Secret Identities: Bishop Cosplay
Scoop: Please introduce yourself. What’s your real name and cosplay name?
Bishop Cosplay: Harry C. a/k/a Bishop Cosplay
Scoop: How were you first introduced to the cosplay hobby? What was it about cosplay that made you want to participate?
Bishop Cosplay: I actually have to say it was my wife. In my 30s I thought it was ridiculous for people to still be dressing up for Halloween. But, then she made me a custom Matrix costume and from there it started. Next up, I went to Baltimore Comic Con in 2008 and I saw all of the cool people in these outrageous costumes and I was inspired to have one ready that next year. My first cosplay costume was me as a Sith Lord and it went over well. Since then I have cosplayed as assassins, superheroes, and Jedi.
Scoop: What is your personal approach to your costumes? How do you choose what character to emulate?
Bishop Cosplay: I can’t necessarily say that I have an approach. Some ideas that come to me have to do with my own comfort as well as if it’s a recognizable character and a few that I have done were mostly for myself to have fun with.
Scoop: Do you tend to make your own outfits, or do you receive help?
Bishop Cosplay: I have gotten tons of help. My wife Gina, has helped me come up with ideas for the last few costumes that we did and she is the mastermind behind actually putting them together. She is a graphics designer and she sews as well. She is awesome and I can’t thank her enough for it.
Scoop: What was one of your best and most memorable experiences in cosplay?
Bishop Cosplay: Right at this moment I can’t pinpoint any one memorable experience but suffice to say, what I love is seeing most of the big creators that come to cons from Marvel and DC who actually stop what they are doing to see my costume. It’s very humbling to see people like George Pérez, Dan Slott, the Simonsons, Gail Simone, and so many others stop their line with lots of people waiting to get their comics signed so we can take pictures.
Scoop: What was one of your worst?
Bishop Cosplay: As much as I hate bringing it up but because it does happen, it’s disheartening to see people who still believe that you can’t cosplay certain characters because you are Black. Now of course the question to ask is, whose fault is it that the majority of comic characters don’t look like me? Sure I could easily do Black Panther or a few other choice characters that DO look like me but why should I?
Scoop: What challenges or issues do you think cosplayers face most?
Bishop Cosplay: The biggest issue right now on our plates is the bullying and harassment. I make it a point that when I am at a con to make sure people know if they have an issue to come and let me know or let someone know that they are having problems with others who don’t know how to act. Just because a person is dressed a certain way does not give another the right to treat them in a disrespectful manner. Likewise, if what you are wearing is going to draw attention and you know it, act accordingly. If someone is disrespecting you does not mean you need to stoop to their level. What a lot of people need to remember that the cosplaying community is huge and when we go to cons, most of us try to do our best to look out for each other because you would be surprised how many people are new at this or come alone so we encourage others to come to cons and make new friends.
Scoop: What do you think cosplay adds to the overall convention experience?
Bishop Cosplay: In one sense it’s a chance to show others that we have a love for the characters that we are portraying. Also, it’s a joy to see a little kid’s eyes light up when they see their favorite characters brought to life and that they didn’t have to wait until Halloween for it.
Scoop: Do you have any major costume or convention plans lined up in the near future?
Bishop Cosplay: No costumes right now although an idea is at work to create a costume that will match one of my wife’s earlier works.
Scoop: Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Bishop Cosplay: Yes. Some advice to new cosplayers:
A few things: 1. Don’t go broke doing a costume. A lot of people think that the more you spend the better it is and it’s not always the case. Spend what you think you should spend and do it more for the enjoyment of it rather than thinking people will see the money and effort you put in which brings me to. 2. Know your character. Become your character. In some instances, it does bother me to see someone in a costume, especially if it’s a REALLY GOOD costume and have no idea what the character is about. In a sense I feel that cosplaying is a bit about advertising. Don’t do it if you don’t know what you are selling. 3. LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER: Surprisingly again, at some shows, you get to see the best in people and the worst in people. Even if you don’t know the person and you see something, say something don’t let bad things happen that you can prevent. Cosplay is all about fun and love but there are times where we need to step up and play the hero some of us portray.
Lastly, I am working with Patrick Strange, Wendell Smith and Brian Gregory in creating a group in which we as cosplayers put our talents to good use by the way of community service. Part of this will be cosplayers who go out to different events and try to make the lives of kids and their families a brighter one as well as take up non-monetary donations to be given to charities.
If you want to find out more: go to https://www.facebook.com/teamcoslove. My cosplay page is on Facebook. And I also have my own website that I run called http://popcultureuncovered.com/.
