by rory midhani

Halloween is fast approaching, and that means it’s time to pick out a costume and get dressed up. If you want to look awesome and have a fun time showing off your nerd cred, there aren’t a lot of ways better than dressing up as one of your favorite comic characters. Because of that, I thought I’d spend this week suggesting some of my favorite comic-inspired costumes for Halloween this year. I mean, obviously you could just dress up as Batwoman or Ms. Marvel or Storm (and that would be awesome), but if you really want to get creative, why not try out one of these costumes?

Gotham Academy Student

Classic V-Neck Sweater, Plaid Neck Tie, Knee-High Socks, Classic Boyfriend Blazer, Boxy Woven Shirt, Faux Suede Monk Strap Loafers, Pleated Plaid Mini Skirt

Gotham Academy is one of the coolest new comics out there. And the art and character design are a major part of why. It follows the adventures of Olive Silverlocke and her fellow students at the prestigious, and possibly haunted, Gotham Academy. In a lot of ways, this is basically just a regular schoolgirl costume, but you’ll feel cool and nerdy about wearing it. Sure, you’ll have to make your own Gotham Academy crest, but you can just draw one on a patch and sew it on.

Douglas from Terrible Terrible Terrible

White T-Shirt (you’ll cut off the sleeves, of course), RVCA All Time Cut Off Shorts, Squirrel Mask, Afends The Chiller Vest, Crew Socks, Short Bill Tucker Cap, Adidas Seeley Men’s Shoe

I was going to do Clementine from this wonderful online comic series by Lauren Monger, but I couldn’t find any opossum masks online. What’s up with that? I could find a squirrel mask, though, and this is a great costume for all the bois out there. This is a pretty easy costume, and other than the mask, all the clothes are eminently re-wearable (unless you’re the kind of person who wears squirrel masks, then you can go ahead an re-wear that one too). You can add whatever patches you want to personalize the costume and make it look way more hardcore. Also, it was hard finding a hat that actually matched the shoes. Now, I’m sure Douglas probably got most of his clothes from thrift stores, friends or other cool places, but I’m not as punk rock as him.

Kate Beaton’s Surly Wonder Woman

DC Comics Deluxe Wonder Woman Costume, Bad Attitude

I love Wonder Woman and I love Kate Beaton’s take on Wonder Woman possibly even more. She’s funny, she’s tough, she’s honest and she always speaks her mind. This is pretty much your average Wonder Woman costume. The only real difference is that you also have a really bad attitude. This is the perfect costume for someone who has to go to a Halloween party, but really doesn’t want to talk to anyone there, or even be there.

Young Selina Kyle from Gotham

Hobart Welding Goggle, Hooded Moto Jacket, Steadfast Style Boot, Fingerless Gloves, Destroyed Black Was Skinny Jeans, Grumpy Cat Plush Toy

Just like the show this costume comes from, this costume mainly relies on a complete lack of subtlety. Even though your outfit is very reminiscent of Catwoman’s classic costume, even though you’re carrying around a toy cat and even though you already told everyone that you are Young Selina Kyle when you first came in, you’ve got to keep reminding everyone that you talk to that when you grow up, you will be Catwoman. BECAUSE YOU ARE CATWOMAN.

Lying Cat from Saga

Solid Knit Bodysuit in Mint, Right Black Cat Ya Headband, Bursting with Beauty Necklace

Saga is one of the best comics of all time, and Lying Cat is one of its best characters. This is essentially a cat costume, but with the added bonus of getting to call everyone else at the party a liar. Last year Lizz explained how a bodysuit is the ultimate last minute Halloween costume, and here, that’s pretty much all you need. I mean, I guess you can wear whatever you want, as long as you have the cat ears and call people a liar.

A Lumberjane

Ladies’ Short Sleeve-Oxford, Lumberjanes Scout Badges, Hurley One & Only Walk Shorts, Bugle Joy Skirt, Adult Coonskin Hat, Plain Red Bandana, Seleny Women’s Wool Beret, Olive Fabric (to make your sash), Classic Twill Chino Shorts 

Join everyone’s favorite summer camp for hardcore lady types! I’m pretty sure everyone who’s read this superb comic wishes that their early teen years had been spent like this (or maybe that’s just me? Everyone wishes they spent their girlhood making friends and fighting monsters, right?). Now, you can, if only for one night. Plus, this costume gives you options, as the girls wear different shorts or skirts depending on their personal style. And of course, no Lumberjanes costume is complete without Lumberjanes Scout Badges! You can either make your own or buy a set!

Luci from The Wicked + The Divine

Classic Boyfriend Blazer, Classic Collared Button-Down, Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Oil Slick, Exclusive Entrance Flat, Merona Men’s Satin Neck Tie, Slim Fit Trousers

Do you want to take advantage of your cute Alternative Lifestyle Haircut and dapper fashion sense? Just dress up as this super badass young Brit who’s also a reincarnated version of Lucifer. This is perfect if you want to have a costume that’s both super fashionable and touches on the spooky side of the holiday. Also, if you’re not reading this comic, you need to start right now.

New Releases (October 8)

Betty and Veronica Comics Digest #227 (Archie Comics)

Sabrina #1 (Archie Comics)

Bravest Warriors #25 (Boom!)

Batgirl #35 (DC)

Wytches #1 (Image)

Captain Marvel #8 (Marvel)

Captain Marvel Vol 1 Higher Further Faster More TPB (Marvel)

Hawkeye Vol 3 L.A. Woman TPB (Marvel)

She-Hulk Vol 1 Law and Disorder TPB (Marvel)

Welcome to Drawn to Comics! From diary comics to superheroes, from webcomics to graphic novels – this is where we’ll be taking a look at comics by, featuring and for queer ladies. So whether you love to look at detailed personal accounts of other people’s lives, explore new and creative worlds, or you just love to see hot ladies in spandex, we’ve got something for you.

If you have a comic that you’d like to see me review, you can email me at mey [at] autostraddle [dot] com.

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