In the vibrant realm where fantasy and reality seamlessly converge, cosplayers breathe life into iconic characters, transcending the boundaries of imagination. Among the myriad of talented individuals who have carved a niche for themselves in this dynamic subculture, one name shines brightly – Knightmage. As the embodiment of creativity and dedication, Knightmage has emerged as a trailblazer, captivating the cosplay community with his extraordinary transformations and unwavering commitment to the art form.
Beneath the meticulously crafted costumes and striking visual aesthetics lies a cosplayer whose journey transcends mere admiration for pop culture. Knightmage, known outside the cosplay world as Michael “Knightmage” Wilson, has become a beacon of inspiration for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Through his ingenuity, passion, and philanthropic endeavors, Knightmage has not only established himself as a revered cosplayer but also as a force for positive change within the community.
In this exploration, we delve into the captivating world of Knightmage – unraveling the layers of his extraordinary craftsmanship, understanding the motivations that drive his artistic pursuits, and discovering the impact he has made beyond the conventions and photo shoots. Join us on a journey through the lens of Knightmage’s transformative artistry, where the line between reality and fantasy becomes blurred, and where a simple hobby evolves into a powerful medium for self-expression and community empowerment.
What sparked your interest in cosplay, and how did you take your first steps into the world of costume creation?
I would have to say Halloween. I’ve always loved dressing up for Halloween but I didn’t know cosplay was a thing. I knew conventions were there but didn’t know people dressed up for them to the extent that they do. I went to my first convention in 2013 and the moment I stepped on the show floor I was blown away and hooked. I felt like I belonged and knew this was something that I wanted to explore more.
How did you come into your unique style of cosplay, with how defined and detailed it is?
Personally, I don’t really know what my “style” is but others can recognize it. Even when my face or body is completely covered people so “oh that’s gotta be Knightmage”. I really do like that but again, personally I don’t see myself as having a specific style. What I do know is that I can definitely see a progression in my costuming as far as range and skillset. Not only have I always wanted to challenge myself but I also wanted to show that skies the limit when it comes to cosplay.
How has your approach to costume creation evolved over time, and are there particular techniques or materials you enjoy working with?
I would say it’s evolved in the sense of not limiting myself to certain characters based on body size, gender, race, etc. coupled with doing things on my own terms. I always say that cosplay is nothing but your fan art of the character and I take that approach with every character I do. My job isn’t to try a replicate a specific look, my job is to keep the essence of the character while making you believe the character always looked like me. As far as techniques and materials, makeup. I’ve really come to love doing makeup and body paint looks.
You cosplay characters that people don’t consider “Masculine” a lot and very well. I’ve seen those cosplays get some feedback that can be classified as Toxic Masculinity. How do you handle those types of responses? What would you say to cosplayers that get those type of responses and may be discouraged by them?
I’m thankfully in a position where other people’s negativity towards me is a benefit for me. In this social media age, it’s all about algorithms and reach. For every negative comment, that means at least 20 or more people will see my content who will potentially love it. You can’t stop people from being negative towards you but you can use them for it. When it comes to cosplayers who may not be looking for advancement in that sense, the saying “you know you’re doing something right when you have haters” still rings very true. It easier said than done because for every 100 positive comments you’ll focus on the 1 negative and that’s natural. But in the end you have to know that there’s more positivity and support than anything else out there. More importantly, every single cosplayer out there regardless of your following or skills or anything else, is making a difference in someone else’s life. Someone is watching you and is inspired by you. That’s most important thing to remember and focus on.
What was the reaction from you coworkers when they found out about your cosplay work, if any?
At the core, most people Law Enforcement have a Type A personality. With that it’s easy for people to see someone dress up in spandex and think “I don’t get it” because it doesn’t fit the “norm” and in their eyes could possibly show a sign of weakness. Often times it’s bravado thing. With that said, at first it was very that. A lot of teasing, not understanding, etc. However, when they started to see what I was, where I was going, the impact I was having, questions of why became questions of what I’m doing next into how can I do this too? It’s true that we’re all geeks for something. Sports, music, movies, book, comics and now the nerds are the cool kids. Slowly people are letting that flag fly and it’s because of cosplayers being unapologetically themselves with what they love to do. So it pleases me to know that me doing what I do has helped other co-workers come out of their shell and be able to express themselves.
Beyond the conventions and events, you’re known for your philanthropic efforts. Can you share some experiences where cosplay has become a platform for making a positive impact in the community?
Charity work is where it really started for me. The very first thing I ever did was a Cancer Walk dressed as Green Lantern and it was because I decided to be Green Lantern for Halloween one year and someone thought it would be cool for me to make an appearance. As I started doing more conventions I knew I wanted to keep the charity aspect at the forefront but how do you give up an opportunity to travel the world and other advancements? So I decided I could do both and partner with local charities wherever I’m at and fundraise as well as bring awareness to them. To date I’ve worked with over 200 charities worldwide and have raised over $500,000. I also still do weekly Zoom and in-person hospital visits. I’ve found that not only does this impact the individuals but it inspires others to do more in their community as well. To me that’s a win-win.
