Heroes in the making

Comiccon is a theater in which everyone becomes author and actor of their own character.»

These portraits of cosplayers were photographed on medium format analog film during the 2019 and 2022 editions of Montreal Comiccon.

images © 2019-2022 Rico Michel

“She slips into a character’s skin like one puts on a new dress; already, behind the looking glass, appears a version of the world in which everything still is possible.”

What is your superpower?

Comiccon is held over three days at Palais des Congrès in downtown Montréal. Saturday is Masquerade day: dozens of cosplayers take the stage and participate in the best homemade costume contest, where workmanship and originality are rewarded.

Cosplayers spend the whole day in costume, chatting with fans, posing for a multitude of cameras, and exchanging their Instagram handles. When in need of a break, the heroes come out to a small park behind the Palais. That’s when the masks fall, so to speak, and where a keen photographer can catch a glimpse of the people behind these larger than life characters.

2023 Exhibition

© 2024 Rico Michel – All rights reserved