How a suburban dad from Pittsburgh became one of Comic-Con’s cosplaying stars

By day, Cash Branson is a mild-mannered human resources worker from Pittsburgh. But this weekend, he will transform into Iron Man, Daredevil, Grandmaster and a handful of other superheroes at San Diego Comic-Con.

Branson, whose cosplay name is Capt Cash (he’s @CaptCash on Instagram), is one of the thousands of Comic-Con attendees who spend months and sometimes thousands of dollars designing elaborate costumes and makeup for the annual five-day event at the San Diego Convention Center.

On the cosplay circuit, Branson, 37, describes himself as “small-time,” since he makes, paints and wires most of his costumes from scratch with simple store-bought materials and has attended fewer than 20 conventions over the years. But the effort to create these costumes is a hobby that consumes much of his spare time and money, and in recent years, he has roped in two of his best friends into traveling to Comic-Con with him each year.

Branson makes all of their costumes and they walk the convention center exhibition hall and lobby as a trio. One year, they were characters from the “Punisher” comics. Another year, they were characters from “Game of Thrones.” On Thursday, they were Marvel Avengers from the “Endgame” movie. Branson was Iron Man wearing the Infinity gauntlet; his buddy Tom Kelly, 36, of Phoenix was a battered and bruised Captain America; and his friend since childhood Alex Daniel, 36, of Cincinnati, was the slightly gone-to-seed Thor.

Tom Kelly of Phoenix dressed as Captain America at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Everywhere the trio walked on Thursday, a horde of fans shooting cellphone photos, amateur videographers and TV crews followed. Each year they arrive in San Diego with multiple costumes which they sometimes change twice a day. They don’t attend many panels because they’re in such heavy demand for photos, but they enjoy finding nearby events where they can have a beer, meet other cosplayers and catch up.

“I do it because I love seeing the fan reaction, but also because it’s a good excuse to hang out with these guys,” Branson said. All three are married dads with two children under the age of 6, so getting away for the occasional convention is an increasingly rare opportunity.

Branson grew up in Cincinnati where he and Daniel met in first grade. Daniel said they always loved reading comic books and watching and discussing superhero movies and TV shows together. Branson and Kelly met in college, where Branson spent a year as a theater major and discovered his love for performing for a crowd.

But it wasn’t until June 2005, when he was living in Japan working as an English teacher, that he had his first cosplay experience. He heard there was an anime convention in town so he dressed up like the character Lupin the Third. The positive reaction he received from fellow conventioneers felt so good that he’s been cosplaying ever since.

Alex Daniel of Cincinnati dressed as Thor at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

His elaborate costumes over the years have included the Human Torch, the Punisher, Amos from “The Expanse,” Wolverine, Spider-Man, the Red Viper from “Game of Thrones” and even a blue-skinned Mary Poppins. Branson — who is married with two children, ages 3 and 9 months — said that his wife kindly indulges his hobby and has, on occasion, joined him in dressing up for a convention.

To keep costs down, he makes virtually everything from scratch using stretchy Lycra-like fabrics, costume foam, plastic, wood, paints and other elements, including electrical wiring that illuminated his Infinity gauntlet on Thursday. Most of his costumes take about a month to conceive and construct. Some have cost as little as $20, others cost more than he’d like to admit. He often repurposes old costume elements to make new ones and sometimes redecorates old costumes with candy canes and Christmas wrapping for the holidays.

In 2013, he talked Kelly into joining him at San Diego Comic-Con and he was quickly hooked. Daniel signed on in 2014. Kelly and Daniel say they appreciate Branson’s design skills, but most of all they love his energy and enthusiasm for cosplay. Branson and Kelly also co-host a podcast, “Hops and Box Office Flops,” where they talk about famous movie failures over a couple of beers.

Because he has a young family and full-time job, Branson said he limits the number of conventions he attends each year, but San Diego’s Comic-Con is the granddaddy of them all and he looks forward to it each year.

“I get a great sense of pride in creating these costumes and when it all comes together I’m proud that I pulled it off,” he said.

