kind of neat because it keeps perpetuating the movie. When the young kids dig it, it perpetuates it.”
Gibb said he enjoys being part of comic conventions — they’re 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.
“This is more kind of relaxing for us,” he said. “You just sign autographs, because when you are doing a film, you’ve got to learn dialogue. You’ve got to know it, and it’s a lot of work. You can’t go on the set and go, I don’t know. But here, you can just sit here and do whatever you want.”
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 dukecitycomiccon.com. Tickets increase by $5 on the day of the show at the door.
