Welcome to the second half of the official Comics! The Blog Top Ten 18 Edmonton Expo Cosplayers List! Wait, what do you mean you haven’t read Part 1 yet? Go do that right now, and then come right back, I’ll wait here.

All caught up? Ok good! What did you think about the first half of the list? Did you have a favourite costume or photo? Or even better, is one of the photos of you? (That’d be pretty cool actually.) If for whatever reason you have liked nothing from the first half of this list, and yet have decided to continue reading through the second half, hopefully something within will WOW you! (I suspect not though, since you’re probably one of those perma-grumpy people from the internets.)

Anyways, for the haters and the fans, please enjoy Part 2 of my interview below:

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A very impressive costumed Expo attendee was lumbering towards the entrance doors just as I finished up my lunch, so I grabbed my camera and ran over to intercept him. (My apologies if I get some quotes wrong on this interview; most of his answers were badly muffled through the thick mask he was wearing!)

RT: Alright so what are you dressed as today?

Predator: The Predator.

RT: Wow, and what is it made out of?

PD: Latex.

RT: Where do you go about getting latex for a costume?

PD: Got it on the internet.

RT: Really, the internet? Wow, jeez…how long does something like this take?

PD: Years…

RT: So this isn’t your first time dressed up like then, I guess?

PD: It is, actually!

RT: It is? Really? Wow, so this is the premiere of the costume?

PD: Yup.

RT: Wow, so are you in the costume contest?

PD: Ugh, well I was, but I don’t think I can wear it that long…

RT: Oh yeah, it’s probably pretty hot in there I guess? Jeez… So what inspired you to finally take the plunge and dress as the Predator?

PD: Well it’s my third time, (at a con?) and it seemed like the thing to do…

RT: Haha, yah okay. So are you going to wait in line like this, go see any guests maybe? Or are you just here to show off?

PD: I’ve got Karl Urban at 3 o’clock, so we’ll see.

RT: Ok, wow, well good luck with that then, and thank you very much for your time!

PD: Thank you.

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A familiar looking costumed character is mulling about in the Expo halls, so I headed over to ask her a few questions about her costume:

RT: We’re from Comics! The Blog, and we’re picking our favourite costumes, so what are you dressed as today?

Link: I’m dressed as Link from The Legend of Zelda; Zora’s armour.

RT: Very cool; what is it made out of?

LK: It’s made out of fabric here (her tunic), and this is just stock paper (Gesturing to her helmet). And then with fibreglass and resin as well, and I just kept putting it on it, and then these (the detailing) are just cords for curtains. So I just glued them all around here.

RT: That’s a lot of detail. So how long did this take?

LK: This took about a month, off and on.

Male Companion: Ten hours everyday…

RT: Ten hours everyday for a month?? Haha, that’s pretty good, jeez… And is this your first time wearing it?

LK: Yes it is! This is my first costume, first comic con and everything.

RT: First costume, first comic con, wow! So what inspired you to finally take the plunge?

LK: I don’t know, I just see all these other costumes and I’m like, you know, I’m just going to do my favourite character…

RT: So what is it about this character that’s like, yup that’s the one…that’s the inaugural costume.

LK: Because I don’t see it much. Like, everyone can dress up as Link, but I never see them in a Zora costume or armour. Because it’s very difficult to do everything! See, like the scales, and everything…

RT: It looks unbelievable, it’s great. So have you gotten any inspiration for next year already? Like have you seen something and said, ‘that’s the one I’m going to do next’?

LK: Umm, not yet. Because everyone is taking pictures of me, I really want to see everyone else and take pictures with them, because I’m a little overwhelmed with everything.

RT: I was going to say, when you dress up like this do you realize that you’re basically not going to get to see anything inside?

LK: I know! It kinda sucks, but whatever…

RT: Well thank you very much for taking the time.

LK: Thank you!

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A brightly-coloured, classic costume (that I don’t really see too often) was walking through the aisles of the con as I stopped her for a few questions:

RT: We’re from Comics! The Blog, and we’re doing a list of our favourite cosplayers here today. What are you dressed as?

Batgirl: I’m dressed as the original 1960’s Batgirl.

RT: And did you make this costume yourself?

BG: I didn’t make it, my friend actually works at Carrie’s Costumes, it’s a year-round costume store in St. Albert…

RT: Of course! St. Albert, born and raised…

BG: I’ve done this for her before. So she called me up and said, ‘You wanna dress up as Batgirl for the comic expo?’ and I was like, ‘Free ticket! Yes!’

