C2E2 2015: Why Cosplay Matters (Plus Pictures)

Howdy, folks!

A few of us Fangirls got to spend some time at the Comic Con and Entertainment Expo at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention centre this past weekend, attending panels, meeting nerd icons (Stan Lee!), and buying entirely too much memorabilia for which I have no space to display…

*Ahem*

She was the best Gambit at the Con. SHE HAD THE EYES!

But the main thing that I enjoy at cons is cosplay. This was my first convention in a while and, while I have a bitchin’ Wonder Woman costume from Halloween, I didn’t dress up, myself. Rather, I love people-watching, photographing some of the most elaborate, the gender-swapped, the creatively altered, and just plain cutest little superheroes and villains roaming the sprawling expanse of Nerd Mecca.

But it’s not just about my entertainment. What’s really worth noting is that it’s not just about nerds playing dress-up, indulging in escapism or showing off their mad pepakura skills; it’s about inclusion.

C2E2 is very clear and very serious about their “Cosplay is Not Concent” policy, wherein any harassment of a con-goer, even if they’re dressed particularly scantily or salaciously, will not be tolerated. This doesn’t only refer to sexual harassment, but also harassment based on race.

Nerds of all races, sexes, and sexual orientations want to get in on the fun. None of them should be excluded. And none of them should be relegated to the limited number of characters of their race if they’re a minority.

So, in celebration of diversity, creativity, and general nerd-dom, please enjoy a few photos from this past weekend, featuring some of my favourite cosplayers of the con, many of them putting a really cool twist on their favourite characters!

Please note that, while I asked for verbal permission of each of the people photographed, I understand if you would also like for your photo to be removed. If so, please let us know and we will comply. Sadly, I won’t be posting any pictures of the world’s cutest 3-year-old-girl-dressed-as-Rocket-Racoon-while-simultaneously-having-no-idea-of-who-she-is-supposed-to-be as she is a minor, even wither her parents’ verbal consent. Note also that we do not make any profit off of this website.

Alas, this woman jumped into the photo and is NOT one of the Big Hero 6 team members…

The most powerful man in the universe!

Such a weird OTP, but I’m down!

Bat-Selfie!

These folks actually appear at charitable functions as Storm-Troopers.

Bobba Fett and his Mini Me!

“Hipster Jon Snow.” His own words.

I had just met Chad Coleman and this dude’s costume was SPOT. ON.

Predator Minion!

One of my OTPs; i had to include them!

Just Hawkman and Huntress having a chat. NBD.

This whole family. They had a toddler rocket racoon, but no images of minors are going up here, sorry!