Questions for Cosplayers

I have a question.

Okay, I just saw a Batwoman cosplay where HOLY COW it really looked like Kate in costume. A lot of people know I’m a big fan of some Batgirl, Misfit, Black Alice and other cosplayers who somehow manage to look EXACTLY like their comics counterparts.

I love those cosplays, I do, but I also love the clever but maybe less completely accurate outfits that someone made out of stuff in their laundry bag the day before the convention. I have seen cosplay in Singapore that looked like it stepped right out of the lushest manga, and I’ve seen cosplay where a guy is wearing a funny hat, and I think it’s all kind of wonderful.

Obviously, there’s a lot of diversity there, so I’m curious, and here’re my questions. I am also gathering a bit of data for a story so your answers could be very helpful.

Why do you cosplay? What is it that you like about doing it? What originally drew you to it? How do you feel about the cosplaying community in general?

Thank you!