Another day, another few thousand costumed characters kicking back outside the U.S. Capitol. That’s how Awesome Con organizers see things coming into focus on Friday, when they’ll attempt to assemble a collection of cosplayers by the reflecting pool in front of the Capitol in a bid to break a standing world record.  

The point of the whimsical stunt is to trump the swarm of would-be superheroes that mugged for cameras outside China’s World Joyland in 2011.  

According to one account of that Guinness World Record-breaking gathering, approximately 1,700 people showed up to participate in the momentous occasion — but roughly 10 percent were disqualified by stickler GWR judges because they had modeled their attire on “characters from video games, TV shows or story books instead of comic books.”  

The remaining 1,530 cosplayers still carried the day, surpassing a previous effort during which 1,016 comic book fans stepped out in full regalia.  

As we learned last summer, during our inaugural swing through Comic-Con , cosplay is all about freedom of expression and stretching one’s imagination.  

It’s sad to learn that Guiness World Records does not share the community’s all-inclusive vision.  

Team Awesome Con has decided to play it safe by sharing the list of 210-odd characters (mostly mainstream Marvel and DC Comics personalities) GWR scouts have deemed acceptable for the contest.  

They have also secured a permit to bring together their merry bunch of pranksters at the Capitol Reflecting Pool at noon Friday. (Dear Capitol Police, Just because someone poses as a ruthless villain does not necessarily make him/her a bad guy.)  

Please give a shout if you spot this 2013 Awesome Con-er making the rounds:  

We’d love to talk budget cuts with Deadpool.