Fans in amazing, colorful and striking costumes take center stage at the first ever Shanghai Comic Con. Photo: Adam Skuse/GT

Stormtroopers mingled with superheroes at last weekend's Comic Con, as fans dressed up as characters from their favorite comic, television and movie franchises to celebrate all things fantasy and sci-fi.

Comic books, artists, designers, celebrities, video games, screenings and merchandise were all part of the draw for visitors.

The Global Times stopped by to ask expats about their experiences at the event.

Mary Franklin, event director, the US

Helping to set this up has been marvellous, the audience here is so receptive. The most fun thing for me this weekend has been watching how the fans here are enjoying every part of the event - they're not just going to cosplay, or collectibles, or games, but all of it. It's been great to see people's reactions. Something I've noticed is there are so many female pop culture fans here - there's a much higher percentage of women here than we have at Comic Cons in the US. Overall, it's been a great first show.

Nico Bouthors, entrepreneur/designer, France

We have an upcycle design shop called the Squirrelz. In our online shop and our studio all the products are upcycled, recycled, from social enterprises or from natural elements. We have about 30 different designers, mostly based in Shanghai. Here today we have bags made using candy wrappings, and jewelry made from defective watch parts, for example. We've been doing great here at Comic Con. There are some big brands exhibiting big pieces, as well as smaller designers and studios. There are also lots of content providers, arts and video games.

The Haynes family, Australia

We are big fans of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Star Wars, and we've been buying these big bags of pop vinyl figures, almost the whole set. The atmosphere is good and we came pretty early. This is our first event like this, and it is better than we expected, with lots of people dressed up. We liked the person dressed up in the Iron Man suit, and the giant Jake from Adventure Time.

Korin Jones, teacher, the US (right)

I am here as Darius from League of Legends. We have just walked in, but I am expecting some people in costumes and some cool stuff to buy. I'm a huge comic book nerd, and video games too. The newest Avengers film is awesome, Kill la Kill is one of my favorite anime, anything from League of Legends or DOTA. I've been to a few anime conventions in the States.

April Smith, the US (left)

I'm dressed as Annie from League of Legends. I just got dragged along by Korin. This was my Halloween costume, so it was already in my closet. Our apartment is a mess right now from him constructing his outfit. I'm excited as this is my first convention, so I'm thrilled to look around.

Sven Aarne Serrano, teacher, the US

This is a colonial imperialist outfit that didn't quite get to be steampunk. It's inspired by a really really old character in the old Heavy Metal comic magazines from the 1980s. This was from a strip by the comic book artist Moebius called The Airtight Garage of Jerry Cornelius, which defies all description because it just goes in so many directions. My costume was inspired by a character called Major Grubert, who has a pith helmet with a spike. I'm looking for a spike to add to my ensemble. I'm also getting my picture taken with a lot of young ladies, who keep rushing up to me. As for the comics, my son is here with me, he's into the Marvel franchise stuff.

Adam, teacher, the UK

I'm dressed as Aang, the Avatar from the Last Airbender series. This is my first Comic Con. My housemate is very much into this kind of thing, and she is in the cosplay contest, so I came as moral support. Every time I wanted to go to conventions back home, no one would go with me. Today I've been posing for pictures with a lot of people, it's all been quite overwhelming. I don't normally cosplay - this costume is just me being an idiot. It's nice to see the models and stuff from movies. I was hoping to see a few other Aangs, but I've only seen characters from the spinoff series.

Tyren Scott Thomas, performer, the US (right)

This Comic Con has been amazing. I get hooked up with a guy from some studios. They made a Predator suit, which I wore yesterday, and which the creator is wearing in a competition today. If I wasn't in the show here, I probably wouldn't have come. But the Avengers just came out, and my 6-year-old son is really into it, so he spent the day here with me yesterday in costume.

Valentina Grigato, artist, Italy

I'm here painting portraits of people as well as other things. People can give me their contact details and a picture, and I'll paint them then send them the picture. I'm a big comics fan, but I'm so busy painting that I haven't had time to see anything. I'll have an hour break later on, so hopefully I will get to see some of the show then.

Mark, teacher, Canada

I'm not a really big comic book reader, but I've read the Frank Miller stuff and things like that. This is my first Comic Con. I like the atmosphere. I thought there would be more hard-core fans here. I like the pageantry, it's a good vibe, and everyone seems to be having a good time. It was good to see the guy from Hannibal - I just saw him do a talk.