Tag: contest

Recently, the good folks at TV Store Online got in touch and asked if we’d be interested in teaming up with them for a contest, with some of their very cool X-Men swag as prizes. (Note: No official endorsements going on here. We haven’t encountered this gear in person, but it looks pretty damn cool.)

We’re big fans of stealth cosplay–costume-evocative or referential outfits that can pass as regular clothes–but, as lovers of incidental details and minutiae, we’re even bigger fans of plainclothes cosplay–cosplaying superheroes or other normally costumed characters out of their iconic costumes. And what better time to indulge in both than the weeks around Halloween?

HERE’S THE DEAL:

TV Store Online is providing two of these stylin’ Magneto costume hoodies (pictured above) as prizes, and we’ve procured noted X-Fashion X-Pert (and current Uncanny X-Men artist) Kris Anka as a guest judge! Here’s how to play:

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY BY THE END OF THE DAY ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. We’ll pick our two favorites (overall, not necessarily one from each category), and announce the winners on November 9, here and in the as-mentioned post of Episode 30!

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

STEALTH COSPLAY:

Show us how you’re sneaking mutant superheroics into your office, school, or day-to-day life! If you’re unfamiliar with stealth cosplay–or just need some inspiration–we recommend checking out the Stealth Cosplay and Stealth Cosplay Week tags on Tumblr.

Your submission to xplainthexmen(at)gmail(dot)com should include:

• The subject line “HALLOWEEN CONTEST – STEALTH”
• A photo of you in costume.
• A picture of the specific costume or character you’re referencing.
• The name or handle you’d like us to post your submission under.
• Any additional notes about the outfit you’d like us to consider when we make our decision.

Keep it subtle and versatile. Ideally, you’re sending in something that’ll be immediately recognizable to fellow fans, and fly straight over the head of your boss/teacher/mom.

PLAINCLOTHES COSPLAY:

Own a plaid suit? YOUR TIME HAS COME! You can either replicate a non-costume outfit from the comics or other X-media, or theorize what your favorite X-man wears on their day off. We’ll be posting some comics clips and costume photos for inspiration and reference over the next week!

Your submission to xplainthexmen(at)gmail(dot)com should include:

• The subject line “HALLOWEEN CONTEST – PLAINCLOTHES”
• A photo of you in costume
• EITHER a picture of the specific outfit you’re referencing OR a brief description of why you decided that’s what your favorite X-Man wears off-duty.
• The name or handle you’d like us to post your submission under.
• Any additional notes about the outfit you’d like us to consider when we make our decision.

EITHER WAY

• We frown on use of costume and logo t-shirts and the equivalent, although Xavier School gear is probably negotiable.
• Don’t rely too heavily on a recognizable accessory–red sunglasses alone do not a Cyclops make, dig?
• We will be judging based on your costume or outfit, not your personal physical resemblance to the character as drawn or portrayed in other media. We are also 100% down with rule-63/crossplay submissions.
• Per previous specifications: Deadpool does not count as an X-Man. Namor does.
• Be creative. Have fun.

FINE PRINT

• Submissions are due by 11 PM Pacific (GMT-8) on Friday, November 7. Late submissions won’t be considered, period.
• FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES ABOVE, or your submission will be fed to the Memory Eels.
• You need to be 18 to play.
• EDITED TO ADD: You need to be in the United States to qualify for the prizes.