Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Hundreds of comic book enthusiasts donned their masks and capes for the fifth edition of the Malta Comic Con. The annual two-day convention, held at St James Cavalier, in Valletta, is widely hailed as the island’s premier showcase for comic design talent.

This year’s event saw a unique blend of classic comic illustrations, innovative artistic concepts and virtual game design.

Organiser Christopher Muscat said the event was well attended despite the poor weather.

Among the international attractions were HBO series Game of Thrones story board designer William Simpson and zombie classic The Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard.

The halls were packed yesterday with aspiring illustrators, many of whom crowded around the international talent on display.

Beano strip designer Dave Windett said he had been blown away with the high interest in his newspaper style adventure series Kaci Belle.

Luca Mulè Stagno, the writer behind Greko-Roman Fantasy Trials of Elpis, said the highlight of his weekend was seeing American Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley dressed in a Star Trek get-up.

In the main exhibition hall, the University of Malta Institute of Digital Gaming was among the virtual games stalls vying for prospective contributors.