Superhero-Friendly Cosplay Vendors and Resources

By Pablo Greene

Updated June 6, 2015: Added new YouTube series on making sublimated supehero suits

As many of you know, How to Kill a Superhero: A Gay Bondage Manual is the first in a series of novels called The Gold Apocalypse. As I have explained before in interviews and on podcasts, this series of books has the interests of the kink, cosplay and comics comunity in mind. If you read about Roland's adventures, you'll learn that in his universe, the objects of desire are not just the human body. The sleek lines of sports gear, athletic uniforms, rubber, leather and especially superhero suits, are at the focus of many characters in the book.

I get many questions on Twitter and Facebook from many readers asking me about cosplay, and suits. I thought today it might be worth mentioning a few online stores in a single list so that you can get your cosplay on.

This list is by no means complete. If you have additions, send me a tweet or Facebook message. Also, keep in mind that many cosplay makers and tailors are easy to approach and talk to, but I recommend that you approach them with respect and good manners. In many cases, they only work through exisiting connections, so don't be discouraged if they just don't have the time or desire to make you a customized superhero suit.

So here's the list. I hope you enjoy it, and please do help me grow it. Be sure to post your comments and share this with any other friends who dig cosplay and fetish gear. They are in no particular order

NEW: Sublimated Spandex Suits

Making a Sublimated Spandex Superhero Suit, Part 1

YouTube Superhero Gear Reviews

Cosplay: Superhero Suits, Zentais, Accessories, Customized Suits

Spandexman (quality zentais and superhero suits)
Gunhead Designs (print files)
Snakepit Studios (print files and full costume builds)
RPC Studios (costume replicas)
The RPF (Forum)
Nefsuits (zentais and other great spandex bases for superhero cosplay)
Zentai Zone (quality is a bit better than most Chinese EBay suits)
Superhero Costuming Forum (Make an account for yourself at this great community site and get to know the other people who build and customize suits)
The League of Heroes (Another great forum, can't recommend this highly enough)
Hero Works Studio (Their airbrushed superhero suits are amazing)
Cosplay House
4th Wall Design (accessories, props, masks and other superhero paraphernalia)
Meggings Man Clothing (Kind of self explanatory. Meggings!)
MPD Gear ( spandex, accesories, fetish and leather wear)
Superhero Hype Forums (This long-running forum also lets you meet other cosplayers)
Ebay (E-Bay can't be overlooked. There's many vendors and custom makers here)
Slickitup

Sports Uniforms and Gear

Eastbay (wrestling singlets, tights, jocks, sneakers, baseball gear, socks)
Under Armour
CW-X
Amazon.com (There's actually lots of deals on brands like Adidas, Take Five, Nike, etc)