“So what’s my title? Be careful! I am Black Freddie, and I am blaaaack. Ha ha ha ha ha. At the same time as we become older, there’s an interior baby … that lies inside us. They’re us, you already know. We’re nonetheless them as a result of the interior baby lives in us,” mentioned Antwone Coward, who was dressed as Freddy Krueger at New York Comedian Con in 2024.
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Isaac Campbell for NPR
For 19 years, New York Comedian Con (NYCC) has been the East Coast’s most celebrated gala of geekdom. In 2024, the conference welcomed greater than 200,000 attendees. In 2025, that quantity swelled by 50,000, making it the, or one of many, most extremely attended conventions within the U.S.
From novice nerds to masters, each October, the Javits Middle teems with lovers attending creator, actor and manufacturing firm panels, autograph signings and fandom meetups. They play console and tabletop video games, enter contests and spend their valuable gold and silver cash on NYCC exclusives and trinkets. However, arguably, probably the most thrilling factor concerning the occasion is seeing the 1000’s of people that convey their favourite e book, comedian, film, tv present or online game character to life by way of cosplay.
“There’s some crossover as a result of Caribbean tradition actually makes you have a good time your self and be very comfy in your pores and skin and all the time all the way down to social gathering and have time. I really feel like that aligns effectively with cosplaying on the whole,” mentioned Maurice Grant. Kishel Browne (from left), Dimitri Grant, Brianna Streater, Taijah Edgecombe and Maurice Grant pose right here for a photograph at New York Comedian Con 2024 dressed as characters from the anime collection Demon Slayer.
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Attendees collect at New York Comedian Con, held on the Javits Middle in Manhattan, on Oct. 18, 2024.
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Cosplayers are a neighborhood unto themselves, and at NYCC, the chance of passing by a completely functioning DIY transformer costume is as nice as passing somebody on the road who had a bodega bacon, egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast. Characters from basic horror films, the DC Universe and Marvel are all the time widespread selections, as are these from the Star Wars and Recreation of Thrones franchises. The anime neighborhood is well-represented too; followers in Chainsaw Man, Dan Da Dan, Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia costumes may be seen sauntering down the halls, snapping selfies collectively.
“A option to specific your self right here is by going to a different world by totally different design. You could be a fantasy, be something you need… It feels wonderful. It is one of the best factor on the earth to specific your self, to be at liberty, to have a good time. You already know what? You probably have a dream in life, chase it,” mentioned Daniel Thompson dressed as Static Shock.
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Meilani Ambrose as Momo from Dan Da Dan (from left), Leila Baez as Angel Mud from Hazbin Lodge and Isabella Harold as a Brazilian interpretation of the vocaloid, Hatsune Miku.
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Cosplayers dance exterior New York Comedian Con on the Javits Middle in Manhattan on Oct. 18, 2024.
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Discovering your tribe throughout the denizens of cosplayers, when that tribe is a minority group typically not anticipated to have interaction within the exercise, is particularly heartwarming. Whereas it is true that all these occasions are usually thought of protected areas that welcome geeks and nerds of all heritages, many Black and Caribbean cosplayers say the neighborhood at NYCC is nothing wanting thrilling.
The mutual pleasure is contagious, as a result of most of the time, they inform NPR, they grew up remoted from their neighborhood at massive due to their geeky and nerdy pursuits — in addition to from cosplayers of different backgrounds. The folks featured right here hail from, or have roots in Barbados, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti, the U.S. Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Lucia and the Dominican Republic. Many communicate of cosplay’s energy to construct or strengthen household bonds and friendships or the way it supplies an outlet for escape. Seeing others, of all ages, who appear to be them at NYCC, takes an already electrifying expertise to new heights. For 4 days, Black and Caribbean cosplayers can discover one another. Their pleasure is a robust affirmation of how superb it feels to be seen by your scene.
Attendees dressed as a Energy Ranger, a stormtrooper and Rogue from the “X-Males” franchise included Puerto Rican flags into their costumes at New York Comedian Con 2024.
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“Rising up, I used to be, like, the Black nerd child. Figuring out the truth that I discovered people who find themselves like me who’ve, like, the identical pursuits is definitely fairly enjoyable. And I am gonna be sincere: I’ve by no means even thought of cosplaying earlier than,” mentioned Kyle Mallett, posed right here (from left) for a photograph with Kris Mallett, Aiden Graves, Hailey Barnett and Jessica Johnson dressed as characters from Avatar: The Final Airbender.
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Isaac “Soup” Campbell is a photographer primarily based in New York Metropolis. You may see extra of Isaac’s work on Instagram at @moresoupplease.
