Novi’s Fall Motor City Comic Con Brings Fun and Creativity to Life
NOVI — The vibrant city of Novi recently played host to the third annual Fall Motor City Comic Con, running from November 8 to 10. This year’s event was a wonderful blend of creativity and good times, where fans dressed up as their beloved characters from comics, movies, and television shows, bringing their imaginations to life!
Cosplay Creativity on Display
Among the many fantastic attendees were A.J. and Elise Conte from Madison Heights, who wowed the crowd with their homemade costumes as steampunk versions of Doctor Octopus and Lady Octopus from the Spider-Man universe. A.J. shared that he has been cosplaying as “Doc Ock” for two years and decided to spice things up with a steampunk twist this time around. With the costumes primarily crafted from thrifted clothing, A.J. spent weeks perfecting each detail, including the mechanical tentacles made from PVC and downspout tubing.
“It took me two weeks to build Elise’s costume and another three to four weeks for mine. I spent about $300 on materials this time,” A.J. said, adding, “With cosplay, I can be another character. It’s a way to express myself differently than I would normally.”
Elise, who admits she jumped into the world of cosplay thanks to her husband’s passion, joyfully said, “It’s a fun thing to do together. Getting to take pictures with people makes the experience even better!”
Spreading Joy Across Generations
Not far from the Contes, the Trombley family from Sterling Heights was enjoying their comic con outing with their daughter, Arlo, who was living her best life as Ghost Spider from the animated series “Spidey and His Amazing Friends.”
“It’s fantastic that we can introduce her to this world early on,” Zoe Trombley, Arlo’s mom, told us. “This convention helps bridge the gap and gets her excited right from the start.” They noted how these events strengthen family bonds while nurturing a love for comics.
Expressing Individuality Through Costume
Another trend was spotted among the attenders like Morgan Goodrich, 16, who attended the convention in a vibrant Sora costume from Ensemble Stars! “I love cosplaying because it lets me show my admiration for my favorite characters,” Morgan remarked. She also shared that she managed to snag most of her costume from Amazon for around $150.
Her friend, Hunter LaBean, also began his cosplay journey at this convention, expressing how welcoming and friendly the cosplay community is. “I really like how everyone here is so nice; it makes the experience even better,” he added, clearly enthusiastic about his first venture into the world of cosplay.
Support For Young Artists
In the midst of the fun, a talented young artist, Gabby Hill, 15, showcased her creative skills by dressing as a character she designed herself, named Para. With her father, Jason, donning a Star Wars costume, Gabby shared about her journey into costume-making.
“I started around 2020 when I noticed custom costumes online. Now, it takes me about 10 to 15 hours to make each costume, costing between $200 to $250,” Gabby explained, clearly passionate about her artistic pursuits. Jason admired his daughter’s creativity, saying, “She really enjoys it, and it’s unique for her to express herself.”
A Family Affair
Speaking of family fun, the Petty family from Southfield donned casual and playful outfits inspired by “Bob’s Burgers,” proving that cosplay can also be an affordable and joyful family activity. “We love the atmosphere here; everyone just comes out to have a good time and express themselves without judgment,” Carl Petty shared, reflecting the overall vibe of the event.
Cosplay with a Message
Among the smiles and laughter, Jessica Lopez made a political statement by dressing as Offred from “The Handmaid’s Tale.” “Events like these are important because they encourage conversations about rights and freedoms,” she passionately explained.
As the Fall Motor City Comic Con wrapped up another successful year, it was evident that this convention was more than just a gathering of fans; it was a celebration of creativity, community, and camaraderie, where everyone could let their inner superhero shine!
