February 2012, Cosplay Babe of the Month, BelleChere as Spider-Woman.
Welcome to part two of our interview and feature on one of our favorite cosplayers, BelleChere. We’ve enjoyed our time with her so far so let’s get back to the interview right away.
Photo right: BelleChere as Ms. Marvel. Comments from BelleChere: “
For all the fun I had wearing this costume, the character still sparks a nerve in me. I want to be able to put a finger on what exactly I have against her, but I’m not sure what it is. Maybe it’s due to her powerful, near feminist ideals. Maybe it’s cause I’d rather root for Rogue or Mystique whenever they’ve bested the Avenger. Maybe it’s cause she took Tony Stark’s side in the Civil War. Maybe it’s because she just doesn’t smile enough. Every move she makes just seems opposed to what I would choose to do instead.
Despite my reservations about the character, I read and enjoyed the Ms. Marvel solo series. Not to mention I’m an ardent supporter of Frank Cho and loved how he drew her. That, on top of this being one of the most often requested costumes for me to make, drove me to create this costume. The mask was made by the talented Mike Shiffbauer.
Comics Ninja: What are your best and worst fanboy experiences at the conventions or events?
BelleChere: Most of my experiences have been very positive. A lot of people assume that I always have people bothering me when I’m in costume, but most people that interact with me are really polite. I’ve really only had a couple lewd interactions, and the guys were pretty intoxicated. The experience that sincerely bothered me was when this guy, total stranger, came up and proposed to me. At first I thought he was joking, that it was a dare that his friends nudged him into doing…but then I saw he had the Crazy Eyes. I told him no, explained I was married, but he wound up not taking the hint and approached me twice more during the day. It was creepy.
Comics Ninja: We hear you. What comic books are you personally reading right now? Favorite games or Anime?
BelleChere: I’m not reading any new material, but I am getting into the first run of New Teen Titans (whooo 80’s!), Witchblade’s anthology, and Alan Moore’s From Hell. I have a list of Must Reads that I’m working my way through. I haven’t really gotten into an anime in a few years, other than Queen’s Blade, which was a riot. As for games, Soul Calibur V just came out, I’m working my way through the Assassin’s Creed line, and I’m a sucker for pretty much anything for the Kinect. I love throwing myself around my living room.
BelleChere as Ghost.
Comics Ninja: Wow good call on the first fun of New Teen Titans! And now for the tough part of the interview. Which is better DC or Marvel and why?
BelleChere: My knee-jerk reaction is Marvel. Of course. But lately I’ve been wicked frustrated by both companies and their creative decisions. After feeling jerked around by watery plots for a couple years, I wound up so frustrated by Nightcrawler’s death that I stopped purchasing Marvel. I can’t wait to see Avengers, but I need more character-driven stories, so I rely on independent comics and back issues for that.
Comics Ninja: What character would you be if you could be any character in real life?
BelleChere: Hmm. That’s a strange question, to me. I kinda like who I am. I’d say Rogue, but a lot of people refer to me as Rogue anyway. Yeah, I’ll stick with a non-answer; more people should be proud of who they are.
Comics Ninja: If you could have any superpowers what would they be?
BelleChere: If this is a scenario where there are other supers in the world, then I’d want Copycat’s powers – the ability to mimic any other ability. If there aren’t, then most definitely flight. I would love to fly. That, or a shapeshifter of Mystique’s capabilities.
Comics Ninja: We note that you prefer Star Wars over Star Trek (good choice) but here’s a tough call. Worst movie: Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace or Star Trek: The Motion Picture?
BelleChere: Uggggh. This is tough. Do I want to be needlessly irritated, or fall asleep? Star Trek isn’t too bad on the offensive scale, it didn’t really shake the very foundation of the fandom, so I’m going to have to say Phantom Menace. That doesn’t stop the music from getting stuck in my head, though.
Photo to the right: BelleChere as Power Girl. Comment from BelleChere: “My eyes are up here.”
Comics Ninja: Good call. What costumes are you planning in the near future?
BelleChere: This year I plan on making Tarot, Witchblade, Ame-Comi Power Girl, Ivy Valentine (Soul Calibur V), Risti (Queen’s Blade), and Perez/Wolfman era Starfire. Let’s see if I can get to all of them! *knocks on wood*
Comics Ninja: Any advice for fellow cosplayers planning to go to the conventions dressed as their favorite characters in the future?
BelleChere: Guys, above all, have fun. Don’t dress up cause someone else wants you to, or in hopes that you’ll become internet famous – do it because you’re going to have a stellar time. In order to ensure you have the best time possible, I recommend that you wear the costume before the convention just to be certain there won’t be any wardrobe malfunctions. Also, don’t forget to eat, definitely don’t forget to drink (WATER, cause booze actually DEhydrates), make sure your shoes are broken in, get plenty of sleep before the con (you probably won’t get much during the con), take your vitamins, and bring some asprin and band aids (in case of blisters). Be prepared that people will want to take your pictures, and if you aim on reaching a panel, you might have to start the journey an hour early. Really, though, have fun. If it’s not fun, why do it?
BelleChere as Vampirella.
Comics Ninja: Any last parting pearls of wisdom or otherwise to pass onto the readers?
BelleChere: If any costumers need help trying to puzzle out a way to accomplish part of a costume, feel free to toss me an email. I like to help. I also do commissions. As for a ‘pearl of wisdom’…’Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.’ ~ Buddha. Truth.
Comics Ninja: Finally, any websites we should check out to see more of your wonderful costumes and learn more about you?
Photo left: We loved the Red Sonja costume so much we had to throw another one in.
BelleChere: I’m on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bellecherecostume), Flickr for all my convention pics (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bellechere/), and I just started up a dA to feature my best shots (http://bellechere.deviantart.com/). Thank you for the interview!
Comics Ninja FTW!
Thank you BelleChere for the wonderful feature and interview and congratulations on being the Cosplay Babe of the Month! Now, 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! Then, when you’re done with the news go to our Swap Comics/Games page and check out the latest free available trades!
BelleChere as Rogue.
February 2012, Cosplay Babe Of The Month, BelleChere: Part Two,
Bellechere as “Power Woman”?
i think you mean Power Girl
You sir are correct! BelleChere is all woman in our eyes so forgive the slip, it’s just tough to call her a girl.
Curses!
Why are all the awesome ones married.
[/sigh]
thak you
I will say this, as a much more amateur costumer- I have met Belle at a number of conventions and practically dissected her costumes by eye going over how she put them together, and I can totally vouch for her- she really is happy to help other costumers, and she is unfailingly patient and polite. Not just a bombshell but friendly, approachable and talented… truly a Belle if ever there was one