Benjamin Leatherman
Audio By Carbonatix
They came, they saw and they cosplayed. Hundreds of Arizona geeks gathered in north Phoenix for this year’s Superhero Saturday on Jan. 18, many of whom dressed up for the occasion
Dozens of local cosplayers gathered at the free outdoor “Cosplay and Comic” festival near the now-closed Metrocenter mall to showcase their handcrafted costumes. They came as characters from comic books, video games, science fiction anime and other nerdy subject matter while engaging with attendees.
Multiple cosplayers came to the event as DC Comics heroes and villains, such as Hawkman, The Penguin and Superman. Marvel fanboys and fangirls were also in the house, as Superhero Saturday attendees portrayed Jean Grey and Wolverine from “X-Men,” Deadpool and Captain America.
It was a geek event, so – naturally – there were multiple Mandalorians present, as well as other characters from the “Star Wars” universe. Smol Giggle of Casa Grande came as Sabine Wren from “Star Wars: Rebels” and “Ahsoka” while other cosplayers dressed as The Stranger from the 2024 Disney+ series “The Acolyte.”
Local cosplayers pose for a group photo during Superhero Saturday.
Benjamin Leatherman
Local cosplay collectives were also in attendance, ranging from the long-running Umbrella Corporation Arizona Hive, which is inspired by the “Resident Evil” video game series, to the recently formed “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” group Arizona Morphin Grid.
One of the highlights of Superhero Saturday, an annual event held since 2019, was its costume masquerade.
Hosted by the professional cosplayer Ivy Doomkitty, a special guest of the event, dozens of Arizona cosplayers participated in the competition. Trophies were awarded to the best costumes in multiple categories, including novice, journeyman, master and kids.
There was also a “Best in Show” award, which Phoenix cosplayer Noon Raccoon won for her portrayal of villainous character Lady Dimitrescu from the popular 2021 video game “Resident Evil Village.”
Here’s a look back at the best costumes that were seen at Superhero Saturday 2025.
This original Viking cosplay created by Kristina Moser of Tucson was one of the highlights of the event.
Benjamin Leatherman
Excellent cosplays of Paz Vizsla, left, and The Armorer, right, from “The Mandalorian.” This is the way.
Benjamin Leatherman
Local cosplayer Emkinscos and her impressive cosplay of Perona from the popular anime “One Piece.”
Benjamin Leatherman
Giovanni Patchett as Grim Foxy from the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” series.
Benjamin Leatherman
Cosplaying The Stranger from “Star Wars: The Acolyte.”
Benjamin Leatherman
Ronin Kasai of Phoenix as Hawkman from the DC Comics universe.
Benjamin Leatherman
Professional cosplayers Ivy Doomkitty was a special guest of Superhero Saturday 2025 in Phoenix.
Benjamin Leatherman
We’re pretty sure we’ve seen this movie.
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Prescott resident Smol Giggle Cosplay as Sabine Wren from “Star Wars: Rebels” and “Ahsoka.”
Benjamin Leatherman
Queen Kirigaya of Chandler as Jean Grey from “X-Men.”
Benjamin Leatherman
Members of the Arizona Morphin Grid costume club.
Benjamin Leatherman
Kyle Appel of Tucson created this clever cosplay mashup of the Green Ranger and a Mandalorian.
Benjamin Leatherman
Abbaliese Livingston of Goodyear, left, as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast,” Starlit Memory Cosplay of Prescott, center, as Anastasia and Autumn Dayss of Phoenix as Snow White.
Benjamin Leatherman
This local cosplayer portraying WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley would like you to have a nice day.
Benjamin Leatherman
Jessica Umali of Glendale as a character from the “Folk of the Air” fantasy book series.
Benjamin Leatherman
The members of the Umbrella Corporation Arizona Hive, a local “Resident Evil” cosplay group, don’t mess around.
Benjamin Leatherman
Patricia Herriman of Chandler as Maleficent.
Benjamin Leatherman
Phoenix cosplayer Noon Raccoon showing off the “Best in Show” trophy she won for her Lady Dimitrescu costume from “Resident Evil Village.”
Benjamin Leatherman
Edward Cunje as Captain America with his daughter Emma Cunje as Thor.
Benjamin Leatherman
Arizona cosplayer Oh Venus appeared at Superhero Saturday as the DC Comics heroine Hawkgirl.
Benjamin Leatherman
He’s super, man.
Benjamin Leatherman
These two fell out of the Time Vortex.
Benjamin Leatherman