RT: So are you a big fan of the character then, too?

BG: I like it. I wouldn’t say I’m super into it, like if you were to quiz me…

RT: I was going to quiz you, but okay!

BG: Well you know, I gotta go… (pretends to run away) *laughs* But I really have a general appreciation for everything here.

RT: Excellent. Is there one guest or one thing that you’re really excited about, more than others?

BG: Umm…actually I really like Sons of Anarchy, so the fact that Tommy Flanagan was here was really cool. I’m not going to be here tomorrow so I’m going to miss it, but just the fact that he’s here feels alright.

RT: Well maybe you can see him at, you know, dinner or something, if you happen to find out where’s he’s going to be…

BG: Yah! You know, I have his schedule in my Palm Pilot. Palm Pilot: I’m from the 90’s apparently… *laughs*

RT: And so last time you did this, was it Batgirl as well or was it a different costume?

BG: Different costumes. My best friend actually has a web series called Sexy Nerd Girl, and she’s kinda really gotten me into some stuff. She’s really into that; she has an online series now, so… She has a series Versus Valerie if you want to check that out.

RT: Ok cool! And have you been inspired by anything else here? Maybe to tell Carrie, you know, this is what you gotta make me?

BG: Actually, no, I can’t remember her name…you know ReBoot? The girl who had the aqua hair and like the starfish? [Ed. Note: AndrAIa] For some reason I thought about that today and I was like, I wanna be that next year!

RT: I haven’t seen that costume, It’d be a good one.

BG: I like bodysuits! They’re comfy!

RT: Haha, well thank you very much for your time!

BG: Yah! I hope I did well!

RT: You did well!

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A rare sight at one of these Expos - a father and daughter team where only the Dad is dressed in character! I swung over to ask a few questions:

RT: This is a very cool costume, so officially, what are you dressed as today?

Jonah Hex: Jonah Hex.

RT: And what was the inspiration for this?

JH: I was just trying to think of something that I hadn’t seen at a convention before.

RT: Well you nailed it, exactly, I’ve never seen it before. So did you make it all yourself then?

JH: No, unfortunately, I can’t claim to that. I cheated. I bought the uniform from a Civil War reenactment outfit in Indiana. The make-up was all me. I got the supplies from Don’s in Calgary [Ed. Note: Don’s, this counts as a sponsorship from us].

RT: Oh ok, very cool! And have you ever dressed up before?

JH: Yah, oh yah. I did Calgary earlier this year, I did Klingon costumes a few times.

RT: And have you been inspired by anything else around here?

JH: There’s a lot of really good costumes here, and yah you can get a lot of good ideas, but I try when I’m thinking about what I’m going to go as, I try to go for something that I haven’t seen.

RT: That’s fair. Can we get the Comics! The Blog exclusive on something that maybe you’re thinking of for next year?

JH: Yah, actually, I’m looking into either the Nicholas Cage Ghost Rider, or the original comic book version of Carter Slade, Ghost Rider.

RT: Yah, you know, you don’t actually see many Ghost Riders, that’s a good point! Well, we won’t tell anyone…except for the internet.

JH: Ok. That’s all…

CT: Nobody looks at the internet…

RT: No, exactly. Well, not our site…

JH: Not a lot of people are going to be insane enough to stick their head underneath the plaster for about two hours while they build the molds…

RT: I was going to say, yah, how are you going to go about that…

JH: I’m shaving my head.

RT: Really, you’re going to do it?

JH: Yup.

RT: (gesturing to the young girl standing next to us) I’m assuming this is your daughter?

JH: Yes.

Jonah Hex’s Daughter: Hi!

RT: How do you feel about your Dad shaving his head for a costume?

JH: She had a hard time dealing with me shaving my moustache for this.

RT: Wow. And are you ever inspired by your Dad, are you ever going to dress up one year?

JD: I went to the Calgary Comic Con this year as a Klingon, actually.

JH: She was a Starfleet officer, along the lines of….oh…I drew a complete blank…Voyager…

RT: Oh! B’Elanna Torres!

JH: Torres, yah.

RT: That’s cool! So it’s something that runs in the family then?

JH: Yah, yah. The comic…geekdom, yah.

RT: That’s great. Well good luck with next year, and hopefully we’ll see you here!

