Rose City Comic Con 2021: Shredder (TMNT)
**Best in Show**
The story of this build boils down to one really important lesson: know thy self. I built this costume a couple times, and it took a series of design failures before I found my stride. There are two pieces of this cosplay I’m most proud of: (1) the mask, and (2) the spikes. The engineering of these pieces alone was a hurdle. BUT, I also really love the accessories. There’s an animatronic Splinter in the cage below, and I’m proud to reveal that the glowing ooze effect isn’t a photoshop effect – the canister is actually that bright!
Featured image by H McKenney Photography
If you’re thirsty for all the details about how I made this cosplay, check out my competition book linked below. I’m a pretty detailed record keeper, so this build book is full of WIP images, explanations, reference art, etc.
I’ve been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles since I was a kid. I have clear memories of eating Eggo waffles before school while watching a episodes of the 90’s cartoon. The turtles are cool all on their own, but the clear star of the show: Shredder. This cosplay has been on my list for years, but when I encountered the GoodSmiles Shredder collectable, I knew it was time.
Sometimes though, if I’m a really big fan of a cosplay I’m making, I find it really challenging to start. It’s important to me to honor the character – I want to express my fandom with really cool armor and costumery! I struggled with Shredder because I wanted to create a cosplay that was accurate to the GoodSmiles figurine, but also showcased my own artistry. I already mentioned that I built this costume a couple times, here’s a side-by-side of the first and final versions.
I managed to make it into the Rose City Comic Con cosplay contest. My partner snapped this photo of me on the stage – but when I look at it, I don’t recognize myself. Clearly, I was channeling Shredder.
And then I won BEST IN SHOW. Here I am back stage, flabbergasted and oozy. Every year I compete, I’m astounded and intimidated and inspired by the tsunami of talent that floods RCCC . It’s my favorite convention for exactly this reason.
It took me a couple of tries to get this cosplay right, but I’m glad I didn’t give up. I ended up deviating slightly from the GoodSmiles figurine design, and I think all for the better. I LOVE this cosplay and I plan on wearing it to death, so keep your eyes peeled for sightings of Shredder at other conventions in the coming years.
Photo Credit: Susan Onysko
