Phoenix's best costumes and cosplayers we saw in 2024

Tucson cosplayer Pat Fielder (center) with the individual “Best in Show” trophy she won at Phoenix Fan Fusion’s masquerade ball. Benjamin Leatherman

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Cosplayers of Arizona didn’t disappoint in 2024. They devoted countless hours to crafting intricate costumes inspired by comic books, anime and other geeky passions, proudly showcasing their work at local events like Phoenix Fan Fusion over the past 12 months.

The Game On Expo in March featured video game characters from “World of Warcraft” and “Mortal Kombat,” Mad Monster Party Arizona in July had ghoulish getups and Saboten Con in September included impressive anime-inspired costumes.

Phoenix Fan Fusion, the year’s biggest geek event, in May had a bit of everything, including a plethora of comic book cosplays.

Here’s a look at the best costumes that Phoenix New Times encountered in 2024.

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The groovy folks behind the Dazzling Disaster Disco Balls team and their sound system-like shopping cart at this year’s Phoenix Idiotarod in February.

Benjamin Leatherman

Scorpion from "Mortal Kombat" at Game On Expo 2024 in March.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Jake McCormick of El Mirage dressed up as legendary Nintendo character Donkey Kong at Game On Expo 2024.

Benjamin Leatherman

Shadow the Hedgehog and Tails from the "Sonic the Hedgehog" series at Game On Expo.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Race Michael of Scottsdale spent two to three months creating his fantastic-looking cosplay of Gabriel, Judge of Hell from "ULTRAKILL" at Game On Expo in March.

Benjamin Leatherman

Chandler cosplayer Schrei205 as a Blood Elf Priest from “World of Warcraft" at Game On Expo 2024.

Benjamin Leatherman

Former Valley resident Smart Alex Cosplay as Darth Waiter at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024.

Benjamin Leatherman

Mesa cosplayer Brooke Nez as Hello Kitty Fett at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Rudder and Angele's impressive hand-sewn Rodian costumes, which took almost a year to create, at Phoenix Fan Fusion.

Benjamin Leatherman

Peoria cosplayer Leilani Wong as Yetch from the 1967 Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated musical comedy “Mad Monster Party?” The cult classic film also partially inspired the name for Mad Monster’s various events across the U.S.

Benjamin Leatherman

Raul Marquez of Mesa as the Hash-Slinging Slasher from “SpongeBob SquarePants" at Mad Monster Arizona 2024.

Benjamin Leatherman

We encountered this freaky-looking Tooth Fairy at Mad Monster Party Arizona in July.

Benjamin Leatherman

Tucson cosplayers George Modine (upper left), Tiffany Pierce (center), Eli Flanagan (right) and Cooper Modine (lower left) as characters from the 1999 film "Thirteen Ghosts."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Chicago resident Ceekaycosplays won the “Best in Show” award at Game On Expo’s costume contest while portraying Orin the Red from the fantasy role-playing video game "Baldur's Gate 3."

Benjamin Leatherman

Prescott cosplayer Starlit Memory as Princess Zelda from "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" at Saboten Con 2024.

Benjamin Leatherman

Local cosplayer Dez Meow, left, and a friend dressed up as human versions of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee from Transformers at Saboten Con 2024.

Benjamin Leatherman

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This Saboten Con attendee created a fantastic-looking cosplay of Satan from the anime "Devilman Crybaby."

Benjamin Leatherman

Albert Ng of San Francisco came to Saboten Con as Yusuf Dikeç, the Turkish marksman who went viral durining the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Benjamin Leatherman

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This Viking Claus brought merry mayhem at Phoenix Santarchy in December.

Benjamin Leatherman