JH: Yah, we’ll be here and Calgary, and we’re actually shooting for San Diego if we can get tickets.

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Cecilia elbowed me in the ribs and pointed to a girl dressed in an impressive costume made of leather and metal, and told me to go interview her:

RT: So what are you dressed as today?

Valkyrie: A valkyrie.

RT: A valkyrie, okay, now I’m going to show my lack geek knowledge, I have no idea what that is, so can you explain it?

VK: (shaking her head and mouthing the word ‘No’) My Dad made it…

RT: Really? So you have no idea what it is either?

Male companion: A Valkyrie is a handmaiden of Odin. It’s Norse mythology.

RT: Ohh, ok, very cool. Would your Dad by any chance be one of the Viking guys who were in Calgary this summer?

VK: Nooo.

RT: Aww, ok. I literally interviewed like a troop of Vikings…

VK: Really?? *laughs*

RT: Yah…so did you Dad make the costumes then?

VK: Oh yah, everything by hand, he’s made.

RT: The metal and everything?

VK: The metal, yah. Blacksmith and everything.

RT: How long would that take him?

VK: Almost a year.

RT: And what did he have to get you, to dress up like this? Like what did he buy you…

VK: Nothing!

RT: …or did you really just want to do this…

VK: Well, I didn’t. He wanted to make it, and then it took him so long I couldn’t be like, ‘So I’m not gonna come to Comic Con…’

RT: Fair enough. So have you dressed up before in the past?

VK: Not really, no.

RT: Never, no. And are you inspired to continue on the tradition?

VK: (Again, shaking her head and mouthing ‘No’)

RT: *laughs* Well, I mean, I’m sure your Dad is very thankful of it. Thank you very much!

VK: No problem!

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An elaborate costume surrounded by people with cameras. I didn’t know what it was, or what it was from, but that didn’t stop me from going in for some questions:

RT: So what are you dressed as today?

Sister Paula: I’m Sister Paula, from Trinity Blood. It’s a manga and anime. I just love the designs.

RT: Yah, it’s very unique. I’ve never seen it before. And did you make this all yourself?

SP: You bet - from scratch.

RT: How long did it take?

SP: About 320 hours.

RT: How do you keep track of that many hours put into this, or do you have to to keep yourself sane?

SP: I counted by weekends, so it’s over the course of months of work.

RT: Unbelievable…so is this the first time you’ve worn it?

SP: Second time I’ve worn it, second time in competition, so I’m hoping for a win this time.

RT: Oh, congratulations and good luck to you I guess.

SP: Thanks very much!

RT: And what exactly is it made out of?

SP: A variety of materials, and that of course brings some of your best results. So you’ve got twill, you have craft foam and wonderflex, you have velvet, there’s some leather pieces, there’s some suede pieces…

RT: And have you ever dressed up as anything else in the past?

SP: Yes I have. I try and do one major costume a year.

RT: And what are some of the highlights of things you’ve done before?

SP: Suki, from Avatar: The Last Airbender. That gets a very positive reception [Ed. Note: This would be AWESOME to see]. I’ve also done some Sakura, from Naruto.

RT: Wow, okay, so kind of a very eclectic range, I guess…

SP: Yah, focusing particularly on the Japanese.

RT: Very cool. So have you thought about what you might do next year already? Have you got some inspiration from other people here?

SP: Oh, absolutely! I’ve been talking to some leather workers and talking about feathers and leatherwork items I may be able to source from them for my next costume.

RT: Can we get the Comics! The Blog exclusive on what you may have in the works?

SP: Oh, sorry it’s gotta be top top secret! I don’t want anyone to scoop me!

RT: Well thank you so much for your time.

SP: Thank you, sir.

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A girl with bright red hair and a very large gun caught my eye, so I asked her a few questions about her costume:

RT: So what are you dressed as today?

Yoko Littner: I’m dressed as Yoko Littner, from Gurren Lagann.

RT: Ok…and I have absolutely no idea what that is, can you explain it a little bit?

YL: It’s a popular Japanese animation.

RT: Wow, ok, and are you a huge fan?

YL: HUGE FAN, it’s absolutely amazing to watch!

RT: And have you dressed up like this before in the past, then?

YL: I have, yes.

RT: How long did it take?

YL: Umm, I’d say the gun took about 5 hours…and the rest of the costume took about 6.

RT: That’s not too bad.

YL: Not bad at all.

RT: And have you dressed up as anything different in the past, before?

