Mangas, Disney characters, comic and video game heroes ‘invaded’ Ta’ Qali at the weekend as keen cosplayers visited the Malta Comic-Con, now in its 10th edition.

Creatures and capes were abound at the 10th edition of the Malta Comic Convention.

But the event, held at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, did not just attract keen followers of fictional heroes. Families with children, lured by the works of local and foreign professionals, were there along with students in the fields of comics, digital arts, illustrations and graphic design.

Apart from attending workshops, visitors could also try Japanese calligraphy, play modern and retro video games on popular platforms, experience virtual reality gaming, take part in escape room challenges or try their luck in a sword-fighting arena.

The convention organised question and answer sessions with the special guests, ranging from writers to various artists and other creators.

These included Mark Ryan, who played the character of Gates in the hit TV series Black Sails, Jeff Richard, the brains behind role-playing games Guide to Glorantha and RuneQuest, and the Prince of Sartar webcomic and artist Brian Ian Muir.

Mr Muir has worked on more than 70 major films and was responsible for sculp-ting Darth Vader’s and the Storm Troopers’ armour in Star Wars.

Visitors could also try Japanese calligraphy and experience virtual reality gaming

Among the exhibitors were Alasdair The Manic Sculptor, who creates cute sculptures and whimsical dioramas of characters and creatures from games, comics, cartoons and pop culture, Grafimated Cartoon, a cooperative society that produces, promotes and diffuses animated films and comics, Graphic Novels Library Malta, a youth NGO that uses comics, and pop culture for education purposes and Pro Wrestling Malta.

To mark the 10th anniversary, convention organisers Wicked Comics and Heritage Malta teamed up and compiled an art book, Impressions of an Island – A Malta Comic Con Art Book. The publication includes contributions by past and present guests of the event and local artists.