Cosplay US 01612

rlando, Florida is known for many things, most notably sun-

shine, Universal Studios Theme Park and, of course, Disney

World. However, when May rolled around this year Orlando became

synonymous with MegaCon 2017…and it was, well, mega!

This year’s show included a star-studded lineup of special guests

ranging from blockbuster films, hit TV shows, voice actors and comic

book icons. Walk the convention hall and you could stop in to say

hello to everyone from rock legend Alice Cooper to classic Rocky

Horror stars — Tim Curry, Meat Loaf, Barry Bostwick — to up-and-

coming actors Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo from the

Netflix hit series Stranger Things.

However, for many (including myself) the guest of honor was comic

book legend Stan Lee who was making his final ever appearance

at Megacon. In fact, on my first day at the convention, I was able to

spend a bit of time with Stan so I could deliver a few copies of the

latest issue of Cosplay Culture — featuring the legend himself on the

cover along with my image of Spiderman cosplayer Trevor Ray.

Professionally it was a defining moment when Stan’s face

registered amazement as I explained how I photographed the

hanging Spiderman and incorporated it onto the cover shot.

When Stan Lee compliments your work with words like, “WOW,

that is amazing!” it is something you will never forget, and I never will.

Although Stan was the highlight of the event, I would be remiss

not to mention that top notch cosplay guests were also on hand

with the likes of Yaya Han, Nicole Marie Jean and Soni Aralynn and

the cosplay event was nothing short of amazing! The contest was

capped off with 65 registered entrants but also included an

additional 75 contestants as “walk ons”, with all being eligible

for a host of cash prizes and bragging rights!

MegaCon returns to Florida in the fall of 2017 at the Tampa Bay

Convention Center. So, be sure to keep a look out for details and

celebrity guests slated to attend. See you in Tampa!

TEXT AND IMAGES BY JASON LABOY

MEGA

CON

COSPLAYCULTURE