August 2012, Cosplay Babe of the Month, Mad Mel as Typhoid Mary.
Today, all the way from Miami’s sunny shores, we bring you Cosplay Babe of the Month for August 2012, Mad Mel. Please join with the Ninja Nation in giving her a hearty welcome. Mel has been gracious enough to grant us a wonderful interview in conjunction with her two part feature, so let’s get right to the first question.
Comics Ninja: Mel, thank you for joining us today from Florida. Why don’t you take the opportunity to let the Comics Ninja readers know a little bit about yourself.
Mel: My name is Mel, or Mad Mel is my cosplay name. I’m 24. Originally from Lehigh Acres and moved to Miami a year ago. I’m obsessed with video games, computer games, table top, comics, and movies. I work at Starbucks. I hate it. I love costumes and make up. I’m super sarcastic and make really weird jokes…lol
Comics Ninja: What first got you into cosplay?
Mel: I’ve loved costumes ever since I was a little girl and would dress up every chance I got. As I got older, I made more of my costumes, piecing together things I found at different thrift shops/craft stores. Then one Halloween I decided to make poison ivy. It was a hit! That December was wizard world Miami and my friend and I had always wanted to go to a convention. We just could not miss the opportunity to dress up and go have fun!
Comics Ninja: There seems to be a large cosplay community in Florida. Have you tapped into some of that group? Does it make cosplaying more fun?
Mel: I have met many, many amazing people at the conventions I’ve gone to. The level of talent is just phenomenal. And yes, it definitely does make it so much more fun to get a whole cosplay group together for a con and take many fabulous pictures together.
Comics Ninja: What is your favorite convention or event to attend?
Mel: Megacon! Its fun, its exciting, there are soooo many great cosplays and things to go to! Plus, that’s where I got a kiss from Stan Lee on the cheek and returned the favor 
Comics Ninja: Tell us a little bit about your interest in theater and modeling.
Mel: I’ve been into theatre and modeling, again, ever since I was a little girl. I loved putting on shows for my family and hamming it up in front of the camera. I became a theatre major in college and have been actively pursuing it ever since! It’s just a wonderful outlet for me. I love seeing what different things I can do, the different looks and pictures I can create, how well I can portray a character, etc.
Comics Ninja: You cover a wide range of characters with your costumes but you do seem to lean towards Marvel. Any favorite Marvel characters? Why?
Mel as Poison Ivy.
Mel: My favorite Marvel characters to cosplay are Black Cat and Psylocke. They’ve always been my favorite, B.A. ladies. They can kick major butt and know how to get exactly what they want. And my favorite Marvel character just in general is definitely Spider-man. I’ve had a giant crush on him forever.
Photo left: Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn.
Comics Ninja: What do you think of all of the attention you have gotten from the fanboys (and girls) on the internet and at conventions?
Mel: It’s flattering and at the same time, unnerving. I’ve had many people say how they are fans of mine and I just think, “fans? But I’m not famous at all…” and going to cons and having people actively search me out and yell my name across the room is also an experience in itself. There are many times when you can’t walk 2 feet without getting stopped for more pictures. I still keep myself humble though because I know a lot of cosplayers who do much more amazing things than me. I’m still getting up there.
Photo right: Mel as The Crow.
Mel, thank you for a wonderful part one of the featue. Join us tomorrow for part two. Until then, get the latest comic book, gaming, sci-fi, movie, cosplay and animation news on The Ninja Report, containing sourced and aggregated news from every corner of the internet and updated every ten minutes! Never miss another headline, preview or breaking story, Ninja Nation! Once your done with the news check out the awesome cosplay over at our sister site Cosrater.com or sell or swap your unwanted comics and games with other readers over at the Comic Book & Gaming Classified page.
Cosplay Babe Of The Month For August 2012, Mad Mel!,
