At New York Comic Con, masks are no longer just for fun

As in-person gatherings resume, fans are coming up with creative ideas to incorporate masks into their cosplay, but with limitations.
Safety masks and proof of Covid-19 vaccinations are required for New York Comic Con, which opens in Manhattan on Thursday.Credit…
After a disastrous 2020, the convention is facing smaller crowds and stricter safety protocols as the events industry tries to gain a foothold this year.
At New York Comic Con, which opened Thursday at Manhattan’s Javits Convention Center, attendees celebrated the return of in-person gatherings.But this year, masks at pop culture events aren’t just for those in costume; everyone needs them.
Last year, the pandemic devastated the global events industry, which relied on in-person gatherings for revenue.Trade shows and conferences were canceled or moved online, and vacant convention centers were repurposed for hospital overflows.Industry revenue was down 72 percent from 2019, and more than half of events businesses had to cut jobs, according to trade group UFI.
After being canceled last year, the New York event is returning with stricter restrictions, said Lance Finsterman, president of ReedPop, the producer of New York Comic-Con and similar shows in Chicago, London, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle.
“This year will look a little different,” he said.”Public health safety is the number one priority.”
Every staff member, artist, exhibitor and attendee must show proof of vaccination, and children under 12 must show a negative coronavirus test result.The number of available tickets has decreased from 250,000 in 2019 to about 150,000.There are no booths in the lobby, and the aisles in the exhibition hall are wider.
But it was the show’s mask mandate that gave some fans pause: How did they incorporate masks into their cosplay?They are eager to walk around dressed as their favorite comic book, movie and video game characters.
Most people just wear medical masks, but a few creative people find ways to use masks to complement their role-playing.
“Normally, we don’t wear masks,” said Daniel Lustig, who, along with his friend Bobby Slama, dressed as doomsday law enforcement officer Judge Dredd.”We tried to incorporate a way that suits the clothing.”
When realism isn’t an option, some gamers try to add at least some creative flair.Sara Morabito and her husband Chris Knowles arrive as 1950s sci-fi astronauts donning cloth face coverings under their space helmets.
“We put them to work under Covid restrictions,” Ms Morabito said.”We designed masks to match the costumes.”
Others try to hide their masks entirely.Jose Tirado brings his sons Christian and Gabriel, who are dressed as two Spider-Man enemies Venom and Carnage.The costumed heads, made from bike helmets and adorned with long foam tongues, almost completely cover their masks.
Mr Tirado said he wouldn’t mind going the extra mile for his sons.”I checked the guidelines; they were strict,” he said.”I’m fine with that. It keeps them safe.”