Comic book conventions have become a showcase for costume makers to demonstrate their talents in front of a like-minded crowd.
At almost any comic convention, you’ll see dozens or even hundreds of fans in costume as their favorite characters. At San Diego Comic-Con International, there were hundreds or even thousands of people in costume. And some of them were truly impressive.
What fans don’t always realize is that cosplay is an art unto itself. It takes incredible skills to make these costumes, but it’s not just the costume that makes it work. It’s also picking the right character to portray. The very best cosplayers manage to let that fictional persona come out through their performance while wearing the costume. In a way, it’s like alchemy. Not every combination of costume and cosplayer is going to come together. But when it does, it can be breathtaking.
Related: The Top 25 Movie Cosplayers of Comic-Con 2014
CraveOnline’s Dan Oravasaari spent five days in San Diego as he took pictures of the most interesting and the most stunning cosplayers in action. We’ve looked through hundreds of Dan’s photos to assemble this list of our favorite comic book inspired cosplayers from Comic-Con 2014.
But this is by no means a definitive list! We’re only going by Dan’s photos, so if there’s a particularly great comic book inspired cosplay that we missed, feel free to let us know in the comment section below!
The Top 20 Comic Book Cosplayers of Comic-Con 2014
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Iron Man, Batman & Bane
Also known as two rich guys and the man who hates them.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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The Huntress
This young woman is wearing the Jim Lee designed Huntress costume used in Hush, Birds of Prey and the Justice League Unlimited TV series.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Hellboy
Ron Perlman and Mike Mignola would be proud of this Hellboy.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Tigra, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy & Catwoman
I'm pretty sure that the Catwoman is Adrianne Curry. And those Bruce Timm-designed costumes for Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Catwoman are really impressive. Same goes for that Tigra costume.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Cyclops
I love that he brought his own Sentinal head.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Apocalypse
I believe Apocalypse was created on the show floor by a movie make-up school. And it was absolutely amazing. Bryan Singer, top that!
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Psylocke
It's always fun to see an old-school, Jim Lee designed Psylocke.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Black Panther
Marvel's Batman... or at least he was when Christopher Priest wrote his adventures. If Marvel ever makes a Black Panther movie, this would be a good start for his costume.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Storm
Fantastic Dave Cockrum inspired Storm of the X-Men.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Ms. Marvel, Scarlet Witch & Black Widow
Nice to see the classic comic book versions of these characters get some love from the cosplayers.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Deadpool in X-Force
There were so many Deadpools at Comic-Con that they tend to blur together. This was the Deadpool that looked badass.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Green Ranger Deadpool
Okay, I love a good mash-up too...
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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The Joker & Harley Quinn
Modern version of Harley Quinn and post-New 52 Joker.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Agent Venom
As seen in the pages of The Thunderbolts!
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Fathom
I'm pretty sure this is Michael Turner's Fathom. But if I'm wrong, let me know in the comment section below!
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Green Lantern John Stewart & Marvel's Eternity
The Green Lantern is pretty good, but that Eternity is amazing. There aren't enough Steve Ditko inspired costumes.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Poison Ivy & Swamp Thing
This Poison Ivy is pretty good, but Swamp Thing is very, very impressive.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Spider-deadmau5 & Ultimate Spider-deadmau5
Very clever. I like that.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Thor
Rule 63 Thor, or regular Marvel Universe Thor, soon enough.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
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Witchblade
The best Witchblade cosplayer out there. She's worn this costume before, but nobody wears it better.
Credit: Dan Oravasaari/CraveOnline
