The best cosplay from New York Comic Con 2021
Olivia Singh,Kirsten Acuna
- New York Comic Con is back at the Javits Center after going virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic.
- Insider attended the scaled back four-day event, which includes in-person activities this year, from October 7 to 10.
Cosplayer Ariel Krupnik had a creative interpretation of the Marvel character Deadpool.
Krupnik became a NYCC legend in 2019 when he dressed up as the Javits Center.
He told Insider this year's custom costume cost $100 to make. You can follow Krupnik on Instagram @rethinkcosplay.
Spider-Man variants were one of the most popular looks this year. This group recreated the famous Spider-Man Pointing at Spider-Man meme on Thursday.
Just about every Spidey group we saw across the Con posed in some variation of this stance.
This meme will probably be widely shared after the release of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in December, since the movie is rumored to bring together several versions of Spider-Man as part of the multiverse.
Even more Spider-Man variations got together the following day outside of Javits.
You can spot Spider-Gwen and two versions of Peter B. Parker among the Spidey crew.
Spidey and Mr. Stark reunited on the floor.
We love this, 3,000.
Spider-Man villains were on hand, too.
This cosplayer dressed as an elaborate Scorpion.
This impressive version of Marvel villain Vulture, seen in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," took a month to sketch and plan out.
Michael Keaton brought the character to life in "Homecoming."
Venom and his symbiotes made their way to the convention center.
Thoughtful interpretations of the character were everywhere this weekend after the box-office success of "Venom: Let There Be Carnage."
This custom-made Lego Carnage was created over one weekend using recycled cardboard.
Fans got really creative with the Carnage creations.
A group of four cosplayers dressed as rocker versions of Venom and Carnage.
They carried an electric guitar prop and two beheaded Spider-Man characters.
They weren't the only bad guy on hand. "Black Widow" villain Taskmaster was ready for action.
Cosplayer @popandsoncosplay told Insider that the custom-made outfit took six months to create and cost $250.
This elaborate costume of Marvel character Beta Ray Bill took a month-and-a-half to create.
Cosplayer Levi James (@misterabsfitness) rocked the outfit at NYCC and told Insider it was inspired by the art of Beta Ray Bill creator Walt Simonson.
It was made by Masked Dad Workshop and cost $400.
This costume of the Marvel character Cable cost $300 and took 40 hours to make.
You can follow cosplayer Scotty B @scottyb_cosplay.
This cosplayer dressed as a comic-book accurate Wolverine.
Hugh Jackman portrayed the iconic Marvel character on the big screen in several "X-Men" films as well as a standalone "Wolverine" trilogy.
Loki variants were plentiful at NYCC following the release of season one of "Loki" earlier this year on Disney+.
Different versions of the God of Mischief seen on the Marvel show included Classic Loki, Kid Loki, Boastful Loki, and everyone's favorite, Alligator Loki.
Two cosplayers dressed as Marvel characters Scarlet Witch and Captain America posed for photos together.
Fans finally got to see Scarlet Witch actress Elizabeth Olsen dressed in the classic superhero costume from the comics during the Halloween episode of "WandaVision."
This Doctor Strange looked like he stepped straight out of the multiverse.
It cost $200 to put this look together.
Many variations of the Caped Crusader roamed the Con.
This Hellbat version of Gothan's protector was a $230 purchase.
You may recognize this cosplayer for appearing at NYCC as the Night King from "Game of Thrones" in the past.
Krupnik returned Saturday with another killer Batman look.
This look cost Krupnik an estimated $500 and took one month to create.
One of the more unique Batman cosplays we've ever seen is this wacky inflatable tubeman interpretation of the Dark Knight.
An attendee dubbed their custom-made costume "Wacky Batman." It cost $125 and was made in five hours.
Steampunk Batman may be our favorite new version of the Bat.
Steampunk Batman could be seen on Saturday at the Con.
When fans aren't dressing up as Batman, they love channeling DC villains.
This family dressed up as a few versions of DC villains, including Nightwing Joker, Deathstroke, and Gaslight Joker.
This custom Catwoman suit took 23 hours and $300 to bring to life.
You can follow cosplayer Sammitery here.
It's not often you see a great Two-Face at the Con. It's rarer to see a gender-swapped take on the iconic Batman villain.
Two-Face could be seen outside of the Javits Center on Saturday.
Walking around Comic Con is tough enough, but imagine rolling around on $200 skates.
Christina also cosplays as Poison Ivy, Jessica Jones, and more. You can follow her looks at @the_kryptonian_canary.
Harley Quinn is always a Con favorite and this custom renaissance look cost an estimated $500.
You can follow Harley Nox's Disney princess, Harley, and more cosplay here.
The Krusty Krab pizza is the pizza for you and me.
