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Another Fan-Made TRON Costume

Jay Maynard writes "When this story on making your own TRON costume was posted two weeks ago, I was deep into making my own for the masquerade at Penguicon 2.0. Its debut at the Masquerade won the Workmanship award. I kept notes and took pictures as I was going along, and the page that resulted is now available for your viewing enjoyment. No, I didn't spend any time with straws up my nose while making it, either. I think the results were quite good, and so has everyone who's said anything to me about it here at the con." CmdrTaco is at Penguicon this weekend - go give him a big Tron hug, and make sure to get a photo...

77 of 327 comments (clear)

  1. Wait, Where Have I Seen This Guy Before? by dupper · · Score: 4, Funny
    1. Re:Wait, Where Have I Seen This Guy Before? by klang · · Score: 2, Funny

      Most people prefer "Young Elvis" over "Fat Elvis".

      Wearing that will not make you Elvis, go home now.

    2. Re:Wait, Where Have I Seen This Guy Before? by GregChant · · Score: 4, Funny

      One custom-made leotard (Size: XXXL): $75.00
      1 can of acrylic paint: $12.95
      3 yards of el-tape (blue): $30 dollars
      Having the largest camel-toe at Penguicon 1.0: Priceless.

    3. Re:Wait, Where Have I Seen This Guy Before? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Isn't that DYNAMO from THE RUNNING MAN?

    4. Re:Wait, Where Have I Seen This Guy Before? by CPD · · Score: 3, Funny

      nah - it's milton!

  2. Scarred for life... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny
    AH! MY EYES!

    Any chance we can add a warning to the story, something along the lines of "Images of Overweight Man in Skintight Bodysuit Enclosed" or such?

    We deserve to be warned before we're subjected to that...

    1. Re:Scarred for life... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      you think you have it bad? it was much worse in real life....*shudder*....

    2. Re:Scarred for life... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      The one time I decide to read the article before checking comments. The pain!!!

    3. Re:Scarred for life... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      The Tron characters were supposed to be programs, right?

      Guess those are pictures of code bloat.

    4. Re:Scarred for life... by NanoGator · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Any chance we can add a warning to the story, something along the lines of "Images of Overweight Man in Skintight Bodysuit Enclosed" or such?"

      Why? We all look like him.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    5. Re:Scarred for life... by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny

      "That's Tron, he fights for the twinkies..."

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    6. Re:Scarred for life... by y4h0oo · · Score: 3, Funny

      This guy isn't fat. Someone hacked his site and modified his pictures to make fun of him. This is what he really looks like :
      http://wanab.free.fr/uniprel.jpg

      --
      I'll change my sig when I have the time...
    7. Re:Scarred for life... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting


      I just got back from Penguicon 2.0 and have a few words about this.

      First, the guy was pretty nice and seemed intelligent.

      BUT... he didn't just wear the costume for the masquerade. No. He wore it all Saturday evening and all morning and afternoon on Sunday as things were winding down. That, in particular, kinda weirded me out. (I was similarly alienated by the few... how shall we say... misproportioned ladies walking around in more than revealing BDSM gear Saturday night, but that's another story.)

      After one of the panels this morning, I was waiting for the room to clear out a bit when I saw Tron approach ESR and maddog to ask some questions. They were completely civil but I thought I could detect some semblence of bewilderment in their expressions and body language. They also studiously avoided looking downward at any given moment. I would have liked to have a digital camera right then and there.

      Also, the suit did end up looking a tad better than the photos would suggest.

  3. ack! by tuxette · · Score: 2, Funny
    My eyes! My eyes! My poor eyes!

    Please give us a warning before you post links like that!!!!

    --
    People say I'm crazy, I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes...
    1. Re:ack! by Kenja · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'll never RTFA again. Brain unclean, must wash.

      --

      "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    2. Re:ack! by BLAG-blast · · Score: 2, Funny
      his is one of the WORST looking Tron costumes I've seen.

