I titled this blog the Engineer cosplay from Superman 2025 because I want to mark the release of the James Gunn directed work to streaming on HBOMax. I certainly not claiming a cinema-accurate look, but given I threw the costume together over night, I was supper pleased with the results. I feel my interpretation landed somewhere between Maria Gabriela de Faría most-recent live action version and the comics.
The glossy papered Engineer has longer flowing hair and dons a form-fitting silver cat suit. I am guessing with the almost concurrent release of Marvel's Fantastic Four and a new female Silver Surfer on the big screen, Gunn didn't want to risk any character confusion, or unnecessary comparion, and gave his Engineer her own look, which I also love; but it does have more cultural significance that I cannot claim and ownership of.
The black wig I had on hand; and it gave my Engineer an almost Betty Page appearance, especially with my blue eyes. Nice surprise bonus. I felt too it placed my nano-bot metal shooting villainess in the 1950's era circa the Adam West Batman.
As you can see duct tape played a large role in the construction of the costume and some black electrical tape. Every honest, real-life engineer will admit to duct tape being mankind's greatest invention, and so I will claim my copious use of it apropos. I recommend having lots of different colored tapes around for the aspiring cosplayer. Electrical tape over fabric can create a faux-leather look; it is time consuming but much cheaper than than actual leather work.
I began this costume construction, but turning a corset inside out and using duct tape to stripe it silver; then I wrapped green wire in black electrical tape and attached it to black gloves.
The silver boots I had painted for another costume ... still to come ... I will give you three guesses what that might be and the first two will likely be Silver Surfer:) The black cat suit (actually long underwear) I had hanging in my closet. The duct tape had to be applied while I was wearing the suit and this took the longest. I did it myself and having someone else to do it for you would be ideal.
Looking at the pictures now, I am realizing I could have processed out the wrinkles in the tape. I may just do that and show you in another post the effect.
For makeup, I went for a dramatic look: pale foundation and black everything else. I added specs of black to mimic the metal nanobots. I think this was largely a fail; it kind of just made me look like I have ... what are the kids calling it these day ... extra skin texture. I had plans to stick little silver spot on my face and then outline the silver with black; but the stickers got lost somewhere between the dollar store checkout and home. Oh well ... next time.
Well, if you are one of the few people left on the planet who has not yet seen Superman 2025, I hope you check it out and think of me ... a little. It is a very creative and beautiful movie; and I think a lot of wonderful films are going to flow from the Gunn DC Universe. I love the Synder Verse too and no matter what the crazed Stans tell you, so can you:)
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