This Spongebob on the rock look took three days to make and an estimated $75.
You can follow Elyse's cosplay at @ez_makin.
We need a hero and padawan Shrek has come to save the day.
A cosplayer dressed as Shrek with a lightsaber at New York Comic Con 2021.
This Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from "Ghostbusters" delighted a young attendee.
A new installment in the "Ghostbusters" franchise is set for release on November 19. Fans were surprised with an early screening of "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" at NYCC and loved it.
Pokémon was well-represented this year, with two attendees dressing as Team Rocket and Pikachu.
They were seen at NYCC on Thursday.
We love a fun mash-up and this one was really clever.
These fans dressed as mashups of Ash Ketchum from Pokémon/Wednesday Addams from "The Addams Family" and Ash Ketchum/Ash Williams from "Evil Dead."
The Ash Ketchum/Ash Williams costume included a Pokémon-themed chainsaw and a little Pikachu on the shoulder. You can follow the cosplayers @pyrodecor and @staticseductioncosplay.
Of course people were dressed up as characters from "Squid Game."
The Netflix show following participants in violent kid games quickly became a global phenomenon.
It was a big year for Super Mario-themed cosplay.
This family of three dressed as Mario, Princess Peach, and Luigi while in attendance on Saturday.
The three costumes cost almost $500 in total. It was recently announced that an animated Super Mario film is in the works starring Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, and Charlie Day as Luigi.
This Princess Peach looked regal on Friday.
Jessica completed the look with Peach's iconic umbrella.
Who needs Bowser when you can have Bowsette?
Bowsette is a gender-swapped fan version of Bowser who resembles Princess Peach. The cosplayer told Insider this look took $100 to put together.
They weren't the only princesses around. This fan looked regal while dressed as Brandy from the 1997 "Cinderella" film.
The costume cost $150 and was made in two to three weeks.
The green lights included in this Tinker Bell costume added to its magic.
Cosplayer @canshecraftit_cosplay said that it cost $200 and was custom-made over approximately a month and a half.
This Maleficent cosplay is gorgeous.
"Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" came out in 2019 with Angelina Jolie reprising her role as the Disney villain.
This fan took their Disney love to another level by dressing up as a Disney park carousel.
Able Tong made the hat through the summer, using brass fasteners to make it spin.
You can follow Tong's artwork on Instagram @nonsensology.
This custom made Oogie Boogie costume took one month and $100 to make.
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" villain Oogie Boogie was seen wandering around the convention center on Friday.
You can follow Britton's cosplay looks on Instagram @aquapodcosplay.
Of course, with Halloween around the corner, there were classic horror characters on site, too.
This Freddy Krueger look cost an estimated $450 to put together.
Even though the "It" franchise wrapped in 2019, interpretations of Pennywise are still popular.
At first glance, it looks like Pennywise has gotten his hands on Georgie, but it's actually a Chucky doll which Cathy Sanchez carried around the Con.
This cosplayer put a unique spin on Pennywise the Clown with DIY painting on the skirt and fake blood dripping down her legs and high heels.
The cosplayer said the dress cost $150, the frightening teeth cost $60, the fake hand cost $50, and the makeup added up to $50.
How incredible is this "BioShock" cosplay?
Big Daddy is a character from from the "BioShock" video game series.
Anime characters were very common this year.
This Saitama look cost NYC actor and bartender Russ West $70 to put together. West also pulled off a very impressive Spider-Man Noir cosplay.
This elaborate Elenka cosplay took two and a half months to create.
The look competed in Saturday evening's Crown Championship of Cosplay.
You can follow their cosplay work at @theinsanityproject.
"My Hero Academia" is another popular anime.
This look cost Angela an estimated $150.
This cosplayer had their dog get in on their "One Piece" look.
The dedication was impressive. The dog even had Luffy's hat.
This Master Roshi looks like he stepped out of "Dragon Ball."
This look took Will $100 and one month to prepare.
This custom "Dragon Ball" cosplay took about three weeks to create.
It took about $200 for Thomas to create. You can follow their looks here.
With "The Walking Dead" in its final season, #TWDFamily came out each day of the Con to meet up.
Negan started out as a main villain on "TWD." The character has undergone a transformation on the series in recent years. Most recently, he killed the leader of the Whisperers, Alpha, and brought her head to Carol.
Rick Grimes may have left "TWD" in 2018, but he's still a fan favorite.
If you're walking around NYCC, when "TWD" usually returns to TV, you're more than likely to see a Rick Grimes.
Nate, who regularly cosplays as the show's former protagonist, thrifted much of his look, including the famous Rick Grimes murder jacket, for an estimated $500.
Merle may have been killed off the show years ago, but fans still dress up as the character.
This custom arm piece took about one week to make.
We'll continue to add to this story throughout the weekend.
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