At New Orleans Comic Con and many other comic book conventions, often the first thing one notices is the elaborate costumes that many of the con’s attendees wear. These costumes can range from classic superhero outfits to bizarre creatures that come from the makers’ minds.
The people that create and wear these costumes are called cosplayers. These mega fans spend days and even weeks creating their cosplays, which they then proudly display to fellow fans and confused onlookers.
For a majority of cosplayers, it is all about passion.
“I am a big fan of all things sci-fi and fantasy, so this just seemed like a cool thing to do,” said a cosplayer dressed as an X-Wing pilot from “Star Wars.” Many groups come together at the con over a shared love of dressing up and helping others.
“We do it because we love it, we like dressing up. But we also do it because we love the reaction we get from the fans and making the kids happy,” said Otek, a Mandalorian bounty hunter from “Star Wars” who represented a global group of cosplayers called the Mandalorian Mercs.
The Mercs spend a lot of time doing charity work, visiting children’s hospitals and cheering up sick and injured children.
The process of making a costume can vary greatly depending on the type of cosplay one wants to make.
“This is called PVC plastic. You get it at a sign shop. You can heat it up with a blow drier and bend it. Then its just your imagination from there on out,” said Otek talking about his realistic looking suit of armor. Otek spent a great deal of time crafting the pieces of his cosplay, trying to get a look that was individual and eye catching.
But for some, the process is much simpler.
“Everyone tells me I look like Clark Kent on a daily basis, so I decided to wear my work uniform and put a Superman shirt underneath it,” said Kyle Fischer, an attendee of the con dressed as Superman’s alter ego.
If they are not wearing costumes, almost every person wears a shirt representing their respective fandom. Shirts with superhero logos, anime characters and inside jokes can be seen on most people in the exhibition hall.
Cosplaying is an integral part of the con, and much like the con, people use cosplaying as a unique form of escapism.
“It’s an escape from mundane everyday life. Who doesn’t love to get outside the box and be someone else for 5 minutes,” said Suzie Seager who brought her own original character, “Union Jackie Whovian Headhunter,” to life at the con.
“We do it because we love it, we like dressing up. But we also do it because we love the reaction we get from the fans and making the kids happy.”
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A cosplayer performs as “Kick Ass” during the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention Saturday, Feb. 8 2014.
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Cosplayer friends “Snow White” and “Spiderman” hangout together Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Cosplayer costume contestant “Odin”, King of Asgard, rallies up the croud Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention held in the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Marina Nye cosplays as “Captain America” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention held at the New Orlans Convention Center.
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Merchandise vendor Thomas cosplays as the “10th Doctor” from the Doctor Who series Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Cosplaying friends take a creative approach to “Luigi”, “Mario”, and “Princess Peach” Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, during Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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A “Blade” cosplayer poses for fellow guests Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at The Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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A cosplay contestant performs a greeting as “Radagast, the Brown Wizard” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World New Orelans Comic Con costume contest held at the New Orleans Theater located in the New Orleans Convention Center.
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A cosplay contestant performs as “Malificent” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World New Orleans New Orleans Comic Con costume contest at the New Orleans Theater inside the New Orleans Convention Center.
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A cosplay contestant performs as “Malificent” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con costume contest in the New Orleans Theater located in the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Well known cosplayer Ryan Frye performs as “Thor” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention’s costume contest held at the New Orleans Theater inside the convention center.
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Jason David Frank guests judges the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con costume contest Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the New Orleans Theater located in the New Orleans Convention Center.
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A cosplayer dresses as “Harley Quinn” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Joshua and Susan Thomas cosplay as “Batman” and “Catwoman” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Comic Con attendee David Rickman cosplays as the “10th Doctor” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Rebecca Stevens cosplays “Loki Bunny” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention.
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Nero Heart cosplays “Red Robin” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention.
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Briana O’Malley cosplays “Asajj Ventress” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention.
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A Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con attendee cosplays “Freddy Krueger” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the weekend convention held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Joe Doyle cosplays as “Wally West” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Jessie Harris cosplays as Blade” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Mary Simmons cosplays as “Pheonix” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Lily Perez cosplays as “Leeloo” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Lily Perez cosplays as “Leeloo” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Remy d’Arda cosplays as “Scarlett Witch” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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The Campbell Family cosplays as Doctor Who characters Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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“Darth Vader” entertains the attendees Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Christopher Avant cosplays as “Mad Hater” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Joe Raymond cosplays as “Arkicide” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World Comic Con costume contest helt in the New Orleans Theater. Raymond finsihed the night voted best male villian in the singles category.
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Joe Raymond’s “Arkicide” cosplay was voted best male villian Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con costume contest for his unique use of multi media and fabrications.
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Remy Symons cosplays “Lady Loki” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con costume contest. Symons won best female villian in the singles category.
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Southwest Louisiana Browncoat vender cosplays as “Superman” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention.
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Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con attendees cosplay as Celina and Michael from Underground Satruday, Feb. 8, 2014.
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The Mandalorian Mercz costume club was one of many venders Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Ryan Southall cosplays as “Inspector Gadget” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Doctor Who “Wheeping Angels” were a very popular cosplay Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Sophia Gilmore-Montero as “Robin”, Kelsey Lawrence as “Lady Night Wing”, and Donny Wagner as “Night Wing” Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Convention held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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Dim n Wit, The Fairy Brothers, meet and greet fans Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 during the Wizard World Comic Convention held at the New Orleans Convention Center.
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