Also just being seen. I believe that representation does matter. One example is when I did an anti-bullying event for a school as Batman. There were about 250 grade school kids. About 2 weeks after the event one of the teachers contacted me to tell me how the kids were still talking about it but one kid in particular kept saying “Batman looks like me. That means I can be Batman too”. It was a predominately white school and the one black kids was absolutely thrilled to see Batman looked like him. From that day on I knew how important it was for me to be as diverse as I can be.
Every cosplayer faces challenges in their journey. Can you discuss any obstacles you’ve encountered and how you overcame them?
The biggest struggle for me was finding a way to balance everything. My schedule is pretty crazy. The day job, charity events, conventions, other obligations, creating new things with deadlines, and having a social life. It took a while but I figured it out. I had to learn to prioritize and also say no to things but also combine my passions like I did with fundraising for charities.
Other struggles include being put in a public spotlight and navigating that including the negativity that comes from being on social media and an artist. Cosplay is very much an art form and all art is very much subjective. With that comes opinions, unwarranted critiques, and downright negativity for the sake of being negative. Racist, sexist, body and age comments are bound to come and it’s easy to overlook the thousand positive comments and focus on the few negative. I had to get comfortable and confident with who I am, what I do, and what my message is in the face of that struggle. Not just for myself but to show others who may want to do things but is afraid of that negativity to not give up on doing what they love.
In the end, if I can inspire someone, make someone laugh, do some good and have fun then those struggles were well worth it.
How has the cosplay community influenced your journey, and what role does collaboration play in your cosplay experiences?
Cosplay has influenced nearly every aspect of my life since I’ve discovered it. Mentally, physically, socially, professionally. It’s given me a confidence boost. Letting me see a side of myself that I had no clue existed. It’s given me the energy to be more active thus prioritizing my health. It’s given me some of the best relationships with people I’ve ever had. It’s helped me in both career in Law Enforcement and being a part of cosplay community. All of it is inspiration and motivation.
Collaboration plays a big part. I absolutely love doing things with people. It often pushes me to challenge myself in some way as well. A bonus to collaborating is also putting people on to individuals that you think are deserving of recognition.
Balancing a hobby like cosplay with everyday life can be challenging. How do you maintain a healthy balance, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? Have you ever had to deal with cosplay burnout?
It’s a constant challenge but I love it! It may sound cliché but the two biggest things that help me is having a positive attitude which includes choosing the attitudes and energy of people I allow into my world. And also staying as healthy as I can with my diet, exercise and sleep. When you have a healthy mind and body and positive energy you’re able to problem solve a lot easier.
I’ve honestly never experienced “burnout”. There’s times I haven’t created anything and it’s only do to being busy or focused on something else.
What message do you have for people getting into cosplay work?
First and foremost, do it for you! Always have fun and know there’s no wrong way to do it. Remember that at the core, cosplay is nothing but your fan art of a character. You can try to be accurate to someone else’s vision or you can do your own thing. You can buy everything or you can make it. You can do it as a hobby or try to get into it professionally. The only thing that matters is that you’re happy with what you’re doing.
Just like any community, you’ll have the ups and downs and negative people but know there’s way more positivity and support out there anything else.
How can aspiring cosplayers balance their passion for the craft with other aspects of their lives?
It’s going to be different for everyone. Unfortunately cosplay still has a stigma of being “childish” or “deviant”. Some people aren’t allowed to show that side of themselves because of their job or family because of that stigma. In those situations it has to be a personal conversation between them and the obstacle. I know many that live sort of double lives keeping everything separate. I’m lucky in the sense that I’m very open and vocal with nearly every aspect of my life because they’re so much intertwined. Again, you have to examine your situation and go with what not only works best for you but can give you best chance at happiness.
How do you engage with your fans, both online and offline? Do you have any memorable fan interactions or experiences that have stood out to you?
With me what you see, whether on or off line, is what you get. I do pride myself in being that person that doesn’t put on a fake persona as well the person you can come to with anything. I always say it’s a very social community full of socially awkward people but that’s why we all get along and understand one another. We’re all a part of that. There’s so many different personalities and backgrounds. It’s absolutely beautiful. I done hundreds of conventions and even more community events all over the world and I can honestly say I’ve never had a bad experience. But even more I can say that every event there’s a special moment with at least one person.
Among your numerous cosplay endeavors, do you have a favorite character or costume that holds special significance to you? What makes it memorable?
Each one is special for different reasons. It’s like trying to pick your favorite child. If I’m doing charity events then I love doing Batman or The Grinch. For conventions I love doing make up so Hellboy and Kratos is fun. Wearing heroes such as Superman just makes me feel heroic. Doing villains like Darkseid is so much fun too. On pure builds, Predator is one I hold up there and the one I like to show others how cosplay can be expensive but doesn’t have to be. Again, over 375 costumes and they’re all special to me.
Are there any characters you aspire to cosplay in the future, or dream projects you’re excited to tackle?
Voltron! The answer is always Voltron!
Give Knightmage a follow on his socials and tell him the Asylum sent ya!
https://linktr.ee/knightmage
