Sandstorm Troopers

It's official, the Geekdom has expanded its empire in the Desert city. As the 3rd year of Middle East Film and Comic Con concludes this month at the Dubai World Trade Center, kids of all ages, shapes and characters came to celebrate what is turning out to be the biggest pop culture festival this side of the world.

I love seeing the Arab geek crowd, they're awesome.  

Like most things in Dubai, it didn't take the organizers much time to step up their game, the Comic Con grew from this mid-size-day-in-the-marina event mostly showcasing homegrown stuff, to this proper huge convention with international players bringing in the big guns, and by big guns, I mean the full set of official Iron Man costumes in a gallery that greeted us at the entrance.

With the international panel led by Hollywood boy wonder Seth Green, who I know from Buffy, the Vampire slayer days, (yes I’m that 90s-kid), it will be no surprise if next year’s con will bring in more A-list geekiness.

Stark enterprises has opened a branch in Dubai. 

Sandstorm troopers! 

Of course, no Comic Con in any galaxy will ever be complete without a trace of the legendary Star wars.  Stormtroopers were everywhere this year, turning into sandstorm-troopers, and the rest of crew like good ol’ Darth Vader and Yoda found themselves right at home in traditional ghutras and kanduras, that you would think maybe George Lucas spent some lost years of his adolescent in the Middle East.

Arabization of Star Wars in full swing. 

I can go on and on about all the cool things about the comic con, but what I find interesting in the Middle East Film and Comic Con is how they seem to have adopted a western concept and neatly folded it into their own unique identity so seamlessly (and so quickly) that even though it might not be in the same league (yet) as the original San Diego convention, it will always be a unique affair, and somehow we are all lucky to have it right next door.

Gundam as Dubai Police by Brownmonkey's Dogboy.
Coolest toy at MEFCC 2014.  

Master Yoda by Filipino artist Lewis De Mesa.
He was actually one of the first few who came up with
Arab Star Wars prints back in MEFCC 2011.

So as I contemplate on wearing a costume for next year, (the way I always do every year but never really get on it), I also realize the greatest part of this whole thing for me, and perhaps all the other kids-at-heart  out there, is the opportunity to forget about being an adult for a while, put on my favorite sneakers and play outside with the strange kids from the neighborhood.

Hello old friend. Till we meet again!

Till next year MEFCC! May the force be with you.