The Year in Cosplay: Our 100 Favorites From 2014 (Part Five)

In the final part of this series, we look back on Borderlands, Animazement, The Steam Punk World’s Fair, and more.

2014 is long dead, but we’re not quite finished looking back on the year. Well, until today.

Now, no doubt you noticed that The Escapist gave out a ton of awards for the best of the year in all categories we cover (see our best of the year nominees here.) Well, almost all. If you’re particularly astute, you’ve also noticed that while we here on the Comics and Cosplay channel nominated comics for end of the year awards, we didn’t actually nominate any cosplayers.

That’s because 2014 was been an absolute goldmine of incredible cosplay, and there was almost too much to pick from. Whether it was great video game cosplay at the various PAX conventions, the insanely competitive outfits on display at San Diego Comic-Con, the nuclear explosion of artistry that is Dragoncon, or any other the other conventions and events we covered, we were, time and time again, completely blown away. As a result, we couldn’t narrow our selections down to just 1 “best of”. But lucky for you, our indecision is your gain, because we’re celebrating the year in cosplay by showcasing our 100 favorite costumes from throughout the year.

Related: see The Year In Cosplay part one, part two, part three, and part four.

Whether you made your first costume, have been cosplaying for years, pricked your fingers sticking in pins, or styled that wig just right, we want to applaud you for your awesome work (and maybe ask for some advice for our next costume).

Here’s our final installment of the series. Read on, and behold the mind-blowing fantasticness.

Here’s Jessica Trimble, Kat Thatch, Anastacia Ferry, Andrew Riddell, Stephanie Villanueva, and Shaylee Bell in a fantastic [i]Doctor Who group costume. See more on their Facebook page. Photo by the intrepid and incredibly Josh Engen.

Spotted at: PAX Prime

Another amazing photo by Josh Engen, here’s Grant Davis and Thomas Hasenoehrl as Judge Dredd and a Super Soldier. Go follow Grant on Twitter.

Spotted at: PAX Prime

Another by Josh Engen, it’s Mike Byron as one of the dudes from Daft Punk.

Spotted at: PAX Prime

The excellent Jamie Bernstein took this one for us. Definitely follow her on Twitter, and meanwhile, marvel at this pitch-perfect Zapp Branigan, by CJ America Bergner.

Spotted at: CONvergeance

Another Jamie Bernstein photo, here’s Oshova as Dragon Slayer Ornstein from Dark Souls. See more on his Facebook page.

Spotted at: CONvergeance

Thanks again to Jamie Bernstein for the photo of some amazing Big Trouble In Little China cosplay.

Spotted at: CONvergeance

Miranda Miller was nice enough to loan us photos she took from the Borderlands photo session at PAX Australia. Here’s a mind-blowing Gaige.

Spotted at: PAX Australia

Also by Miranda Miller, here’s Angel.

Spotted at: PAX Australia

Thanks again to Miranda Miller for this photo of the Borderlands 2 version of Mordecai.

Spotted at: PAX Australia

Wat? Yes, a gender-swapped Krieg. (Yep, photo by Miranda Miller).

Spotted at: PAX Australia

Borderlands group shot by Miranda Miller. Be very impressed.

Spotted at: PAX Australia

Here’s JAX at PAX Australia.

Spotted at: PAX Australia

Brain = asplode. It’s Grell from Kuroshitsuji.

Spotted at: Animazement

Another incredible outfit from Animazement.

Spotted at: Animazement

Here’s Helix at Animazement, conjuring up the power of water.

Spotted at: Animazement

A nice break from the norm with Attack on Titan cosplay. Here’s an actual Titan seen at Animazement.

Spotted at: Animazement

Another Jamie Bernstein photo, here’s Topher as an Elizabethan Darth Vader. Follow him on Twitter

Spotted at: CONvergeance

Amazing. It’s Doctor Eggman from Sonic, portrayed by Warren Hollabaugh. (Photo by Jamie Bernstein.)

Spotted at: CONvergeance

I tell you what, this is the best King of the Hill group costume ever. (Photo by Jamie Bernstein.)

Spotted at: CONvergeance

Last but not least, here’s Emperor Justinian, of creative collective The Red Fork Empire, posing with his mechanical arm.

Spotted at: The Steampunk World’s Fair