#FeatureFriday with Mistercomb Cosplay

Today we have a fun feature with the incredible Mistercomb. Her cosplays are incredible and really let her talent shine through! Read her full interview below!

Hi there! My name is Katie, and I’m a 21 year old college student living in California. I’m lucky enough to be the daughter of an extremely nerdy dad, and because of him, I have loved comics, video games, anime, etc. for as long as I can remember, I even had a VHS copy of Spirited Away that I watched so many times that the tape broke! I’m currently studying for my bachelor’s in Anthropology, and I have three kitties and a dog!
 
How did you come up with your cosplay name?
This is actually kind of a boring story, but here goes! One year, my friends and I all went to San Diego Comic Con. During the convention, my best friend and I noticed that we had the same wig comb. Since I didn’t want mine to be mixed up with hers, I took a sharpie and I wrote Mr. Comb on it, along with a top hat and a moustache drawing. Later that weekend, I was talking about how I wanted to change my tumblr URL, and my friend suggested that I make it mistercomb! I went home, changed my URL and it’s been mistercomb ever since.
 
How and when did you get into cosplay?
I’ve always loved dressing up – there are pictures of me in my Queen Amidala Halloween costume that I wore all year round. I didn’t know what cosplay was until I started reading Homestuck though. I remember seeing other people cosplaying from Homestuck, and I used to tell myself “Psh, I’ll never be the kind of person that owns a wig”, because I thought it was kind of weird, but secretly super cool. Then one day, my best friend and I were kinda beating around the bush about how we both wanted to start cosplaying. So eventually, we agreed to do a Homestuck cosplay together, and I’ve been hooked ever since! My first three cosplays were Homestuck cosplays actually, haha!
 
What do you do when you're not in cosplay or geeking out?
Like I said, I’m also a college student! I’m only part time because I also work in an office, but my week is usually work, school, homework, then working either cosplay, or my other big hobby, my YouTube channel! When I’m not super busy, I really like playing video games or going on weekend adventures with friends.
 
You're also a YouTuber. What type of content do you produce?
My YouTube channel is almost all about cosplay! I make convention vlogs, cosplay tutorials, cosplay work logs, etc. I also occasionally make “favorites” videos, and I also like to use it as a platform to talk about “serious” topics, such as the Cosplay is Not Consent movement.
 
Who is your cosplay or YouTube idol/inspiration?
My first YouTube idol/inspiration would be MangoSirene. I’m sure if you asked other cosplay youtubers, they would probably say the same thing! She’s a really incredible youtuber, and I’ve been following her work for quite a while. I remember watching her work logs and con vlogs, and immediately grabbing my camera and recording whatever cosplay work I was doing that day. I loved the idea so much of sharing my work through videos, and I really enjoy the creative aspect of the editing process. I also really love watching Zonbi’s youtube videos and her style of editing has really inspired me to revamp my own style!
 
For cosplay, however, I have endless idols/inspirations! There are so many incredible cosplayers out there, but I really like Kinpatsu Cosplay, TheDangerousLadies, Byndo Gehk, Exeliax, Jinglebooboo, Starrymagics, WhimsyAly, just to name a few! I could keep going all day lol.
 
What cosplay(s) are you working on right now?
Right now I am currently working on Hannah Vizari from the comic book series Rat Queens! She’s almost done and I’m trying to finish her before a photoshoot next weekend lol! I also have been working on Sumomo from the anime Chobits, but she’s kind of on hiatus right now while I finish Hannah!

​What is your dream cosplay?
I don’t really have a “dream” cosplay so to speak. My plans and what I feel like cosplaying changes quite often, so usually things don’t really become a dream cosplay until I’m actually working on it and I realize how much it means to me. Right now, I’m kind of in that position with Hannah! I love her character and I didn’t think I would get the chance to work on her, but she’s almost done and I’m super psyched to wear her!
 
However, I would really like to do Jane from Tarzan at some point. She’s the closest thing I have to a dream cosplay right now. She has a fancy dress, she’s kind of a Disney princess (which I’ve always wanted to cosplay one), AND she’s an anthropologist?? I mean, I can’t NOT want to cosplay her lol!
 
What is a random fun fact about you as a cosplayer or one of your cosplays?
This sounds weird, but I like to sew sitting on the ground. I don’t suggest sitting on the floor hunched over your sewing machine, but that’s just how I do it when the kitchen table is covered in other projects!
 
Do you have any cosplay or convention pet peeves?
YES!! My number one top convention pet peeve, is people telling me, or overhearing them say to other cosplayers: “I hate (series cosplay is from), but I like your cosplay”. It’s just like come on, you could completely leave out the first part and just tell them you like their cosplay. It’s just a really backhanded compliment and I can guarantee the first part of that is the part that’s gonna stick in their head all day. Just say you like their cosplay and keep the rest to yourself, or just don’t say anything at all.
 
Do you have any horror stories or mistakes you've made that others can learn from?
One year at Fanime, I left the most complicated part of a costume to the last minute in the hotel the night before the convention. I seriously messed up because I didn’t know what I was doing, and I was on the phone crying to my mom at 3 o’ clock in the morning. I ended up using ribbon and gluing it to my leg with eyelash glue (and hot glue >.>) instead of what I had originally planned. Please, if you’re doing something new or complicated, leave yourself plenty of time at the start of the project to problem solve and figure out how you’re going to put it together. You’ll save yourself the drama, and you won’t waste precious time and materials.

Also, make a checklist before you leave for a con. Too many times have I left an essential piece of cosplay at home…
 
Do you have anything else you want to say, or add to this interview?
I would like to say to all the cosplayers out there reading this, please be kind to each other! This can be a difficult hobby, and the last thing we want is negativity in the community. The more we help each other out, the happier a place it is to be. Encourage each other, never give up, and never be scared to talk to other cosplayers! I can guarantee you’ll automatically be friends since you already have something in common.
 
Where can we find you on all things social?
Facebook
Instagram: @mistercomb
Youtube
Tumblr
Twitter: @mistercomb
Cosplay Amino: @mistercomb
American Cosplay Paradise

Thanks for coming on the blog, Katie! Make sure you follow this amazing artist on all things social. If you