Redartz: Okay, time for a little fun flight of fantasy today. For anyone who has attended a comic convention (or watched the news around Comic Con time), a big part of the appeal is the amazing assemblage of costumed fans. Cosplay, as it is known, has become a big enterprise. Conventions have costume contests, seminars on performance, panels about costume creation. and much much more. There are dealers selling weapons, accessories, and costume parts. And it's a very democratic activity: you'll see kids, teens, young adults, older adults, whole families dressed up. And having a blast all the while.
Sooo, today it's your turn. No matter your size, shape, fitness or lack of same, there is a costume perfect for you. You get to satisfy your inner actor, your personal performance artist. What character will you choose? No limits here. You could be someone from comics, from film, television, or literature. All necessary accessories are provided. My choice is Dr. Strange (a fact known to some; I may yet take the leap and give it a try). What's yours?
Our own David_b sent some photos of his cosplay experience. And here they are; very well done, David!
And here are some other folks indulging their imaginations...
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to cosplay I am a total and utter curmudgeon. I hate cosplay and the avalanche of cosplayers at most modern conventions is one reason I really don't go much anymore. I know that's mean of me to say, but it's how I feel. Sorry to all my amigos here who might enjoy it, power to you. Do what's fun, I wish you well, but I'd rather not partake even passively.
The one exception might be all those lovely dames who try to be Power Girl, that might make me change my mind...a little.
Rip Off
I've only had the courage to do one cosplay, getting a vintage Galactica uniform done up. I just sent Edo the pics in FB if he wanted to post 'em....
ReplyDeleteI suppose with my height, I could easily pull off a pretty awesome Cylon Centurion, but I'm afraid I'd scare the dog.. :)
Actually just sent 'em to Redartz as well. Sorry they're not posted on-line anywhere..
ReplyDeleteAs for comics, a Doc Strange or a Hank Pym alter-ego would be my choice as well...
I'm afraid the only character I could currently cosplay as would be The Kingpin. But I'd make a really good one.
ReplyDeleteWell, after yesterday's BitBA blog, I would try my hand at being World War 2 Captain Aero.
ReplyDeleteFirst b/c I used to be a military pilot. Second, b/c a flesh-and-blood mortal sitting on top of a flaming, doomed WW 2 fighter plane (without a seat belt!) and blasting away at numerous enemy fighter planes with twin 30 mm seems fearless beyond compare. Our doomed Captain is above the ocean no less, no where to parachute or land!
I mean, it's easy to do superhero stuff, when you are a superhero. But to do such things as Captain Aero (or Sgt. Fury I suppose) while being 100% human... well that's truly, truly super heroic!
And anyhow, I dig the cool pilot uniforms from back then. I never understood what the bulging pants (at the thighs) were about that cavalry (horse) and pilots wore. Anyone???
Cheers! CH-47
Ummm... does anyone out there know who Captain Aero is? I mean, I would hate to dress up as the good Captain and have be asked, all day long, "Who are you supposed to be?" Maybe I should go as Sgt. Fury, but I would hate folks to think I was an infantry guy (Just joking David B!!!)
ReplyDelete(No less an artistic genius than L.B. Cole drew numerous of his covers during WW 2.)
Ok, sorry for the detour but it is a 3-day weekend coming here in the USA and I feel good!
Cheers, Charlie.
I've only ever been to one small convention earliest this year. There was some cosplay (like a female Luke Cage, who was awesome, and a Black Lightning), but not like I see from pix of big conventions (which I have little desire to go to b/c of expense and crowds).
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine that I'd actually do cosplay, though I admire the work that goes into it, and how these fans engage with the favorite characters. I guess I can imagine doing it to help out friends who were doing a group thing.
If I was gonna do it on my own I guess I'd do either White Tiger, or a grown up Billy Batson in the red shirt w/ yellow collar and blue jeans.
Rip you disgusting sexist pig! LOl
ReplyDeleteToo old to cosplay..though hmmm I am the exact same age as Luke Skywalker..nahh. Going to Megacon in Orlando this Sunday still..yahoo
If I were forced to cosplay the only characters I'd be eligible for would be The Ancient One (classic comics version), Obi Wan Kenobi (Star Wars IV version), and possibly the Sandman in his retirement years with the green suit and the fedora.
ReplyDeleteRip Off
HBSon and I attended the North American Discworld Convention in Baltimore in (yikes!) 2013, and by golly we committed to staying FULL COSPLAY throughout. And had a BUH-LAST! For anyone familiar with Pratchett's series, HBSon went as pretty much the perfect young "Wizzard" Rincewind, whereas I created a Wizard character from whole cloth: Professor Bismuth Humanbelly: Dean of Gastronomical Magicks (& Desserts). That is correct. My nom-de-blog has taken on an expanded life. We looked great, we had wonderful interactions with folks, and had our picture taken about a zillion times. Truly one of those "best time ever" weekends that we got to share.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that, as a chunky middle-aged guy, I don't have any desire to dress up in an outfit that's meant to go on a perfect physical specimen-- unless there's an obvious element of humor involved. One of those full-body padded Hulk suits could be a fun option, of course. But several different folks have told me in the past few years that a look like/remind them of Alfred Molina, and it hit me-- good lord-- Doc Ock! I would TOTALLY love to figure out a way to manage a Doc Ock costume! (Not to mention that I LOVE Alfred Molina!) Almost any of his looks would be a hoot on this chunky body-- the biggest hurdle is safely effecting the arms, y'know?
