The Power of Belonging

When Anthony William Murray Jr. walks into a room in a flawlessly tailored Spider-Man suit, the reactions from the crowd are instantaneous. To the casual observer, he is simply a veteran artisan execution at the highest level—a craftsman who has spent twenty years perfecting the lines, the posture, and the presence of pop culture’s most iconic heroes. But to the young kids of color watching him from behind the convention barricades, he is something much more profound: he is living proof that they belong.

"When young fans of color see me dressing up as a superhero, I am representing belonging and visibility," Anthony says, his voice carrying the calm weight of a natural educator.

Known across the digital landscape as @Avenging_AJ, Anthony’s two-decade journey into the heart of fandom began exactly where you’d expect a classic superhero origin story to start: New York City. "I attended my first New York Comic-Con in 2006," he recalls. "I was blown away seeing attendees dressing up as superheroes. A year later, I decided to give cosplay a chance."

Since that fateful weekend, Anthony has embodied everyone from Captain America to Green Lantern. Yet, it’s the web-slinger that remains his ultimate North Star. "The character that resonates with my audience the most is Spider-Man. He's my favorite superhero, and I have worn many Spider-Man suit variations throughout my twenty years of cosplay."

For Anthony, stepping into a character is an exercise in pure acting and rigorous research. He dissects personalities, studies costume design, and maps out how his characters interact with their fictional worlds. Race doesn't dictate his lineup. "When I cosplay, I am embodying a character as myself regardless of race," he notes firmly. "I do not let race prevent me from cosplaying a character that I like."

Unfortunately, the internet doesn't always reflect the inclusive spirit of the community. In the digital age, putting yourself out there can attract the worst kinds of gatekeeping.

"A challenge I faced in the cosplay community was receiving online harassment for portraying characters whose skin color differed from mine," Anthony shares candidly. "On TikTok, anonymous users left negative comments and racial slurs on my cosplay videos in an attempt to discourage me."

In a space built on imagination, facing real-world prejudice is a harsh tax to pay for creativity. But much like the heroes he portrays, Anthony didn’t falter. "Despite this, I refused to let their negativity stop me from pursuing my passion, and I continued to do what I enjoy."

Instead, he channeled that energy into characters that celebrate Black brilliance natively within comic lore—like Val-Zod, the alternate-Earth Superman, and John Stewart, the Green Lantern. "What sets John Stewart apart is that, as a Black man, he does not feel the need to hide behind a mask, unlike fellow Green Lanterns such as Hal Jordan," Anthony observes. He also steps proudly into the shoes of Miles Morales: "He is a symbol of representation, cultural pride, and the idea that superheroes can reflect the diversity of the real world."

"Accuracy in cosplay comes much more from styling, posing, craftsmanship, and confidence than matching a character’s skin tone."

When the cowl comes off, Anthony’s dedication to empowering the next generation doesn't stop. In his everyday life, he serves as a public school Teaching Assistant while simultaneously hitting the books for his Master’s Degree in Library Science.

He also channels his creative talents into real-world philanthropy. Working alongside charity groups like the New York Avengers Incorporated, Capes For A Cos, and Rebels of Cybertron, Anthony visits children affected by trauma and severe illness.

"I help at workshops where children come up with their own superhero codenames and decorate their own superhero masks and capes," he says. It’s a beautiful full-circle moment: the man who found his own confidence through a mask is now helping vulnerable kids build their own armor.

Looking ahead, Anthony is focused on pushing the envelope of his craft, taking on more complex technical designs, and adding unique, personal elements to his upcoming builds. For those standing on the sidelines, waiting for the courage to put on their first suit, his advice strips away the pressure of perfection:

"If you are new to cosplay, pick a character that interests you. Accuracy comes much more from styling, posing, craftsmanship, and confidence than matching a character’s skin tone. Most importantly, have fun."

As our conversation winds down, Anthony leaves the readers of COZ Magazine with a definitive battle cry—a reminder of why we build, why we wear, and why we share these characters in the first place.

"If you see a character you love and want to cosplay them—go for it. Don’t hold yourself back waiting for approval or the 'perfect' moment. This is about what brings you joy, not what earns permission from others," he says.

"People will always have opinions, but you don’t have to let them define your choices. What matters most is that you’re creating something you’re excited about. Surround yourself with friends who support you, keep you grounded, and have your back. Make it, wear it, enjoy it. That’s the point."