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David Perez of Sacramento dressed as The Mask That Stole Christmas at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Michael Cherry of Reddlands dressed as IT at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Carrie Rudner of Alameda dressed as Carrie at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Sydney Wolff of San Antonio dressed in a homemade horror outfit at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Haley Schildgen of San Diego dressed as Harley Quinn at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Bryan Nguyen of Irvine dressed as Superman with his daughter Kara as Supergirl at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Rachel Hollon of Temecula dressed as the Joker at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Jason Aulicino of San Francisco dressed as Iron Taco at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Alysia Olson of Sacramento dressed as Harley Quinn at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Michael Gibson from Ohio dressed as Deadpool at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Brandon Isaacson of San Francisco dressed as McThor at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Sarah Guichard of Huntington Beach dressed as Critical Role Nott at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Alberto Hurtado of Chula Vista dressed as the 50th Anniversary Merman at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Shelley Horton of San Diego dressed as Dr. Strange at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Eiraina Ladell of Murrieta dressed as Daenerys Targaryen from Days of Thrones at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Kaela Reiss of Brea dressed as Shazam at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Ellie Christina of Perth Australia dressed as Black Cat at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Shane Miles of San Diego dressed as the Ancient One at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Amber McCoy of Emid, OK dressed as Starfire at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Heather Siordia of Orange at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Duncan Stewart of Los Angeles dressed as Steampunk Deadpool at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Bastian O’Dair of San Francisco dressed as Hela In-n-Out at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Alberto Troche of Tulsa dressed as Bro Thor at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Marcel Lee of Santa Ana dressed as a pirate at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Olivia Britton of San Antonio dressed as Blackfire at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Chelsea Bill of Los Angeles dressed as Critical Role Jester at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Van Reynolds of Fallbrook dressed as a steampunk character at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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A character promoted the Castle Park amusement park in Riverside at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Brooke Squiller of San Diego dressed as a steam punk character at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Alyssa Bass of Baltimore dressed as Loki at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Elina Shankar of San Diego dressed as Mollymauk Tealeaf at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Calvin Sykes of San Diego dressed as Lt. Dangel at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Brian Cable of Ramona dressed as Gandalf of Lord of the Rings at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Lawrence Yao of Chadler, AZ dressed as Lo Pan at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Michael Shay of San Diego dressed as Negan from Walking Dead at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Morgan Meredith of Los Angeles dressed as her own character Loosener of Pants from the Wastleland festival at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 20, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Pina Sherman right, along with her son Ryan Block and daughter Sabrina Block of Los Angeles dressed as Army Men and Barbie from Toy Story at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Jon Ringard of Fernley, NV dressed Poseidon at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Jacqueline Martinez of Los Angeles dressed as video game character Kratos at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Grae Drake of Los Angeles dressed as Tanker-Bell at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Brittni Dent-Taise of Los Angeles dressed as Maria from Deadly Class at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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David Perez of Sacramento dressed as Scar-face at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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A hippy character promotes The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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JC LaBianco of Ocean Beach dressed as Lady Death at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Natalie Stringer of Coronado dressed as Harley Quinn at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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RaBecca Wright of Kansas City dressed as Harley Quinn at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Harry Middleton and his wife Karen of Fullerton dressed as Hag and Evil Queen at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Lauren Deerinck of Del Mar dressed as Maleficent at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Annette Summers and Levi Hunt of Lake Tahoe dressed as Wonder Woman and Wonder Boy at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Emma Roberts of Scottsdale dressed as Himiko Toga of My Hero Academia at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Kristin Ringard of Fernley, NV dressed as an offspring of Poseidon at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Kevin Schwab of New York dressed as Dr. Strange at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Sarah Schmidt of San Francisco dressed as Beast Boy at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Crystal Tavano of San Diego dressed as Black Widow at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Heather Stirewalt of Long Beach dressed as Lobo at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Darrell Waterford dressed as Maui from Moana at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Francesco Lojacono of New York dressed Iceman at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Linda Brown of Eugene dressed as the Joker at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Davit Dent-Taise of Los Angeles dress as a Scottish Deadpool at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Dwayne Dent of Atlanta dressed as Cable at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Erika Fermina of Burbank dressed as Raven at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Jude Albright of Los Angeles dressed as the Greek hero Hector at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Howard Gensler of Irvine dressed as Captain America at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 19, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Merly, the cosplay dog, of Houston dressed as Iron Spider at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Sandra Sanchez of Culver City dressed as IT at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Jordan Quinzon of Upland dressed as the Joker at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Nina Mihulet of Sacramento dressed as Snow White at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Shelley Horton of San Diego dressed as Lady Death at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Viv Sai of Portland dressed as Black Cat at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Michelle Pina of Scripps Ranch dressed as Gamora at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Anders Layton of Costa Mesa dressed as Baby Bob Ross at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Paul Primrose and Jordan Primrose dressed as Steve and Robin from Strangers Things at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Tom Kelly of Phoenix dressed as Captain America at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Dyanamaria Leifsson of Costa Mesa dressed as Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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JC LaBianco of Ocean Beach dressed as Harley Quinn at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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David Schoelen of Riverside dressed as Dragpool at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Gregory Harris of Little Rock dressed as Killer Queen at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Hazel Weiss of San Diego dressed as Psycho at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Rudy Keith of Albuquerque dressed as John Wick at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Kayleigh Marshall of Toronto dressed as Bowser at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Jasmine Hernandez of Culver City dressed as IT at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Cash Branson of Pittsburgh dressed as Iron Man at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Raymond Weijland of Rancho Cucamonga dressed as Spider-Man at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Alina Masquerade of Phoenix dressed as a burlesque Snow White at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Russell Arons of Los Angeles dressed as Queen Hippolyta at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Troy Lawerence of Los Angeles dressed as Jon Snow from Game of Thrones at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Joe Horger of San Diego dressed as Tim the Enchanter at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Sara Bonet of San Diego dressed as Silver Sable at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Dan Te of Camarillo dressed as Kobe-Won at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Alex Daniel of Cincinnati dressed as Thor at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Mathew Morningstar of Tucson dressed as the Joker at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Christopher Rogers, left, dressed as Superman, Kayla Casterso, Wonder Woman, and Elizabeth Rogers as Supergirl at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Richard Marshall of Toronto dressed as Captain Obvious at Comic Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Mary Marshall of San Diego dressed as Lt. Ilia from Star Trek at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Eros Patino of Rancho Cucamonga dressed as Daredevil at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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M and Bekah of Atlanta dressed as Link and Zelda from the The Legend of Zelda at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Cole Meek of San Diego dressed as a Ranger from Fallout at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Jude Albright of Los Angeles dress as DC Comics character Death at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Cody Irvine of Richmond dressed as Ace Ventura at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Matt Muncie of Oceanside dressed as a X-Wing pilot and his wife Alyssa dressed as a Starfleet officer from Star Trek at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Carly Rummerfield of San Marcos dressed as Beetlejuice at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Sara Bonet of San Diego dressed as Silver Sable at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Elif Muyesser of New York dressed as She-Ra at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Cheryll Del Rosario and Schyler Bradford of San Francisco dressed as Tethered from Jordan Peele’s Us at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Shane Miles of Arlington dressed as Deadpool at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Alexander Albright of Los Angeles dress as DC Comics character Dream at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Michael Simmang of Winchester dressed as Kratos from the video game God of War at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 18, 2019.   (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)