Review by Booklist Review
Once limited to specific events meant to share participants' love of costume, cosplay is now embraced as a mainstream passion for many. With the increased popularity of sf/fantasy television, movies, and other media, cosplay is now more popular than it has ever been. Seasoned writer, journalist, and historian Liptak dives deep into the research and history surrounding cosplay with this debut book. Delving into cosplay's past and present, he also writes in detail about how this genre-bending art form will continue manifesting itself into the future. Cosplay's complex history spans from the beginning of sf as a genre, and Liptak connects these beginnings to today's conventions, which bring in thousands of cosplayers to show off the pieces they have created. Adding to his book's interest and potential use, Liptak even includes chapters detailing how to create your own costume. Above all else, Liptak proves that cosplay is (and long has been) more than a hobby; it is a way to share stories and create community, one piece of art at a time.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Cosplay is "more than just dressing up as a favorite character.... Above all, it's a community," writes journalist Liptak in this illuminating history. Despite its recent rise in popularity--thanks to Comic-Con conventions and shows such as Game of Thrones--Liptak insists that cosplay originated over a century ago, with its first inklings in street theater, reconstructions at historical sites, and even an 1891 London costume party inspired by Edward Bulwer-Lytton's sci-fi novel Vril. Cosplay got a boost in the 1970s from cultural obsessions with Star Trek and Star Wars, and was later supercharged by the internet, which made it easier for cosplayers to connect with one another. Enriched by amusing tales of his own fandom (and fascination with Star Wars' "white-armored" stormtroopers), Liptak's narrative also explores the dynamics between owners of intellectual property and the makers of costumes based upon it, a relationship that's sometimes mutually beneficial--as when members from his group, the Star Wars fan organization 501st Legion, were cast as extras in The Mandalorian. Though he doesn't gloss over troubling aspects of cosplay, including its culture of sexism, Liptak's study is an inspiring one, underscored by the community's efforts to spread "magical moment" with organizations such as the Make-a-Wish foundation. Cosplayers and curious minds alike will enjoy this intriguing dive into an eccentric world. (June)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An entertaining look at a vibrant, "interactive, interpretive, and immersive" pop-culture community. There was a time when cosplay--dressing up in costumes based on characters from movies, TV shows, comic books, or video games--was seen as a marginal, geeky pastime. In the past couple decades, however, it has gone mainstream, turning into an avenue for enjoyment and escape for vast numbers of people. Liptak, a journalist and proud cosplayer, walks through the history, noting that Jules Verne once held a party where the guests could dress as a character from one of his novels. Modern cosplay began with the first Star Wars movie. Liptak was enthralled with the uniforms of the stormtroopers; when he wanted to make his own, he found out that many other people did, too. This was the beginning of the 501st Legion, the largest Star Wars cosplay group, with more than 15,000 members. The association conducts charity fundraisers and performs other good works, but most of the members like to compare tips to bring their costumes ever closer to the source material. Of course, the internet has allowed cosplay to flourish, and there is a remarkable number of conventions and gatherings around the world, celebrating everything from Star Trek to sexual role play. Liptak notes that the nature of cosplay events has changed in the past few years, with a higher turnover of characters and more anime heroes. The technology for making costumes has also changed, with 3-D printers adding a new dimension. The moviemaking studios were initially wary of cosplaying, pointing to the potential for copyright infringement, but they came to accept and embrace it (as long as it doesn't affect their merchandise profits). Some cosplayers have turned their hobby into a business, but most just want to enjoy the ride. Liptak renders all of these community-building adventures with aplomb. A wonderfully fun book showing that the art of having a good time has not been lost. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
