T.J. Denzer

Sure, she fits the femme fatale mold, but Black Widow is more than an archetype. She's a tremendous hero, even if her motives are almost always closely guarded. Combined with her unwavering confidence, Black Widow isn't just a great character, she's also great inspiration for cosplayers.

Throughout the comics and comics-inspired media, Hawkgirl and Hawkman have seen fluctuating levels of action and fandom, though Hawkgirl has gained prominence from her time as a member of the Justice League on the eponymous animated series and as Hawkwoman in The CW's Legends of Tomorrow. This has translated to some wonderful interpretations on the cosplay scene as well. (But hey, Hawkman has a few stalwart fans representing him as well!) Each cosplayer takes it upon themselves to craft these warriors and bring them to life in interesting and creative ways, playing their parts as the reincarnated avian duo of justice. These are the best Hawkgirl and Hawkman cosplays!

There are sidekicks out there that define their roles past their relationships to the name on the cover of the comic. Such is the case of one of the most iconic sidekicks in all of comic book history, the Boy Wonder, Robin. With so many characters having taken up Robin’s mantle, there's a wealth of variety to choose from in the cosplay community. Whether the character is paired up with the Bat-family, taking charge of the Teen Titans, or flying solo, Robin and Nightwing offer a lot of great cosplay options. These cosplayers bring the “dynamic” to the Dynamic Duo. These are the best Robin and Nightwing cosplays.

Introduced in 1968, there a few women in comics with such a storied history of strength and determinaton as Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel. Carol is a character who works hard at building the brightest possible tomorrow and the best version of herself. It's precisely that kind of attitude that inspired Kamala Khan, the young hero from Jersey City, to adopt the Ms. Marvel codename when she came into powers of her own. No matter whether they’re taking on the mantle of Ms. Marvel or Captain Marvel, these cosplayers bring the best of the hero to the surface on the convention floor. These are the best Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel cosplays.

For all of the time that Catwoman has been around, there have been numerous and varied iterations, providing a wealth of options to cosplayers. It’s always a delight to see a Catwoman at a convention, whether she’s in the old-school cape and suit, the various versions from Batman '66, the patched latex donned by Michelle Pfeiffer in the Batman Returns film, the body suit and cowl of the ‘90s animated series, or even the sleek and sophisticated look of the newer outfits based on Darwyn Cooke's fan-favorite redesign. In all forms, these cosplayers embody DC’s finest thief and famous femme fatale.

This week we bring you a gallery that puts the spotlight on the best Power Girl cosplayers. In the easily recognizable white uniform, red cape, and blue gloves and boots, each cosplayer embodies the powerful stature and cool confidence of Kara Zor-L. Power Girl may have gone through a number of retcons throughout her publication history, but these cosplayers capture her at her best and brightest. These are the best Power Girl cosplays.

The original X-Men, co-created in 1963 by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, featured only five young mutants. Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel, and Iceman made up Professor X's first class, and the world’s last line of defense against Magneto and his evil Brotherhood of Mutants. No matter which mutant hero is your favorite, each of these characters sees some representation among a devout fan base. In every form and in every evolution, these characters can be found throughout the convention circuit, and we've gathered some their appearances here just for you. Journey back to the atomic age as we look at the best original X-Men cosplay.

Batman doesn’t do it alone. Gotham is a big city, and the Caped Crusader has called on a number of trustworthy allies and protégés to help him keep the peace. This time around, we’re putting the spotlight on one of his most popular partners: Batgirl. With so many different personalities under the cowl over the years, it’s no wonder that cosplayers take to the character with such gusto. Batgirl is a popular go-to for fans, and a common sight on the convention floor. Each cosplayer brings their own flair to the wonderful icon that Batgirl has become; from the colorful ’60s costumes to the sleekness of the Black Bat costume, from Bette Kane to Stephanie Brown, these talented fans wear the mantle with pride. These are the best Batgirl cosplays.

There’s a lot to admire about Storm. She's not just a powerhouse and a figurehead. She’s a strong character, one of the first prominent black characters, and the first black female character to hold a major role in mainstream superhero comics. She's such a resonant and important character that it’s easy to see why cosplayers would want to adopt the mantle of Ororo Munroe.

The mantle of Thor has been taken up in many forms in the cosplay world, and we’ve gathered some of the best of them here. The classic version of Thor is certainly a go-to, as is Beta Ray Bill, an alien warrior who once gained the power of Mjolnir, and even before Jane Foster picked up the hammer, Thor was a popular character for female cosplayers. No matter the take, the epic magnificence of these cosplayers can’t be denied. These are the best Thor cosplays.

Conventions and photoshoots have seen Harley cosplayers in the classic jester outfit of Dini and Timm’s design, the punk-inspired style of her Arkham video game appearances, and often alongside her comically oversized hammer. Sometimes solo, sometimes coupling with crafty Joker cosplayers, and sometimes linking up with Poison Ivy, these Harley Quinn cosplayers bring the make-up, exaggerated weaponry, and coy and chaotic expressions to make sure we’re not turning our backs on them for a second. This is the best Harley Quinn cosplay.

But Batmen can come in all shapes and sizes, from the bulky and gritty of the latest movie, to the vibrant and comical stylings of Batman in the ‘60s, or even the new costume that debuted in the comics just this week. Whether fans are going after that classic Adam West appeal, the dark and macabre visions of Tim Burton, or the more combat suit-oriented look, there’s plenty of variety to be had underneath that cape and cowl. Cosplayers around the world have shared their favorite visions of the playboy-turned-vigilante to produce some fantastic results. We’ve combed our archives to assemble an overview of our favorites. From specialized scene photos to conventions crawling with caped crusaders, this gallery brings Dark Knights from all walks of life together. We hope you’ll enjoy this gallery of the best Batman cosplays ever.