Explore the fusion of imaginative costumes and classic card games. Discover the creative cosplay poker trend where vivid escapism and strategic gameplay meet.

It's a brand new year, and no doubt there nothing anyone wants to do less than to look back at 2021, the year that looked at 2020 and said, "Hold my beer."

But in terms of entertainment options, 2021 had a better turnout than its predecessor, due in part to the reopening of movie theaters (although a good number of great stories were told through streaming services as well). Likewise, there was many good things in broadcast and streaming series to capture the attention, and a swell of wonderful stories in the comic book industry, largely bolstered by a rise in indepently produced products.

So we urge you to take a deep breath for one more last look at the year, and select the best among the nominees below to determine which ones deserve a Critical Blast Best of 2021 trophy.

This voting also includes the voting or our annual Bombshell of the Year, selecting among the twelve cosplayers who were each spotlighted in our monthly Bombshell of the Month feature.

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

It's the end of a year -- and the end of an era, as we mark out final Critical Blast Bombshell of the month for the foreseeable future. It's been a wonderful ride and we've met so many wonderful people along the journey. And we could think of no better way to go out than with this December's big hero with a big heart...

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

November is the month where, as the year ebbs into a close, we take stock of those things for which we are thankful. And being a part of geek culture in the 21st century, having been part of the decades prior in fandom, we are indeed very grateful for the direction in which the cosplay community has grown, not only for the splendid achievements in costuming but also in the many socially charitable ways in which it has been employed. This November, Critical Blast is honored to introduce to you, our readers, the lovely and talented...

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

With October being the month when we all get to do some cosplaying (in exchange for treats), we hope that you'll all be showing off who else lives inside of you, as does our selection for this month's cosplay spotlight. So with that, we are very pleased now to introduce you, our readers, to our...

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

Our September cosplay model takes her skills as an artist and illustrator and turns them toward fashion design, crafting some of the most elegant cosplay pieces we've seen. Pulling on characters from both fandom and from history, her unique addition to the world of cosplay is a welcome one. So we are very pleased now to introduce you, our readers, to our...

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

Just like August, this month's Bombshell brings the heat with her cosplay, as well as her professional photography and range of characters. We couldn't be happier to introduce you, our readers to our...

Critical Blast Bombshell, August 2021

SillyThig

Baby Yoda (The Mandalorian)

Photo: SillThigCosplay

Cosplay is an exciting hobby that will give you the chance to meet new people and have lots of fun! Cosplaying can also teach you how to express yourself and give you a boost in self-confidence. The world of cosplay can seem daunting, but there is lots of advice for newbies.

Here are the best cosplay tips for beginners:

Choose your outfit carefully

One of the best things about cosplay is that you get to dress up as your favorite character and bring them to life for the day. You can choose a character from a movie, video game, tv show, comic, or anime. Try to choose a costume that will complement your looks - there are cosplay characters to suit every build and body shape!

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

This month our search unearths a cosplayer who not only looks like your favorite superheroes, she can also give them a run for their money physically! We think you'll be as impressed as we are with her accomplishments as we are. So it's with admiration and awe that we are happy to introduce our readers to our...

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

This month our search takes us to Texas, where we meet up with a cosplayer who is in a league of her own when it comes to realizing League of Legends characters. Top this with her work helping people in her real world job and the time she spends doing cosplay for a number of local charities, and we couldn't be more pleased to introduce you, our readers, to our...

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

This month we reach out to the southern hemisphere to find a cosplayer worthy of bearing the mantle of our...

Critical Blast Bombshell, May 2021

DannJess

Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

 

What is your interest in cosplay?

The Critical Blast awards have all been announced, but we saved the best for last: the Bombshell of the Year for 2020, based on our readers votes of all twelve of our Bombshell of the Month nominees for the prior year. And while we wanted to announce this earlier this year (we knew the results as of February 1st), we wanted to wait on this one until our Bombshell had her award in-hand, and that meant waiting for order to be taken and to arrive -- which was slightly more complicated this year due to Covid's impact on many trophy shops, many of which rely on intramural high school sports for their income. (This year's trophies came from Icon Trophies and Designs.)

April. It's the month of fooling (as the weather is capable of doing lately, tricking us into believing it will be warm only to surprise us again with a quick chill), as well as the month of baskets of sweet things and pretty outfits. Well, we can't deliver any colored eggs your way, but we can deliver some sweet cosplay which, not necessarily coincidentally, involves pretty outfits. And be sure about our latest cosplayer -- she's certainly not fooling around with her skills!

Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings. If you got inspired to cosplay, click here for more cosplay ideas.

Cosplay has been around for some years and it begins to gain more and more momentum. There are cosplay events that are organized around the world and not only. Dressing up as a character from your favorite book, movie, tv shows, or video game can seem to some people as an activity that does not come with any benefits. But there are many schools, especially from the Philippines that organize school events where students perform and present their costumes. Cosplay is a nice hobby students can have and organizing this kind of event not only in high schools but also in college could be a nice and relaxing activity. But why do some public high schools support cosplay as a hobby for students?

Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sunny cosplay. And while it comes to us from the UK but, honestly, I have no idea if its even remotely anywhere near York.

One of the things we here at Critical Blast love is cosplay, which is why every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

Which brings us to Ellie -- Weird Ellie -- who blows in like a breath of fresh Spring air to become our...

It's February -- the month of hearts and flowers, stuffed bears and romantic greeting cards, and all in the name of love.

One of the things we here at Critical Blast love is cosplay, which is why every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and spirit, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

Which brings us to Steffany, who uses the nomme-du-cosplay New Moon. So let's dive right in and get to know her better! Critical Blast is proud to introduce you one and all to the...

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

Actually, it was 2020, so scratch that first bit entirely. But as ugly as the past year has been, there were still a few moments that perked things up. So as loath as we may all be to actually look back at this year, we're asking our readers to do so for just one more month as we collect votes from you, our readers, to select the award winners in our BEST OF 2020.

The movie theaters were bereft most of the year, but production companies found ways around that, and many movies went straight to streaming services. Streaming options also presented us with several nominees for our Best Series.

But it was the crowdfunding renaissance in the comic book arena that really shook up the nomination processes this year, shouldering their way past the mainstream giants to stand side-by-side with them for Best Comic, Best Comics Writer and Best Comics Artist.

Every month the staff at Critical Blast combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and spirit, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

2020 has been one of the strangest years in the lifetime of most who have gone through it. We've had to quarantine ourselves, avoid large gatherings -- all of which is antithetical to what our favorite cosplayers are used to (with, perhaps, the exception of wearing a mask). It's a year that we'll all be happy to see in the rearview mirror as we cross over into 2021. And to help give this year the boot, weve brought in a talented cosplayer who looks ready to give 2020 the swift kick it deserves. So without further introduction, Critical Blast is proud to introduce you one and all to 2020's final...

Every month the staff at Critical Blast combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and spirit, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

With Halloween upon us, the whole world is looking to change into somene -- or something -- else. What better time to pull out some exemplary cosplay to get you, our readers, into the right frame of mind. And so, dear readers, with no tricks and all treats, we are happy  to share with you, our...

Every month the staff at Critical Blast combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and spirit, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

This month, we extend our reach across the globe to Russia, where we find a talented cosplayer who works hand in hand with an equally talented photographer. The results are bewitching, and we couldn't be happier to share with you, our readers, the...