Don’t Be THAT Guy (or Girl)…

As we enter the summer convention season, I think we should address the way we dress when attending these things.

I have no problem whatsoever with cosplay. I think people with enough time and money on their hands should be allowed to express their level of devotion by dressing as their favorite characters.

Wanna go as Optimus Prime this year?
Fine.

How about Snake Eyes?
Go for it!

That furry creature that appeared for 16 seconds in episode eight of the anime series made in 1997 that you discovered last October?


Have a blast.

My issue is with people who wear just the shirt (of which I have several) of any given character.
The S shield, the Batman signal, the Punisher skull, whatever. To me, these are meant to be worn when you’re out mowing the lawn or shopping for groceries, as a way of expressing your devotion to the uninitiated. To let the commoners know that you are proud of your dorkiness. To get the unwashed masses to think about comics (or sci-fi…anime…whatever you’re into) a little bit more and remind them that these things are here to stay.

These shirts are not to be worn at conventions, because at conventions you’re preaching to the masses, converting the converted, selling to the sold. You don’t need to express yourself in that way, because you’re already at the convention!

It’s like going to a concert and wearing the shirt of the band you’re going to see.

Don’t do it, ladies and gentlemen.

DON’T BE THAT GUY (or girl)…