Spider-Man Cosplay #1! Featuring The Black Cat (Heather Harris)!

HEATHER: “Not a problem. It’s a pleasure. Thank you for asking me.”

ME: So let’s get started! What drew you into Spider-Man and when was that?
HEATHER: “Hmmm, well, it was a long time ago I can tell you that. It’s probably been about 30 years ago I was drawn to Spider-Man, and comic books in general. Most of the time then, I just picked them up to look at the art and try a recreate it. I always had pencils and a sketch pad with comics wherever I went when I was a child.”

ME: Favorite Spidey writers and artists?
HEATHER: “Oh man, putting me on the spot here, Pete! LOL”

ME: Was there a favorite issue or story arc you like? Can you tell us why? Do you collect comics or are you more into the art of it?
HEATHER: “OOhh Fav issue has to be Marvel Comics What IF #21: What if Spider-Man had married the Black Cat. The story had Peter reconsider his proposal to MJ in concern for her safety in his life and being that Felicia had a similar lifestyle as his ( And he did have very strong feelings for her too) that it would be easier on all parties. But low and behold, with all different choices come very different consequences. Kinda love the “What IF” series.   As for collecting comics, I did start out getting them just for the art since I loved drawing. It all started with Archie, then Katy Keene, to X-men and Spider-Man. I would sit for hours in my Grandmother’s porch and draw my favorite panels, blowing up the image on large pieces of oaktag paper and such. When I would take a break from drawing, that is when I would get into the stories of them. “

ME: Is there any merchandise you hold dear to you that represents your love for the character besides your Cosplay?
HEATHER: “Oh yes!! I have both versions of Diamond Select Marvel Statue of Black Cat that was release back in 2004 (I think that was the year) One is the Black suit and the other is the Retro suit – Blue spandex with the fur. Love that second one! I’m actually quite selective when it comes to collecting figures of her. “

ME: Speaking of which, let’s get into that! You have cosplayed as Black Cat. What was that like designing the costume and did the costume present any hurdles to you when making it. (As a cosplayer, I know they do). Also, why is Felicia Hardy your favorite?
HEATHER: “Ahh, the good ole days! LOL! Well, I was still living back in NY then and, oh god, it must have been around 1997 or 1998 when I was inspired to put together the suit for halloween. See, I didn’t know jack “Sugar Honey Ice Tea” about conventions then, or sewing for that matter. Didn’t even know comic conventions existed. Anyway, I just kinda did a lot of “hunting” so to speak in downtown Manhattan, up and down Bleeker Street and St. Mark’s Place. Went into stores ranging from dance wear to fetish wear. The very first collar for my first outfit I got from a Pet store though. LOL! “

HEATHER: “Felicia.  She is one of my favorite comic book characters because I felt that I had a lot in common with her at the time. I seem to be drawn to those with the white hair ( Storm from the X-men is another fav of mine) Premature white hair is a hereditary gene in my family for one. Another reason is the connection that she had with her dad. I had lost my father suddenly when I was 9 years old and I completely understood her loss, not being able to really say goodbye. But her playful personality and hopeful love is something I also connected with. Like I said earlier, the banter between her and Spidey always made me giggle. Loved every innuendo between them.”

ME: Wow!  That’s deep Heather.  When you suited up for the first time and ready to walk on out of the floor. What was that like and how did that feel?
HEATHER: Now you’re asking about my very first convention too.

HEATHER: “That had to be back in, ….. oh damn, umm, Shore Leave 2003. It was a good small convention for my first one. It is mostly known for Star Trek but the 501st would like to show up and crash the party and a Stormtrooper would end up in the pool… in full gear. Still, I was nervous as all hell to be wearing a costume not for halloween and in the middle of July. But, as soon as I walked into the lobby and met up with my new found friends who were in their favorite costumes, I knew my fear was unfounded and we had the greatest time ever!”

ME: You have done more than one version of Black Cat. Did you want a challenge or just wanted to try something no body did before?
HEATHER: “Oh geez, BOTH! I wanted to do something new cuz I started seeing everyone walking around with my version at one time, and I just don’t like showing up at the ball with the same dress as the prom queen LOL! And the versions that some of the artists were coming out with were amazballs and I thought to myself, “How the (bleep) can I pull this off?” That is when I started to teach myself how to sew. A lot of blood and sweat went into that second attempt at costume making. Like Literally. LOL!”

ME: Remember NYCC 2012?  You dressed up as classic Black Cat and did a shoot with me! Just wanted to thank you!
HEATHER: “OMgosh! Thank you sweetie! Been a long time since then!”

ME: Sometimes a costume you cosplay as defines you, because you represent it so much. Has anyone ever called you “Cat” or “Felicia” while out of costume?
HEATHER: “Haha! Yes. Both Actually. The “Felicia” was at Wizard World Philly, can’t remember the year, but it was called out to me by a guy who is now one of my Best Friends. long story short, we were walking in opposite directions on the con floor and he spotted me and turned, pointed and yelled out, “FELICIA!”, and we’ve been friends ever since LOL!
The “Cat” nickname I got when I moved out here to Cali when I started working for a production company. There was another girl named Heather that worked alongside of me and everyone knew that I did the Black Cat cosplay, so they just ended up calling me Cat. To this day, I can tell who it might be if they yell that out on the con floor to me.”

ME: Any cool stories you wish to share while dressing up and walking around as Black Cat?
HEATHER: “I just can’t tell you how many times the real awesomeness of dressing up and walking around as Black Cat is when kids come up and know the character and want to take pics and talk about why THEY love the character so much. Those connections are THE absolute best of the best when it comes down to it. On the other hand when the convention day turns to night, those stories, well…. they stay right where they are, never to be heard of again! LOL!

ME: This is a Spider-Man site, but I’m sure people would like to know. What other cosplay costumes have you done?
HEATHER: “Umm, it’s been a hot sec since I’ve done a costume or two so let’s see if I can remember.
Black Cat, Retro Black Cat (blue spandex), Ultimate Black Cat , Original Trooper Groupie, “Winter” by Alphonse Mucha
J. Scott Campbell’s BC w/ Spidey shirt, Ame-Comi Cheetah, Mike Choi’s X-23, X-23 (Black Spandex), JC from Danger Girl
Star Trek Cadet, Retro Snow White, Sexy Snow White , Tess Folwer’s Apocalyptic Snow White.  That is all I can remember at the moment. “

ME: Where can people find you online if they wanted to? Social Media pages.
HEATHER: Well, for the past three years I have taken a bit of a hiatus from cosplay and became a Certified Neuromuscular Massage Therapist. So you can find my FB page as Dordean Massage or go to www.dordeanmassage.com.

ME: Heather, AS ALWAYS, it has been a real pleasure talking to you.
HEATHER: “Dude! Thank you so much! It’s been a pleasure to walk down memory lane with you! Let’s catch up at a con soon. Thanks again! Muah!”