Cosplay Kingdom - November 2022 - Issue #2

K I N G D O M

F E ATU R E D PHOTOGRAPHER: BC PHOTOGRAPHY

COVER PHOTO: BC PHOTOGRAPHY

NOVEMBER 2022

ISSUE #2

Letter from the Editor Hello everyone, and thanks for taking a moment to read the November Issue of Cosplay Kingdom Magazine! I’m really excited to release this issue for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, this issue has allowed me to work on polishing my editing skills with Adobe InDesign, which is something I enjoy working with.

I have no formal training with the application, but as a photographer, I have a lot of familiarity with Adobe products, so portions of it are second-nature.

Secondly, I had more time to work on this issue, mainly because I didn’t have to spend so much time learning the functions of the program. And finally, this issue has a great collection of amazing images and stories from photographers and cosplayers alike, which I’m eager to share with you.

Inside this issue you will find a variety of amazing imagery. We have a series of photos and composites from the very talented Bryant Cox of BC

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Photography who also supplied CKM with an interview. Kevin Q. Gray presents a series of photos with Raianna Banana as Espeon. Brittany Lee Artistry returns in this issue with a beautiful and colorful cosplay by CosplayKitten as Madoka Kaname. Talented tattoo artist Dominique Darko shows off some of her amazing anime tattoo work.

Cosplay Asaria from Germany submitted shots of Baal, Loki, Musan, and a variety of other beautiful photographic work.

Christo Lopez out in the Bay Area of California shared images from cosplays including Cuphead, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Spiderman. Aaron Peterson presents Peppersauce Fairy and Jess Stary walks us through her experiences in creating her own custom cosplay designs.

Finishing up the issue we have Tight Photography with Genshin Villains and Ivy VanRees of Tell a Tale Photography with Kisana Cosplay.

I’m excited to share this issue with the world of photographers and cosplayers who have shown interest in reading it.

As it continues to grow, I look forward to expanding on the magazine’s contents.

In coming issues, I envision more in-depth interviews with selected photographers and cosplayers, “howto” articles with images describing the process, vendors with web-stores who sell cosplay related costumes and accessories, and more.

This is where I rely on you all. This magazine doesn’t survive without the talented photographers, cosplayers, vendors, and artists playing a critical role in supplying content to put into print and digital formats for CKM. With that said, I’d like to urge everyone reading this letter to share this production with others. A simple share or mention on social media can work wonders! If you know someone personally, or even someone who’s images or work you admire, perhaps shoot them a message and let them know CKM is looking for contributors. The submission process is free and there is no obligation to purchase the magazine.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and this issue of CKM. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy putting it together. Looking forward to man more wonderful issues!

- Kevin

NOVEMBER CONVENTIONS (US Based) Youmacon (Detroit, Michigan) November 3-6, 2022 Rhode Island Comic-Con (Providence) November 4-6, 2022 Rocky Mountain Con (Denver) November 5-6, 2022 The Akron Comicon (Ohio) November 5-6, 2022 Air Capital Comic Con (Wichita) November 5-6, 2022 Dallas Comic Show (Texas) November 11-12, 2022 Grand Rapids Comic Con (Michigan) November 11-12, 2022 Saratoga Comic Con (Saratoga Springs) November 11-12, 2022 Anime NYC (New York) November 18-20, 2022 Anime Austin (Texas) November 18-20, 2022 Fan Expo San Francisco (California) November 25-27, 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

BC Photography produces amazing composite cosplay work. Coupling the art of photography and Photoshop, the results are amazing. Check out his Raven, Batman, Dr. Fate and more.

KEVIN Q. GRAY Kevin Q. Gray brings us amazingly colorful images of an Espeon cosplay by Raianna Banana.

COLORFULKITTEN COSPLAY Colorfulkitten cosplay lights up the pages with images of Madoka Kaname with photos by Brittany Lee Artistry.

DOMINIQUE DARKO TATTOO Dominique Darko makes anime art that lasts a lifetime.

COSPLAY ASARIA PHOTOGRAPHY Brining us an amazing group of shots from Germany. Including Loki, Baal, Musan, and others.

