Masquerade Best in Show
The Wiz featuring Anita Riggs, Alia Pyatt, Shannon Theus, Bendy Mitchell, The Black Bob Ross, and Terrance Thompson ease on down the road to take Best in Show
Comic-Con Masquerade Results
Presented by Old Spice
Last night, the 2025 Comic-Con Masquerade was held in Ballroom 20 with overflow seating in the Sails Pavilion and Ballroom 6A. Our Master of Ceremonies was once again, artist/writer/publisher Phil Foglio of Studio Foglio’s Girl Genius series of graphic novels and novels. The judging intermission featured performances by the Corps Dance Crew and The Saber Guild.
Trophy Winners
Best in Show – The Wiz. Worn by: Anita Riggs, Alia Pyatt, Shannon Theus, Bendy Mitchell, The Black Bob Ross, and Terrance Thompson. Made by: Tony Waki, Chad Hatter, Shawn Ryan, Robert Vinter, and Theo Tiedemann
Judges’ Choice – Bumblebee – Next Level Show! Worn by: Maksym Dokiienko. Made By: Maksym Dokiienko, Vadym Lukhtyzskyi, and Hanna Lukhtyzskyi
Best Re-Creation – Final Fantasy. Worn by: Robophant, Bigbah, E.M.J, Jimmy B, Derd, Cass, Alain Fetau, Cory J, Tyler L, Vinnytwist, Liz J, Jen, Julie T, Phoenixxcosplay, Jamie, Vera Vandal, Binx, and Cory H. Made by: Vinnytwist
Best Original Design – Elizabethan Xenomorph Queen. Worn by: Gabriella Blickenstaff. Made by: Cheerfully Morbid Cosplay
Best Workmanship – Berserker Armor. Worn by: Mark Rinus. Made by: Mark Rinus
Most Humorous – A Tale of Two Stepsisters: The Prince, Cinderella, and Petticoat Pandemonium. Worn by: Lisa Hale, Jenny Hale, Jen Greeley and Carlos Garcia. Made by: Lisa Hale
Most Beautiful – 2021 Cruella Movie. Worn by: Kstroobz Cosplay. Made by: Kstroobz Cosplay
Best Young Fan – The Lost and Forgotten Clown. Worn by: Kai Andaya. Made by: Kai Andaya
In addition, the judges awarded:
Honorable Mention for Young Fan to Marie Antoinette and Lady in Waiting. Worn by: Colette and Honorine Ragueneau. Made by: Colette and Honorine Ragueneau
Honorable Mention for Best Meme to Nyan Cat. Worn by: Megan. Made by: Megan and Taylor of Fernside Dragons
Honorable Mention for Craftsmanship to King of the Golden Hall. Worn by: Gregory Price. Made by: Gregory Price
Honorable Mention for Re-Creation for Atreus from God of War Ragnarök. Worn by: Commander Vampire. Made by: Commander Vampire
Company and Organization-Sponsored Prizes
Old Spice – Bumblebee – Next Level Show! Worn by: Maksym Dokiienko. Made By: Maksym Dokiienko, Vadym Lukhtyzskyi, and Hanna Lukhtyzskyi
Feeding San Diego – Glinda the Good. Worn by: Maria Ali. Made by: Maria Ali
The Costume Designers Guild IATSE Local 892 – 2021 Cruella Movie. Worn by: Kstroobz Cosplay. Made by: Kstroobz Cosplay
The Art Directors Guild (ADG, IATSE Local 800) – The ADG Cosplay Award for Original Concept Design: Elizabethan Xenomorph Queen. Worn by: Gabriella Blickenstaff. Made by: Cheerfully Morbid Cosplay; The ADG Cosplay Award for Best Visual Media Design: Goblins Don’t Do What They’re Told. Worn by: Sweetnayru-cosplay, Fan_Guy, BlackwelderArtisan, Tokiimon and Loveshack Ty. Made by: David Blackwelder(BlackwelderArtisan).
