Publishers Weekly
03/14/2022
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)
From the Publisher
Andrew Liptak not only covers the history, fabulous art, and fun of cosplay, but takes on the thornier issues like gatekeeping and racism by interviews with a wide range of fans. This is a comprehensive resource for anybody interested in our world of fandom.”
—Martha Wells, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award–winning author of The Murderbot Diaries
“Cosplay brings our favorite stories to life in the real world around us. This utterly fascinating book, in turn, brings the world of cosplay to life. A serious history of fandom, which will make you a fan.”
—P. W. Singer, New York Times bestselling author of Wired for War, Likewar, and Ghost Fleet
“Andrew Liptak expertly demystifies the culture of cosplay for those out there under the mistaken impression that the phenomenon is just a glorified game of dress-up. Liptak makes the case that it's not just a pastime, but a robust community, an art form, even something transcendent. His book is sure to be embraced as the definitive history of cosplay.”
—Brian Merchant, author of The One Device: The Secret History of the iPhone
“Cosplay is a hugely important part of fandom that has long deserved a history of its own. Andrew Liptak’s engaging, informative book is a welcome look at the past, present, and future of a fascinating aspect of popular culture.”
—Alec Nevala-Lee, author of Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction
“An entertaining look at a vibrant, ‘interactive, interpretive, and immersive’ pop-cult community . . . A wonderfully fun book showing that the art of having a good time has not been lost.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“[An] illuminating history . . . Enriched by amusing tales of his own fandom . . . Liptak’s study is an inspiring one... Cosplayers and curious minds alike will enjoy this intriguing dive into an eccentric world.”
—Publishers Weekly
Washington Post
"As our troubled superheroes know, donning a mask can be liberating, a way of releasing one's deeper self...Liptak's history is generously packed...with information about cosplay fandom."
Kirkus Reviews
2022-01-24
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.