      If you RTFA (as opposed to looking at the pictures you dirty minded troll), you'd find out that this isn't infact Tron, but a simple payroll withholding calculation program that had gotten overweight by changes in the laws.

      I'll give him 10/10 for going out in public wearing a tight costume with that beer gut. (keep in mind he'll drink you under the table).

      Mullets move a side, now is the time of the beer gut!

      --
      M0571y H@rml355.
  4. Viewing? by tunabomber · · Score: 2, Funny

    I kept notes and took pictures as I was going along, and the page that resulted is now available for your viewing enjoyment.

    s/viewing/slashdotting/ ..and I'll be enjoying it, alright.

    --

    pi = 3.141592653589793helpimtrappedinauniversefactory71 ...
  5. Is it just more.... by Daneurysm · · Score: 4, Funny

    Or am I the only one that immediately stopped viewing the pics after coming across what appeared to be Tom Smykowski (the 'jump to conclusions mat' guy) from Office space wearing what may be perhaps the tightest body suit I have ever seen...?

    Either way, those who haven't RTFA, be forwarned.

  6. Now... by neuroking · · Score: 4, Funny

    If he coule just paint those nifty neon lines on his red Swingline stapler, he'd be set!

    1. Re:Now... by dnobel · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What is this crap? Don't tell me that all of you are on slashdot becuase you're the coolest cat in the pack. This man thought he could share something that he thought that his peers might find interesting, and all of you dog on him because he looks like Milton from Office Space or some other stereotypical nerd. Well, earth to geek, you're probably not the belle of the ball either. Stop bashing on this guy for shit that isn't pertinent to the article and start judging him by the hard work he put into his costume. This isn't elementary school...

    2. Re:Now... by vwjeff · · Score: 4, Funny

      This isn't elementary school..

      You must be new here.

    3. Re:Now... by advance512 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      When Jay Maynard decided to post these pictures, he obviously decided that he doesn't give a damn about what all of you kids think - he only wanted to share his passion with other TRON fans and geeks. You are irrelevant.

      By my book, for not giving a damn about what all of you mockers think, he's way more of a man than any of you will ever be.

    4. Re:Now... by Bralkein · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Well you may have a point, but I KNOW that my body is pretty repulsive, and I KNOW that most sane people have absolutely no desire to gaze upon my hideous form. That is why I wear clothes, and they cover my whole body, except my hands and sometimes my lower arms.

      There are times and places for revealing certain parts of even unsightly bodies. The swimming pool is one of those places... you go for a swim, you just have to accept there will be the occasional fat guy with a back rug who wears skimpy speedos. If you go to a beach, there will be the occasional obese lady with no top on. It's what you come to expect.

      Now it is arguable that maybe with a convention costume you expect the odd overconspicuous flabby limb. But when you can see a PERFECT OUTLINE OF HIS FRICKING GENITALS then things are going seriously wrong! I admit he is pretty brave, but frankly, he deserves to be mocked. A sticking out beer gut, fair enough. Perfect scrotal detail, posted to the web for everyone to see, just... no.

    5. Re:Now... by sp0rk173 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      He could have at least worn a cup. While he has proven he has balls, we don't need to see them. Thanks.

    6. Re:Now... by eugene+ts+wong · · Score: 2, Insightful
      By my book, for not giving a damn about what all of you mockers think, he's way more of a man than any of you will ever be.
      Not giving a damn about what others might think is what makes a person a nerd & a loser. Giving a damn & making the best decision is what makes him a man. Even male ballet dancers wear dance belts. He said something about dressing up in costumes before. Was he just as immodest in those costumes? To be honest, just painting lines & clothes isn't that big of a deal.

      Considering that he was the 1 who posted the story, I would say that he does give a damn what we think, but some people can't bring themselves to hear the negative criticism.

      A warning of his genitals showing would have been nice, but maybe he was in denial. Maybe he didn't think it was noticable. Not all of us care to see men's genitals.
  7. Well... by AvoidTheNoid · · Score: 4, Funny

    Thats it. I've given up on being a mega nerd, as this guy has me beaten. Horribly.

