[PHOTOS] The best cosplay from San Diego Comic-Con

"Suga, what is different, what is normal? If everybody was the same, how boring would the world be?"

Jul 30, 2024 - 20:00
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[PHOTOS] The best cosplay from San Diego Comic-Con
It's 'Pansexual Love and Thunder' with this cosplay face-off between Thor and Deadpool at SDCC 2024.
It’s ‘Pansexual Love and Thunder’ with this cosplay face-off between Thor and Deadpool at SDCC 2024.

“Suga, what is different, what is normal?” posited voice actress Lenore Zann during preview night at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, affecting the Southern twang of her X-Men character Rogue. “I mean, if everybody was exactly the same, cookie cutter, how boring would the world be?”

Lenore Zann, voice actress behind Rogue in 'X-Men '97', kiki-ing with a fan.
Lenore Zann, voice actress behind Rogue in ‘X-Men ’97’, kiki-ing with a fan.

Although Zann was discussing why X-Men is still relevant three decades after the animated series first aired, she could have just as easily been describing the vibe of SDCC 2024. As she spoke, cosplay-clad nerds passed by, often defying expectations of race and gender: A statuesque muscle stud assumed the mantel of the Pink Power Ranger. A drag queen fabulously reinvented the persona of Dream from Neil Gaiman’s Sandman. A Black man rocked out his version of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor.

“I love the fact that the X-Men stand for everybody being themselves,” Zann continued, “and being accepted and being loved or themselves, and that’s why I’m proud to be an X-Man.”

It’s worth noting that when the X-Men animated series debuted in 1992, television suffered from a severe dearth of LGBTQ+ representation. But it had these queer-coded Children of the Atom, powerful yet persecuted people who created their own chosen families. Earlier this year, these now-grown Gen X and Millennial gaybies were treated to X-Men ’97, a continuation of the iconic cartoon. Most notable of the new season was the Emmy-nominated episode “Remember It,” which featured a Pulse Nightclub massacre incident executed on the level of 9/11. It’s a grim reminder of the importance of representation.

Fortunately, not all the LGBTQ+ representation was this angsty. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman headlined a panel for their new movie Deadpool & Wolverine, which featured Marvel’s premiere pansexual “Merc with a Mouth.” In addition to Reynolds and Jackman’s innate homoeroticism, the film ups the ante on queerness by featuring Madonna’s gay anthem ‘Like A Prayer,’ similar to how the previous Deadpool installment incorporated Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5.’

It’s somewhat apropos that Zann ended her interview by unintentionally referencing the Material Girl.

“The X-Men stand for it’s okay to be yourself, to express yourself.”

For those who missed the cavalcade of queerness that is Comic Con, we snatched some of our favorite cosplay moments from SDCC 2024.

Like Shelby in 'Steel Magnolias,' pink is this gender-bent Power Ranger's signature color.
Like Shelby in ‘Steel Magnolias,’ pink is this gender-bent Power Ranger’s signature color.
"They are fighting all crime to save the day.
They’re extremely close in an ambiguous way. The Ambiguously Gay Duo!”
“They are fighting all crime to save the day. They’re extremely close in an ambiguous way. The Ambiguously Gay Duo!”
This  couple cosplaying Final Fantasy 7's Tifa and Cloud are one Aeris away from a 'Fantage à Trois.'
This couple cosplaying Final Fantasy 7’s Tifa and Cloud are one Aeris away from a ‘Fantage à Trois.’
It was a Hot Dreamy Mess at SDCC 2024 with this drag twist on Dream from Neil Gaiman's Sandman
It was a Hot Dreamy Mess with this drag twist on Dream from Neil Gaiman’s Sandman.
Sailor Bruno Mars for the win at SDCC 2024
Sailor Bruno Mars is fighting evil by moonlight and Uptown Funking by daylight.
Prominent queer cosplayer Jimmy Sherfy serving retro realness with his Rainbow Brite lewk at SDCC 2023
Prominent queer cosplayer Jimmy Sherfy serving retro realness with his Rainbow Brite lewk.
Superboy at SDCC 2024
This cutie is throwing back to the 90s with this Superboy cosplay. For those unfamiliar with the character, Lex Luthor created a clone combining his genetic material with Superman’s. Superboy is literally their gay love child.
Inosuke Hashibira cosplay from 'Demon Slayer' was making the boys squeal at SDCC 2024.
This Inosuke Hashibira cosplay from ‘Demon Slayer’ made all the boys squeal at SDCC 2024.
IN broightest day, in darkest night, those Green Lantern muscles won't escape my sight.
In brightest day, in darkest night, those Green Lantern muscles won’t escape my sight.
Is Comic Con a carb?
Is Comic Con a carb?
If Luke Cage is the "Hero for Hire," then I have a Venmo payment coming his way.
If Luke Cage is the “Hero for Hire,” then I have a Venmo payment coming his way.
The Caped Camazotz Crusader, a Mayan twist on Batman at SDCC 2024.
The Caped Camazotz Crusader, a Mayan twist on Batman at SDCC 2024.
The deepest cut of the weekend may have been this Tank Girl cosplay. For those unfamiliar with 90's indy icon, peep out the comics by Jamie Hewlett and the campy cult classic movie starring Lori Petty.
The deepest cut of the weekend may have been this Tank Girl cosplay. For those unfamiliar with this 90’s indy icon, peep out the comics by Jamie Hewlett and the campy cult classic movie starring Lori Petty.
Wonder Man flexing his ion-infused muscles.
Wonder Man flexing his ion-infused muscles.
Double the force, double the fun.
Double the force, double the fun.
A cosplay power couple combining Fallout 4 with Indiana Jones and triggering every integer on the Kinsey Scale.
A cosplay power couple combining Fallout 4 with Indiana Jones and triggering every integer on the Kinsey Scale.
This Superman has the wholesome cornfed look down pat.
This Superman has the wholesome cornfed look down pat.
Double Trouble from the Netflix She-Ra reboot is a Non-Binary Royalty of Power.
This Double Trouble from the Netflix She-Ra reboot is a Non-Binary Royalty of Power.
Its girl power at SDCC 2024 with this team-up between Supergirl and Wonder Woman.
It’s girl power at SDCC 2024 with this team-up between Supergirl and Wonder Woman.
The Deep from 'The Boys' and his octopus paramour Ambrosius. DOn't ask what they do with her suction cups...
The Deep from ‘The Boys’ and his octopus paramour Ambrosius.
Snikt!
Snikt!
“Help me, SDCC 2024, you’re my only hope!”
"Hadoken!"
“Hadoken!”

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