CHRISTO LOPEZ PHOTOGRAPHY Christo Lopez Photography delivers images from Spider-Man, Cuphead, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

AARON PETERSON Aaron Peterson presents Peppersauce Fairy cosplay by Zoe Vadolof

SNAKE ARMOR by JESS STARY Jess Stary takes us through her experience with her She-Ra cosplay including building and wearing the armor.

TIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY Tight Photography brings us Genshin Villains Most Wanted!

KISANA COSPLAY Kisana Cosplay working with photographer and cosplayer, Ivy VanRees, bring us a variety of images.

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PHOTO: BC PHOTOGRAPHY COSPLAY: JAKE FOGG IG: FOGGYKNIGHT14

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DARK KNIGHT

BC PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER Simply put, BC Photography has incredible photographic and editing skills. CKM was lucky enough to have BC Photography submit some images for the October issue and we were so blown away, we asked him to do a feature in the November issue. We had the opportunity to ask Bryant Cox of BC Photography some questions for this edition of CKM.

Tell us about BC Photography and Bryant Cox: “I am originally from a small town in Missouri and lived there my whole entire childhood.

This is where I first found out that I liked doing computer graphics. My Art Teacher Linda Heck introduced me to Adobe Photoshop when I was a Junior in High School. She pretty much bought the program and I was the only student learning how to use it. This started my passion to try to do this type of work.

After High School I went to a local community college for a computer science degree related to computer graphics. I graduated with honors in October of 1998. In January of 1999 I joined the United States Marine Corps and this is where I accidentally became a photographer. I was aiming to get a Graphics job in the USMC, but it wasn’t guaranteed. So one day they were announcing where you would go to your occupation school.

I served in the USMC from 1999-2003, after getting out, I continued my photography career working at local portrait studios and eventually various jobs as a government contractor.

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BC PHOTOGRAPHY

COSPLAY: JAKE FOGG IG: FOGGYKNIGHT14

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RAVEN COSPLAY: CHARLIE HUNTER

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In February 2018 I decided to start BC Photography, LLC and see where owning my own photography business would take me.

time and not work a “real” job. Other than cosplay photography I offer services to include Portrait Photography, Pet Photography, Event Photography, Commercial Photography, and Wedding Photography. I am located in Locust Grove, VA and I have a small in home studio but travel all over Northern and Central Virginia to shoot on location. Easiest way to find out all my info and book me is on my website at https:// www.bryantcoxphotography.com. And you can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Vero at @bryantcoxphotography”.

How long have you been a photographer?

“Since 1999. I was a photographer in the United States Marine Corps from 1999-2003, I have been shooting ever since then.”

I started out focusing on Portrait, Event and wedding photography. Since I have been a kid I have always been a fan of comics ( Marvel, DC, and Image) . I love reading Comic books, looking at the art in the books, and enjoy watching all those types of movies. I attended Comic Conventions in the past and took what I call “hall shots” of cosplayers while attending. Then one day I said why don’t I offer cosplay photography as a service. This was in 2019 when I decided to offer Cosplay Photography.

I knew enough about digital editing as well to start offering that. Through training with great photographers in the Cosplay Community like Ryan Sims I am steadily growing my editing skills to offer my Cosplay clients unique one of a kind images. My goal would be to have a state of the art studio to offer lighting and backdrops that will make your image pop!!

As any photographer that owns a business one day I would love to be doing this full

Raven Cosplay: Jade @Citrusxhoney NOVEMBER 2022 - ISSUE #2 - 4

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Dr. Fate Cosplay: Gunnar Adkins Forrestgunnaradkins (IG)

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BC P HOT OGR AP HY When you look back at your photography beginnings, how do you feel when you compare early images to the work you’re producing today?

I have learned so much since when I started with how to control lighting, using off camera flash, composition, posing, camera angles and editing.

What is a cosplay shoot like for you? What do you try to get out of a shoot?

“I typically like to pre-plan for a shoot, meaning if I do not know the character do research on the character for posing, powers, etc. Talk with the cosplayer prior to the shoot to see if we are doing a studio shoot or on location. But after that while shooting I typically just wing it and communicate with the cosplayer and look at references. Try to shoot different angles and different cropping and change up the lighting to give a wide variety of shots.

To date, what is your favorite cosplay session you’ve worked on or created?

“Hard one to answer, but most likely the recent batman with Jake Fogg @foggynight14 when I dressed up as the Joker and he was standing over top of me.”

