Thousands of cosplayers, pop culture lovers gather for Lilac City Comicon

With red boots, a bustle and a golden bicycle chain turned Lasso of Truth, Rachael Lundin was one of several women dressed as Wonder Woman, but the only one with a steampunk twist.

Lundin was one of the many variations of superheroes, horror movie villains, and anime and literary characters gathered at the Spokane Convention Center for this year’s Lilac City Comicon to celebrate creativity and pop culture. She said her costume was a unique take on one of her favorite superheroes, and an early female role model.

She said she has cosplayed other women in science fiction or fantasy, but Wonder Woman is the first woman superhero, and one of the earliest representations of a strong, capable woman she saw growing up.

“Wonder Woman was my first exposure to a female superhero. I know that there are others, but she was mine,” she said. “That’s why I keep going back to her.”

Lundin’s costume was assembled from craft foam, ribbon, a recycled tablecloth and other modified clothing. Instead of a crown like the most recent film depiction of Wonder Woman, she wore a top hat with Scrabble game letters on it.

Lundin was accompanied by her friend, Jim Sugden, who was dressed as a steampunk Captain America. Steampunk is a genre of science fiction that incorporates mechanical and steam technology and a Victorian Era aesthetic.

Sugden, who assembled his cosplay from a costume store, wore a Captain America shield and a suit paired with old gear from his Air Force days. He modifies or crafts many of his own costumes, having learned to sew while repairing his Air Force uniforms during his 26-year military career.

During the event, Lundin met up with Nick Noga’s version of Captain America, one that was closer to the character’s depiction on film. Noga, who sews professionally, dressed as multiple versions of Captain America throughout the weekend; he sews his own costumes. Noga was accompanied by Madeline West, who was dressed as Peggy Carter, Captain America’s love interest in the film.

West, Noga, Lundin and Sugden drew cosplayers fans asking for selfies with them. Lundin said attending comicons, especially alongside Sugden in his Captain America costume, made her feel famous for a day.

“Dressing up makes me feel like a celebrity,” she said.

Cosplay was just one of a few activities at Lilac City Comicon. About 7,000 people attended, and hundreds of vendors sold video, board or role-playing games, costumes, toys and other science fiction and fantasy merchandise. Nathan O’Brien, Lilac City Comicon’s founder, said the event has grown every year and now includes new speakers, artists and hundreds of cosplayers.

Sunday was the last day of the event, which included costume contests for all ages, panels and other activities. Saturday’s costume contests, one of the highlights of the weekend, saw about 100 participants. The winner for the novice category was a woman who cosplayed as Edward Scissorhands. The winner of the experienced category was a man who dressed as Sauron from the novel and film series “The Lord of the Rings.”

Other special events, like The Force Academy, gave cosplayers and children a different way to participate in comicon.

The Force Academy, a “Star Wars”-themed project put on by Martin and Heather Roberts with their two daughters, Lilah and Loren, lets children make their own lightsabers, wear Padawan robes and face Darth Vader. Lilah Roberts was dressed as Rey, the main character in the newest “Star Wars” installment, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”; she led the group of Padawans through a series of Jedi moves before they faced a group of Sith lords.

Before they beat the dark side, however, a group of “Avengers” cosplayers joined them, including Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, Iron Man, Captain America and Bucky. Accompanied by an upbeat track from the “Star Wars” soundtrack and led by Lilah Roberts, the group beat back the Sith lords, who disappeared in defeat behind a black curtain.

Martin Roberts said The Force Academy is a way for children to face their fears, and gives the hundreds of cosplayers gathered for Comicon something fun to do with their costumes other than taking photos.