By Bridget Mudge
Members of Long Island’s Star Wars cosplayer clubs are headed for the New York Comic Con, raising money for the Make-A-Wish foundation.
From Oct 9-12, New York Comic Con will be held at the Javits Center in Manhattan, the huge pop culture convention celebrating comics, movies, TV, and gaming. Known for the celebrity panels, exclusive previews, and cosplaying, it brings a wide range of fans together. Meetups for the local Star Wars groups will be taking place in Hall 1E all weekend.
Justin Weiss, 48, the current commanding officer of the 501st Legion Empire City Garrison and Membership Liaison, has been a part of the Legion since October 2021. Watching the original 1977 film at 6 years old, he was immediately “blown away” and was completely immersed into the world. After attending 2011 Comic Con, Weiss saw Darth Vader cosplayers and was immediately seduced by the Dark Side.
“I saw these Darth Vader costumes, and they looked amazing,” Weiss said. “I could not believe how accurate these costumes looked. It’s like they stepped off the screen and were standing right in front of me.”
The 501st Legion contains all the villains of Star Wars embracing their motto: “Bad guys doing good.” Although the characters they dress up as are villains of the Star Wars universe, members of the organization not only construct costumes but they also support charities, children’s hospitals, and community events. The Make-A-Wish foundation is the number one charity the Legion supports.
“We aren’t doing this to make money; we are doing it to fulfill a dream of being a part of the Star Wars world while creating a little bit of good,” said Weiss. “Being able to interact with kids and make them smile for a very noble cause is what it’s all about. The idea behind Make-A-Wish is giving to sick children and granting them a wish is an incredible thing.”
At this year’s Comic Con, the 501st Legion Empire City Garrison will be joined by other Star Wars groups in raising money for Make-A-Wish which is what Weiss is most looking forward to. The Star Wars realm is able to bring people from all different walks of life together to “appreciate the beauty” of Star Wars, he said.
In addition to the 501st Legion Empire City Garrison, Saber Guild Endor Temple, Rebel Legion Echo Base, Tri-State Droidbuilders, and Falco Clan: The Mando Mercs of New York, will all be on hand. There will also be a Star Wars March, an annual Star Wars parade through NYCC featuring the Star Wars groups in full costume. You can check out the full NYCC schedule for Hall 1E here.
“In a world where we all seem to be segregated, it brings people together, and that’s what I love about the Star Wars community,” Weiss said. “It doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is, what your religion is, what your gender is, what your sexual orientation is, all of that goes away. And we just enjoy the world that was created back in 1977 and its enduring legacy.”
Bridget Mudge is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