What thoughts go into creating a composite image?

“To achieve a lot of my digital composite edits, I like to think of how the final edit will be and light 7 - COSPLAY KINGDOM MAGAZINE

my cosplayer to mimic the final look, a lot of times we have reference material to use for this. Once I have the image that I want to use then I use the pen tool in adobe Photoshop to cut out the subject to be able to place on my new background. This is where I have the most challenge, since I haven’t learned 3d rendering I have to search stock images for the right photos to use in my edit. One day I will get a new computer and get the 3d software and learn how to create my own scenes and props and take my images to the next level. After I set up the scene I add any special fx, powers, debris, smoke, etc and I like to finish off my images with Compositenations Oniric plug in.”

Winter Soldier Cosplay Mimi_siren_cosplay (IG) Michelle

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Winter Soldier Cosplay Mimi_siren_cosplay (IG) Michelle

If you could work with anyone in the cosplay world, who would it be and why?

Honestly I don’t have just anyone Cosplayer I would like to work with. I like working with all cosplayers out there, no matter how big (follower wise) or how small they are.

Hypothetical situation: You’ve decided to give up photography and retire. If you could chose one last shoot to do to end your career, what would it be?

It would be a huge Marvel vs DC shoot!!!

Any events or conventions that you’d like to attend that you haven’t yet?

I would like to go to San Diego Comic Con, Fan Expo in Canada, Dragon Con, and more....

This list will grow.

Any favorite conventions you like to work on a regular basis?

I really like the smaller conventions in my area, too many to list, but incredible conventions ( https://www.incredibleconventions.com/ ) host a lot in my area and they are great to work with.

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Jake Fogg @Foggyknight14 Allie @Alliedesantis 11 - COSPLAY KINGDOM MAGAZINE

T

BC PHOT OGRAPH Y

T H E MU M M Y

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What does the future hold for you in both long and short term plans?

Keep on growing as a cosplay photographer, bettering my skills and just offering great images.

Any upcoming conventions you’ll be attending where people can get a chance to work with you?

Best place to go will be my website but I am already looking at my 2023 schedule and have at least 23 conventions on the list!!!

Lucius Malfoy Cosplay

Jake Fogg @Foggyknight14

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KEVIN Q. GRAY Kevin Q. Gray is a photographer and educator living near Cooperstown in central New York.

After working with mostly landscape and nature photography for many years he fell headlong into cosplay photography about four years ago. He works primarily in digital photography but also creates antique-style 19th century tintype photographs using traditional chemicals and historic cameras.

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ESPEON COSPLAY Photographer: Kevin Q. Grey Wardrobe Stylist/Model: Raianna Banana

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KEVIN Q. GRAY I’ve been a photographer for over twenty years now but I have to confess that the past four years or so where I’ve started focusing on cosplay photography have been the most fun, inspiring, and challenging (in a good way!) of my career.

There is an endless joy in helping a cosplayer bring to life a costume they have worked on for so long and are striving to embody the character they represent. In the case of Raianna Banana’s Espeon cosplay I was absolutely blown away when I first saw the outfit, and I’m so glad the

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location we chose (a church near the convention center at Otakon) matched the grandeur of the cosplay.

When asked about her cosplay and the shoot, Raianna told me, “The morning of the shoot I was getting ready for about three hours due to all the lacing in the back of the dress. It took a while to get the ears just perfect. Seeing the photos come back I was so excited to see my vision come to life after a rough morning.”

ESPEON Photographer: Kevin Q Gray Wardrobe Stylist/Model: Raianna Banana IG: raiannabananacos NOVEMBER 2022 - ISSUE #2 - 18

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ESPEON Photographer: Kevin Q Gray Wardrobe Stylist/Model: Raianna Banana IG: raiannabananacos NOVEMBER 2022 - ISSUE #2 - 20

Madoka Kaname Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Photographer: Brittany Lee Artistry Twt: @cloudsofsand IG: brittanylee.artistry Cosplayer: Colorfulkitten Twt: @ckitten_cosplay IG: colorfulkitten.cosplay I’ve cosplayed Madoka Kaname since 2016, but I’ve continued to improve my costume over the years. This shoot is from 2021 and I’ve really cherished the photos that came out of it! The bow is one of the first big props I made as a young cosplayer and I’ve moved on to making more elaborate things since then.

