Your greeters for today: Uka Uka and Aku Aku, the sentient floating voodoo power masks from ye olde Crash Bandicoot series.
Previously on Midlife Crisis Crossover:
It’s that time of year again! Anne and I spent this weekend at Wizard World Chicago in scenic Rosemont, IL, where we generally had a blast surrounded by fellow fans of comics and genre TV/movies even though parts of it resemble hard work and our feet feel battle-damaged after three days of endless walking, standing, lining up, shuffling forward in cattle-call formation, and scurrying toward exciting people and things.
In this episode: all the cosplay that’s fit to post. One last round of WWC 2016 costumes before we move on to other aspects of the con and site traffic resumes its normal levels once I stop mentioning cosplay. And now, we rejoin cosplay, already in progress — from the worlds of animation, video games, movies, TV, and Cool-Looking Characters We Don’t Recognize.
Leslie Knope from Parks & Rec. Several people who didn’t recognize her (or the handiwork of JJ’s Diner) kept asking where she found waffles. In that convention center, attendees get desperate for any sign of real food.
Sadness from Inside Out, whom we were paradoxically happy to meet.
Four of the five main cast from Inside Out. Presumably Fear is off hiding in an empty conference room.
Serpentor in summer wear! He was the only cosplayer who gave us a business card. His official page features more faithful, old-school Serpentor togs.
Pikachu begs you to put down the phone and make with the hugs.
The mascot from Kings Bowling, one of several businesses over in MB Financial Park, along with a movie theater, a candy shop, and a handful of restaurants. Fun special secret: any of those places will validate your convention center parking with a purchase, even a small one. So now you know for next year!
Dr. Evil, Mini-Me, and Mr. Bigglesworth organized their own Axis of Evil ride-along.
Kirito, hero guy from Sword Art Online.
Two of several creepy critters on hand from Five Nights at Freddy’s.
Major points for originality: E.G. Marshall’s crotchety cockroach victim from the final segment of Stephen King’s Creepshow.
Negan from The Walking Dead, and the big-game hunter that I thought was a historical figure my wife might recognize may actually be Van Pelt from Jumanji. (Special thanks to Ray in the comments and Amanda on the WWC Facebook group for having better memories than mine.)
Anne and I thought this was Abbie Mills from Sleepy Hollow, but she’s actually cosplaying Walking Dead‘s Rick Grimes.
I have this lovely dress labeled in my notes as “Queen of the Con”, but it’s actually Princess Luna from My Little Pony. (Special thanks to Johanna over at the WWC Facebook group for remedying my ignorance on this one.)
Lorne and first-appearance Illyria from TV’s Angel. They were fellow fans waiting in line to see Christian Kane, and were thankfully patient with me when I wouldn’t stop gushing over her makeup. I like to think Andy Hallett would’ve approved.
While I was waiting in line for a photo op, famous thespian Christopher Lloyd wandered out into the open to make a phone call. Strongbad and Jessica Rabbit couldn’t believe their eyes, either.
Their name: the cast of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Their quest: WWC cosplay. The air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow: personally, I don’t see what that has to do wi*THUNK*
William Zabka IS Johnny Lawrence IN The Karate Kid! Because COBRA KAI NEVER DIES!
Dr. Henry Jones, Senior, very happy that when he nearly died in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, at least his son didn’t stab him with a lightsaber.
If you’re missing any friends who attended Wizard World Chicago, you might want to check inside Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors.
Points for originality and boldness: Chris Farley’s one-time Chippendale dancer from Saturday Night Live.
Grand finale: anime for the youngsters out there! Shinoa Hīragi from Seraph of the End; and Enoshima Junko and li’l Monokuma from Dangan Ronpa.
(Special thanks to my son for naming assistance with a few of these. Um, obviously.)
To be continued! Next time: something besides costumes. Other chapters in this MCC miniseries:
Part 1: Our Jazz Hands Gallery
Part 2: DC Comics Cosplay!
Part 3: Marvel Comics Cosplay!
Part 4: Star Wars and SF Cosplay!
Part 6: Objects of Affection
Part 7: Who We Met and What We Did [coming soon]