YL: Umm, Sabre from Fate Stay Night.

RT: Ok…and have you been inspired by anything else here that you may pick for next year?

YL: I have been a little bit inspired, actually! There’s a lot of really cool World of Warcraft female cosplayers that are really interesting.

RT: Absolutely, I’ve seen a few…they’re really good. So what exactly is this costume made out of?

YL: The gun is made out of an aluminum broom handle, believe it or not. And then a little bit of wood, and then my own scope.

RT: Your own scope?!

YL: I put my own scope on there.

RT: So…so you do hunting or something like that?

YL: Umm, no. A good friend of mine had a rifle, and he bought me my own small one, so he got me a scope for that as well.

RT: Cool, well it’s a great costume, thank you very much!

YL: Thank you!

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A bit of a mish-mash couple wearing two very cool costumes walked past me outside, so I stopped them and asked a few questions:

RT: So what are you dressed as today?

Two-Face: I’m dressed as Two-Face, from Batman Forever. The Tommy Lee Jones version.

RT: Classic Tommy, yup. And yourself?

Jack Skellington: I’m dressed as Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

RT: How long did it take [to make these costumes]?

JS: Gosh, that’s a very good question!

TF: Put it this way, the make-up alone took her 3 hours this morning.

JS: Jack Skellington doing Two-Face’s makeup…that’s just how it works!

TF: …and with all the suits and everything…

JS: I think it’s about a combined process over the period of about 3 months…4 months. And there’s continual tweaking, always.

RT: And so this is the first time you guys have sported these ones?

JS: This is my second time, I wore this one at Anime-thon earlier this year, but I had a different wig, a different style of make-up, so I changed up a few things. But otherwise, this is only the second time for this one.

RT: Ok, not bad. (Turning to Two-Face) And yourself?

TF: This will be the first time, and I’m being judged in this one.

RT: Oh, you guys are in the costume contest?

JS: Yes. The first time being judged as well.

RT: Wow, wow…so are you kinda stressed out about it? Are you nervous?

JS: I’ve never been in anything this big before. It’s always been like smaller and local and stuff, and this is just huge. And the judges? Oh my gosh, the judges…

RT: Who’s judging this year?

JS: Umm, Holly and Jessica, they’re on Heroes of Cosplay right now. They’re kind of a big deal! They are, I’m not going to lie. So I don’t even need to win anything, just to be recognized, to be seen by them, that’s it. That’s all I need.

TF: Yah, as long as they say, ‘Good costume’ we’re probably pretty good.

RT: Awesome. Ok, so what are they made out of? Did you recycle any materials you already had?

JS: I’m a cheap cosplayer, I do everything at Value Village. I would take suits and I would rip them to my size, and I would add fabric to them…pants I’ve shrunk, I spent hours painting…every line on this suit was painted on. Hand painted. Worst part of the whole thing. And then this (her bowtie) was made from scratch.

RT: And have you dressed up in the past?

TF: Oh yeah.

JS: Yeah, I’ve been cosplaying for 11 years now.

RT: Wow, how did you get into cosplay?

JS: Oh gosh…

TF: Because it’s Halloween everyday! How can you not get into cosplay??

JS: Because we already love Halloween, and a local convention, Anime-thon, came into town…I dressed up the one time, and it took that one photographer to be like, ‘Can I take your picture?’ and I was hooked. I was done. It was the level of attention. Of appreciation.

RT: Yah, well there’s a lot of effort put into it, so it’s easy to appreciate. So have you seen anything today that has inspired you for next year’s costume, or next con’s costume?

TF: I’m kinda liking Steampunk stuff. I’m thinking next year? Steampunk Disney.

JS: Oh my gosh…it’s been done, but it’s been done amazingly… Ugh, that’s some pressure on that one. I’m sticking to Tim Burton. This is my third year doing something from Tim Burton. I was Edward Scissorhands last year, before that I was Tim Burton’s Catwoman. So next year I’m going to be something Tim Burton for sure!

RT: Very cool, well thank you so much for your time.

JS: You’re welcome.

TF: No problem.

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I had caught a glimpse of this costume walking around the Expo as I ate lunch, but didn’t grab a photo because my hands were full of delicious hamburger [Ed. Note: This is why the only things I ingest at conventions are questionable energy drinks]. So once I saw her again inside, I made sure to catch her for an interview:

RT: I’ve been looking for you since this morning!

Rita: Really?