Cosplaying Madoka has always been special to me because Madoka Magica is one of my favorite anime series of all time. I’m usually drawn to cosplaying pink and girly characters, so she is exactly my cosplay “type.” I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from the character and the series in other aspects of my life, like in my art and music. I think eventually Madoka will be the character I have cosplayed for the longest amount of time!

- Colorfulkitten

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MADOKA KANAME

Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Photographer: Brittany Lee Artistry Twitter: @cloudsofsand IG: brittanylee.artistry Cosplayer: Colorfulkitten Twt: @ckitten_cosplay IG: colorfulkitten.cosplay 23 - COSPLAY KINGDOM MAGAZINE

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Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Photographer: Brittany Lee Artistry Twitter: @cloudsofsand IG: brittanylee.artistry Cosplayer: Colorfulkitten Twt: @ckitten_cosplay IG: colorfulkitten.cosplay 25 - COSPLAY KINGDOM MAGAZINE

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Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Photographer: Brittany Lee Artistry Twitter: @cloudsofsand IG: brittanylee.artistry Cosplayer: Colorfulkitten Twt: @ckitten_cosplay IG: colorfulkitten.cosplay

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Dominque Darko

@dominiquedarko

TATTOO ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

“I have been doing art for as long as I can remember.

When I was young I was constantly scribbling on paper (and sometimes even the walls) with crayons, markers, and pencils. This passion to create has never left me, it just grew and evolved as I did. This is what drove me to get a BFA in computer animation from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and an associates degree in specialized business: special effects makeup from Douglas Education Center. After completing my formal education, I apprenticed to learn the art of tattooing.

I have now been tattooing for about 5 years. Over those 5 years I’ve learned to specialize in anime and video game related tattoos. My absolute favorite subject matter to tattoo is anything Pokemon related. I think young me would think it’s pretty rad that I get to make a living just drawing Pokemon and other cartoon/video game characters all day.”

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COSPLAY ASARIA PHOTOGRAPHY

Loki : dusklight_cosplay 31 - COSPLAY KINGDOM MAGAZINE

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COSPLAY ASARIA PHOTOGRAPHY Baal: June.Cosplay / OH3 Studio Würzburg

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My name is Lena and I’m a cosplay and fantasy photographer from Germany. I’ve been photographing for 6 years. I taught myself photography and editing. I photograph and edit with passion and I am constantly educating myself.

I’m a cosplayer myself. I always had a hard time finding photographers for myself, so I started taking photos myself. I also love being in front of the camera and I know how nice it is to be able to stage your cosplay. I am always happy about the satisfaction of my models and that we implement great projects together. The cosplayers and photographers from all over the world also fascinated me and I work hard to get close to my role models. It’s just a lot of fun.

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COSPLAY ASARIA PHOTOGRAPHY

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Musan: persona_cosplay NOVEMBER 2022 - ISSUE #2 - 36

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COSPLAY ASARIA PHOTOGRAPHY

Tirss: sencosplay Raphtalia: bunny_tsukino Keqing: kazenary Joker: Daexter Ereshkigal: lolliichan

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CHRISTO LOPEZ PHOTOGRAPHY Christo is a talented cosplay photographer located in the Bay Area in California.

IMAGE: Wolf as Cuphead Photographer: Christo Lopez Model: Wolf IG: cosplayphotosbychristo Website: https://www.christolopez.com Email: christolopezphotography@gmail.com

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CHRISTO LOPEZ PHOTOGRAPHY Cosplayer: Nightmare Princess as Sally The Nightmare Before Christmas Photographer: Christo Lopez Model: Nightmare Princess 41 - COSPLAY KINGDOM MAGAZINE

Cosplayer: Acro Fitness Fp as Spider-Man Photographer: Christo Lopez Model: Acro Fitness Fp

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Aaron Peterson Peppersauce Fairy

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Model: Zoe Vadolof IG: zgirlmodel Photographer: Aaron Peterson IG: foxblood_photography FB: https://www.facebook.com/@foxbloodphotography

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Aaron Peterson Peppersauce Fairy

Model: Zoe Vadolof IG: zgirlmodel Photographer: Aaron Peterson IG: foxblood_photography

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Snake Armor She-Ra

by Jess Stary

Costume made by: Jess Stary (insta: @jess.stary) Photos: All Things Lauren Studios (insta: @allthingslaurenstudios, https://www.laurenschweer.com/) I started my cosplay journey forever ago. For days I would sit on the floor drawing patterns, cutting the cheapest/worst 2mm foam, hand sewing snaps and painting on details. I made so many costumes that didn’t deserve to see daylight. There were just as many times I thought about giving up. I wish I could show younger me this costume, and thank her for powering through.

