Children's favourite superheroes took to the streets in the annual Ballinasloe Library Comic-Con at the weekend.
Although primarily held online, there was also some real-world action when characters from Star Wars and the Avengers turned up at the Ballinasloe Public Library to meet keen fans.
The Ballinasloe Town Band was also in situ, playing popular movie themes before all headed to the town square where they startled and delighted residents and passers-by.
This is the second year of Ballinasloe Library’s Comic-Con, featuring interviews with history-making, world-famous, local composers and conductors Amie Doherty and Eimear Noone.
Amie Doherty is the first woman to compose the score for a Dreamworks film, of which there have been 39, while Eimear Noone is the first woman to conduct the orchestra at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Illustrators Simon Hetherington and Alan Nolan provided drawing lessons, while Wayne Talbot of Rogue Comics chatted about the Irish comics scene. The Superhero Scientist, Dr Barry Fitzgerald, delivered talks on Santa Claus and Time Travel, and the Science of Star Wars, while Michael Carroll spoke about his favourite comics from times past.
Other highlights included panel discussions with some of Ireland’s best-known graphic novelists and illustrators, including Paul Bolger, Gavin Fullerton, Maura McHugh, Melanie Whelan, Ashwin Chacko and Coireall Carroll Kent. Michelle Ruane Creative gave a demonstration of makeup for stage, creating two looks - Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy, and Wonder Woman from the original comics.
The videos of all the online events are available at (https://www.youtube.com/c/GalwayPublicLibraries ) and the Europe Direct Facebook page @EDBallinasloe ).
