Comic-Con cosplayers brave heat, mishaps and months of work to showcase fandom

San Diego Comic-Con’s heat-tested cosplay culture is on display as fans juggle months of craftsmanship, summer temperatures, and occasional mishaps to bring characters to life. Reuters reported on July 24 how Sarah Lu, 27, began building her “How to Train Your Dragon” dragon “Toothless” in January, spending about $400, while other attendees described cosplay success as tied to confidence and preparation. With the convention running in summer, David Martinez, 54, said staying cool requires constant hydration. Costumes can still fail as glue softens, and fabrics rip or tear. Bryan Mero, who repairs costumes for free as “Fix-it Felix,” patrols the floor carrying tools and supplies including superglue, duct tape, safety pins, hairspray, and a hot glue gun. The annual, multi-genre event is held in San Diego, California, and celebrates comics and related media.