How to Make a DC: "<PERSON>" Costume
Introduction: How to Make a DC: "<PERSON>" Costume
In 2017, I created the <PERSON> <PERSON> suit from the Knightfall comic book series. After I was done wearing that costume for a few years, I thought that the next evolution of the costume should be the traditional red and gold version that <PERSON> wears afterwards. For the 2020 Chicago Comic Entertainment Expo, my friends and I decided to go as a <PERSON> themed group so I thought it would be the perfect excuse to create the next rendition of <PERSON>.
For those of you who do not know <PERSON>, here is the back story: The villain <PERSON> broke the back of <PERSON>, aka <PERSON>, in the comic books. Well, Gotham still needed protecting so <PERSON> recruited <PERSON> to take the mantle of the <PERSON> while he he recovered. It seemed like a great idea until <PERSON> started going a bit overboard and violently brutalized villains. He starts to build his own version of a <PERSON> suit and eventually calls himself <PERSON>. <PERSON> eventually heals up and takes the mantle of <PERSON> back, but for a while, <PERSON> patrolled the streets of Gotham. Afterwards, <PERSON> dons his own costume and becomes part of the <PERSON> family.
Now that you know the character, ready to learn how I made this costume? Let's get started!
Supplies
-EVA foam (Usually purchased in a roll)
-EVA thick foam (usually purchased as tiles)
-contact cement
-hot glue
-Elastic
-alligator clips
-Boots
-maroon stretch fabric
-Gold Stretch fabric
-reflective eye glass lenses
-Velcro
-spray paint/ airbrush
-sander
-dremel
-heat gun
-hot glue pad
-Chaulk
-Caulk
-zipper
-craft foam
-black plastic mini quick release buckles
-metal coat hangers
-interfacing fabric (medium and Heavy grade of stiffness)
-black puff paint
-acrylic paint
-clear sealer
-plastidip
-E6000 permanent glue
-roll of paper
-exacto knives
-non stretch fabric
-Soldering
-Gold thumbtacks
-clear worbla
Step 1: Reference Pictures
Before I ever start ANY costume, I look up a ton of reference photos from various sources and put it in a folder. The more pictures from different angles, the better. Look up: 1. Actual photos of the character from its source (movies, comics, action figure, etc)
2. Cosplay pictures. You can see what has been done, what you like, what you don't like, how to improve on a design. You can also start getting an idea of different poses you think you'd like to do.
3. I start looking at art work. 348
I usually look up things via google images, deviant art, tumblr, etc. This way, you can see different renditions of a character through a new perspective and once again, start thinking about what you like, don't like, etc.
4. Use your own imagination. Think about what you want, how to make it your own original design, what are some tricks you think you'd like to incorporate.. perhaps you want to try out a new technique with this build, etc
5. If you can draw, I sometimes will take all my reference sources and start drawing out my own design
6. I was very fortunate that this <PERSON> suit is basically a slightly different variation of the Azrael Batman suit. Therefore, i was able to use that costume as a template so i didn't have to start completely from scratch when creating templates.
Step 2: Mask
1. For this version of <PERSON>, I've seen a few cosplayers make fabric masks. In the old 90s comics, his mask also seems to be made of fabric (pic 1). However, other illustrations have show the mask to be something hard and sturdy (pic 2)
2. I personally liked a sturdy very, as I personally would not like to fight crime in a a ski mask (Sorry <PERSON>!)
3. I actually had a 3d Printed hard mask that i used as a template. If you don't have one, you can ball up a bunch of clothes into plastic bag and cover in duct tape to use a mannequin.
4. So since the mask is symmetrical, i know that i only need to draw out half a mask for templates. I took my masking tape and covered the right side of the face. 348