This was our Third Fan Expo – we don’t count that first trip because we didn’t actually get inside the building. I’d made several bold claims about how I was definitely going to wear a costume this year, but for various complicated reasons, I didn’t.
It’s a big thing to decide, actually. Some people go to events like SDCC and Fan Expo for the big name stars. This year Fan Expo wasn’t stinting on those, bringing out William Shatner, John Barrowman and Carrie Fisher, as well as other big names from series like “Once Upon a Time” and “The Walking Dead”. And, of course, there were big names I had no clue about, like the voice artists from anime series and real comic book artists.
Other people go for the costumes – they want to see and be seen. At least, I think so.
Can you name all the GoT characters here? Quick, before GRRM kills them off!
But say you have your costume. Maybe it’s as stunning as this one:
In case you were wondering, I added the blur afterwards….
She looks fantastic, and as far as I can tell, it’s a spot-on match for the game graphics. But you look a bit daft carrying your bag of loot too, so you have to put that down every time someone wants a picture. And lots of people will want a picture if your costume is this good…
Spy Vs Spy! Now that took me back a few years…
And what if you’re a masked character? When do you get to have a drink or a snack?
We met this guy carrying his helmet, and only putting it on for pictures. He said he could see fine, it was just breathing that was a problem….
This year we helped Tiniest Weasel with her costume – Pippin the Hobbit.
She’s the one in the middle.
It was a good choice – she was warm enough for the times we were outside, and though her custom made hobbit feet were a little uncomfortable, she put up with them for a couple of hours.
One does not simply take the escalator into Mordor….Unless you’re showing off your custom Hobbit feet.
It was a practical costume, easy to make and maintain throughout the event, and she was comfortable enough.
Eldest Weasel went one better, going for the “Minimalist 11th Doctor” look.
There’s always a TARDIS at these things. Hey, maybe it’s always the SAME TARDIS?
But Middle Weasel got the best of the deal. Thanks to a massive cosplay malfunction on the night before, her Astrid costume morphed into a Sherlock minimalist affair that looked cool enough to be recognised, but not bothersome enough to be hard work.
She’s the blonde Sherlock. And no jokes about that, please. I’m in enough trouble….
I went as me, wearing my Darth Vader t-shirt and some badges I’ve accumulated over the years, and there was a wonderful freedom in NOT being dressed up. I could wander the stalls, take pictures of the others, and trade duties with Mrs Dim, since we had our three Weasels plus two friends on loan for the day – that meant lots of phone tag and texting “Where r u? We at T-shirt stall…” etc etc
What other costumes were there? Well, I’m glad you asked:
This was one of very few Lara Crofts, and she was brilliant – I played the game last year, so I know….
My 11th meets a pretty good 4th.
Amy Pond and Rose Tyler
The one, the only, Captain Jack Sparrow! Well, one of several that day, as it turned out…
Brilliant Weeping Angel
I haven’t seen “The Book of Life” but I can tell these guys are good. And one of them is Captain Jack Sparrow again…
Another 4th Doctor… It’s the scarf, isn’t it? Or maybe the jelly babies…
More memories from my childhood…ok, from last week. It’s Mean Machine Angel and a Judge.
Pippin meets Tauriel.
Huntress and Black Canary
Oh, come on guys… Starlord? The famous outlaw?
Nightwing and Young Thor
Lady Loki
How does Luke Skywalker get across the road? Ewoks!
It wouldn’t be a FanExpo without Rimmer, Arnold J.
Filli, Pippin and Killi
Sherlock is not impressed by Jango Fett or Bossk.
The Book of Life crew don’t rate a smile either.
The same goes for this Nightwing.
…And if you’re not impressed by this bunch, what hope is there?
These costumes were top notch…
As was this ShadowTrooper
When I was a kid, THIS was what Batman looked like. None of your modern Kevlar and nightvision.
These guys proved you don’t need to look to Superheroes or television to find great cosplay ideas…
Gandalf, Pippin and Aragorn save the day!
We’ll be back at Fan Expo next year, though it’s going to be in November in stead of April. I might dress up, I might not, but I know I’ll have a great time there. It’s a wonderful atmosphere, and we all agreed – when you see a cosplayer, you smile. It doesn’t matter if you know the character or not, you can’t help grinning like a loon. They’re happy, they’ve worked damn hard on their costumes, and no matter how tired, hot or hungry they are, they’ll take a second to pose for your camera.
(But if I do go in costume, I’ll look an awful lot like this:
I got the whole thing finished and ready to go…
So watch out next year for Shakespearean Darth Vader!
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