Star Wars Lovers

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Jedi Luke surprised Mara Jade and delighted all the onlookers

What started as a photo op ended with a newly engaged couple

Exiting the Main Stage after the AEW takeover, I spotted a pair of Twi’leks. Before I could ask them to pose, a Padme walked by and they asked her if she knew what was going on with the meet up. We took a walk to where group photos have met in the past before looping back to the Main Stage exit. More and more people with lightsabers and helmets gathered. One guy dressed as a Jedi with a gray cloak seemed to be in charge, getting the group of maybe 50 people to form up in a half circle in multiple rows (opposite page). When fans with phones out swarmed the group, he shouted at the crowd to take a step back. No one really backed up. The photo op seemed to be over when suddenly people gasped. Jedi Luke had proposed to Mara Jade. There was a new round of pictures before fans moved on. I hung around to see what they would do next. The group reorganized on the steps. Saturday was shaping up to be everything we’d missing about New York Comic Con. —MV

GROGU MAKES THREE Jedi Luke (with the baby) had not yet proposed to Mara Jade, so at this point Ahsoka had all my attention

FULLY ARMED Ultra Sabers (left) attracted shoppers Thursday, but so many more attendees crowded around the booth Saturday to talk shop. Mandalorians and clones were armed as well. The “hologram” on armband of the Rocketeer variation behind the little Metroid waiting for his dad to attach his arm canon might be my favorite.

BELIEVABLE

This Ahsoka’s makeup and headtails had me asking for a close up.

The shoes

DETAILS Star Wars fans are making some exact choices about fabric textures and footwear when putting together their costumes. All the belts, packs, knee pads, and holsters really sell the impression these fans wandered in from a galaxy far, far away.

IN THE GALLERY While I was

watching a Mandalorian pass out stickers and admiring a rocketlaunching backpack, I noticed a fan up high in a gold gown. She reminded me of a Marie Antoinette meme.

SO MANY MANDALORIANS

Bo Katan (far left) is from TV, but the Captain America and San Diego chicken are new.