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Attention comic book fans, cosplayers, and all around nerds, convention season is here! While San Diego Comic Con is the greatest destination of the year for those who eat, sleep and breathe pop culture, there are so many other conventions taking place over the course of the summer (and the rest of the year) that anyone would be able to attend. Comic conventions provide a great opportunity for cosplaying as your favorite characters from pop culture. We've put together a list of the 10 best costume ideas to provide you with all the inspiration you need when dressing up for Comic Con.
1. Marvel Superheroes Costumes
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Iron Man Costume - Shop Spider-Gwen Costume - Shop Captain America Costume - Shop Deadpool Costume - Shop
Black Widow Costume - Shop Spider-Man Costume - Shop Star Lord Costume - Shop Groot Costume - Shop
Marvel Costumes - Shop
The buzz around Marvel movies every year goes unmatched. While many get excited about the latest entry in the MCU, it’s just as easy to be blown away by some of the crazy cool Marvel costumes that people show up in. Whether it be a real life Iron Man costume, an ultra-realistic Spider-Man suit, or some really cool Hulk makeup, you’ll be able to find someone in the Marvel universe
2. DC Comics Costumes
Superman Costume - Shop Joker Costume - Shop Harley Quinn Costume - Shop Batman Costume - Shop
Supergirl Costume - Shop The Flash Costume - Shop Arrow Costume - Shop Wonder Woman Costume - Shop
DC Costumes - Shop
Batman is not only the king of comic book superheroes, he’s also one of the most popular cosplays. Despite the fact that you’re wearing an all-black, heavy suit with limited mobility, so many people dress up as the caped crusader for conventions. Aside from Batman and Robin, another popular duo for DC fans is the clown prince of crime, The Joker, and his hard-hitting love interest, Harley Quinn.
3. Star Wars Costumes
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Rey Costume - Shop Kylo Ren Costume - Shop Ahsoka Costume - Shop Darth Vader Costume - Shop
Obi Wan Kenobi Costume - Shop Stormtrooper Costume - Shop Boba Fett Costume - Shop Princess Leia Costume - Shop
Star Wars Costumes - Shop
Most (probably all) comic conventions take place here on Earth, not a galaxy far away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the galaxy to the convention. You can go as a Jedi, a Sith, or you can go full droid, if you like. There are plenty of intergalactic options, but we'd advise against Jabba the Hutt. You could get awfully tired lugging that costume around.
4. Game of Thrones Costumes
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Dark Northern King Costume - Shop Dragon Queen Costume - Shop Northern King Costume - Shop
Red High Priestess Costume - Shop Men's Renaissance Coat - Shop
Game of Thrones Costumes - Shop
Game of Thrones is one of the most popular shows ever with one of the most expansive casts ever. Attendees will dress as their favorite Game of Thrones character regardless of if they've been killed off on the show or not. Sometimes, they'll base their costume around that character's death or maybe even an iconic moment, like Cersei's walk of shame or Hodor holding doors. These costumes are always appreciated by fellow fans.
5. Walking Dead Costumes
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State Trooper Costume - Shop Zombie Costume - Shop DIY Negan Costume Tutorial - Click Here
Daryl Dixon Poncho - Shop Daryl Dixon Vest - Shop Michonne Sword - Shop Negan's Lucille Bat - Shop
Walking Dead Costumes - Shop
Next to Game of Thrones, no other show has been on as long or been as consistent as The Walking Dead to inspire hundreds of con-goers to dress in zombie garb for the event. After seven season, the show hasn't slowed down in adding new characters (while killing off others) to inspire all sorts of fun cosplay. As main characters come and go, you'll always be sure to come across some walkers at any convention you attend.
6. Video Game Costumes
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Master Chief Costume - Shop Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn - Shop Ryu Costume - Shop
Pokemon Ash Costume - Shop Breath of the Wild Link Costume - Shop Freddy Fazbear Costume - Shop
Video Game Costumes - Shop
The biggest gaming convention of the year, E3, provides a great opportunity for cosplay. However, video game cosplay is well-represented at comic conventions all over the place. One of the most popular game characters to cosplay as recently has been Overwatch, with awesome characters like D.Va (pronounce Deeva), Mei, and Tracer, among others. Other gaming cosplay that is prominent at conventions include World of Warcraft, Halo, and popular Nintendo characters like Link and Mario.
7. Harry Potter Costumes
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Harry Potter Costume - Shop Luna Lovegood Costume - Shop Hufflepuff Robe - Shop
Newt Scamander Coat - Shop Slytherin Robe - Shop
Harry Potter Costumes - Shop
Straight outta Hogwartz. There's no shortage of wizards at any convention. While some are game to round up a group for a spirted game of Quidditch, others are intent on using magic to help them skip lines in order to attend the panels they want or get their hands on some sought-after merch or autograph.
8. Star Trek Costumes
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Classic Uhara Costume - Shop Klingon Costume - Shop Spock Wig - Shop Classic Star Trek Phaser - Shop
Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Uniform - Shop Classic Spock Shirt - Shop Star Trek: TNG Operations Uniform - Shop
Star Trek: TNG Phaser - Shop Star Trek Costumes - Shop
Star Trek is one of the biggest fandoms around, making it a safe bet to cosplay at a convention. Many people enjoy the classic looks of Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Captain Kirk (William Shatner), or Klingons. And with other popular versions such as Star Trek: The Next Generation and the recent movie trilogy, the force is strong with the Trekkers (please don't tell them we said that).
9. Cartoon and Anime Costumes
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Homer Simpson Costume - Shop Leonardo Costume - Shop Bubbles Costume - Shop
Bojack Horseman DIY Costume - Click Here Attack on Titan Mikasa Costume - Shop Dragonball Z Goku Costume - Shop
Bob Belcher Costume - Shop Rick & Morty DIY Costume Tutorial - Click Here
Movie and TV Costumes - Shop Anime Costumes - Shop
Among the guests featured at comic con panels and booths are voice actors of current and classic animated favorites. Usually, these guests are thrilled to see people dressed as characters they provide voices for. Other recent favorite animated characters to cosplay as include those from shows aimed at adults like Bob's Burgers, Bojack Horseman, and, of course, Rick & Morty. If you're looking for something else, there are plenty of anime characters from the likes of Dragon Ball Z, Attack on Titan, or Sailor Moon (to name a few) to choose from!
10. Pop Culture and Meme Costumes
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David S. Pumpkins DIY Costume Tutorial - Click Here Babadook Pride DIY Costume Tutorial - Click Here
Stranger Things DIY Costume Tutorial - Click Here
Just like with Halloween, every year offers a new set of memes that resonate with nerd culture so much that it inspires some creative individuals to throw together a costume to wear to a con. Last year’s popular costumes included Pokemon Go and Stranger Things, among others. What will this year bring? Fidget spinners? The Babadook? David S. Pumpkins?!?!
Will you be attending any conventions this year? Are you planning on dressing up? You're always welcome to share your cosplay pictures with us on our Facebook page and, if you're looking for more inspiration, you can check out our full selection of Halloween costumes that would make for a perfect convention costume!