Tag Archives: cosplay

Pretty, Pretty, Please

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by Anika

I was never bullied in high school. I wasn’t popular but I wasn’t unpopular either. I was in all the advanced classes but I wasn’t one of the smartest kids. I went to the Junior Prom with a girl, and in a hand me down dress, and no one cared. I quoted episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation in my English papers and no one cared. I had a letter published in an X-Men comic about how inspiring I found Rogue and Gambit’s abstinence. I saw Les Miserables twelve times and I owned the Broadway, London, Concept (in French!), and Complete Symphonic albums. I went to conventions. I was in Wil Wheaton’s official fan club. I made up a ballet based on John Williams’s Star Wars scores, wrote down my entire concept, and carried it around with me in a shoebox. I wore my hair like Sailor Moon.

I was a nerd. And because I was high school age, I was an idiot. I was an idiot nerd girl.

And no one cared.

a photo of Anika cosplaying as Maddy beside a panel of Maddy from Avengers Academy

This is me cosplaying the character Maddy Berry aka Veil of Avengers Academy. Her first appearance, Issue 1. Maddy is a socially awkward teen girl with superpowers and a tragic destiny. She’s a lot like Sailor Saturn who I mention loving-and-cosplaying here. Here is her superheroing outfit:

a panel of Maddy in her Veil outfit, black ribbons surrounding her body

I love it. This is very much something I would make up. It’s a control thing: those ribbons are, literally, holding her together. I use clothes the same way.

But that first appearance was special.

a panel of Maddy from Avengers Academy

Sold.

So that’s what I cosplayed. But here’s why I bring it up. I am thirty-six years old. This is a picture of me pretending to be a character twenty years younger than I am. A high school student. Conventional wisdom asks “How dare I?”

a photograph of Anika cosplaying Maddy

Last year at a convention panel about cosplay, one of the panelists said that Slave Girl Leia was problematic because it was exclusionary; she had never seen a Leia-of-Color and therefore, they don’t exist.

a photograph of a young woman of color cosplaying Princess Leia

I found her at the next convention I went to. I wasn’t looking for her, she was just there, walking around, enjoying the con exactly as I was. “How dare she?”

Esmeralda Disney:

a screepcap from the Disney film Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda Cosplay:

a photograph of a plus size young woman cosplaying Esmeralda

“How dare she!”

Incredibly accurate and adorable Rikku costume:

a photograph of a young woman cosplaying Rikku, in an accurately skimpy costume

“How. Dare. She.”

It’s actually pretty simple. We don’t consider it daring. I mean, I don’t speak for every woman or every cosplayer, but the ones I have spoken with (I know, what a crazy idea to actually TALK to cosplayers instead of basing my opinion on what they wear), we consider it expression. We consider it engaging with fandom. We consider it fun.

And hey, the cosplayers who do consider it daring are ALSO RIGHT. That’s the amazing thing about fandom or fashion or cosplay or compassion: it’s not a right or wrong, yes or no, black or white, boy or girl, this or that equation. It’s fifty billion shades of gray.

I am going to see Breaking Dawn: Part 2 this weekend, dressed as Bella Swan. My iPad wallpaper is the Stark Industries logo. I love Pink. I’m an idiot nerd girl.

an image of pink stars with the text: So what, I'm still a rockstar.

“Fake Geek” is a myth and a fantasy and an example of bullying. Stop it.

Cosplay at NYCC 2012

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by Anika

The first thing I did when I arrived at the Javits Center for New York Comic Con’s third and most crowded day was fall down, face forward, on the pavement. I think I tripped over the leg of one of the temporary fences put up to the divide the sidewalk for ease of crowd control, but it’s not impossible I just tripped over myself. I felt my lip swell, and blood, so I bounced up, assured the onlookers I was okay, and sped to a street vendor to ask for ice. Then I told Twitter what had happened.

a screencapture of a tweet by @magnetgirl

I probably should have started my con experience with Medical. I still had a headache the following Tuesday and it’s not unlikely I ended up with a concussion. In hindsight, it’s pretty likely I did. But at the time, my priority was to pick up my Press badge, trade mitts for web-shooters, and put falling behind me. So I started in the women’s room. The ice had stopped the bleeding and stayed the swelling and the bruises were hidden beneath my clothes. It was lucky I had decided on a crossplay Andrew Garfield-Peter Parker look that included lots of layers and a generally awkward and bedraggled aesthetic. Even the split-lip sort of worked with it. I was starting to feel better and decided to touch up my hair and eye makeup to make me look more dishevelled. I put my backpack down in the sink and immediately the automatic faucet turned on, splashing all over my bag, and bouncing up to hit me. I grabbed it back quickly and nearly hit the person coming in behind me who turned out to be a security guard.

Basically, I have never been more in tune with a character I was cosplaying.

