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Cosplay
Jun 10, 2015 23:26:46 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 23:26:46 GMT -5
Last comic convention I went to there were only a couple cosplayers, I had never heard the term "cosplayer," and I think they were all hired to be there.
I don't mind it, and I think it's created an awesome industry where do-it-yourselfers can make good money building costumes and props. I think it does help the comics industry as well, although probably not enough to cure all the industries problems. As far as the sexy cosplayers around kids, how many comics in these conventions are even appropriate for kids anymore? I hate the way the mainstream markets to kids while peddling smut at the same time with the same properties. When you do that, this is the result. But since the costumes seem to fit in the spirit of the product they emulate, and the product the convention is in celebration of, I'd say they probably belong more than children do, as sad as it is to say. Also, 99% of the cosplay I've seen online (and I'm sure I haven't seen it all) seemed fine for kids to see.
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Cosplay
Jun 11, 2015 5:06:54 GMT -5
Post by Icctrombone on Jun 11, 2015 5:06:54 GMT -5
Dude, One time I was walking around the Baltimore Comic show , and I saw a grown man walking around in nothing but a fig leaf. That's a true story. Funny that you mention that. At the Baltimore Comic Con 2014, I was standing in line to get some books signed and noticed a fellow -- clearly an older gentleman, based on the full head of gray hair and, er.... musculature of a senior citizen -- wearing nothing but a Tarzan-esque loin cloth. I wonder if it was the same guy. it might have been but I didn't go in 2014. It was probably 2012 or 2013. I guess he recycles the suit. All 5 inches of it. |
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Post by DE Sinclair on Jun 11, 2015 7:48:43 GMT -5
Well if a woman does a cosplay as Vampirella than it's sexy by definition of the character. If a man does a cosplay of Conan it's sexy by definition of the character. Both were created with an aspect of them to accentuate feminity and masculinity. It seems reductive to debate if they have a place among other cosplayers. I think that's more in the social outrage department. I would have to offer a rebuttal to this statement (in bold). The outfits are skimpy and by nature sexy, but if the wrong people are wearing it, let's just say it stops being sexy. Were I to dress up as Conan, for example, very few people would consider that "sexy". |
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Cosplay
Jun 11, 2015 8:26:52 GMT -5
Post by adamwarlock2099 on Jun 11, 2015 8:26:52 GMT -5
Well if a woman does a cosplay as Vampirella than it's sexy by definition of the character. If a man does a cosplay of Conan it's sexy by definition of the character. Both were created with an aspect of them to accentuate feminity and masculinity. It seems reductive to debate if they have a place among other cosplayers. I think that's more in the social outrage department. I would have to offer a rebuttal to this statement (in bold). The outfits are skimpy and by nature sexy, but if the wrong people are wearing it, let's just say it stops being sexy. Were I to dress up as Conan, for example, very few people would consider that "sexy". I'm in the same boat. I don't have the body of Atlas. But no one complains when someone without the physique dresses as Conan or Vampirella. Unless they're just dicks and make fun of the cosplayer. My thoughts were along with dupont, that people cosplaying as either of these characters and then the media/whoever complaining that they are sexually inappropriate is hypocritical when they're trying to sell the same character in comics to the same buyer. It's not like all cosplayers are going to comic book conventions wearing "slutty" Alfred or "slutty" Amanda Waller costumes. That's what Halloween is for. :-) |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,871
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Cosplay
Jun 11, 2015 8:38:43 GMT -5
Post by shaxper on Jun 11, 2015 8:38:43 GMT -5
I'm very proud to say that I inspired a student of mine to get into cosplay, and she's now building costumes for others on commission. She even made me a pair of Icarus wings made entirely out of Magic cards.
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Post by Randle-El on Jun 11, 2015 10:35:48 GMT -5
Regarding "sexy" cosplay -- I have a lot of varied thoughts on it. I tend to agree with the sentiment that whatever is appropriate for the beach or pool should be considered acceptable for a convention -- within reason of course, since there are always people who will wear considerably less than what is typical at those places. But in general, if you feel ok bringing your kids to the beach or pool, then you should be ok with what typically is seen at a convention. I also think that with the variety that exists today in the superhero genre, as well as broader sci-fi and pop culture, you see a lot of different types of costumes, many of which show very little skin.
On the other hand, I've seen more than one convention have policies in place asking cosplayers to use moderation in how much skin they show. I don't think this is an unreasonable request. Despite some comments here about the appropriateness of having kids attend these conventions, the reality is that a lot of conventions are actively marketing to families with kids, and often include a lot of kid-specific panels and programming. From a purely business standpoint, I think it makes a lot of sense to make conventions as family-friendly as possible. People bringing kids means more money being spent, and it also means creating a generation of fans who will potentially continue to support the show in the future. Everyone has different comfort levels so of course it will not be possible to please everyone, but I don't think it's unreasonable to ask cosplayers to use some level of discretion. If people really want to get freaky with their costumes, the show could offer an adults-only, after-hours costume party or something similar.
