Saturday is typically one of the biggest days at Comic-Con, and this year cosplayers stole the show.
Trekkies were out in full force for a “Star Trek Universe” panel featuring “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” cast and creators.
Union-Tribune reporters were out looking for highlights. Here’s what they saw.
Flash mob
A flash dance inspired by “Star Trek: Strange New World” was seen Saturday in the Gaslamp Quarter at the corner of Fifth Avenue and K Street. (Olivia Petty / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A large flash mob of dancers drew a crowd on the corner of Fifth Avenue and K Street, clad in “Star Trek: Strange New World” costumes. According to one of the dancers, the flash mob was an officially affiliated promotion for the most recent series. They will perform one more show in the Gaslamp and then move to Petco Park at 3:30 p.m.
— Olivia Petty
Galactus
A Galactus cosplay created by Thomas DePetrillo (in the glowing red hat). Raul Gonzalez is inside the suit walking through the exhibit hall. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Show Caption
1 of 3
A Galactus cosplay created by Thomas DePetrillo (in the glowing red hat). Raul Gonzalez is inside the suit walking through the exhibit hall. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
One of the hardest cosplays to miss was Thomas DePetrillo’s 10-foot-tall Galactus cosplay from the Marvel universe. Although he walks like a robot and talks like a robot, there is a man inside the suit on high stilts: Raul Gonzalez, with DePetrillo leading him from the front. The entire cosplay took four months and four people to create. In order to get it to San Diego, it had to be disassembled and stored in special poly carbonate boxes to be flown and then trucked to the convention. DePetrillo is not an official exhibitor, but fans flocked behind Galactus like a celebrity as he mowed through the exhibit hall, stopping at booths every once in a while to pick up a stuffed Domo or a Labubu and regard it with interest. Galactus’ official entourage included a special handler and a couple of Comic-Con security guards, managing the flow of traffic in the giant’s wake. DePetrillo’s company is @extreme_costumes on Instagram. He constructs these mega-costumes for conventions all over the country.
— Olivia Petty
Vacationing cosplayers
Rich Meyer and his son show their Nintendo’s “Legend of Zelda” cosplay. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Nintendo’s “Legend of Zelda” video game fans Rich Meyer and his son (left) are attending their first Comic-Con together from the Bay Area. Meyer is dressed as Link with evil spirit amour and a Hawaiian shirt because he said, “he’s on vacation.” Meyer added it took him and his son about six days to put their costumes together using 3D printing.
— Carlos Rico
Shao Kahn
Carlos Estrada cosplays as Shao Kahn. (David J. Bohnet / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
At first glance, the giant emperor Shao Kahn looks like it might be animatronic, but a closer look reveals cosplayer Carlos Estrada inside the huge “Mortal Kombat” villain. Shao Kahn can be found at booth No. 229 where New Yorker, Joe Lirag, posed with Estrada. The tyrannical emperor connected with Atari to debut his 9-foot-tall, multi-piece suit. The suits creation took months to complete and was a team effort, Estrada said. He was inspired to create the iconic character after seeing the previews of the upcoming film “Mortal Kombat II,” which is set to release in October. “He’s the Thanos of Mortal Combat, he’s the most iconic villain,” Estrada said. The avid cosplayer can be found on Instagram @uncannycarlos.
— David J. Bohnet
LEGOs for days
Booth No. 2829 inside the exhibit hall is celebrating all things LEGO. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Show Caption
1 of 7
Booth No. 2829 inside the exhibit hall is celebrating all things LEGO. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
LEGO builders and fans of pop culture properties such as “Star Wars,” Nintendo and “Transformers” are submerging at the LEGO booth this year. It’s one of the largest attractions on the Comic-Con exhibitor floor with photo opportunities with droid K-2SO from Star Wars film “Rogue One” and the series “Andor” and a characters from the video game “Fortnite.” There is also several new LEGO sets and products on display that are for sale, including a working Nintendo Gameboy, Soundwave from the “Transformers” 1980s cartoon and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Plus, attendees can build their own LEGO people for exclusive pins and buttons. Booth No. 2829
— Carlos Rico
‘PAC-MAN’ Cafe
“Pac-Man” Cafe can be found a 232 Seventh Ave. in San Diego. (Olivia Petty / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Show Caption
1 of 5
“Pac-Man” Cafe can be found a 232 Seventh Ave. in San Diego. (Olivia Petty / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The “PAC-MAN” Cafe offers a retro gaming and cafe experience to fans with or without a badge, if they can brave the line on Seventh Avenue. One guest exclaimed when she walked in: “I feel like I’m a little kid again.” Visitors can play the original “PAC-MAN” arcade machines, purchase exclusive swag and take photos with PAC himself. The cafe itself is equipped with a full kitchen and an extensive (though pricey) menu, including pastries and sweets to-go, drinks, appetizers and desserts. The cafe will be open long after Comic-Con ends, open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Aug. 3. 323 Seventh Ave.
— Olivia Petty
A cosplayer with a weapon known as ‘Fishbones’
Janelle Riccio cosplays as Jinx from “Arcane: League of Legends.” (David J. Bohnet / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Cosplayer Janelle Riccio attends her seventh Comic-Con but first as Jinx from “Arcane: League of Legends.” The cosplayer built the entire costume from scratch including the three foot long rocket launcher. Two seasons of “Arcane: League of Legends” are available to stream on Netflix.
— David J. Bohnet
A portrait session for cosplayers
Nikon, Inc. is hosting a portrait activation inside Comic-Con. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Lights, camera, action: Nikon, Inc. is hosting an activation inside Comic-Con. Guests to its booth can get professional cosplay portraits of themselves in a custom kiosk with lighting and effects. There is also workshops and meet and greets with Nikon pro creators. Plus, visitors can try products such as the Nikon Z Series cameras and NIKKOR Z lenses. Booth No. 3917
— Carlos Rico
‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” cosplayers. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“It’s morphin’ time!” The Green Ranger, Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd (left to right) make an appearance at the San Diego Convention Center lobby. Married couple Brandon Arnold (left) and Kristen Rinehart (middle) and their good friend Corey Perkins (right) are attending their first San Diego Comic-Con together, who are all from Northern California. Rinehart said they are cosplaying as characters from the 1990s cartoon “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” because it’s part of their childhood and “wanted to bring back an old classic.”
— Carlos Rico
Originally Published: July 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM PDT