After whipping up colossal cosplays of Captain America and Batman '66 (click here), I set my sights on another colorful costume creation, one I've longed admired! I decided to tackle the titanic task of bringing a real-life version of Hawkeye into the world! Of course, to me, only the Silver/Bronze Age Hawkeye would do, (forget that deadly dull AVENGERS movie version) with his amazingly wonderful and eye-catching threads from that period! Zing along below to follow my step-by-step process! Click images below to enlarge!
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| Above two images: From the early 70s, here are two covers that supplied me with some of my first glimpses at the (once evil) archer! I based my costume on this look! |
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| Above: Using a commercially available Captain America pull-over wool mask, I brought out the black dye, to get started on Hawkeye's head mask, but... |
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| Above two images: My inky dye just wouldn't cover all the lighter mask elements, so...I added a cut and customized semi-rigid Captain America (him again?) mask, covering the un-dye-able areas of the head mask... |
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| Above two images: Once cut and trimmed and the two masks are merged, I sketched in the famous "H" design, using paint markers... |
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| Above four images: Now to add the famous flared eye-mask portion, but...None of these seem just right. Too large and cumbersome... |
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| Above: That's more like it! A smaller, more stylized eye-mask (crafted from foam) worked much better! |
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| Above three images: Now to begin work on the tunic! Starting with a sleeveless gray garment (one I felt could best evoke, but not exactly copy, Hawkeye's tunic/yoke combo), I removed the front pockets, then broke out the purple dye. Then the black paint. Then the black paint pens. Then the purple paint touch-ups. Then... |
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| Above two images: A basic archery set would provide the bow and arrows... Being mindful of comics convention hall weapons restrictions, I used only the rear ends of each arrow (painted the appropriate colors, natch), to glue into the hollow quiver... |
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| Above: Also in regards to con regulations, I knew any arrowhead even somewhat resembling real arrow tips would be a no-no, so it was time to create a very obvious "stunt" arrowhead! A portion of a plastic water blaster (part of a kid's toy) would do well, after some custom paint! |
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| Above two images: What about the character's iconic wristbands? Using "can cozies," I cut and customized my way to the right look and fit! Some "hammered finish" and purple (and gloss coating) spray paint applications, along with added shapes and stencils, and... |
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| Above: Western boots were customized with added "pirate/buccaneer" flaps, all hit with matching purple hues... |
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| Above: Uhhh...Loincloths were created. Yeah. |
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| Above three images: At last! After months of work, I get my first look, with (almost) all the costume pieces together! Not bad! A few tweaks here and there and... |
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| Above: Taa-daaaa! Ol' Hawkeye makes his public debut, at Heroes Con 2017! Along with the above created costume pieces, I added black leggings, a customized quiver, upper arm bands, and a customized belt! |
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| Above: Using this very cosplay, I created a custom action figure and card! See more here! |
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| Above two images: After initial public outings as ol' Clint Barton, I was told something was missing. That's right. Younger comics fans wanted to see me re-enact the cover to 1982's AVENGERS #223, with a tiny Ant-Man riding one of my arrows to a swiftly-reached destination! Once I found a tiny lil Ant-Man figure, away we went! The above homage cover was assembled by fellow graphic designer Edward Fields! |
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| Above: Yep. Just had to homage that famous panel.. |
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| Above: How I felt after the months of making the costume! Fit to be tied! |
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