Ohhh boy-- now I'm all inspired. . . !
HB
My first thoughts were either The Rock from the first Indiana Jones movie, the one from the Temple, or one of the asteroids, Deep Impact or Armageddon. Then it hit me, I was totally born to play... The Death Star!!! Big, round and menacing, that's me!!!
ReplyDeleteI would get thrown out for asking all the ladies in attendance: "Feel like blowing a Death Star?"
(We roll tonight to the guitar bite
Stand up and be counted for what you are about to receive
We are the dealers
We'll give you everything you need
Hail hail to the good times
Cos rock has got the right of way
We ain't no legends ain't no cause
We're just livin' for today
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
We rock at dawn on the front line
Like a bolt right outta the blue
The skies alight with a guitar bite
Heads will roll and rock tonight
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you, yes we do
For those about to rock, we salute you
Salute
We're just a battery for hire with the guitar fire
Ready and aimed at you
Pick up your balls and load up your cannon
For a twenty one gun salute
For those about to rock
Fire
We salute you
For those about to rock
We salute you
For those about to rock
Fire
We salute you
Fire
We salute you
We salute you, c'mon
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
Shoot, shoot
Shoot, shoot
For those who give
For those who take
Those left high
And those on the make
We salute you
We salute you
We salute you
Fire).
PS: Phoenix Police arrest a heavily armed man at Phoenix Comicon. Now any and all weapons, real or otherwise, are banned.
David_b- thanks for sharing your photos! Very, very cool indeed.
ReplyDeleteCharlie- I'm familiar with Captain Aero, but honestly can't quite picture him. Must research him...
Dr.O- nowadays even smaller conventions seem to attract some pretty talented cosplay. At Gem City, Motor Con, Cincinnati and Indiana, there were enough performers to keep a photographer busy all afternoon!
HB- fabulous story. Bismuth (!) Humanbelly. I love it. And Ock would be amazing, and quite a task. Boy, you and David_b are sorely tempting me (benefit to a Dr. Strange costume- lots of cloak to hide those Bronze Age bulges...
Prowl- you could consider Ego, the Living Planet ( hey, it worked for Kurt Russell)!
I'm probably way too shy to ever try cosplay but if I did, I'm one of those people who wants it to be as authentic as possible. So I'd have to pick a character that has some resemblance to me; unfortunately, not a lot of superheroes are goofy-looking guys with glasses. I might be able to pull off Harry Potter or Danny Chase (from New Teen Titans), or Tim Hunter from Books of Magic (who, for all intents and purposes, IS Harry Potter), but I'm probably too old for those.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind playing Doctor Who (Tenth Doctor especially), but I fear I'm not good-looking enough to pull it off :)
I got to agree with Rip J … back when ‘cons’ first started here around metro Atlanta (first the Atlanta Fantasy Fair with it’s Sternako-designed logo, then the current DragonCon) … “cost-play” was regulated to the costume contest on one night… That was much more special because it was the moment of truth where all of the costumers would get their chance to walk across the stage and be judged (by the judges and audience)…
ReplyDeletenow the halls at most cons are clogged with cos-players and photographers competing with regular customers including those regulars with their oversized backpacks (and oversized front paunch) equally clogging up the aisles… very few ‘cons’ are fun anymore (except maybe shout to HeroesCon in Charlotte)…
But the excess of cos-play (good and bad) no longer makes it ‘special’ … just MHO
Another good follow-on question, who's been the MOST OVERDONE cosplay...?
ReplyDeleteI nominate 'Harley Quinn' and Logan; gawwwd, cannot tell you how many versions of them have been proudly presented at cons.
Originality please.
In my prime I would have liked to have a realistic Yellowjacket costume. I saw an awesome Ant-Man once with a chrome helmet.
ReplyDeleteNow I think I would have to be the Flash when Mirror Madter turned him into a fat guy. Ha.
Most overplayed costume for me is probably Spider-Man. Best I ever saw were Mr Miracle and Big Barda. Really spot on.
I'd like to see Galactus, Human Torch, Modok, Jughead, Medusa and Lockjaw.
hey David_b ---
ReplyDeleteThe Galactica costume is excellent ... kudos on that, great work!
Just checking in now, and just noticed now that David sent me a message via FB (sorry, I'm really not a very attentive FB-er, and usually don't notice the messages until way after the fact - if you want to get my attention, send me an e-mail).
ReplyDeleteAs for cosplay, while I'm completely uninterested in engaging in it myself, I like seeing others have fun with it. I agree with Osvaldo, in that I appreciate all of the effort cosplayers put into it. The annual SF convention and comics festival (separate events, at separate venues, but on the same weekend) were held in Zagreb two weeks ago; as usual, there were quite a few cosplayers, although most of them dress up like characters from SF and fantasy films and books, as also video game characters (Osvaldo, I think these shows would be right up your alley: very modest crowds, and you don't even have to pay for admission to the comics festival, while the weekend pass for the SF convention is about $15).
In my twenties I could have pulled off, with a wig, a rather short Thor.
ReplyDeleteNow I could probably be, with a couple of horns, a very short Mangog.
M.P.
Edo is always trying to get me to Croatia to bring him ROM comics, now he is dangling manageable con as a carrot. very sneaky. ;)
ReplyDeleteAw, dern! You see right through me, Osvaldo... :P
ReplyDelete