Comic Con is a thing. So is Cosplay. Scratching your head?

When a group of devotees of science fiction, comic books, and movies got together in 1970 to put on a “comic book” convention (or “comic con“) in San Diego, they probably couldn’t envision the enormity of what they were starting. The first San Diego event drew 300 people. In 2017, it attracted over 130,000 attendees.  At least twelve countries, including the United Arab Emirates, now have annual Comic Cons. People flock to these events to see and hear their favorite celebrities, comic book writers and artists, get freebies, learn about the next big thing,  inspect famous movie props (like the Iron Throne from the Game of Thrones), and more.

Part of the fun is dressing up as a character from science fiction or comic books, and that’s where cosplay comes in (short for “costume play). It’s becoming a staple in the comic con world, and anyone wearing a great costume is apt to become a celebrity for a day as they’re mobbed by people asking to have their pictures with them.  Most conventions also hold a costume contest which often include great prizes.

Dog cosplay is small for now, but it’s growing fast even though dogs aren’t encouraged to attend comic con events given the huge number of people who attend. “Kiba,” a Corgi, has been cosplaying since 2013 at a comic con in Phoenix dressed as “Link” from The Legend of Zelda.  Since then, he’s also been dressed as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, “Raphael,” and as Edward Kenway from Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. Since Kiba is also his owner’s service dog, he’s allowed to accompany his owner (you can see Kiba’s cosplay outfits here).

The Beagle in our image isn’t cosplaying (though he’s a great segue into the topic). He’s modeling pet armor, and that’s “a thing,” too. It’s a growing art form that probably gets more notice on Halloween and at Renaissance Festivals. The outfit on “Battle Beagle” was created by Paul Hersey whose “battle armor for dogs” got its start when Paul’s son became smitten with Pugs. Through that love came the acquaintance of a woman involved with Pug rescue. To bring attention to Pug rescue, Paul crafted a couple of costumes that ended upon Gizmodo, and the pictures went viral. He and his partner, Jennifer Murphy, now fill orders for dog and human armor suits from all over the world, each ranging in price from $350-$700, depending on the size of the dog and the complexity of the armor (Japan has its own version, by the way,  – Samurai Pet Armor – that honors the country’s history). You can read more about them here, and find instruction, place orders,  and see more of the Paul Hersey and Jennifer Murphy’s work here (an article from which the photo comes). As you’re awed by their creativity and craftsmanship, remember that it was inspired by a Pug.