​DESCRIPTION:

​

I feel like I need to say a few words about this cosplay, though more than a cosplay I’d actually call it a tribute.
Shadow Man has been one of my all-time favorite video games for many years now. In fact, maybe I just need to finally admit it: It’s simply my favorite video game.
I really wanted to create something that could express my love for this timeless title (a game I’ve owned on every system it’s been released on, from back then to now)
Some time ago, I had already created a fan art photomontage inspired by the fearsome Sisters of Blood you encounter in the various templesof the game.
However, I had always dreamed of portraying a more central character like Mama Nettie.
Still, I hesitated for a long time: Nettie is a Black woman, and I’m not.
I know how important that is for many, especially in the cosplay world. I didn’t want to cross any lines or disrespect the character in any way.
I’m fully aware that painting your skin to portray a character of color is considered offensive by many.
So I immediately ruled that option out: no bodypaint, no makeup tricks. Instead, I looked for a way to pay tribute that would be both respectful and visually appealing, without causing any misunderstanding.
In the end, I chose to simply appear as I am — just sun-kissed, lit with colored spotlights and filters in a dark room that echoes the game’s horror vibes. My goal was to keep the focus on the same atmosphere, the one that made me fall in love with Shadow Man in the first place.
Please know that it is not my intention to appropriate a culture that isn’t mine, but rather to honor it with deep admiration.
This is my tribute and a thank-you for creating something as incredible as Shadow Man and its unforgettable characters.

With that said, I chose this summer to finally share the photoset because it reminds me of another summer long ago, when I first played Shadow Man on my Nintendo 64, usually in the evening, windows wide open to the moonlight.
Thinking back to that time brings on such a strong wave of nostalgia.
As I said, I don’t consider this a full, proper cosplay, more like an “instant” tribute I put together with improvised clothing and a few handmade accessories using golden glittered foam for her jewels.
I would’ve loved to shoot a more varied set, but these photos were actually taken just before my camera stopped working.
They were all shot in very low light, and I didn’t get the chance to do more (for once, I wanted to create a small physical setup without replacing all the backgrounds, though I added a few textures here and there to echo the game’s style).
I set up the scene with some furniture, and my grinning fake skull was perfect to evoke Jaunty’s character — all I had to do was put a hat on him! :D

This is probably another one of those cosplays that only speaks to a small, niche group, but I’ll take this opportunity to recommend it to all horror game lovers: grab the remastered version on PC or modern consoles!

Hope you enjoy the photos!

p.s.- Just recently, I also got my hands on the original comics featuring Mike LeRoi and Nettie — I can’t wait to read them!