  8. Great by gad_zuki! · · Score: 4, Funny
    Whatever lingering heterosexuality was left in our resident geek girls is probably forever gone after viewing that page.

    /smartass

    1. Re:Great by WhiteBandit · · Score: 4, Funny

      Whatever lingering heterosexuality was left in our resident geek girls is probably forever gone after viewing that page.

      I don't know know... what lingering sexuality of any type I had is gone after viewing that page.

      It doesn't help that a room mate walked by and wondered why I was looking at pictures of large men in spandex!

      That said, it is an impressive costume. He said he wanted to modify it, it will be interesting to see if he enters it again next year and what improvements he makes.

  9. One suggestion by hucke · · Score: 4, Funny


    Codpiece.

  10. Hmmm... by Neil+Blender · · Score: 4, Funny

    That guy wouldn't have lasted a minute on the grid.

    1. Re:Hmmm... by TrickFred · · Score: 2, Funny

      Unfortunately there was a few 'bits' I could have done with seeing a bit less of.

    2. Re:Hmmm... by Galvatron · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I dunno, I think he probably could have held his own against Crom.

      --
      "The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than that of whether a submarine can swim" -EWD
  11. TRON fan by Nonillion · · Score: 4, Funny

    You may not be physically fit but I do appaud you for having the balls (no pun intended) to post on /.

    --
    "I bow to no man" - Riddick
    1. Re:TRON fan by AmicoToni · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, we can definitely say that he "has guts"

    2. Re:TRON fan by p4ul13 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Mod +2 Punny

      --
      Paul Lenhart writes words!
  12. Remember? by AvoidTheNoid · · Score: 5, Funny

    This costume is based off that one part in Tron where you can totally see the guys nuts

    ...remember that

    ...when the guys balls stuck out in tron?

    No?

    1. Re:Remember? by still_sick · · Score: 4, Funny

      I was eating lunch when I read your comment - Honest to Jebus you made me laugh chili out of my nose.

      You think Milk / Coke is painful? Wholly Crap.

      Still totally worth it.

      --
      ...Also, I didn't know Buggalo could fly.
  13. Re:Lessons learned by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    6. My good side is not my side. No more side shots of me. From now on, front only pictures only.

  14. I'm of two minds. by mikedaisey · · Score: 4, Insightful


    As a big guy myself, I have the desire to support folks who go out and make audacious, geeky things and wear them even if it leads to ridicule.

    At the same time, that is *really* an unflattering suit, it really is. Maybe he should have gone more interpretive and created TRON armor--something less lycra-based, because it simply doesn't work on his physique.

    1. Re:I'm of two minds. by Cylix · · Score: 3, Insightful

      True,

      If I were going to put on a costume it would definately be the guard's outfit. They were quite well armored and worked for that really cool corporation under the ol' MC.

      Hero's bleed red neon lights.

      --
      "You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours." -- Yogi Berra
  15. Look out below! by Zenmonkeycat · · Score: 5, Funny

    Two recommendations: First, the color of the cloth looks a little light, from my recollection of the film. Maybe a little darker, compared to the EL piping? It would also help if you had a friend or two with you, wearing similar outfits. Second, wear a cup. Please. Most bodysuits are designed for women, or men wearing things over them, so the seams tend to cut lines right across large protrusions. I realize that athletic protection isn't vital during light-cycle races, but it does help prevent retinal scarring from testicles trying to work free of lycra bodysuits. I'd say work on the belly, but I'm not one to talk, with my current sedentary lifestyle.

    --

    *****
    Dear Mary,
    I yearn for you tragically,
    A.T. Tappman, Chaplain, U.S. Army.

  16. Slashdot Filter by Kenshin · · Score: 3, Funny

    Can we get a filter in place that blocks out stories featuring fat nerds in tights?

    That male "camel toe" is burned into my retinas...

    --

    Does it make you happy you're so strange?

