A group of talented cosplay artists and designers worked together to produce an Omega-level portrayal of two of the X-Men franchise’s most powerful mutants, who have yet to be translated to live-action. Their portrait of Exodus and Hope Summers is a stunning tribute to the characters, stoking fans’ anticipation for both of them to appear on screen sooner rather than later.
In a post on Instagram, Hope Summers cosplayer Michelle Waffle-Otero (@meshellwaffelo) shared her brilliant collaboration with Exodus cosplayer Jose Rivera (@megachromatic), costume designer Lisa Waffle (@mother.moon.creations), set designer Justin Otero (@jt_otero), and photographer Pat Loika (@patloikaphotoworks). The result of their dedicated cosplay work stands out as one of the premiere fan depictions of both of these iconic mutant warriors.
Though Fox’s X-Men films were ambitious for their time, they lacked the scope and the grandeur expected of the MCU’s take on Marvel’s mutants – which hopefully includes versions of Hope Summers and Exodus that look as great as they do in this cosplay.
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Omega-Level X-Men Cosplay Celebrates 2 Of The Franchise’s Most Powerful Characters
An Inspired Fan Art Accomplishment
When the first X-Men movie hit theaters in 2000, it presented a necessarily restrained vision of the franchise, doing what it could with a limited budget at the expense of losing out on the more sprawling nature of Marvel’s greatest X-stories. Starting with 2011’s First Class, Fox’s X-Men recovered some of that sprawl, while still maintaining a tight focus on its core mutant cast, as the filmmakers adapted the most memorable storylines from the last several decades. As a result, fans eagerly expect the Marvel Cinematic Universe to depict mutants in ways that were unimaginable twenty years ago, or even ten.
In its own way, the collaborative cosplay portrayal of mutants Exodus and Hope Summers by Michelle Waffle-Otero, Jose Rivera, and their team, is as ambitious as the best MCU adaptations. Presented as an immersively detailed portrait, their renditions of the characters at once satisfy the desire to view live-action interpretations of the character, while fully embracing their work’s well-earned status as a piece of art. Combining top-notch photography and stellar visual effects with pristine costume work – and above all, an excellent grasp of the characters by their respective models – this is a can’t-miss cosplay for hardcore X-Men aficionados.
Bennet Du Paris Recognizes Great Art – He Lived Through The Renaissance
Exodus Cosplay By @megachromatic; Photography & Editing By @patloikaphotoworks
Jose Rivera’s Exodus captures the supreme confidence of the ancient, immortal mutant, depicting him hovering off the ground as a swirl of energy surrounds him. As any depiction of Exodus should, this cosplay connotes a majestic, regal disposition. Born Bennet du Paris – a member of the nobility in 12th-century France who fought in the Crusaders, prior to realizing his true status as a mutant – Exodus is one of the X-Men’s most naturally charismatic, willful characters. All of this is evident just from the way Rivera poses while in costume as the character.
First Appearance | Creators | Abilities |
X-Factor #92 (1993) | Scott Lobdell; Joe Quesada | Omega-level telepathy; telekinesis; teleportation; immortality; healing factor; force field generation; energy blasts; flight – Exodus is widely considered one of the most powerful mutants on Earth. |
Exodus primary role in the X-franchise for many years was that of an antagonist. For a long time, he ranked among the most loyal followers of Magneto, and eventually acted as his successor, leading subsequent incarnations of the Brotherhood of Mutants, and tangling with mutantkind’s heroes over the years. However, the Krakoan Era of X-Men storytelling made Exodus a leader of the mutant nationstate, and has worked to develop his character further than any previous story, continually making him more complex, and more essential to the franchise.
Depending on how the MCU incorporates the X-Men, Exodus could appear in his classic villainous incarnation, or as a more heroic figure – and either way, he would be a great fit. Jose Rivera’s cosplay build of the character is a perfect taste of what Exodus could look like in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – and should make anyone who might have doubted his place in mutantkind’s next on-screen evolution think twice. Exodus himself would appreciate the quality of his portrayal, as the immortal mutant lived alongside the greatest achievements of modern art for the past millennium.
These Cosplay Artists Synchronized Their Powers, Hope Summers-Style
Hope Summers Cosplay By @meshellwaffleo; Costume Work by @mother.moon.creations; Foamwork @jt_otero
Michelle Waffle-Otero’s Hope Summers is a shining example of the powerful mutant – literally, in the sense that she is endowed with a glow, as energy crackles from her outstretched hand. Introduced as the savior of mutantkind, Hope has repeatedly lived up to her grand potential, maintaining an essential position in X-Men lore since her conception. As the first mutant baby born following the catastrophic events of the M Day storyline, Hope’s life has been a danger-filled odyssey since day one. Waffle-Otero’s depiction of the character emphasizes how much she has grown into herself earliest, time-displaced days.
First Appearance | Creators | Abilities |
X-Men (Vol. 2) #205 (2007) | Mike Carey Chris Bachalo | Omega-level ability to manipulate other mutants’ powers; this includes stabilizing out-of-control powers, neutralizing or amplifying the mutation of those around her, and crucially, the ability to synch the powers of other mutants together for maximum effectiveness. |
By the time Hope Summers was introduced in the comics, the first generation of X-Men movies had already ended, and she was not a fit for the next batch of films. The MCU will have the opportunity to incorporate a version of Hope, even if her background needs to be amended to fit the new on-screen canon. Michelle Waffle-Otero’s is a reminder that Hope’s Krakoan Era growth has been as pivotal as Exodus’, and that readers are anxious to engage with the newer generation of mutant heroes in their next film adventure.
As with any great cosplay, this Exodus/Hope Summers portrait is a display of dedication and patience, on the part of people who truly love their craft, and the characters they are spotlighting. It also serves as a valuable signifier of which characters the fandom is responding to. In this case, it is clear that both of these characters rank high on the wishlist of those mutants who readers expect to have a role in the future of the MCU. Given the opportunity to craft a unique cinematic version of the X–Men, Marvel Studios should look to characters like Exodus and Hope to bring vitality to the story.
