Long before the first Comic-Con® convention in San Diego, people dressed up as their favorite characters or even created new ones. Bringing a favorite or original character to life before our eyes is a celebration of creativity, capturing the character’s persona and developing a sense of story or mood. Through costume, designers open up their imagination and allow us to take a peek at the magic inside. In this display, we showcase the craft, skills, and costumes of fans and professionals who have been participants of Comic-Con’s Masquerade, as well as costume prototypes used in popular media.