RT: Yah, absolutely… (and then a barrage of other fans mobbed us)

Other fan: Can I have a picture of you?

RT: Waiting for a guy to take a picture…this is fun…

Other fan: Thanks! So, I feel like I should know what you’re cosplaying…

RR: Because you should!

RT: Sooo, what are you dressed as today?

RR: I’m dressed as Rita Repulsa from the original Power Rangers series!

RT: (to the other fan) Take that!

RR: Ding Ding! *laughs*

RT: And did you make this all yourself?

RR: I did make it all myself.

RT: How long did that take?

RR: A long time. Not quite ten thousand years, but it felt like it!

RT: Were you locked in a box for awhile?

RR: I was! On the moon! It was creepy…

RT: Very cool! Is this the first time you’ve worn this one?

RR: Nope, I wore it the first time at the Calgary Expo and then at the K-Days parade.

RT: And what is it made out of?

RR: The staff is made out of expanding foam that you use to insulate around your windows! And a razorblade, and some paper mache…(gestures to the pink crystal) and a dollar store cat toy! *laughs*

RT: That’s so amazing! It’s so good, I love the re-purposeness [Ed. Note: Oh my god this is not a word] of it.

RR: Absolutely! And party hats… (as she points out her, umm, points) *laughs*

RT: A party hat bra? Well, that’s what I always call them anyway…

RR: *laughs* That’s right, well if you’re going to take over the world you need Boobies of Power, so… *laughs*

RT: Of course! So have you been on the lookout for Zedd?

RR: Naw, I’m not worried about him.

RT: And have you been inspired by any other costumes here, that maybe next year, ‘that’s what I’m going to do’, or are you going to stick with this one?

RR: Uhh, actually I have something in the works, so…

RT: Ooo! Can we get the Comics! The Blog exclusive?

RR: Well it’s going to involve a big, giant hoop skirt…

RT: Giant hoop skirt, alright well I’m going to guess…umm, it’s gonna be…umm…Attack of the 50 foot Woman!

RR: Nope! But…hrmmm…

RT: I was imagining, like, the huge hoop skirt but then like, massively tall as well…

My lovely wife, Cecilia (finally with some dialogue): Stilts!

RR: Yah, no.

Other random fan, oblivious to the interview process: Can I get a picture?

RT: Sure, don’t worry - we’ll continue this later! You know it’s a good costume when people keep stopping you to get pictures of the person you’re interviewing…

RT: So did you realize that, you know, dressing up like this that you were going to be mobbed by basically everyone in here?

RR: Today? Yes. When I first wore it in Calgary, no. There was a certain point where it was like, me and a friend were trying to get to the bathroom, and it took me about 25 minutes to get like, the 15 feet required…

RT: That’s gotta be horrible!

RR: Well, you’re sorta like, posing with your legs crossed! It’s awkward for people…

RT: No kidding! So you’re just a really huge Power Rangers fan then?

RR: Well…you know, long live the 90’s!

RT: Yah!

CT: I did the Pink Power Ranger last year for Halloween.

RR: Yah, right? Brilliant.

RT: I was Green, because Green was the best.

RR: Oh believe me, I enchanted Green, I totally think that! Green is my favourite!

RT: I love it, I love it, always in character! Well thank you so much for your time.

RR: You’re welcome!

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Well, that’s a wrap on the first official Comics! The Blog Top Ten 18 Edmonton Expo Cosplayers List! I had a lot of fun at this year’s Expo, and will definitely be attending the Edmonton event again next year. (Dare I say, I enjoyed it a bit more than the one in Calgary…) It certainly helped that I ended my weekend with a meet and greet with Christopher Lloyd, one of the stars of my favourite movie of all time: Back to the Future 2. Maybe next year, Michael J. Fox?

[Ed. Note: Okay, I would like to point out that Ryan SAID there were 18 cosplayers and there were ACTUALLY 19, so I guess he can’t do math OR follow my very simple instructions to get some female gaze all up in that, so, well, I dunno about this. I’d fire him, but (a) I don’t pay him and (2) I don’t want to actually have to go to these conventions myself, so I guess I’m stuck with him unless any other photographers who can count and follow instructions want a free weekend media pass to the Calgary and Edmonton Expos, I guess I’m stuck with him.

Note: I will not pay you.

Oh shiiiit, I just realized that his wife will straight-up beat me if I fire Ryan, so, uh… send those emails to [email protected]? -James]