  17. Uh oh... by AvoidTheNoid · · Score: 5, Funny

    CmdrTaco is at Penguicon this weekend - go give him a big Tron hug, and make sure to get a photo...

    Oh man, hes in for a surprise...

  18. This is silly by urbieta · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is more like the before and after
    poster images for a weight loss program hehe

    Anyways I think he should go easyer on us and use something to prevent harm in a costume party

  19. Dear god... by PeaceTank · · Score: 3, Funny

    There should be laws governing who is allowed to wear spandex. Someone please get on that! ---I was playing poker with tarot cards the other night. I got a full house and that same night 5 people died. True Story.---

  20. Beautiful by Standmic · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While many of you readers obviously think this series of pictures are the most hideous, vile, and unnatural sights in the world, I disagree. I think they are beautiful pictures. What we are really looking at is not some ugly fat man in a unitard, but rather the sharing of ideas. This man created something that we as a community might be interested in, and he had the nuts to post it on the front page. Seriously, look beyond the pictures themselves and look at what they actually show - he's just trying to show his invention and share his ideas with a potentially interested population. I think the site is fabulous, and I applaud the man for sharing with us.

    1. Re:Beautiful by deathguppie · · Score: 2, Funny

      ya he has the NUTS alright, no argument there

      But as far as sharing........?

      --
      once more into the breach
    2. Re:Beautiful by back_pages · · Score: 5, Interesting
      Yeah, I see what you're saying and it's right. The guy is obviously proud of his costume and he should be - he had a goal, worked toward that goal, won an award, and wants to show it off. I really hope he isn't disheartened by the multitude of +5 Funny posts here, because once you're proud of something, it's excruciating to be suddenly confronted with doubts that you wasted your time.

      That said, I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that the guy gets a cup. Funny jokes aside, it WOULD be a significant improvement in the costume, and it might even improve the judging when he shows off the costume again.

      That aspect of the costume is so glaringly embarassing that I have to wonder if the webpage is something of a hoax... To me, wearing a cup with that bodysuit would have been so obvious that I have to think that NOT wearing one could only have been a deliberate decision, making it possible to prank a bunch of people into looking at an unattractive man in spandex.

      In any event, if the site is legitimate, it looks like the guy is really proud of his TRON costume. I'd strongly suggest getting a cup and trying to show it off again.

    3. Re:Beautiful by C10H14N2 · · Score: 2, Funny

      All of this crap whether it is trekkies in their Starfleet uniforms or this schmuck in his...erm, whatever...is nothing more than nerd drag. It is less "creative" than some queen who thinks [s]he's Madonna while mouthing the words to "Like a Virgin" in torn-up fishnets at the local karaoke bar. Now, if he did the Pogo and lip-synced to Devo, he might be as interesting, but the idea of seeing that walrus bouncing in the air at 140bpm is just to frightful for words...

    4. Re:Beautiful by Dirtside · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yes, the site is an interesting expression of his creativity.

      It ALSO has (rather unpleasant) pictures of a fat man in a unitard.

      Someone's response to this page doesn't have to just be "Ewww, fat guy in unitard" or "Cool, what a neat idea!" It can, in fact, be both.

      --
      "Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased
  21. A weighty excuse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    At least the excuse for the look is a good comment:

    I spoke for a few moments about how I wasn't Tron, but a simple payroll withholding calculation program that had gotten overweight by changes in the laws.

  22. Like Cereal Killer from Hackers said... by lullabud · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Spandex. It's a privilege, not a right."

  23. Obligatory Futurama Quote by KevinKnSC · · Score: 3, Funny

    You watched it! You can't unwatch it!

  24. He Must be portraying a Microsoft product... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny


    You can tell by all the bloat.

  25. Well that guy has balls... by smeenz · · Score: 5, Insightful
    You have to respect someone who not only posts pictures of himself on the net, knowing that he doesn't have the best profile in the world, but then gets himself slashdotted too ?

