Hello all!

He first entered into our concious in 1939 and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger - can you recall your first experience of The Caped Crusader? I have vague memories of watching Adam West’s Bats ZZZAPP, POW and BAMMMM in reruns with my dad every now and then.

This fornight’s (fortnight = bi weekly or every 2 weeks - I know it’s not a common expression used in the US, or probably anywhere outside of the UK!) Featured Cosplay is one that is v fitting considering the upcoming UK release of the much eagerly anticipated (cliche - I know) TDKR!

It’s -

MEDIEVAL BATMAN!

Here’s the album - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.386750024709169.104678.282999755084197&type=3

I think you’ll agree that it’s a magnifiecnt cosplay! A magnificent concept beautifully constructed and brought to life with a believable Bruce Wayne. Carlos Blanchard is the cosplayer responsible for this awesomeness and I asked him a few question on the Bats

- What inspired you to assemble a medieval bats costume?

I had always wanted to do a full on set of Medieval Batman armor, but I wanted to do it right, so for several years, I had just kept it on the back burner and kept adding things to it in my mind, till I had a clear picture of what I wanted. The inspiration being my imagination, and what would Batman have looked like had he existed in the Medieval times.

Problem was, I had no experience making Armor like that, nor forming leather, so I went to the only person I knew that could make it exactly how I wanted. That person was Samuel Lee from www.princearmory.com. I had been familiar with his work, and felt he was and is, in my opinion, the best leather armor maker there is, bar none. So I sent him a sketch of what I was looking for, and that started a wonderful collaboration between us, that resulted in the masterpiece that is what you see me wearing. I honestly don’t think that anyone could have pulled it off better than Samuel.

- How long did it take you to make the costume?

Well, from design to completion was a total of 3 months. Since I’ve received the suit, there have been a few alterations, but very minor, since there really wasn’t much at all that could have been improved on. It is a work of wearable art, and I am proud to be the owner of it, and that it is a one of a kind, and will always be.

- What’s your most wanted costume variation for Bats?

At the moment, I have seen images of a redesigned Batman Beyond, that is amazing! That suit has always been tough to translate from the cartoon to real life, because of it’s angular, and disproportionate angles, but the image I saw recently, if made, would be epic beyond words. Now it’s just a matter of making it.

- What’s on the workbench at the moment?

At the moment, I have several projects going. Most are commissions that people have asked me to make, but one is purely mine. The main one that I am finishing at the moment, is the armor parts for the character Angela, from the comic Spawn. I finished the head dress not long ago, and am now finishing the metal bra that goes with the costume. The client loves it, so I guess I’m doing good, lol.
The other projects include a Magneto helmet that I have to restore, a Storm Head dress, and for me, a full Nightwing suit. You could say that my workbench is pretty full at the moment.

- Do you have a favourite image of yourself in costume at the moment?

There are so many that have been taken, but my favorites are by Adam Jay, Stacy Hokett, and Christina Mendenhall. They all captured my costumes perfectly, in many different styles. So choosing just one, is particularly hard.

- Could you share a couple of tips for recreating any Bats look

My philosophy about costuming is quite simple. Whenever I approach making one for myself or others, I always ask myself, how would I/they actually construct the costume if they were really said character, and then go from there. That makes the process more challenging, but at the same time, it also personalizes the project as well, which makes it easier to get into character once you have it on, because, basically, it’s you.
I always strive to make the costume my own, and how I would want it, regardless of the character, because it makes the transition that much easier once you don the costume. So, to put it plainly, just be yourself as that character, not the other way around. Once you have that mindset, you will feel more confident wearing it, and trust me, it shows.

Well, I don’t know about you but I am super stoked to see the pure awesomeness of Carlos’ next completed cosplay!!

There are hundreds of Bats costume tutorials out there on the interwebs, but I have selected a few of my faves!

- Ducttape is like the Force but I also think it’s something Wayne Enterprises should consider working with a lot more..http://www.instructables.com/id/Duct-Tape-Batman-Mask/

- Got kids? This is something I am definitely going to be making shortly!http://shannonmakesstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/best-ever-batman-costume-and-pajamas.html

- Pretty cool - the evolution of the Baterang!http://flowingdata.com/2010/10/15/evolution-of-batman-logos/

- ^^ This link reminded me of this awesome ‘poster’!http://images.wikia.com/batman/images/f/f1/TheHistoryoftheBatSuit_4ef8a37b2d343.jpg

If there is anything you’d like to see included or have a suggestion for a character for a future FC article then please send me an email - [email protected]

Keep an eye on our facebook page for upcoming updates on all SHP related EPICNESS!!!

See you in a fortnight!

Sophie