Want to cosplay? Here's how ...

Every October, when the New York Comic Con rolls into town, the streets fill up with tons of fans wearing elaborate costumes of Batman, Catwoman and other characters.

These aren’t paid actors; rather, they’re cosplayers — referring to “costume players” — and a select few are the focus of the new Syfy series “Heroes of Cosplay,” which follows these individuals as they show off their design skills and try to win various comic conventions’ cosplay contests.

Having created more than 250 costumes that she’s worn, shown off and competed in, cosplayer Yaya Han, a legend in the field, is one of the stars. On the show, which debuts tomorrow, she is more of a judge, though she does wear her share of elaborate homemade costumes.

“I really hope people will get that cosplay is more than something that weirdos do,” Han says, laughing. “I really think that once they watch the show, they’ll realize, ‘Oh, this is an art form.’ I’m hoping that people will see ‘Heroes of Cosplay’ as a gateway for them to start cosplaying.”

amNewYork picked Han’s brain on how to get yourself ready to cosplay at New York Comic Con when it arrives this fall. And as you’ll learn, it’s never too early to start.