Oksana Shore Award for Excellence in Craftsmanship – Atreus from God of War Ragnarök. Worn by: Commander Vampire. Made by: Commander Vampire
Comickaze Comics and Pop Culture Store – The Wiz. Worn by: Anita Riggs, Alia Pyatt, Shannon Theus, Bendy Mitchell, The Black Bob Ross, and Terrance Thompson. Made by: Tony Waki, Chad Hatter, Shawn Ryan, Robert Vinter, and Theo Tiedemann
Comic-Con International Adam Campbell Award – Berserker Armor. Worn by: Mark Rinus. Made by: Mark Rinus
The Costumer’s Guild West – Stolas. Worn by: Mr. Lonely. Made by: Mr. Lonely
Frank & Son Collectable Show – Nyan Cat. Worn by: Megan. Made by: Megan and Taylor of Fernside Dragons
Comic-Con International gives hearty thanks to everyone who participated in the show!
Comic-Con: Where Cosplay and Bionics Meet
Not all who come to Comic-Con wear plastic and metal as part of a cosplay. Some, like Dr. Aadeel Akhtar, wear it to tell a story. Akhtar, a native of Chicago and founder of the bionic prosthesis company, Psyonic, is a true believer in the possibilities of science fiction. A first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Pakistan, Akhtar drew inspiration for his company from an experience he had as a 7-year-old visiting his parents’ native land. There, he met a young girl who was using a tree limb as a substitute leg. That was the moment he knew he wanted to find ways to better enable those with limb differences.
Dr Aadeel Akhtar showing off his bionic wares, Comic-Con style
Akhtar’s journey led him from Loyola University in Chicago to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he earned his master’s in engineering and a PhD in neuroscience. While working through a non-profit program called the “Range of Motion Project,” Akhtar met an Ecuadorian man named Juan who had lost a limb 35 years earlier. Juan was given an early bionic hand three times the size of a normal one and attached to many electronic interfaces, but when he was able to grasp an item, Juan stated it was like he had his limb back.
Inspired, Akhtar moved his bionics enterprise to San Diego three years ago (partially encouraged by its proximity to Comic-Con). Since then, the organization has built partnerships and engagements with the Navy, NASA, Google, Meta, MIT, and the University of California, among others. He supports nearly 250 human users and over 50 robotics companies with normal human form factor limbs and hands that respond to the users’ muscle movements to stimulate the movement of wrists and fingers, providing new capabilities to those needing limb prostheses. In addition, through his organization’s Ability Fund, he also strives to support providing capabilities to underprivileged populations in Guatemala and Ecuador.
Dr. Akhtar has been bringing his version of science fiction to life at Comic-Con for three years running. He hosts an annual panel on “Bionic Arms in the Real World,” a discussion of the realities of what many of us see as fantastical in films, television, and literature. This year, bionic arm users Mandy Pursley and Dale DiMassi gave demonstrations to the audience, showing off the fine skills possible with bionics, including threading a needle, all based on their muscle impulses. Akhtar has found Comic-Con a fertile ground for recruiting new teammates for his research and development endeavors. Comic-Con has proven to be one of the places where he captures the most diverse audience, including many with limb differences.
Comic-Con continues to inspire Dr. Aadeel Akhtar and his team. The event has proven to be an outlet to demonstrate the emerging, almost science-fiction-like technology available now and on the horizon for those with unique physical needs.
Toucan Tip Sunday
Extra Anime Programming Added
The Anime department found out there is another room free today and scheduled a full slate of great programming, including Hayao Miyazaki’s 1979 feature-length directorial debut, Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (Grand 5, Marriott Marquis, 11:20am – 1:00pm). See the website/app for complete schedule.
Announcements
- Comic-Con Merch Update – The Merch Store has created a clearance rack with discounted items up to 40% off. Swing by for bargains while supplies last. The Comic-Con Merch Store is located at the Marriott Marquis, Rooms 23–26.
- Panel Cancelation – The Paleontology of Star Wars Kaiju panel, originally scheduled for 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Room 32AB) has been canceled.
- Correction – The address printed on page 6 of the Events Quick Guide for Blick under Art Supplies is incorrect. They moved to 3633 Midway Dr, San Diego, CA 92110 (no longer walking distance but at least they have lots of parking now).
Grids
Comic-Con Gallery
I’m a Boba girl in the Boba world.
A large and even mightier DC group
Creature comforts at Comic-Con
Todd McFarlane sharing a moment and a portfolio with a fan
One small step for cosplay
A small but mighty Dimension 20 Gang
Sorcerer Supreme… of the convention center.
Hard to move through the crowd with that wingspan
Caution: Raptors with badges
Many, many Mandalorians!
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Comic-Con Today
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Editor/Writer – Carly Neun