The Empire is gearing up for San Diego Comic-Con
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San Diego's Dark Side. Photo: Courtesy of Imperial Sand Dunes garrison
There's no such thing as being too short to don Star Wars stormtrooper armor in the 501st Legion, but your costume better be on point.
The big picture: About 13,000 people from across the world and 120 San Diegans are members of the 501st Legion, a special club where you dress up as stormtroopers, TIE fighter pilots, imperial officers and, of course, Darth Vader.
- But there are strict regulations for how your costume looks, and you must pass inspection by your costumed peers before you can officially join the ranks.
Driving the news: This Dark Side Legion is prepping for their annual storming of the rebel base also known as Comic-Con.
- They'll be there to show people the power of the Dark Side (aka a table where they recruit new members).
- There's also a photo shoot, a panel discussion and a scavenger hunt.
- Plus they pass out stormtrooper trading cards.
Beyond Comic-Con, the garrison members spend their time disturbing the force at charity events, 5K walks, or anywhere else their presence is requested.
- They just can't attend commercial events without Disney's permission.
By the numbers: In San Diego's local club, the Imperial Sands Garrison, some members have up to 12 different costumes, Commanding Officer Jamie Tobitt told Axios.
- A set of armor can cost $1,500 to $2,000 to assemble (though you can also get away with cheaper character options for a few hundred dollars).
- Plus there's constant repair of breaking parts.
How it works: The club gets together monthly for armor parties where they work on becoming battle-ready.
- "There are certain tips and tricks when you're building your costume that it's nice to have somebody else around who has done it before," he said.
Case in point: Say you're working on your "Stormtrooper - Heavy Weapons Trooper" outfit.
- The regulations say that on your helmet, the traps (trapezoids on the dome) and tears (areas beneath the corners of eye lenses) must be gray.
- But the rear traps and tears must have vertical black lines.
- At an armor party, a more experienced stormtrooper might be able to help you with that.
Fun fact: The costumes are so good that Disney has used 501st members in "The Book of Boba Fett" and "Mandalorian" TV shows, Tobitt said.
- Tobitt has a TIE fighter pilot costume, but he's recently assembled a Darth Vader outfit with pieces sourced from across the world.
So why dress like the Dark Side?
- "The costumes are just very cool," Tobitt said.
