New York's annual Comic Con gives fans the chance to be whoever they want to be for an entire weekend, and fans have dressed up in everything from anime characters, to television or movie favorites, to video game characters.

This year's New York Comic Con saw a wide array of artistic costumes, with some attendees putting a new spin on old favorites while some preferred the classics like Han Solo and Princess Leia. Although NYCC is a chance for people from around the country to see their favorite artists, writers and television stars at panels and autograph signings, a large attraction for many is the creative costume play, also known as "cosplay."

So what did fans have in store for the 2012 New York Comic Con? Check out our photo gallery to see 20 of the best female costumes from the event, which took place from Oct. 11 to the 14.

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