During Baltimore Comic-Con’s return to live conventions on October 22-24, 2021, cosplayers brought their A-game. One particular cosplayer donning patriotic costumes was tasked with a very important job. Knightmage, a well known cosplayer who can be seen at many conventions and charity events, was often seen standing sentry at the Hake’s Auctions booth where the auction house was showcasing the Captain America shield hero prop screen-used by Chris Evans in Avengers: Endgame. Wearing Captain America costumes all weekend, Knightmage took photos with fans and the shield, which is in Hake’s current premier auction.

Deep into the convention on Sunday, Knightmage took a break from chatting with cosplay enthusiasts and Captain America fans to talk with Scoop. He discussed how he got into the hobby, the costumes he wore at Baltimore Comic-Con, what Captain America means to him, being an extra in Marvel films, his reaction to seeing the Captain America shield in-person, and how convention attendees responded to being so close to a piece of Marvel cinematic history.

Scoop: Are you having fun this weekend?
Knightmage: I’m having a blast! I’m back at comic con, of course.

Scoop: How did you get into cosplay?
Knightmage: It really started with Halloween; I’ve always loved dressing up for Halloween. Back in 2012, I didn’t really know anything about cosplay or conventions, I just knew I loved dressing up. I went to a Halloween party dressed as Green Lantern and got invited to do a charity event. So I did a charity event, and then I discovered conventions. As soon as I stepped on the show floor it was like, “I’m with my people.” I’ve been addicted ever since.

Scoop: When you put on that costume do you feel like you’re becoming that character?
Knightmage: To date I’ve done about 300 costumes and some I do embody more than others. It depends on how I’m feeling, depends on how I connect with that character. Some characters I love just because of the design. Some characters I feel more like the person. It really depends.

Scoop: Who’s your favorite character to cosplay?
Knightmage: Oh wow, that’s like asking who your favorite kid is. [laughs] It depends on the situation. Charity events, I love doing Batman, I love doing the Grinch. At conventions, I love Spawn, it creates a wow factor. So it really just depends on the situation I’m in.

Scoop: What does Captain America mean to you?
Knightmage: Captain America is probably one of my top five favorite superheroes just because he represents…not a person, but an idea. I love the idea that anyone can be Captain America, anyone can hold that shield and be that iconic representation of values and morals. I love the idea of Captain America.

Scoop: Tell me about the costumes you’ve worn this weekend.
Knightmage: I did two versions of Captain America. I did Isaiah Bradley on Friday, classic Steve Rogers on Saturday, and another variation of Isaiah Bradley today. Again, the idea that anyone can be Captain America, it’s not necessarily about the person but the values you have.

Scoop: What has been your reaction to being up close with the Captain America shield used by Chris Evans in Avengers: Endgame?
Knightmage: It’s amazing. I can’t stop looking at it. This is actually the second time I’ve been up close with a shield. I was fortunate enough to hold the shield as one of the featured extras in the first Avengers movie. So, I was able to hold the shield back then. I know there’ve been many iterations of the shield since. It’s amazing to be able to represent something as iconic as that shield.

Scoop: What did you do as an extra?
Knightmage: For Avengers, I was a firefighter. I was fortunate enough to do some stuff with Captain America: Civil War as well as Winter Soldier.

Scoop: Did you have a favorite working experience on those?
Knightmage: Winter Soldier was probably my favorite. I got to do some stunt driving. I was playing a Washington, DC police officer and I was one of the ones chasing Samuel L. Jackson. That was a great experience.

Scoop: What has been your favorite reactions from attendees that saw the shield this weekend?
Knightmage: That wow factor. Being that close to something that iconic that you see onscreen that you never think you’ll get to see up close. I think it’s also the idea of being back at conventions, everyone is so excited about everything. The shield just enhances that.

Scoop: How can people follow you on social media?
Knightmage: Knightmage on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Scoop: What’s coming up on your schedule?
Knightmage: A lot of stuff. A local convention in Youngstown, Ohio, at the [Military Aviation Preservation Society Museum] on Halloween weekend. I’ll be at Grand Rapids Comic Con in the beginning of November. Then a lot of different charity events for Christmas time. If you follow my social media, you’ll be able to see what charity events I’m doing, you’ll be able to help support those.

The Captain America shield hero prop used by Chris Evans while filming Avengers: Endgame is open for bids at hakes.com until Wednesday, November 3, 2021.