My most personally successful cosplay experience took place at Big Apple Anime in 2004. I dressed as Sailor Saturn of Naoko Takeuchi’s manga Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon. I’d previously been Sailor Moon herself so Christian, my costumer husband who makes all my outfits, had perfected his pattern and construction. The bodice of the sailor suit was corseted and the skirt and collar, both with giant bows attached, snapped to it. The pleats fell just right, and nothing moved — it flowed. I’d purchased my knee-high spike-heeled black patent leather boots (the only part of the costume Christian didn’t construct) in Los Angeles and they cost as much as the plane trip from Hartford but they were Saturn’s exactly and I loved them. Finally, I’d cut my hair to a banged bob and dyed it from auburn to black.

a photo collage of images of the author dressed as Sailor Saturn

These pictures were taken a few years after the con.

Saturn is my favorite Sailor Senshi (“Soldier” or “Scout”). I’m a Capricorn so she is my sign’s scout and therefore meant to resemble my character in some way. Or I am meant to resemble hers; I’m not sure, I’m not an expert in astrology or how it relates to Japanese comic book mythology. Well, Saturn is the Soldier of Destruction, Silence, and Redemption, and her human identity is an introverted motherless school girl who likes science fiction and dancing. So, maybe there is something to astrology after all, because I identify with and embrace all of that. The juxtaposition of a waif being the most powerful destructive force in the galaxy is a recurring theme in everything I am attracted to; Sailor Saturn represents something I am and something I want to be.

Portraying the pale, petite, haunted, and hopeful Sailor Saturn was easy because I understood her and I connected to her. My husband made me a perfect costume. I felt beautiful, I felt powerful, and I felt fearless. And because of that I was a huge hit. Everyone wanted my picture. And I ended up on French television, in an actual interview, representing the convention, New York, and the U.S.A.

My AGPP look was half perfect props delicately constructed or chosen (the jacket, the camera, and replica web-shooters made by my brilliant costumer-husband) and half thrown together at the very last minute (everything else). It would have been more Amazing if I’d had the time and money to make it exactly what I wanted it to be; as it was few people understood I was in costume. Which was fine because I wasn’t there to be in costume. I was there — with my Peter Parker camera — to observe everybody else in costume.

a photograph of two women cosplaying the TARDIS and the Eleventh Doctor

My favorite by far was this TARDIS dress. The Doctor Who contingent was in full force at NYCC and I must have seen over thirty blue-box dresses along with Elevens, Fours, Ponds, Oswins, Roses, Daleks, and a Vincent. I really wanted to see a Ballerina Dalek, I know there were a few there, but I never found one. But this dress stood out. She explained that the dress was 1950s vintage which she’d modified. It was absolutely beautiful, I wish I got a better picture.

Other favorites include:

a photograph of cosplayers featuring The Hulk and Sailor Jupiter

The Hulk and Sailor Jupiter: the OTP you never knew you wanted!

a photograph of cosplayers: Narcissa, Draco, and Lucius Malfoy

The Malfoys. Because I just really love the Malfoys.

a photograph of a cosplayer, Daenerys Targaryen.

Daenerys Targaryen. With a dragon egg!

a photograph of a cosplayer: Wonder Girl II

Wonder Girl Cassie. Because GOGGLES.

a photograph of cosplayers: Robin, Raven, Terra, Starfire

Amazingly awesome Teen Titans group. I was so excited to find a Terra (one of my top ten characters of all time ) and then! She had a whole group.

a photograph of a young woman in an Iron Man inspired outfit

This Iron Man dress is probably my second favorite. I am a fan of indirect looks. I am also a fan of her houndstooth bag.

a photograph of cosplayers: Jubilee, X-23, Pixie

Three X-Girls.

a photograph of cosplayers: 4 X-Women

And four X-Women .

I returned Sunday with my family in tow. My daughters, like myself, dressed as characters they not only love, but strongly identify with. Kiki, 16, was dressed as a humanized My Little Pony Fluttershy and her sister, Aeris, 7, was Princess Merida from the Pixar film Brave. Fluttershy and Brave is exactly what they were. Kiki was soft spoken and happy to pose but unlikely to approach while Aeris was loud, excited, and willing to walk up to anyone and ask for a picture. They were, to a person, happy to oblige her. This is my favorite part of cosplay culture — the acceptance, the welcome, the willingness to play along with a child who not only loves the character, but half-believes she is standing with the real one.

a photograph of cosplayers: Flynn Rider and a young Merida

My Merida meets Flynn Rider.

I had the great fortune to witness this from both sides. Sunday I was dressed as MLP: Friendship is Magic’s Pinkie Pie, in a head to toe furry costume. Basically a walking stuffed toy of a giant pink pony. And one little girl in Artist’s Alley made the entire con experience worth it when she screeched “Pinkie Pie!” and after posing for pictures babbled excitedly about her favorite episodes, near tears with joy at the opportunity to share her love of Pinkie Pie and all the ponies with me.

a photograph of the author in a furry pink pony costume

Not every cosplay experience is like that. Sometimes people are rude. Sometimes people — men, honestly — are creepy. Sometimes I’ve chosen characters so obscure no one recognizes me and it’s really disheartening. Sometimes the costume doesn’t come out right or I don’t have that same personal connection and it’s a chore to keep smiling. And no matter how wonderful the day goes it is also tiring and emotionally draining. Full on cosplay is work even after the costume is made. I was wearing what amounts to fuzzy pajamas on Sunday and I was still exhausted by the end of the day. But it is also fun; the most fun I have ever had as a fan.

