Spider-Man Cosplay #10! Featuring Black Cat! (ASHLEY!)

Spider-Man Crawlspace
PROUDLY PRESENTS

Greetings Crawlspacers!  Welcome to the tenth edition to Spider-Man Cosplay!  The article on the front page that deals with interviews that I conduct featuring people who cosplay in Spider-Man themed costumes.  If it’s Spidey-themed and love for the character I’ll find it and publish here right on the front page!!

We have reached the TENTH edition of Spider-Man Cosplay!  Hooray!  More to come, but for this edition I’m making it special.  We started off with the Black Cat, let’s finish the first ten with The Black Cat, starring Crawlspace’s very own ASHLEY!!!

So let’s get started! What drew you into Spider-Man and when was that? What does Spider-Man mean to you?
I grew up loving superheroes, thanks to shows like Batman: The Animated Series, I’d like to think, but it wasn’t until the Sam Raimi movies that Spider-Man became a blip on my radar. Peter’s constant internal struggle and his drive to do the right thing, especially when it’s not easy, are what initially drew me to the character. So when I met Jack (my fiance to the uninitiated) and found out that Spider-Man was his favorite hero, it was only natural that we started reading the comics together and growing in our love for Spidey.

Favorite Spidey writers and artists?
I have to break tradition here and go with Greg Weisman for the pure joy that is The Spectacular Spider-Man pilot episode. Everything is spot on, from the banter to the classic Parker luck, and it perfectly sums up one of the things I love most about Spider-Man: even though things don’t always go his way, he still values what matters most. If I had to introduce a total stranger to Spider-Man, I’d probably have them start with that episode. As for art, in spite of being the stake in the heart of Black Cat fans everywhere, I really enjoyed Terry and Rachel Dodson’s work with “The Evil That Men Do.” Felicia with a ponytail is just something I never knew I needed until I saw it.

Was there a favorite issue or story arc you like? Can you tell us why?
I’ll always have a soft spot for the Spider-Man: Noir miniseries. I love seeing how the same story can be adapted in different ways, so it was fun seeing what changes the writers introduced to Spidey’s origin story.

Is there any merchandise you hold dear to you that represents your love for the character besides your Cosplay?
Jack and I have a copy of The Spectacular Spider-Man blu-ray that’s been signed thus far by Greg Weisman, Steve Blum (Green Goblin), Crispin Freeman (Electro), and Ben Diskin (Venom). Looking forward to adding Josh Keaton’s signature this year!

Speaking of which, let’s get into that! Black Cat is one of your spider themed cosplay. What was that like designing the costume and did the costume present any hurdles to you when making it. What drew you into cosplaying that character?
Felicia is just such an empowering character to me because she always exudes confidence. She has a striking design that while simple requires precision, so the challenge drew me in as well. The biggest hurdle was doing the bodysuit from scratch, because I insist on doing everything myself, and getting it to fit me right without the fabric pulling weird. That and vacuuming all the fur out of the carpet afterward.

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?
Awesome! My favorite part of a cosplay is seeing it all come together, from these individual parts to one complete image. It’s truly transformative, and probably the only thing that gives me the confidence to walk around a bunch of people in a skintight bodysuit.

Sometimes a costume you cosplay as defines you, because you represent it so much. Has anyone ever called you “Felicia” or “Cat” while out of costume?

Unfortunately no, but I can’t say I wouldn’t answer to it should the occasion arise!

Any cool stories you wish to share while dressing up and walking around as Black Cat?
My favorite was probably meeting a Silk cosplayer at a Marvel-themed photoshoot. It was right around the time that Cindy was working for Felicia in the comics, so it was really fun having that context to chat about.

This is a Spider-Man site, but I’m sure people would like to know. What other cosplay costumes have you done?
Aerith from Final Fantasy VII and Cure Black from Pretty Cure.

You don’t have to say Black Cat, but which costume is your favorite to dress up as?
It really is Black Cat, because I’ve had numerous opportunities to touch up the costume and it’s just super wearable. It’s the only one of my costumes I’ve come back to.

Have you ever considered dressing up as another spidey themed character?
I wish I could say yes! I have to be really attached to a character’s design to see myself cosplaying it, and when there are so many Variations of a Bodysuit, nothing jumps out at me. And after sewing one bodysuit from scratch, I can’t say I’m keen on doing another one any time soon!

Have you seen other Black Cat cosplayers out there? Any favorites?

I’ve always liked Yaya Han’s various versions of Black Cat. Her second version uses latex to make the bodysuit, and I’m absolutely in awe of her level of commitment!

When did you join the Spider-Man Crawlspace?
December 2014

So you are on the Crawlspace Podcast! How did that happen?
I am indeed! I really just stumbled on it. Jack followed it before I did, so he was the one to tell me when the crew was looking to add a female voice to the podcast. I had just started keeping up with the comics in earnest, so I thought, why not? and shot Brad an email. The team interviewed me not long after, and we just clicked! The rest is history.

What has been your favorite episode so far that you recorded and enjoyed?
All of the Christmas episodes have been so much fun. I love finding gifts for people, and it’s always hard to pick just one. I also have a knack for finding weird things on the internet, so it’s a fun time to share those finds as well.

Where can people find you online if they wanted to?
Where the sun rises in the west and sets in the east! No but really, I tend to keep a low profile. I am hoping to have more of an online presence in the coming year, though, so stay tuned, I guess? You don’t have to.

Thanks for doing this!! Pleasure to interview you.
Of course! Thank you for considering me, and bringing attention to such talented cosplayers.