Bodysuits, boots and masks galore as Comic-Con opens in San Diego

Eli Garcia dressed as the character Killer Croc from the Batman series poses during opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - There were bodysuits, boots and masks galore in San Diego as thousands of comic, superhero and anime fans flocked to the opening of Comic-Con on Thursday.

Highlights of this year's Comic-Con include the introduction of the first female "Doctor Who", played by British actress Jodie Whittaker, and a reunion for the cast of the U.S. television drama "Breaking Bad".

Attendees pose for a picture as they arrive for the opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Celebrations are also being held to mark a decade of the Marvel Cinematic Universe media franchise and the 25th anniversaries of the sci-fi TV show "The X-Files", stop-motion animated movie "The Nightmare Before Christmas", and the blockbuster film "Jurassic Park".

"We love the family feeling here," said Miguel Capuchino, who was dressed as a male version of a female character from the "The Nightmare Before Christmas".

"It's just a bunch of geeks getting together and there's no judging, everybody's just very supportive".

Producer Matt Strevens, showrunner Chris Chibnall and the cast; Jodie Whittaker, Tosin Cole, and Mandip Gill from the BBC show "Doctor Who" attend the pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake?

The annual four-day event, started as a get-together for sci-fi fans to trade comic books in 1970, is now the largest comic book convention of its kind, with over 130,000 people attending guest panels and visiting the venues featuring paintings, comics, movies, TV shows and gaming programs.

(Reporting by Rollo Ross; Writing by Karishma Singh; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

Cast members, Mandip Gill, Jodie Whittaker, Tosin Cole from the BBC show "Doctor Who" attend the pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake?

Miguel Capuchino arrives in costume for opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Attendees dressed as Harley Quinn and Catwoman from the Batman series arrive for opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

An attendee dressed as a Power Ranger poses for a picture during opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Samantha Sherman (R) and Gayle Hooker dressed as the twins from the movie The Shinning attends opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

An attendee dressed as Junkrat from the game Overwatch poses for a picture during opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Attendees check their phones as they take a break during opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Attendees poses for a picture during opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

An attendee dressed as a character from the Borderlands games poses for a picture during opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Attendees walk the convention floor during opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Crowds attend opening day of pop culture convention Comic Con in San Diego, California, U.S. July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake