Emerald City Comic Con: The Definition of Geek Chic

Paint. Armor. Glitter. Stilts. Wings. It’s a masquerade ball of super fandom.

Person with red hair wearing large, intricately designed blue and gold gauntlets, standing in front of a building with glass windows.

Photo by Danielle Barnum Photography

A growing crowd of characters creates a palpable hum of geeky energy at Emerald City Comic Con, where “too out there” doesn’t exist.

It’s a heightened world combining all things comics, video games, books, TV and movies, as tens of thousands of attendees come together to revel, admire and celebrate all things nerdy. It’s truly an epic weekend of cosplay show and tell.

The cosplay on display this weekend at the Seattle Convention Center is anywhere from quirky to masterful — handcrafted to the point of looking movie-worthy or requiring a background in mechanical engineering. Some costumes are thrifted and assembled in an hour. Other fans take six months to finish the 3D printing before being painted and fitted.

It’s all about the importance of creative expression.

“I’m normally very shy. But here? Like this? Nope,” a cheerful gnome says with a genuine twinkle. “I can express myself in ways I can’t anywhere else.”

Another cosplayer adds, “It’s nice to be in a place where you can be as weird as you want, and it’s OK. It’s awesome.”

Cosplaying also means connection and camaraderie.

“My favorite part of it is sewing,” one participant says. “My mom taught me how to sew before she passed away, so creating these costumes is my way of still feeling close with her. I also love to perform, so doing this marries the two. It honestly feels good getting complimented, and complimenting other people. It’s such a great community.”

At Emerald City Comic Con, reality bends and creativity reigns. It’s sewn, welded, painted, and paraded for all to appreciate. Here, everyone is included.

All photos by Danielle Barnum Photography

Two people in matching blue and yellow superhero costumes pose outdoors, with convention center signage in the background. Three people in colorful, fantasy-themed costumes with flowers and accessories pose enthusiastically on a wooden deck. Person in a red outfit with devil horns and a crown holds a staff, standing on a city sidewalk. Person dressed in a wizard costume with ram horns and a staff, standing on a boardwalk with buildings in the background. Two people in colorful costumes stand outdoors. One is in a green and purple outfit with a single eye on the chest, and the other is in a red top and yellow skirt with a tall gray wig. Person with tall, gray hairstyle and glasses, wearing an orange top and pearl earrings, standing in an urban setting. Person in detailed Mandalorian armor cosplay standing in an urban setting, holding a prop blaster. Person with braided hair in a black outfit holds a large sword outdoors, standing in front of a woven structure. Three people in fantasy costumes pose for a photo on a boardwalk. Two wear red body paint, horns, and tails, while the third wears a cape and holds a book. A woman in a purple dress and flower crown stands next to a man wearing glasses and a beige apron. They are outdoors on a wooden pathway with people and buildings in the background. Two people in costume walking on a city street: one in a black top hat and yellow vest, the other in a green suit with question marks and a bowler hat. Person in an elaborate green gown decorated with flowers poses outdoors. A large wooden sculpture and a theater marquee are visible in the background. Person wearing an elaborate purple dress with a tall, floral-adorned hairstyle and glasses, sitting outdoors. Person wearing an orange and black armored suit with helmet and goggles, walking on a street. People in varied cosplay costumes walk on a city street near a box office.