The amazing costume play at San Diego Comic-Con (pictures)

SAN DIEGO -- On July 8, the downtown area here turned into the home of thousands of superheroes, supervillains and all kind of sci-fi and fantasy characters from comics, movies and video games. The halls of the city's convention center were flooded with Batmans, Supermans, Vaders, Jedi and even original characters as costume-clad fans did some lighthearted role-playing at the biggest comic-book and pop culture celebration of the year: Comic-Con International San Diego 2015.

Scroll through the gallery to see the cosplayers with the most amazing costumes, starting with Gandalf the Grey from "Lord of the Rings" (or, as we at CNET en Español call him, Gandalf el Gris. Follow our Comic-Con adventures here on Twitter!)

This knight was struggling with a sack full of swords, but that gave us the chance to snap a quick picture of his cool metal armor.

Some of the ladies decide to pay homage to their favorite male characters, but with their own feminine spin. This female version of Thor's nemesis Loki is a fine example.

Loki's everywhere, and getting along just fine with Captain America.

Who says Captain America's the only one who can have showgirls?

Giant Groot and Rocket Raccoon are ready for battle.

Remember Flash Gordon? Well, this is his archenemy, Ming the Merciless. We first met Ming in the Flash Gordon comic strip from the 1930s.

This whole family got in cosplay mode. From left to right we have Gambit from the X-Men; a female version of Magneto; and the one and only Link from the classic video game The Legend of Zelda.

Star Wars fans also flooded the Convention Center of San Diego. These two really did a cool number with the outfits.

You can check my fun selfie with this pair here on Twitter.

This impressive Admiral Akbar head is made with papier-mâché and it took them three months to finish it.

I am a "Star Wars" fan (since childhood -- here's what I thought of the trailer for "The Force Awakens") and I love the fact that you discover new characters at Comic-Con. This is Evaan Verlain, "a human pilot who served in the Alliance to Restore the Republic during the Galactic Civil War," according to Wookiepedia.

She's been featuring in the Princess Leia comic book series as the princess' pilot and protector.

The idea of steampunk "Star Wars" inspired this magnificent outfit. The cosplayer is Captain Solo Seekerman.

Don't miss our Vine or Instagram video of this outfit because you can see how the mechanic wings operate.

On the left we see Finn from "Adventure Time" on the Cartoon Network, and on the right we get a bit of anime come to life.

Vampires also stop by to feed at San Diego Comic-Con, but her glamour did not work on me because I'm on vervain (thank you, "Vampire Diaries"!).

Vanellope from "Wreck-It Ralph" did not wanna leave her candy race car at the parking lot because someone might snack on it.

Another Wreck-It Ralph appearance: Calhoun.

Guy from DreamWorks movie "Croods" stop to say hello at Comic-Con.

SkekSil is the Skeksis Chamberlain from the 1982 film "The Dark Crystal."

The cosplayer had a friend to guide him around because it was hard to see and keep an eye on his own tail.

Batman lovers also came down to Comic-Con.

What do you think of these Harley Quinn and Joker cosplayers?

I really like the pose and the makeup -- it's literally crazy.

Rockabilly/steampunk interpretations of Harley Quinn and the Joker.

Break it up, guys.

Batman has his hands full with so many of his enemies roaming the show floor.

Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World arrived without any of her evil exes.

The Nerder Mysteries team decided to put their twist on the long-running British TV series "Doctor Who."

This costume reminded me of the '80s show "Max Headroom."

It was impressive because he had wired a camera inside the TV box so he was able to look around and give us a fun little dance for the picture.

On the left we see Me! Me! Me! from the artist Van-DineX and on the right we have Lilith from the 2D video game Darkstalkers.

I snapped a quick one of this three.

On the left we see Chef Flash who makes speedy pizzas, and on the far right we see John Constantine. In the middle, you tell us!

This girl made a lady version of Nortrom The Silencer from the video game Dota 2.

Sonya Blade, Scorpion and Sub-Zero.

I had to snap a picture of this cool Scorpio, not only because he looks pretty amazing but also because he was one of my go-to characters when I played Mortal Kombat in the arcade as a teen.

Commander Shepard, Legion and a friendly-looking  soldier dude.

This lady told me that Beetlejuice has been her platonic love since she was little, and this is her homage to him.

Aquaman, Aquawoman and Nightwing.

Furiosa, from "Mad Max: Fury Road."

Aradia Megido, from webcomic "Homestuck."

Cheer up, Sadness (from the movie Inside Out).

Joy, from Inside Out, is happy to be here.

Not everyone cosplays a famous comic character. This lady created her own fantasy self with some inspiration from the Día de los Muertos and the art of bellydance.

He-Man came with some of his fellow Masters, the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull, She-Ra and perhaps Scorpia?

This woman told me it took two months to make her dress with help from her grandma.

She surely made a lovely princess Giselle from "Enchanted."

A two-legged version of Pinkie Pie from "My Little Pony."

She bought a regular dress and added some classical elements of Pinkei, including her cutie mark. Plus she made her own ears.

See all CNET's Comic-Con 2015 coverage here

Steampunk variations on the Little Mermaid's Ursula and Ariel, and Star Wars' Princess Leia.

Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl.

This two ladies hand-made their costumes to recreate the dresses that women wore in 14th-century France.

Tweedledee and Tweedledum