#rethinkcosplay

[funsui]

Scarecrow

Cosplay by Ariel Krupnik spotted at New York Comic Con.

Photo by Ron Workman.

[cosplayinamerica]

Batman of New York: rethinkcosplay // photo: felixwongphotography

I thought what if an origin story happened in real life. If you could take the same impetus from a comic where heroes are created, and apply that to real life, you'll see a Batman created in real time, where today’s time has laid the foundation for this to happen, and how cool that could be. I thought that any cosplay going forward I couldn't at least do one that wasn't a commentary of what was going on around us in the world; that years from now people would refer back to pictures of this time for a snapshot of what was going on, and how that influenced things. They'll see Loki Variants, The Mandolorian, and this other weird thing I call the Batman of New York.

I wanted to recreate Batman the same way comic book writers take liberties with characters, and put out the latest iterations of them. My Batman embodies New York State, and the Joker head represents the Covid cluster. It was never meant to be Covid as a joke or anything, I'm sorry if people got that, but rather that it was contained, severed, and put away. The image of both together represents New York State having it all under control. It's meant to be uplifting - despite the acrylic paint shrinking the eye area of the mask and making it look like a frown.

I was attracted to the use of symbolism already, and wanted to take that further. "Last Knight on Earth", the Batman post-apocalyptic world story, is another part of the flavor text that went into it. And incorporating different aspects to best communicate New York and Covid. The first thing I settled on was the color. That medical blue, which actually, was used in Batman Year Two. When I saw the outline of New York State in my Google searches, I knew this could lay the groundwork for something powerful. I then immersed myself in the Batman world of imagery to see all the things that I could recontextualize to fit.

I'm not one of those great cosplayers you see, I am known for my execution and ideas I guess, so I was looking to play around more, and branch out to where I wanted some element of motion as part of this one. The Jokers head is an FX head that moves, with golf cues for that spikey Covid hair. The stitches on each side of that head are prison tally marks that go up to the number 16(this year in ny comic cons). I didn't know whether NYCC was happening this year so I had half the time I did to create something when it was announced, and I had to get moving. There are things I wish I did more with, or whatever, but I think I did pretty well considering.

(chill_bruh_photography)

Cosplay is an important thing to champion to other people. It's wholesome, it is healthy, it's not drugs or alcohol, it doesn't harm anyone, and it's okay. People make fun of you, but what they are really doing is putting down someone who has passion. Cosplayers are thinkers and detail-oriented, and really amazing people, cause those skills cross over into the rest of their lives, and I wish they were recognized better for what they achieve and go through just to bring you these heart-warming outfits off their own accord. To do these laborious cosplays is almost microdosing pain, that when faced with other greater pains in life, it becomes blunted in ways. This is not only helpful, but meditative in a lot of ways for us. It's confirmation of a passionate and healthy person, who can work through problems creatively, who when faced with issues are willing to go to the extra mile for resolve, not to mention, a creative spouse that would utilize that creativity to give you a unique and exciting relationship or home life. These are people who continue to create for the sheer passion, with no promised outcome of monetary gain or fame, it feels pure to do it and be it. I respect those people, I trust them. Unashamed, with their interests worn proudly on the outside, willing to look foolish to make so many people happy. You feel important again, and widely accepted, outside of your birthday. I've always said Comic Con was like a second birthday to me.

I want to give love to all the photographers and videographers - documentarions out at these conventions every year. To please understand how important you are, and how much you are needed. Cosplayers and conventions dont exist without you. These times in our lives couldn't be recorded without you. Finding, and being sent amazing pictures, etc, of work that you slaved over is essential. Some of us are in outfits that won't allow us to get our own phones out and take pictures, so thank you all for recognizing something in us, and me, that is special enough to want to capture. 

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