10. The Lich King: Go All In on Fantasy Armor
The Lich King is the kind of character that invites a costume maker to think on a grand scale. Warcraft’s fantasy villain belongs to a world where armor is as much a statement of identity as protection. This photograph shows Erin Hannah of The Foam Corps portraying Arthas at the 2016 C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay.
A costume like this has to hold together as a complete design. Large shapes can grab attention, but they need a consistent style to feel like one character rather than a pile of impressive props. That is the pleasure of elaborate fantasy armor: viewers can appreciate the overall presence and then keep discovering details.
It is a fitting finish for this gallery because it embraces the whole point of going overboard on Halloween. Sometimes the goal is not a convenient outfit for an evening. It is the chance to walk into a familiar room looking as though you came from a completely different world.