Previous articles in this series:
Popular Topics
Overstreet Access Quick Links
Secret Identities: Bishop Cosplay
Scoop: Please introduce yourself. What’s your real name and cosplay name?
Bishop Cosplay: Harry C. a/k/a Bishop Cosplay
Scoop: How were you first introduced to the cosplay hobby? What was it about cosplay that made you want to participate?
Bishop Cosplay: I actually have to say it was my wife. In my 30s I thought it was ridiculous for people to still be dressing up for Halloween. But, then she made me a custom Matrix costume and from there it started. Next up, I went to Baltimore Comic Con in 2008 and I saw all of the cool people in these outrageous costumes and I was inspired to have one ready that next year. My first cosplay costume was me as a Sith Lord and it went over well. Since then I have cosplayed as assassins, superheroes, and Jedi.
Scoop: What is your personal approach to your costumes? How do you choose what character to emulate?
Bishop Cosplay: I can’t necessarily say that I have an approach. Some ideas that come to me have to do with my own comfort as well as if it’s a recognizable character and a few that I have done were mostly for myself to have fun with.
Scoop: Do you tend to make your own outfits, or do you receive help?
Bishop Cosplay: I have gotten tons of help. My wife Gina, has helped me come up with ideas for the last few costumes that we did and she is the mastermind behind actually putting them together. She is a graphics designer and she sews as well. She is awesome and I can’t thank her enough for it.
Scoop: What was one of your best and most memorable experiences in cosplay?
Bishop Cosplay: Right at this moment I can’t pinpoint any one memorable experience but suffice to say, what I love is seeing most of the big creators that come to cons from Marvel and DC who actually stop what they are doing to see my costume. It’s very humbling to see people like George Pérez, Dan Slott, the Simonsons, Gail Simone, and so many others stop their line with lots of people waiting to get their comics signed so we can take pictures.
Scoop: What was one of your worst?
Bishop Cosplay: As much as I hate bringing it up but because it does happen, it’s disheartening to see people who still believe that you can’t cosplay certain characters because you are Black. Now of course the question to ask is, whose fault is it that the majority of comic characters don’t look like me? Sure I could easily do Black Panther or a few other choice characters that DO look like me but why should I?
Scoop: What challenges or issues do you think cosplayers face most?
Bishop Cosplay: The biggest issue right now on our plates is the bullying and harassment. I make it a point that when I am at a con to make sure people know if they have an issue to come and let me know or let someone know that they are having problems with others who don’t know how to act. Just because a person is dressed a certain way does not give another the right to treat them in a disrespectful manner. Likewise, if what you are wearing is going to draw attention and you know it, act accordingly. If someone is disrespecting you does not mean you need to stoop to their level. What a lot of people need to remember that the cosplaying community is huge and when we go to cons, most of us try to do our best to look out for each other because you would be surprised how many people are new at this or come alone so we encourage others to come to cons and make new friends.
Scoop: What do you think cosplay adds to the overall convention experience?
Bishop Cosplay: In one sense it’s a chance to show others that we have a love for the characters that we are portraying. Also, it’s a joy to see a little kid’s eyes light up when they see their favorite characters brought to life and that they didn’t have to wait until Halloween for it.
Scoop: Do you have any major costume or convention plans lined up in the near future?
Bishop Cosplay: No costumes right now although an idea is at work to create a costume that will match one of my wife’s earlier works.
Scoop: Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Bishop Cosplay: Yes. Some advice to new cosplayers:
A few things: 1. Don’t go broke doing a costume. A lot of people think that the more you spend the better it is and it’s not always the case. Spend what you think you should spend and do it more for the enjoyment of it rather than thinking people will see the money and effort you put in which brings me to. 2. Know your character. Become your character. In some instances, it does bother me to see someone in a costume, especially if it’s a REALLY GOOD costume and have no idea what the character is about. In a sense I feel that cosplaying is a bit about advertising. Don’t do it if you don’t know what you are selling. 3. LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER: Surprisingly again, at some shows, you get to see the best in people and the worst in people. Even if you don’t know the person and you see something, say something don’t let bad things happen that you can prevent. Cosplay is all about fun and love but there are times where we need to step up and play the hero some of us portray.
Lastly, I am working with Patrick Strange, Wendell Smith and Brian Gregory in creating a group in which we as cosplayers put our talents to good use by the way of community service. Part of this will be cosplayers who go out to different events and try to make the lives of kids and their families a brighter one as well as take up non-monetary donations to be given to charities.
If you want to find out more: go to https://www.facebook.com/teamcoslove. My cosplay page is on Facebook. And I also have my own website that I run called http://popcultureuncovered.com/.
Previous articles in this series:
Popular Topics
Overstreet Access Quick Links