As a parent with two young daughters (not old enough to do cosplay yet, but maybe they will one day in the future) I also want them to be able to know that they can dress up and have fun without necessarily having to flaunt their sexuality. Sexuality is a part of life, I get that, but with the way women have been typically portrayed in media, you'd think it was all they are good for. I'm glad that there's a lot more diversity of female characters in both comics and broader pop culture such that girls can have aspirational fantasies without having to play up their sex appeal.
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Crimebuster
CCF Podcast Guru
Making comics!
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Cosplay
Jun 11, 2015 10:38:38 GMT -5
Post by Crimebuster on Jun 11, 2015 10:38:38 GMT -5
Ah, Heidi Saha. The original cosplay controversy. Here's an interesting article about Myrtle Jones, aka Morojo, "The First Lady of Cosplay." She and Forrest J. Ackerman caused a stir when they appeared in costumes she made at the first Worldcon in 1939, apparently the first recorded cosplay as we know it:  Ackerman of course would later go on to co-create Vampirella and was closely involved in the Heidi Saha stuff. If you're not familiar with the story, Heidi's father was a con promoter and he basically made her dress up in that Vampirella costume to promote his shows. Ackerman and her father were business partners I guess, and Ackerman took an interest in Heidi, to the point where he published a special magazine just filled with photos of her alongside sly little witticisms about how hot she was. Given that she was only 14 at the time, it caused quite a controversy, and the magazine was quickly yanked from the stands. Here's an article about it. |
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Post by Cei-U! on Jun 11, 2015 11:26:22 GMT -5
I did attend San Diego Comic Con back in 1984 and I was Zorro in full costume. I gave my costume away 10 years ago to another friend of mine and he worn that to several other events as well. No kidding? I was there too and I remember seeing you in costume! Cei-U! I summon the small world! |
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Cosplay
Jun 11, 2015 15:13:55 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2015 15:13:55 GMT -5
I did attend San Diego Comic Con back in 1984 and I was Zorro in full costume. I gave my costume away 10 years ago to another friend of mine and he worn that to several other events as well. No kidding? I was there too and I remember seeing you in costume! Cei-U! I summon the small world! ... I wanted to meet Robert Shayne and Curt Swan that weekend ... I got there late Sunday Afternoon and stayed there until June 30th. I couldn't stay on July 1st originally and I wanted to; but I had to make two phone calls from my hotel getting permission from my Boss for an extra day of Vacation and informing my Parents that I'm coming home on the 2nd instead. I managed that and got autograph from Robert Shayne and I couldn't get one from Curt Swan because of the large crowd at that time. I was traveling by myself and I even excused from the event a couple of times to see Sea World. I had a blast at the Comic Con in San Diego. I also got an autograph from Frank Thomas too. |
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Cosplay
Jul 8, 2015 19:16:23 GMT -5
Post by Warmonger on Jul 8, 2015 19:16:23 GMT -5
Eh, it's not for me but I won't put down the people that are into it.
To each his own
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Cosplay
Jul 8, 2015 21:19:07 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by batlaw on Jul 8, 2015 21:19:07 GMT -5
For me, cosplay is like hunting. I don't condemn or begrudge anyone else from doing it. I acknowledge and respect the talents, skill, and work etc. put into it (in most cases), but it's just not for me personally. For cons specifically I think it's a fun entertaining and welcome element. I also have nothing against attractive and scantily clad women. Assuming of course decorum and good taste is observed. in my opinion cons should be considered a "family friendly" environment. There needs to be limits to anything too graphic. Whether gruesome, sexual, suggestive or simply "offensive" given that particular communities standard. I know here in slc at our con, I've been a bit shocked and upset a couple times by what some people have been allowed to wear. fortunately it's more the exception.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,871
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Cosplay
Jul 24, 2015 5:00:16 GMT -5
Post by shaxper on Jul 24, 2015 5:00:16 GMT -5
When my family and I make our trip out to Motor City Comic Con each year, watching the cosplayers is a major part of the experience. We don't go to the costume contests or anything, but just watching what marches down the aisle, and occasionally taking pictures with it, is immensely appealing to us. Our daughters dress-up, but not in anything complex or original -- store assembled costumes.
Once ever, we all went in Star Trek Next Gen uniforms. I'd always wanted to. It was all the cosplay I ever needed in my life.
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Cosplay
Jul 24, 2015 8:59:36 GMT -5
Post by wildfire2099 on Jul 24, 2015 8:59:36 GMT -5
My almost 15 year old definitely wants to be into cosplay but what she wants to do is spend a couple hundred bucks to one of those people who make the costumes... mainly of obscure anime characters few people that are almost 15 year old girls will have ever scene. I'm thinking of tell her to feel free as soon as she gets a job and can pay for it herself (which will likely be longer enough for it to be out of her system)  |
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Cosplay
Jul 24, 2015 9:35:56 GMT -5
Post by Pharozonk on Jul 24, 2015 9:35:56 GMT -5
I'm fine with cosplay at conventions. I just get annoyed when I get whacked in the face by some Harley Quinn's giant prop hammer.  |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,871
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Post by shaxper on Jul 24, 2015 10:29:54 GMT -5
I'm fine with cosplay at conventions. I just get annoyed when I get whacked in the face by some Harley Quinn's giant prop hammer. There are a few characters that should be outright banned from cosplay due to overuse unless you're planning to do them exceptionally well. Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and The Joker should top that list. |
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