Day 1 of Toronto Comic Con started with a random encounter with Jason Todd, aka the Red Hood sporting his iconic red helmet and a casual military look.

Day 1 of Toronto Comicon started with a random encounter with Jason Todd, aka. the Red Hood, sporting his iconic red helmet and Batman symbol.

Cosplay is nothing short of an art-form. Each year, enthusiasts spend months of their time and multiple paycheques to bring their favourite characters to life. But what is the reward of working so hard on these costumes, year after year?

For one, these knights of imagination become the centre of attention at any convention, showing off their incredible skill in crafting costumes as well as their passion for their favourite shows, movies, video games, and comics.

On top of that, these cosplayers all get to be under one roof, which in turn becomes the greatest cross-over event of the year. Only at conventions like Toronto Comicon will you see Master Chief from Halo hanging out with a Star Wars Jedi, casually talking about the weather.

This photo essay is a celebration of all things cosplay; our way of honouring these dedicated fans by highlighting their hard work and passion. These are the faces of Toronto Comicon 2014.

 

If you call him Zelda, you will face his wrath. It's Link!

If you call him Zelda, you will face his wrath. It’s Link!

Captain Levi from Attack on Titan was also present on the floor. Thankfully, there were no 12-meter titans around to eat us

Captain Levi from Attack on Titan was also present on the floor. Thankfully, there were no 15-meter titans around to eat us.

Deadmau5 or Dead Pool? either way, this was just hilarious to see

Deadmau5 or Dead Pool? Either way, this was just hilarious to see.

This photo does not even need a caption at all

This picture doesn’t even need a caption.

A fresh take on the Joker, combining a retro style with the Nolan-esque grit

A fresh take on the Joker, combining a retro style with some Nolan-esque grit. Creepy.

IMG_8767

A full look at the Red Hood costume from above, which was easily one of the most faithful recreations at the show.

A dapper representation of Matt Smith's 11th Doctor (or is it 12th? 13th?) from Doctor Who.

A dapper representation of Matt Smith’s 11th Doctor (or is it 12th? 13th?) from Doctor Who.

Reunited! Captain Jack Harkness, River Song, and the 11th Doctor pose in front of the TARDIS. Timey wimey!

Reunited! Captain Jack Harkness, River Song, and the 11th Doctor pose in front of the TARDIS.

Phenomenal costume of Cassandra, aka. the skin lady, from Doctor Who.

A phenomenal costume of Cassandra, aka. the skin lady, from Doctor Who.

IMG_88451

Connor from Assassins Creed 3 was one of the most impressive costumes of the show.

Connor from Assassins Creed 3 with one of the most impressive costumes of the show

A full look at Connor from Assassins Creed 3.

Moments before the Stay Puft Marshmallow man went on a rampage in New York, I wonder what the Ghost Busters said?

Moments before the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man went on a rampage through New York. I wonder what the Ghost Buster said?

Who you gonna call?

Who you gonna call?

Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead, before all the blood and guts

Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead, before all the blood and guts.

This is what happens when you try to conquer the world, Loki

This is what happens when you try to conquer the world, Loki.

Batgirl on patrol in the streets of Gothan, well, Toronto

Batgirl on patrol in the streets of Gotha… err, Toronto.

The only bounty hunter on the team, who left his blaster at home

The only bounty hunter on the team, who left his blaster at home.

The Spy, Medic and Engineer took a quick break from Team Fortress 2 for a picture

The Spy, Medic, and Engineer took a quick break from Team Fortress 2 for a picture.

It's not easy being a red shirt from Star Trek, especially when you're in the middle of these two

It’s not easy being a red shirt from Star Trek, especially when you’re in the middle of these two.

Green Arrow and Zatana on patrol!

Green Arrow and Zatana on patrol!

Rapunzel from Tangled made an appearance as well!

Rapunzel from Tangled made an appearance as well!

You can't see it, but Master Chief is smiling big with Halo 5 coming out later this year

You can’t see it, but Master Chief is smiling big knowing that Halo 5 is coming out later this year.

IMG_8948

A full body shot of the incredible Master Chief costume.

It's hard work catching facehuggers, even with all that equipment

It’s hard work catching facehuggers, even with all that equipment.

A casual game of poker at Penguins

A casual game of poker at Penguin’s.

The legendary assassin Slade Wilson a.k.a. Death Stroke with his iconic yellow-and-black helmet. Just hope he does not show you his iconic sword

The legendary assassin Slade Wilson, aka. Death Stroke, with his iconic yellow-and-black helmet. Just hope he doesn’t show you his iconic sword.

A close up of Death Stroke. Not too close or you'll loose a eye like he did

A close up of Death Stroke. Not too close or you’ll loose a eye. Like he did.

Beep-boop-beep-beep (Stop taking pictures of me, human)

Beep-boop-beep-beep (Stop taking pictures of me, human).

The family that cosplays together, stays together. Easily the best family at Comicon portraying characters from The Hobbit

The family that cosplays together, stays together. Easily the coolest family at Comicon portraying characters from The Hobbit.

Penguin, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Joker and Black Mask. No this is not the Justice League

Penguin, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Joker and Black Mask. No this is not the Justice League.

A Black Canary enthusiast using the updated look from the hit CW show "Arrow"

A Black Canary enthusiast using the updated look from the hit CW show “Arrow”.

Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) and Anthony Hale (Resistance) taking a break from saving the world

Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) and Nathan Hale (Resistance) taking a break from saving the world.

This warrior never backed down

This warrior never backed down.

Canadian superhero Captain Canuck out on the floor showing off his costume

Canadian superhero Captain Canuck out on the floor showing off his costume.

Black Mask. King of the criminal underworld. Despises Batman with a passion and surprisingly, very photogenic

Black Mask. King of the criminal underworld. Despises Batman with a passion, and surprisingly, very photogenic.

Watchmen's Rorschach automatically posed for us, without even saying one word

Watchmen’s Rorschach automatically posed for us, without even saying one word.

One of the most beautiful games Journey, spawns some of the most beautiful cosplay costumes

One of the most beautiful video games, Journey, also spawns some of the most beautiful cosplay costumes.

Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion doing what she does best. Show off her attitude. Luckily it is without her EVA

Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion doing what she does best. Showing off her attitude. Luckily, not with her EVA mech.

"Ridlette" and Poison Ivy posing in front of their booth

“Ridlette” and Poison Ivy posing in front of their booth.

When you think classy suit and hyper intelligent robot assassin, you would never think Legion from Mass Effect would look so dapper

When you think classy suit and hyper intelligent robot assassin, you would never imagine Legion. Mass Effect’s very own Geth infiltrator looking dapper.

Kelsey Grammar or not, this Beast cosplay from X-men was authentic

Kelsey Grammar or not, this Beast cosplay from X-Men was authentic.

Don't worry, Stormtroopers always miss

Don’t worry, Stormtroopers always miss.

That grin on face of The Lego Movie's Emmet? That's the satisfaction of a great costume, and a high-grossing movie

That grin on Emmet’s face? He’s satisfied with the wild success of The Lego Movie. Great costumes!

These were just some of the many elaborate costumes present this weekend at Toronto Comicon. Cosplayers from all walks of life, all genres, and all passions came out to show off their work and the results were out of this world! We can’t wait to see what kind of costumes people will come up with next year, and if you have the chance this August, FanExpo 2014 in Toronto promises to be the biggest convention yet!