Five Things We Learnt at Oz Comic Con
William Shatner believes in UFOs and Khal Drogo goes for Port Power. Go figure.
It's not every day you see Poison Ivy making out with Captain America, William Shatner ranting about UFOs or people paying cash money for 30 seconds with Orlando Bloom, but Comic Con is truly a universe of its own. Taking over Sydney Exhibition Centre on Glebe Island this past weekend (and Brisbane's Convention and Exhibition Centre last weekend) with thousands of hardcore geeks, curious tourists and entire families all dressed as Superman, Oz Comic Con is Australia's answer to the mighty American flagship event for enthusiasts of all things nerdtastic.
A truly judgement-free realm of total escapism and investment in fantasy, Oz Comic Con saw packed out panels squealing at Buffy cast members, new Nintendo Wii U consoles tested by know-it-all Rainbow Roadmasters and more corsets than the Pirates of Penzance. Here's what we took away from the two-day convention — aside from a serious swag of busty, lycra-clad costume party ideas.
William Shatner Believes in UFOs
Nothing says Comic Con like watching William Shatner talk about the early Star Trek days and UFOs. Trekkies came out of the woodwork to live long and prosper with the sci-fi legend, who took a moment to seriously rant about the existence of life in other dimensions. In a totally dad-like Shatner ramble, the 83-year-old spoke of a ignorant radio show host of yesteryear. "He said, 'Do you believe in UFOs?' and I said, 'Do you know who you're talking to?'" Delving into a seriously epic speech about human ignorance, Shatner preached to the Spock-eared choir on this one. "We don't know what we don't know we don't know... If we can suspend our disbelief about a Czechoslovakian bearded acrobat, why can't we suspend our disbelief about UFOs?"
Image: Dark Age.
Khal Drogo Goes for Port Adelaide
In one of the most surprisingly great panels of the whole weekend, Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa had the (primarily female) crowd in the palm of his giant, giant hand. Kicking off his panel session with an unexpected rant about AFL and a loud "Fuck the Sydney Swans," the 35-year-old Hawaiian powerhouse continuously ended every response with a loud, growling "PORT POWER!" and a fist pump. Also wore only a pink spotted fluffy sock for that horrific wedding night scene in Game of Thrones but changed to a white one because Emelia Clarke was laughing too much. Yeesh.
Image: Javis Wong
Buffy Fans Are Intense. Like, Really Intense.
Whenever anyone asks a question at Comic Con, it's actually the most awkwardly adorable thing in the world — cold sweats, shaky voices, "I'm your biggest fan" pre-question rants. During a morning panel with Buffy stars Nicholas Brendon (Xander) and Emma Caulfield (Anya), one particular fan asked the pair if they'd had any freaky experiences with their fans (and let's be honest, Buffy fans tend to be more intensely hardcore Fans than most). While Brendon explained he's had limited stalker vibes or hate mail due to his character, "My character was always in the friend zone. People don't get weird over friends," Caulfield has been bullied on social media, abused in person and even cursed by a fan. Cursed. Like, Practical Magic cursed. Lightening the mood, Brendon then went on to say he'd tap co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, which got weird. "She was 14. Then she did that magazine shoot. Then she wasn't 14 anymore. I would hit... that... hard. Would you hit that?" Yikes.
Image: Rob Johnston.
The Army Thinks Call of Duty Fans Will Make Good Soldiers
In one of the most sort-of-genius branded stalls at the event, the Army Reserve were on site for the weekend to recruit the biggest, most fearsome commandos in Sydney for the defence force: gamers? We guess this was some kind of weird hope of transforming the best Modern Warfare players into actual soldiers, but... really?
Comic Con is Really Truly About Unbelievably Epic Costumes
Because just look at these totally homemade creations. This is months and months of glueing, pasting, crafting — not to mention most of these punters had been awake since 4am painting themselves. Bloody legends.
Finally, our personal favourite. MILHOUSE.
- The Best Mexican Restaurants in Sydney
- Ten of the Most Luxurious Stays You Can Book on the Mornington Peninsula
- Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Sydney
- Ten Next-Level Australian Stays with Outdoor Baths for the Ultimate Relax and Rewind Getaway
- Where to Find the Best Yum Cha in Sydney
- Your Essential Guide to SXSW Sydney 2024