    He's got balls.. (and just look at the photos if you don't believe me)

  26. At least we know... by Penguinshit · · Score: 2, Funny


    ...what happened to Cartman's father.

  27. From the end of the page... by macshune · · Score: 2, Funny

    Lessons learned

    1. Fabric paint is a pain in the ass to deal with, and must be applied with a heavy hand if sharp edges on lines are desired. It would have probably helped if I...

    ...........

    5. If posting to link myself in a tighter-than-skin-tight bodysuit to slashdot, think really hard about whether or not I'm ok with having my just-about-naked-self being seen and potentially mocked by hundreds of thousands of people.

    1. Re:From the end of the page... by u-238 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      you know the guy is an intelligent man and, for lack of a better euphamistic phrase, "wasn't born yesterday."

      he knows full well what people will make of this, and doesn't even care, he probably prides himself in the laughs he gets out of it.

      don't bother with pity, he doens't need it, at least show him that much respect.

  28. Obligatory simpsons quotes by smeenz · · Score: 2, Funny

    My eyes! the goggles.. they do nothing!

  29. Time? Depends on priorities by ZebadiahC · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I think that the costume is cool. Sure he might not be in the greatest of shape but as for time to do the costume...he simply chose to make a costume instead of the wasting the past 54 hours on UT2004.

    I've seen some good ghostbuster costumes out there...near Halloween we should see more of these....help the fellow geek out and stop him from coming to the party as some reincarnation of "Revenge of the Nerds" Thats what would scratch my eyes out!

  30. I'm not sure which was worse ... by krumms · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... the front, or the back

  31. Office Space by NixterAg · · Score: 5, Funny

    Good to see Milton is putting the money he stole to good use.

  32. dead realistic for current software by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Every tron character is a representation of the software it represents. Back in the 80's software tended to be tight and trim but now bloatware is king. I respect this fanboy's accuracy. I bet he's MS Office.

  33. The goggles... by AsmordeanX · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...they do nothing!

  34. Lycra is a Privilege not a right by Charcharodon · · Score: 2, Funny
    Just say nooooo......aaaaaahhhhhh I can still see it even when I close my eyes.

    Need to find a fork, must gouge out eyeeess.

  35. "Camel toe" - I learned something today by janaagaard · · Score: 3, Funny

    Aha, it's called a "camel toe". I learned a new word today.

    Thank you! :)

  36. Hmm by segfault7375 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did I miss a scene in the movie where Jeff Bridges gets pregnant? :)

  37. It's perfect! by cybermace5 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Back when TRON was originally made, programs were purposeful and tightly coded.

    This updated look accurately reflects today's software. What is he, Microsoft Word?

    --
    ...
  38. Another tron-like outfit using El-wire by geekotourist · · Score: 4, Insightful
    This costume (another view by itself) while actually designed to look like The Man, has been attributed Tron-ness at SF conventions. (Which surprisingly are still light on el-wire as costuming method. At Burning Man El-wire is almost passe, you really need flamethrowers to stand out (which generally are not allowed at SF conventions, though).

    Rant mode on...But enough with the body insults! Haven't you ever seen bodies in all their glorious colors and shapes before? If yours isn't in the top 1% of bodies, do you live in a Burka? The costumer is having fun- lots of other posters here seem to be having bitter parties out of some misguided idea that if you aren't perfect- don't be visible? If you don't have the equivalent of a 2004 Mercedes M-class body, don't show up on the road? Have you ever looked at the great minds in our field? You'd really forbid them from being in your hottub (California / silicon valley style) just because they're not the most aesthetically pleasing bodies? Bah! Rant mode sputtering off...

    1. Re:Another tron-like outfit using El-wire by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Informative
      I don't know what the state-of-the-art is like at Burning Man, but you could improve the effect of EL-wire by using a micro-controller to control segments of it in chaser sequences or more complex. On/off would be simple, and brightness controlled by on/off duty-cycle. I recall that the colour of EL panels can be shifted a bit by varying the driving AC frequency, but that could wait until the 1.2 version.