I overheard one person (not in costume) complaining that there were “too many” people in costumes, and in costumes that didn’t fit into his idea of a comic-con. At its most spectacular, cosplay is a sight to behold. The people who build their own power armor that lights up and makes noise and looks real. The slave-girls who carry legitimate chains all around the convention floor. The meticulously sewn and constructed outfits that often look better than the ones on film. Some fans spend years and hundreds of dollars to perfect their look and they all deserve applause and acclaim. But just like there are all sorts of superheroes, there are all sorts of cosplayers. And they all count.

a photograph of cosplayers, Small Merida and an adult

Aeris’ favorite cosplayer of the day!

Thank you all.

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009

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by Sigrid

Well, I had an absolutely great weekend. For starters, this was the first time all the Fantastic Fangirls were in the same spot at the same time. And meeting them in person was great.

Back row (l-to-r) Friend-of-the-Fangirls Spuffyduds, Jennifer, Sigrid. Front row (l-to-r) Caroline, Anika.

Back row (l-to-r) Friend-of-the-Fangirls Spuffyduds, Jennifer, Sigrid. Front row (l-to-r) Caroline, Anika.

But I had additional goals for the convention besides geeking out with fangirls. I wanted to connect with artists and get contact information for future collaboration. I’d brought the submission proposal for my graphic novel to the con, hoping to pitch it to publishers. And I wanted to meet, fangirl, and thank the writers and artists at the con who have inspired me to write comics. I was pretty darn happy with how I met all three goals.

Meeting and thanking the creators I admire occupied most of Saturday. I stood in lines and collected signatures and sketches in my notebook. And here’s the thing — every single creator I talked to was polite, gracious, enthusiastic, and attentive. All of them. But I wanted to mention here the ones that stood out for me particularly — my thanks to Carla Speed McNeil, Jeff Parker, Steve Lieber, Matt Fraction, Barry Kitson, and Terry Moore.

I pitched my comic to three publishers. Not that I expect anything to come of it, but there’s no success without trying. I had spent a frantic two days prior to the con getting the submission package together — reading all the advice I could find about how to do it, reviewing the tips and hints that editors and publishers have put on their blogs and twitters. I felt reasonably prepared going into the con. This was validated by the publisher who glanced at my materials and blurted out, “you’re prepared!” So whatever else comes out of those efforts, I feel confident I came across as a professional.

On Sunday I walked the con with Hawkgirl — our very own Anika.

Anika as Hawkgirl!

Anika as Hawkgirl!

This worked out well for us, as I wanted to stop at every other table to meet and chat with artists, and Hawkgirl was stopped every ten feet for photographs. This was a lot of fun — I particularly liked the various young girls who all proclaimed their love of Hawkgirl. Speaking as a parent of a young girl, I’m always pleased when she adores a powerful female role model who wears clothes, is physically capable, and exhibits leadership. I also find it depressing that “wears clothes” is a characteristic in short supply for female characters in comics.

We moseyed around the convention center at a slow rate. I met a vast number of artists and creators, swapping business cards and comics. I handed out my finished comics to artists I hope to work with in the future, and bought comics from a number of artists I plan to contact. I was especially impressed with Firetower Studios for their enthusiasm, sales, and the quality of their comics. Bonus points to them for writing comics about women and people of color.

A couple of notes about the art available at the convention. On the positive side, I appreciated the range of prices. Franco was doing original drawings of the superhero of your choice in Tiny Titans style for a dollar each — affordable for everyone, including the kids who flocked to his table. I also appreciated the sheer variety of art styles. This includes a lot of pin-ups of female comic book characters — goodness knows, I myself own pin-ups.

But on a negative note, I developed a new criterion for assessing pin-up art while wandering the tables at BCC. If the body of the pin-up is stacked and gorgeous, but the face is plastic and half-done and the face on every girl you draw is identically vacant, I am not going to buy your art. Moreover, I am going to secretly judge you and your views of women. Moreover, I am going to tell my friends my opinions of you and your relationships with women, or lack thereof. I’m not saying this makes me a particularly good person — but there you have it.

Women are sexy, I completely agree. But we are also people. I want sexy pin-ups of women to highlight the agency, the personality, the spark of flirtation and interest and ownership of self that I find attractive in real, live, non-fictional women. In that regard, I’d like to single out John Watkins-Chow and Byron Winton for fun, sexy, powerful pin-up art featuring women with lots of personality. Kudos, guys. You made a positive impression on me.

There are, of course, a number of photo archives of the convention available online. Anika’s is here. The much larger archive of Bruce Guthrie is here. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed being there!

Email: sigrid @ fantasticfangirls.org
Twitter: sigridellis