Katy DeCobray Interview

In this Cosplay XO interview we chat with prolific cosplayer and “adorkable badass” Katy DeCobray. This talented cosplayers diverse range of crafting skills has garnered her guest appearances and cosplay contest judging opportunities at conventions and even a unique collaboration with a comic book publisher. We caught up to the girl with the Harley Quinn tattoos to learn a little more about her and her cosplay journey.

Can you tell us about your cosplay origin story? How did you get started in cosplay?

I really wanted to go to San Diego Comic Con in 2009 and when I got the tickets I decided there would be no half measures! My friends and I dressed up as Cobra from GI Joe, and I was the Baroness. The rest is history.

What do you love most about being a cosplayer?

I love how many technical and creative skills it takes to create a cosplay: from figuring out how to make a costume from unconventional materials to then bringing the character to life in photos is incredibly challenging and rewarding.

How do you typically decide what characters to cosplay?

Its more of a process of elimination because really, I want to do all the cosplays. I usually gravitate towards dark-haired characters because I suck at styling wigs, and my cheekbones typically angle towards villains. I have a penchant for less common characters such as Morbius or Spider Jerusalem, for example, because I like trying to bring characters to life that you don’t normally see on the cosplay scene.

What is your most favourite and least favourite materials to work with and why?

My favourite is paint, I love painting armour or props! My least favourite material is satin; it’s too slippery and it creases so easily. Curse you, satin! Why must you be so lustrous and drape so beautifully?

How do you like working with 3D printers? Would you recommend 3D printing to other cosplayers?

I love it and would definitely recommend it! But like any tool, there’s definitely a learning curve. Its not as simple as pushing a button and having an instant cosplay an hour later.

Can you tell us about your Red Sonja comic book cover photo shoots?

I hiked a glacier in Alaska while wearing a metal bikini, so there’s that. Another was shot on the Top of the World Highway in the Yukon with some pretty brutal windchill, and another was shot on a mountain top in the dead of winter. Ironically, of all the Red Sonja photo shoots I’ve done, the glacier was the warmest!

If money and skill was no obstacle, what would be your dream cosplay?

1:1 scale fully operational Jaeger from Pacific Rim! My Jaeger code name would be Derpy Foxtrot.

Your already amazing Harley Quinn cosplay is further accentuated by your tattoos. Was cosplaying her the reason you got those tattoos or are you just a huge fan of the character?

I’m a big fan of the character. I would probably have these tattoos even if I wasn’t a cosplayer. Sometimes I worry that the tattoos are a distraction that takes away from other characters I cosplay, but they’re a part of who I am so I don’t try to conceal them and now I guess they’ve become one of my hallmarks.

Of all of your cosplays, which one would you say is your favourite and why?

The Baroness, of course! You never have to worry about meeting your childhood heroes if they’re cartoons, but in some cases you can become them.

Can you offer any advice for cosplayers who are just starting out?

Never be afraid to fail. Very few projects work perfectly the first time. Anyone that says they get 9 out of 10 cosplays on their first try has probably lied to you 8 times.

What’s a fun fact that people may not already know about you?
I can crush you on a volleyball court. Like, I would see you driven before me and I would hear the lamentations of your women.

Follow Katy DeCobray online:

Photo Credit: The featured image at the top of this post is derived from the Original Picture taken by photographer Daniel J Collins and used with permission.