Featured Cosplayer: David Fitton

One month ago, the cosplay community lost an amazing lady. When you picture an eighty-four year old, the first thing to spring to mind probably isn't cosplay, but Florence Mary Fitton, or Lena to those closest to her, didn't let her age, or her illness, stop her from enjoying herself. I had always intended to have her son, David, as a featured cosplayer. I'm sad I didn't get the chance to write about him before his mother passed away.

Florence Mary Fitton: 19th June 1930 - 23rd May 2014

"She loved people and wanted to come to cosplay events, but she couldn't due to her health," David says.

"Instead, I brought cosplay to her."

I met David at Brisbane Supanova in 2012. I was very impressed by his Loki (Thor and Avengers) costume. He doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk.

DC vs Marvel - I first met David at Brisbane Supanova

In much the same way as I meet most of my cosplay friends, I shared my photos with him online and added him on Facebook. I remember seeing pictures of him and his mum in various disguises on my feed and thinking how awesome it was that they could both enjoy cosplay together. I, like many of you, have to constantly explain to my mum how cool cosplay actually is. I don't think I'll ever get her into a costume.

"She loved dressing up and when I posted the photos on Facebook, she thought she was a star."

"The comments came in thick and fast - cute, adorable, funny. So I guess we became a comedy act."

Sadly, Lena suffered a stroke in the early hours of May 23rd.

Having never had the opportunity to meet her in person, I thought it best to let some of David's favourite pictures tell the story of Lena's cosplay journey.

Lena is a testament to the fact that you are never too old to cosplay. I've expressed anxiety at my age in previous posts, but after writing this article, I am inspired. I mean, who said we were only allowed to cosplay while we were young? Everyone has fandoms, therefore everyone should be allowed to represent them.

"I have moments when I think about her and I wish I could have brought her to more events," David says.

"She was given a good funeral, and she has been reunited with my dad now."

Something I've discovered about David is that he is very giving of his time. I've joined him at a couple of charity events where he's donned his Loki costume in order to collect for the children's hospitals in Brisbane.

Loki and Deadpool at the Stafford Shopping Centre Woolworths,
collecting money for the Children's Hospital Foundation

"Loki has been my most popular cosplay. He is so grand and menacing."

Having cosplayed more than thirty characters since he took up the hobby eight years ago, it's hard to say what lies on the horizon for David.

"I tend to get ideas during headaches. When the pain medicine kicks in and my head clears, ideas just come to me."

"I'm currently working on a Captain America costume and I'm looking at giving a Cyberman (Doctor Who) an outing soon. For now, I'm happy with Loki."

David as a Cyberman at the Mater Little Miracles charity walk

I managed to snap a few pictures of David at the Brisbane Alternative Expo on Sunday. One minute he was a Cyberman, the next he was donning a scarf as The Doctor.

If you're at a Brisbane convention or charity event, look out for David. He has some pretty recognisable costumes. There's just no guarantee he will stay in the same costume for the whole day!