Every cosplayer has a dream costume, or at the very least a short list. She-Ra was always on mine. My Grandpa would get up extra early on Saturdays to make breakfast so we could watch all the cartoons. Of course I am nostalgic.

I stumbled across some fan-art one day and immediately knew it was time to make that dream a reality. As an added challenge though, I wanted to enter into a competition.

For me it’s not so much about winning, (that is great though) as much as it is about growth. “If it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you”. The judge’s feedback and seeing other expertly built things is a great learning experience. It’s also motivation, which is sometimes hard to come by.

I booked the photos well in advance because I knew I would have a long day at the convention and this costume was held together with literal blood, sweat and tears. While I had presented panels with Lauren before, I never had the honor of shooting with her. Naturally, I was amazed at her posing, and her knowledge of location and lighting. The care she took with my session and the research she did for it was above and beyond what I had hoped for.

For this costume I worked with a lot of new materials and tried a ton of new techniques. For one, I used Inkscape to digitally draft the majority of my patterns. The few I did not create myself were heavily modified from their original form.

One of my favorite parts of making She Ra of a drawing is that I was able to use unique and interesting textures.

The skirt is faux snake skin, and I carried that theme into the foam. I even pressed the print into some of the decorative pieces. I also hand poured my acrylics with the NOVEMBER 2022 - ISSUE #2 - 48

Jess Stary

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texture behind them for added interest.

I then used patterned fabric for the cape, and I tried my hand at machine embroidery. For the weathering I tried using coffee for the first time.

(On a costume - I practically live on coffee.) My tub will never forgive me.

The hardest part for me was probably the LEDs. I used a programmable ring with a microcontroller. It took weeks of research to pick out ones that would fit properly. During the installation I quickly learned two things: I am terrible with soldering wires and even worse at coding Arduino. I had to ask for help.

In the end I somehow created something I can truly be proud of. And I had a lot of doing it. I can’t wait for the next adventure.

Reference material: Nightwing1975 on deviantart (https://www.deviantart.com/nightwing1975/art/ snake-armor-she-ra-200733630) Fabric: by starlings_law on Spoonflower (https:// www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/5445112-melisandre-red-lady-by-starlings_law)

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Tight Photography Photographer: Tight Photography IG: tight_photography https://www.tightphotography.com/ Model: Kastlecos IG: @kastlecos Wardrobe Credits: dokidoki cosplays

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Tight Photography Model: Kastlecos Model: Jay.fudo Model: Kameriicos Wardrobe Credits: dokidoki cosplays

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TELL A TALE IMAGES featuring KISANA COSPLAY

My name is Ivy VanRees from Tell A Tale Images and I started out as a cosplayer in the Las Vegas area and have been Cosplaying for about 6 years.

I then moved to Central Texas where I decided to get into photography. I met some amazing people in Texas and got shoot Kisana Cosplay who was a gem to work with.

I do most of my work with a single ring light and my Canon. I’m currently relocating to Arizona and look forward to taking all the new skills I have acquired with me. I’ll be at a couple of my favorite conventions like Level Up in Las Vegas.

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Kisana cosplay social media IG www.instagram.com/kisana.cosplay/ FB www.facebook.com/kisana.cosplays

KISANA COSPLAY and TELL A TALE IMAGES Ghost face classic - Ivy VanRees Ghost face red devil- Kisana cosplay

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Ivy social media IG www.instagram.com/chaos_inthewoods/ Photography social media IG www.instagram.com/tellataleimages/ FB www.facebook.com/tellataleimages

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C O S P L AY K I N G D O M

For more information visit:

https://cosplaykingdommagazine.com Submissions for December 2022 (Issue #3) will close on November 23, 2022.

For submission information and guidelines, go to: https://cosplaykingdommagazine.com/submission-guidelines