It's not for Halloween it's Comic Con, where Black and Caribbean cosplayers find community

"For 19 years, New York Comic Con (NYCC) has been the East Coast's most celebrated gala of geekdom. In 2024, the convention welcomed more than 200,000 attendees. In 2025, that number swelled by 50,000, making it the, or one of the, most highly attended conventions in the U.S. From novice nerds to masters, every October, the Javits Center teems with enthusiasts attending author, actor and production company panels, autograph signings and fandom meetups."

"But, arguably, the most exciting thing about the event is seeing the thousands of people who bring their favorite book, comic, movie, television show or video game character to life through cosplay. Cosplayers are a community unto themselves, and at NYCC, the likelihood of passing by a fully functioning DIY transformer costume is as great as passing someone on the street who had a bodega bacon, egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast."

"Characters from classic horror movies, the DC Universe and Marvel are always popular choices, as are those from the Star Wars and Game of Thrones franchises. The anime community is well-represented too; fans in Chainsaw Man, Dan Da Dan, Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia costumes can be seen sauntering down the halls, snapping selfies together. Finding your tribe within the denizens of cosplayers, when that tribe is a minority group often not expected to engage in the activity, is especially heartwarming."

New York Comic Con (NYCC) marked its 19th year as a major East Coast convention with attendance increasing from over 200,000 in 2024 to roughly 250,000 in 2025. The Javits Center fills each October with fans attending panels, autograph signings, meetups, and gaming events while purchasing exclusives. Cosplay is a central attraction, with thousands recreating characters from comics, movies, TV, anime, and games, including elaborate DIY costumes. Popular choices include classic horror, DC, Marvel, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and anime titles like Chainsaw Man and My Hero Academia. Black and Caribbean cosplayers report finding affirming, exciting community connections at NYCC.

Read at www.npr.org