Cosplay Babe of the Month For January 2011: Valerie Perez, Part II

Thank you for making Part one of our feature on Valerie Perez, Ms. January Cosplay Babe of the Month, such a success!  Tonight we continue with her feature and get to know her a little better in an interview with the Comics Ninja staff.

Comics Ninja: Let’s start with the ballpark questions.  Tell us a little bit about your childhood, upbringing and anything you think your fans should know about you.

Valerie Perez: I am born of classic movies and fantasy books. In grade school I was always performing in a play and in college I was constantly in a science lab. Now I am living a double life of genre film actress and government tech analyst.

Comics Ninja: What got you into comic books and cosplay in general?

Valerie Perez: It was the George Pérez reboot of Wonder Woman #1. When I saw that beautiful montage cover which looked like my mother kicking butt and had my name on it, Perez, I thought this book was made just for me. I was raised by a single mom who had many sisters (eight aunts total) so an epic tale of amazing women culminating in them passing down wisdom to a little girl, filling her with this incredible sense of purpose, just blew my mind. I read and reread that issue every year until I was eighteen, it became my manifesto.

Very much kept my love of comics and other nerdy pursuits to myself until homages for Lara Croft brought me from sitting in front of the computer and put me in front of the camera. Wanting to enter in online lookalike contests, me and my pal who was also a huge Tomb Raider fan started doing game inspired photo shoots. Talking with the other contestants in chat forums I learned to love prop making and translating character looks into reality. Then I found out about San Diego Comic Con and all my closeted geeky interests fully exploded out of me.

Comics Ninja: So you’ve starred in Tears of the Dragon and the Paula Peril movies, what is next?

Valerie Perez: I hope something exciting! My friends and I are starting a production company. Also more Paula Peril – the latest episode “Invisible Evil” is doing really well (Atlantis Studios).  I have been working this holiday season with the comic book’s creator on the next script. We hope to start pre production by February.

Comics Ninja: What do you think of all the attention from the kids and fanboys?

Valerie Perez: I do not really notice the attention. From my point-of-view we are all there enjoying what inspires us, and I am taking as many photos as there are photos being taken of me.

 

Comics Ninja: Best and worst fan experiences?

Valerie Perez: The kids are the best!!! The worst experience could have come from a costume malfunction – I have had some close calls :\

Comics Ninja: We’ve seen that you mentioned in the past that some of your favorite comic book writers were Joss Whedon and George Perez. Do you have any new favorites at the moment?

Valerie Perez: Greg Rucka (Wonder Woman), Gail Simone (Secret Six) and Brian K Vaughan (Y: The Last Man) need to be added to that list. The J Michael Straczynski run on Thor was amazing!

Comics Ninja: Couldn’t agree with you more on Gail Simone.  What would be your favorite movie role to play?

Valerie Perez:I really LOVE physical roles, but would be excited to give my all to help bring a more relatable heroine to life. It does not have to be a superhero, vampire, or alien.

Comics Ninja: Anything else you want to pass on to the fanboys at Ninja Nation?

Valerie Perez: San Diego Comic Con is a big place so whether you were there or not recently check out my coverage from 2010, I think you’ll like it! http://www.facebook.com/v/422299036311.

I lurk online so I am watching you as much as you are watching me

:: NINJAS RULE ::

Valerie Perez

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