      I'm not sure what voltage EL wire needs, but I'd suggest not getting the costume wet.

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  39. Mastercard parody by JaF893 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Body Armour: $80

    Spandex Bodysuit: $50

    Realising you are being mocked by Slashdot and the rest of the world because they can see the outline of your nuts through the spandex: Priceless.

    There are somethings I do want to see. For everything else there are codpieces

  40. Welcome, my son... by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 2, Funny

    Welcome to the new goatsee.cx page...

  41. Why hello there, pretty girl! by KageMonkey · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Why hello there, pretty girl! I have a level 65 Wizard on Everquest and he can cast Shield of Maelin that is a powerful HP, AC & MR Buff. Also, also, he has this single target fire-based DD called Strike of Solusek that does 3000 damage!!! OMG!!! Oh yeah!!! check out this cool Tron costume that I made! Doesn't my super-tight costume turn you on? OMG IM SO HAWT!!! Want to go out with me???"

  42. Leave him alone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Come on, people. We're all geeks; we're all reading Slashdot. Don't we remember being mocked and rejected by our classmates in school? Am I the only one? A lot of us were overweight. The jokes were easy enough for other kids. Give the guy a break and focus on what he's trying to share with us, not on what he looks like.

  43. How to apply paint to stretch knit by wadiwood · · Score: 4, Informative

    Stencils. Use a stencil. Jay got started with the masking tape but needed to go a step further.

    1. buy a box cutter or scalpel from an art shop

    2. do your designs onto cardboard, eg the boxes around cereal are ideal thickness and water resistance, they don't disintegrate when paint is applied and they don't repel it in blobs onto your artwork like plastic can. You have an advantage if you can print designs directly from the computer onto card.

    3. Cut the designs out carefully with the box cutters or scalpel.

    4. Place a thick board covered in newspaper inside the part of the suit that you want to apply the paint. Arrange the suit over the board so it is not wrinkled but not stretched either.

    5. Place the stencil on the area you want the design. Tape it down if necessary. Cover up any other areas at risk from stray paint.

    5. Apply paint to the holes in the stencil either by airbrush (you need the paint to be runny like water for this), or by thick stiff paintbrush or by sponge. Airbrush is best for even coverage (once you get the hang of using it - practice on scrap paper).

    You can also use spray cans instead of an airbrush but you need to make sure only the area you want painted is exposed, use lots of newspaper and masking tape to cover up the areas you want to stay unpainted.

    And you can get interesting effects using a tooth brush to apply paint. load the tooth brush up and then drag your thumb or a paint brush handle over the bristles towards you. Paint splatters will flick over anything opposite you. (practice aim on the bathroom mirror - but only if you're the one that has to clean it up).

    How to make an orc costume

    or worse, if he gets good with the airbrush he might dispense with the bodysuit altogeter. Warning: link includes photos of topless women with and without paint.

    European Body Paint Festival Gallery

    --

    -- it must be true, it's on the internet.
  44. Mirror by Bob+Cat+-+NYMPHS · · Score: 2, Funny

    He should look in one.

  45. Back off, lest ye be judged by yakfacts · · Score: 2, Insightful

    \begin{rant}

    I'm annoyed at all the rude comments posted in this forum...in particular at all the people telling this guy to "get a life".

    First of all, you're posting on slashdot forums that means you don't have enough to do yourself....try getting a life yourself before you criticize others.

    Second, how is what he did any "worse" than adults who sit around playing Quake (or whatever) all night? How is this guy being a tron fan any geekier than my going to the Classic Gaming Expo?

    Plus, he explained how he did everyhing to assist others...open source costuming, anyone?

    Finally, it's really easy for you all to sit back behind your monitors and make fun of this guy's weight. Look at yourself in the mirror today (or in ten years) and see if you should really be laughing.

    For the record, I have not been in costume since Halloween when I was 12, and I am actually underweight. I don't have a life...this is true. I just think you're all behaving like a bunch of 14-year-old slashdot jerks.

    \end{rant}