Costume design and Fabrication
Genji's helmet with a fluorescent acrylic visor
Cutting out armor templates in EVA foam
Cutting out armor templates in EVA foam
Forming the armor
Forming the helmet
Helmet finally glued together
Helmet after painting and weathering
Forming McCree's chestplate
Painted chestplate
Painted and weathered robotic arm
Debuting armor at New York Comic Con 2019
Background
Genji is the cyborg/ninja character from the 2016 game, “Overwatch.“ I knew I wanted to go to NYC Comic Con dressed as him, which meant I would have to plan and replicate his armor.
Design
First, I had to design paper templates using 3D models found online. This involved hours upon hours of cutting pieces of cardstock and shaping them into armor on a mannequin.
The templates were then transferred to EVA foam . (The Same stuff gym mats are made of)
EVA foam is inexpensive, maluable, and easily glued together. The process of forming the armor took about two months.
Painting
Next, the armor needed painting. Genji’s armor has 3 different metal colors, and a white gloss color. I used black, brown, and silver wax-based paint to add scratches and weathering to the armor.
Finishing touches
There was one last detail needed to finish the costume: Genji’s suit is covered in glowing green components. To simulate this, I used fluorescent green acrylic sheets, which glow in most lighting.
Multi-tasking
When my friend mentioned that he planned to go as McCree, a cowboy character from the same game, I offered to make his armor and robotic arm.
McCree’s Robot arm was made from a costume glove and EVA foam, and is fully articulated, allowing free range of motion in the wearer’s hand.
I made the skull bracer from foam, using my friend’s arm as a template. I then made articulating robot fingers using leftover small pieces of foam.
MY FRIEND DEMONSTRATES THE ARTICULATION OF THE ROBOT ARM
Comic-Con Was a success! lots of overwatch fans asked us for pictures, and I even met peter griffin!
