http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-s...-while-assuming-favourite-superhero-personas/
Dont be alarmed if you spot a superhero in your midst.
The city has its own band of costumed crusaders with superhuman powers, dedicated to protecting the public.
The X-Men of Toronto is a group of cosplayers, a hobby where participants wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character or idea identified with a unique name. Their mission, they say, is to be positive role models while raising funds for various charitable organizations across the province.
This year, X-Men of Toronto has made appearances at both Toronto ComiCon as well as Oshawa Comic Con raising money for The War Amps an organization committed to improving the lives of amputees through the proceeds of their raffle game and sale of team merchandise.
Last month, they appeared at St. Josephs Catholic Schools Fun Fair in the Leslie Street and Dundas Street East area. Their human alter egos, Wolverine, Multiple Man, Scarlet Witch, Nightcrawler, Mystique, Psylocke, Storm, Havok and Deadpool, hail from Toronto and across the GTA and two - Multiple Man and Scarlet Witch, AKA Jason Loo and Allison OToole - live in the Swansea and High Park areas. They met originally in line at a comic convention.
I wanted to find some way to legitimize my reason for dressing up, said OToole when asked what attracted her to the X-Men of Toronto.
Not only does each member share a passion for comics, said OToole and Loo, but they love dressing up for the good of mankind.
I love the community outreach, OToole said.
Added Loo, I enjoy the community of people we come across. Were all out there because we love it. We have a good time.
Their costumes are based on the original Marvel comic book characters.
My costume was designed in the 60s, OToole said. My character is really superhero-ish because of her red cape.
OToole said she delights in the reaction she gets, particularly from little girls. OToole recalled one little girl who was so enamoured with her cape that her mom asked if her daughter could have a picture taken with Scarlet Witch.
She knew I was a female superhero, OToole said.
Kids, said Loo, just like to hang out with superheroes.
OToole is drawn to her character, she said, because of Scarlet Witchs family dynamic. Despite having magic powers she can jinx people Scarlet Witch gets beaten down repeatedly only to triumph.
Shes so caring, powerful, OToole said.
Loo said he can relate to Multiple Mans ability to make duplicates of himself.
Both of us grew up as an only child, he said. I became a great multi-tasker. Im more comfortable on my own.
Visit
www.xmenoftoronto.com or contact them at
[email protected]