Comic conventions allow for carte blanche when it comes to cosplay. I imagine at some point in the past, when people dressed up, it was of comic book characters. You know, since the comic conventions were for... comics. But these days the namesake of said conventions has all but disappeared.
I wasn't into comics back in the 80s and 90s, but I'm told by those older, if not wiser than I, that comic conventions used to be 90% comics. A place where you could buy and sell comic books and also use the venue to find new comics by indie and local talent. Today's comic conventions have morphed beyond that into a pop culture catch all. The general theme seems to be: whatever culty thing you're into.
Supernatural? Check. Doctor Who? Check. Anime and video games? Double and triple check. Hell, you'll see a good helping of Breaking Bad cosplay/merchandise at each show and that's not even a "nerdy" genre. I wouldn't openly advocate for strict cosplay rules like "you can only be a comic book character," (I think that's how the Nazi's got the ball rolling), but it's nice to see your standard Superman, Spider-Man or one of the classics. "Yeah guy, your (insert wacko anime title here) costume looks good, but what the fuck is it?!"
I suppose this speaks to my age and interests, but I don't recognize at least half of the cosplay I see at cons. And if I do recognize some non-comic fare, its because I've seen enough of it that I know what it is now (Team Fortress).
These days comic conventions aren't just for comic fans. You'll see just as much Attack On Titan and Halo merch at a show as you will Batman or the X-Men. Well, maybe not as much as Batman. Everyone loves Batman.
What it comes down to is, I'm all for inclusion and reveling in general pop culture nerdiness, but its nice to see someone take the time to honor a classic comic book character like Kraven the Hunter than some goofy-ass thing from Spirited Away.
Cranky old man? Check.
-Gint
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