Anatomy of a Cosplayer

About the Book

COSPLAY - It’s a word that invokes a multitude of reactions and explanations. From comic conventions, to charity events, to movie premieres and parades, there are people donning the costumes and personas of every character from comics, video games, pop culture, and even internet memes. And behind the masks and tights of this costumed community are everyday people - doctors, lawyers, police officers, firefighters, soldiers, and a lot of computer professionals of all ages, genders and races. Author James Hannon introduces you to a cross-section of costumers, and takes you behind-the-scenes of cosplay life over the last decade. From the small niche of early Star Trek and Star Wars costumers to the modern cosplayer community, meet the people who have been there along the way. ANATOMY OF A COSPLAYER has everything you ever wanted to know about cosplaying, but didn’t know (or were too afraid) to ask. Learn about the costumers - the how and why they got into this hobby. Read about some of the larger costumed organizations, and their impact on the community and fandoms worldwide. Join others on their individual cosplay adventures and learn how they deal with the changing environment, costuming skill development, and what it really takes to survive a convention. Hear from over 70 cosplayers as they honestly tell of their experiences, good and bad, within this silly, yet rewarding thing we call COSPLAY

About the Author

Growing up in the Bronx during the 70s, author James Hannon never imagined he’d be spending almost a decade of his “adult” life dressed up in costume, but sometimes life takes unexpected detours that somehow includes spandex and plastic armor. James has personally seen this hobby explode from a small niche of Star Wars costumers to the worldwide cosplay phenomenon of today. He has portrayed Stormtroopers, TIE Pilots, Gorilla Soldiers, Cylons, SuperVillains, and a professional-wrestler-turned-governor. James is also the author of 2010 book Lost Boys of the Bronx: The Oral History of the Ducky Boys Gang, and is the director of the 2004 documentary Out of Our Dens: The Richard and the Young Lions Story. He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife Jackie who thankfully also costumes, and his cat Buster, who just isn’t surprised at anything that goes on at the Hannon house anymore.