Photographs by West Smith
This weekend, after I walked into Emerald Metropolis Comedian Con on the Seattle Conference Heart to select up my badge, I heard a lady behind me say to her good friend, “Welcome to my homeland.”
The conference heart is only a sequence of escalators held collectively by a Taco Del Mar and a Gyro Cease within the basement, however I get what she’s saying. If that is your first time attending a conference like ECCC, the enthusiastic ambiance may appear loopy, overwhelming, or straight-up bizarre. However to lots of people, that is dwelling. This is likely one of the few locations you possibly can actually gown up nonetheless you need to and meet different like-minded individuals within the course of. It’s a spot the place it’s completely okay to point out your love and fandom for one thing that different individuals may not “get.” I’d take into account Comedian Con to be one of many purest types of a secure area.
The Stranger despatched me to Emerald Metropolis Comedian Con with the task of documenting a “better of” cosplay gallery, which is tough as a result of how do you fee cosplay? What makes one costume higher than one other? I consider cosplay is artwork, and very like artwork, there is no such thing as a good or unhealthy. It’s all only a type of expression.
When taking pictures portraits at a conference like this, I often have about one minute or much less to take the {photograph}. There’s not a variety of time for chit-chat, these are a number of the conversations I had with cosplayers at comedian con this 12 months.
Luigi
Do you suppose Luigi Mangione goes to get off?
“Uh it’s onerous to say. Either side are preventing actually onerous, so I might see it going both manner.”
Did Luigi Mangione encourage you to decorate up like Luigi?
“No, I’ve had this costume for a number of years now. It’s only a coincidence.”
Rhysand & Feyre Archeron from A Court docket of Thorns and Roses
What made you resolve to decorate up for Comedian Con?
“I did not resolve to. I’m simply right here to be arm sweet for her.”
Scorpion & Sub-Zero
Is that this your first time dressing up?
“No, I wore this yesterday.”
Emperor From Star Wars
What made you resolve to decorate up because the Emperor?
[deep menacing breath] “…I can do the voice higher than anybody else.”
Mangle from the Nicolas Cage film Willy’s Wonderland
“It’s lots hotter in right here than I believed it was going to be.”
Regardless of it being round 40 levels exterior, the brand new conference heart constructing has a aspect that’s completely made out of home windows. When the solar hits within the afternoon, it could get fairly scorching within the conference heart. Throw within the physique warmth of 35,000 individuals, and now we’re actually cooking.
Wolverine
What made you resolve to decorate up like Wolverine?
“My capacity to develop these epic mutton chops!”
Grasp Chief from Halo
“I made this myself out of cardboard and tape final summer season.”
Is Halo your favourite online game?
“No. I’d say Minecraft is, it’s extra chill.”
