Riddler Custom Cosplay

[Grundy]

So I needed a cool costume for a con that would be very comfortable to wear, after a little research I decided that the Riddler would combine the right amount of cool factor and comfort of wear. This is going to be a low/no budget build so I'm trying to use things I already have. The bowler hat came from the dollar tree during St. Patrick's day. The ribbon around the hat was something my wife already had I just had to paint it purple. The question mark on front was cut with a vinyl cutter, again already had this. The mask started out as a green lantern mask, I cut the nose out, painted it purple, and added the ribbon for the strap.

 

[Grundy]

Got Riddlers cane mostly done. It's made from a flag pole cut down and the question mark was cut from plywood with a jigsaw. I'm pleased with it so far it seems very sturdy. I think I will add a brass tip at the end of the cane though.

 

[Doh2]

Great job on the cane. Good luck with the rest!

 

[Grundy]

Thanks Doh2. I've been looking at thrift store for clothing for this. I wanted a green vest but couldn't find one so I settled for this gold one that fit me well. I thought about dying it green but decided against it. I used my vinyl cutter to cut the question marks out of heat press vinyl and a heat press to press it onto the vest. I think I will add some question marks to the tie too in gold or yellow. Something I still need are some purple gloves, these I will probably need to custom make these as it is near impossible to find purple gloves in mens sizes.

 

[Grundy]

I have these for Riddler's shoes. They are also thrift shop finds and are the most expensive part of this costume at a whopping $6.00. I'm not crazy about the color I would prefer a lighter purple. Anyone know a cheap way to change the color of leather shoes? If I can't do it on the cheap I'll leave them as is.

 

[Doh2]

Your question marks are tight! No idea how to dye leather...

For the gloves, have you considered dying white cotton ones? You can probably find butler/formal gloves on the cheap.

 

[CaptHMMurdock]

For dyeing the shoes, I would think airbrushing some purple over it would do just fine. Should make a nice thin even coat over the parts you want. Then just seal it.

 

[Jango Wes]

Google NuLife. They make spray paint that will work on leather.

 

[Grundy]

Thanks for the suggestions on the shoes. I've heard of Nu-Life and I'm sure it would have given me a better results, but since I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible and they are only going to be used only for cosplay i went ahead and used the same craft paint I had used for other pieces of this costume. I first gave the shoe a once over with some rubbing alcohol to remove the existing sealer I then did multiple thinned down coats with the craft paint. I haven't put a sealer on it yet But I'm considering a gloss Mod Podge as a sealer or I have this red wing silicone waterproofing spray and am wondering if this would work as a sealer

 

[Doh2]

The shoes came out great!

 

[Grundy]

Finished the shoes. I used gloss Modge Podge as a sealer, and I'm really pleased with the results. I was afraid they would be cracking and flaking but I've been wearing them around a bit and so far they seem to be holding up. I had bought some cotton formal gloves to dye for this costume but unfortunately the won't fit my large hands so I will have to come up with something else for gloves.

 

[Sundowner]

Those shoes turned out awesome

 

[Klybern]

Those shoes are awesome bro!
I had made a pair of gloves for my riddler costume out of a pair or pleather gloves from a thrift shop I ended up spray painting them with krylon spray paint and it stuck very well and I sealed them with spay modge podge.

 

[Grundy]

Ok I found a pair of gloves. A local theater was selling off some of their old costumes Saturday, and I was lucky enough to find a pair of leather mens formal gloves for $3. These fit much better than the other pair I had bought from Party City which I paid $9 for. Ive painted one glove, one more to go. Here's a picture so you can see before and after.

 

[Klybern]

Are you painting them with acrylics?

 

[Kitty Butler]

^^ What he said. I've been slowly working on a Batman the Animated Series Riddler costume. I have most done except shoes and the cane. The shoes I will have to paint to match the green of my blazer

 

[Klybern]

These are the gloves I made for my arkham city riddler. I used regular old purple spray paint and sealed with modge podge

 

[Grundy]

Yes, I'm using acrylics. Probably not the best option for this but it's what I had on hand. it's the same acrylic paint I used on the shoes and mask (Nicole's craft studio is the brand and the color is neon purple)

 

[Grundy]

Klybern, those gloves look great!! I used the acrylic paint on my glove because I heard it would work best for leather (which these gloves are) and so it would match the rest of my costume, but after seeing yours I'm second guessing myself, maybe I should have used a spray paint.

 

[Klybern]

Bro yours awesome I love the color! It's gonna look solid all togther! I'm still struggling with the hat because I'm very picky and want it to match the olive suit lol