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Back to the Future Delorean

You can guarantee the mention of the words sci-fi will very easily split your friends, workmates and family into two distinct camps.

There are those amongst us who love all things sci-fi/fantasy and then there are the people who whilst not embracing the genre will show a greater knowledge than they admit to.

Organised by Ireland’s Emerald Garrison (a non-profit group), who are renowned for their hugely popular Invasion Conventions on both sides of the border, Heroes & Legends was the perfect event for both those sets of people.

Catering for all from the get-go this 3 day event took place in Belfast’s W5 venue, where no child (and most adults) can ever say they bored.

The permanent educational/scientific fun items will guarantee a fun-filled day for your little one, so imagine the fun to be had when that is expanded upon.

So what did this three day iconic costume characters convention have to offer?

Well where do I start, from the moment we walked in the door we knew this was ‘Nerd-vana’, greeted by a costumed volunteer dressed as Prices Leia (circa Ep. IV) we were then met by some wonderful merchandise stalls and a few other costumed heroes, all before we even found a wonderfully constructed sword throne from NI filmed TV series Game of Thrones.

l to r Phill Allely, Catwoman, Rick Gordon ,The Joker and Batman

Next up we progressed to the floor where invited guest actors and artists were happily awaiting fans to chat to them, sign autographs and in some cases sketch them in comic book action.

This was the only section of the whole experience where older sci-fi/fantasy fans were more at home than the little ones.

Why? Well this was where guys who draw comic characters such as Robocop, Transformers etc. were, they were flanked by some well know names of the visual effects world and a bevy of actors who not only ticked all the boxes, but took us from the worlds of James Bond and Doctor Who to that of Babylon 5 and Terminator.

For anyone who has never been to these events the protocol is simple, the actors/artists will happily and enthusiastically talk to you and pose for pictures etc.

If there is a charge for a signed picture or signed piece of merchandise it is well signposted and to be honest to spend quality time with your heroes old and new like this make the minimal costs well worth it.

The Joker

Your reviewer is an avid Doctor Who fan so we did veer straight towards Dr No. six Colin Baker.

Former Dr Who Colin Baker and n.1 fan Phil Allely

This fellow journalist (he still writes a weekly column for his local publication) was perhaps the nicest person we met all day, Colin happily not only posed for a pic, signed what will be a treasured item, but he also agreed to a short interview.

Highlights from that interview include: Colin’s approval of Matt Smith’s turn as the current Doctor, his interest in returning to the Dr Who fold for a multi Doctor story and how much he enjoys his job and meeting fans, at events such as this one.

Nearby were former Bond girl and Hammer horror stalwart Caroline Munro, Babylon 5 sexpot Claudia Christian and the star of Hollywood blockbusters Terminator, Aliens and The Abyss Michael Biehn.

Each and every one of them more than willing to chat with their fans, this was a very busy spot as the day progressed, the celebs deserve praise for staying put so long and inevitably facing the same questions on a regular basis.

As Mr Baker told me ‘this is my job, I enjoy meeting fans, it’s amazing they still remember me. I may hear the same thing from people, but they’ve taken time or spent money to see and meet me, I appreciate that and want them to leave happy.’

I for one loved the way the actors and artists were so amenable and friendly, I spoke to many people who bought pictures and met their heroes. Not one of them had a bad word to say. There were also opportunities to sit in and participate in various Q&A session each day, which were great to sit in on.

So already you’d think that’s it, costumed crew, merchandise stands, celebs signing autographs etc. and that’s your lot, well no in fact the next floor up housed the seriously nerdy (and fun) stuff.

It was here that we could meet Orcs, pose with Batman, Cat Woman, The Joker and co. Have a chest buster from Alien on their chest, step into a Tardis, meet a Dalek, encounter a 20 plus foot Optimus Prime and see a replica of the Back to the Future Delorean, plus lost more.

Throw in a horde of other costumed characters, Muppets, a Harry Potter set, even a world war re-enactment group and you have something that money can’t buy, these are sets you can touch, people you can talk to and this is one of the most relaxed atmospheres this writer has ever seen.

Heroes & Legends was a superb day out and one that people will talk about for a long time to come. The guests were well chosen, the sets were wonderful and the crew or volunteers could not have been more helpful and enthusiastic.

The Emerald Garrison deserve a huge thank you for organising this event and the others they do across Ireland.

Here’s hoping they allow Fame back again to cover future events and interview the guests they have at those too.
www.irelandgarrison.com
www.heroesandlegendscon.com
By Phil Allely