Throwback Thursday: Pennsauken Cosplayers Leap, Swing And Fly Into Wizard World
Every once and a while, we like to take a look back at our archives a pull out an interesting story. Here’s a feature article that ran online last June.
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
For local area fans of comic books, horror flicks and super hero movies, June is a great month of the year. Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, a comic book/pop culture convention that celebrates graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows and more, is currently in full swing at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Many look to get autographs and photos from their favorite actors from TV and film; others look to fill the holes in their comic book or toy collection. And a select few take the opportunity to dress up like their favorite comic book hero or heroine, or character from the small and silver screens. It’s called cosplay, short for costume play, and it’s all the rage at conventions like Wizard World. And this weekend in Philly, you’ll find folks from all over, even from Pennsauken, in full costume for both their own edification and the enjoyment of convention goers.
Rob Hexevo, formerly of Pennsauken, has been “cosplaying” at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con for three years.
I met Rob Hexevo a few years ago at Wizard World in Philadelphia. Hexevo lived in Pennsauken for five years and has been cosplaying at Wizard World for three. His “go to” costumes involve variants of the Scarlet Spider (think a variation of Spider-Man), but also dresses up as everyone’s favorite web-slinger, as well as the Red Power Ranger.
“I’m basically living out the childhood dream,” explains Hexevo, who was inspired when he saw an actor dressed as Spider-Man at an event at Shea Stadium when he was a child. “I do it because it’s so much fun.”
Cosplaying can be as easy as picking up a discounted Halloween costume after October 31, but for the committed enthusiast, there’s a lot more to it than that. A lot of the work is done by hand and from scratch. And the time put into one costume can be all-consuming.
“A single costume involving armor can take months of hard long hours to build. But a spandex suit can be made in single sweat-drenched night,” says Hexevo.
Then there’s the cost. Complex and detailed costumes can cost a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. Victor Orio, a longtime Pennsauken resident who works at the Free Public Library, is saving up to put together a Star Wars-themed costume to join the 501st Legion, an all-volunteer organization that brings Star Wars fans who “want to be the action figure.” It’s not just for fun though; the Legion is heavily involved in fundraising, charity work and volunteerism. But the dress code is strict; Star Wars costumes must be “professional quality” and meet the specifications of the group.
“My Darth Maul costume is going to cost at least $300,” explains Orio. “But I want to join the 501st to give back to the community and make people happy through my love of Star Wars.”
Now I realize that cosplaying may seem like a lot of adults tapping into their inner child, but in the case of one Pennsauken resident, it’s a child tapping into his inner super hero. Stephen Kane sent me an e-mail about his son Braeden, who is so much into super heroes he should have his own phone booth to change into his cape and tights.
Braeden Kane, fighting “Loki” at Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia.
“Braeden is a very imaginative child who is really into his DC and Marvel characters, so much that he would often go dressed to Pre-K either dressed in costume or with a costume hidden under his school clothes,” explained Kane. “There isn’t a day that he is not in character.”
Stephen took both Braeden and his other son Loghan to Wizard World on Thursday, where the young heroes got to interact with some older cosplayers and enjoy the convention. And when it comes down to it, that’s what cosplay is all about: having fun and sharing something special that people love.
“I see that look in a kid’s eyes when they meet me and that’s awesome,” adds Hexevo. “I’ve signed many an autograph as ‘-SPIDEY!’ or –‘RED RANGER!’ For kids, there’s nothing better.”
Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia will be held this year from May 7-10, 2015. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.
