Exclusive Interview with Hot Cosplay Babe AZ Powergirl [Video]

Just last week, while walking around C2E2, the preeminent comicon for comic books and entertainment in Chicago, we happened upon an inviting booth which contained the one, the only AZ Powergirl and an array of her comic collection, including her latest, Firebitch, which she wrote, produced and colored herself. Giggly, gregarious and gracious as always, the lovely Cara Nicole granted us the exclusive interview below…   

1. You are a cosplayer cum comic book creator who stars in her own comic for which you’re also the colorist. That’s quite a transition. What unique perspective does Cosplaying offer to actual comic creation? Also, do we get a prize for all the alliteration in the aforementioned sentences and can you say the first one 5 times really fast?

As a cosplayer I can take into consideration the way clothing actually fits a body. Many times, I find that artists create costumes that are just not translatable to real bodies. I want everyone to cosplay my characters and feel good in the designs. I also have insight into what people want from their comic books. I love creating characters and stories that everyone can relate to and enjoy while still maintaining the fantasy of a comic book world.Do you get a prize? No. Can I say that 5 times fast? Let me take the dick out of my mouth first 😉

Haha! We knew you were a multitasker, lol!! We suppose our prize is sharing your company and this interview. Which leads us to our next question… 

Perhaps this is the Domino Effect Eisenhower was speaking of?

2. You’re one of the first cosplayers to transcend the genre to reach your own present superstar status as part of a short list of exalted greats in the burgeoning cosplay scene. What’s it like to be recognized near and far, as well as keep such good cosplay company (cos-company? Cospany?), and do you know any of your contemporaries personally?

Well thank you for recognizing the greatness that is moi 😀 I am always surprised and appreciative when someone is a follower. I love meeting people and consider you all my con family. I know many of the cos-temporaries (see what I did there) personally as we all came up together. Some of us even worked on projects together.

3. You’re quite welcome and your greatness knows no bounds! Along those lines, what other cool peeps has your hard-fought fame afforded you to meet?

I have had the fortune to meet so many awesome people. A few Star Trek alum, Cory Feldman, Joel Hodgson was such a wonderful person to meet. I have had dinner with Power Rangers, and one in particular drug me out on the town clubbing until 2 am. I don’t want to be a braggart so I will leave it at that and save the rest for the book.

4. You recently attended cons in Chicago and Hawaii, but we know you’ve attended cons worldwide. What’s it like to do back-to-back cons and which was your favorite and why?

It’s exhausting!!! While most people are super stoked for the big shows, I love being brought out to small towns. First, any con that wants to have me and will bring me out, I truly appreciate. Many times, the locals in a smaller area don’t have the opportunity to travel to a big city to attend a show. What people don’t realize is that there are parts of the country that are not only many hours away from a large convention, but extremely cost prohibitive. These small town shows are often the first of their kind and introduces our world to their communities. I remember my first Smallville Comicon in Hutchinson Kansas. It was their first year and put on by a local who loves comics and comicons and is a true blue fan. Many of the attendees were excited but had never been to a comicon before and didn’t know what to expect or what exactly went on there. My booth was next to the DeLorean that was playing 50s music. So I grabbed my husband and drug him out to dance in the aisle. The rest of the weekend was filled with people dancing in the aisle. Many of them have grown in their own fandoms and now travel to larger shows as well as continuing to support their local con. Another one is Atlanticon in Cornerbrook Newfoundland. I heard that one of the show runners made a joke and said, hey we should get AzPowergirl, thinking that wouldn’t be a possibility. The owner reached out and I have now been twice. I adore that area and was attacked by a swan:) We keep in touch and have become good friends. (Not me and the swan, me and the con peeps, I think that swan hates me). And then we have the time I ended up with 8 dogs coming home from a con but you didn’t ask about that so maybe you will consider it for the next interview 😉

“I’m the Firebitch, bitch!”

5. Yes, we’d love to do a next interview! Perhaps next time in podcast or vlog form. Thank you for the suggestion. Oh, and congratulations, btw! You’ve lived the dream of so many and created your own graphic novel. Why Firebitch? And, who is she?🔥

Well first of all, its a comic book not a graphic novel. And you call yourself a nerd X). So for the faux-geek community out there, a graphic novel is longer and more complex, completing a story in one or 2 volumes. A comic book however, tells a story over many issues. Now a trade is a compilation of many comic books into one bound book. Now that we have your education out of the way, I will be sending you a bill along with your certificate of completion and 1 credit hour of Cara College (credits are non-transferable). Why Firebitch? Why not? She is your average everyday social media DIVA scraping by in the world for her next Amazon wish to be fulfilled. Accidentally tossed through space, spit out on an alien world, and given super powers, she must decide between saving a world of helpless people from annihilation, or maintaining her psudo-fame online.

6. We stand corrected! Though, full disclosure, we knew the difference, we simply were already tired of saying “comic book” by question five, haha. It was either consult Thesaurus.com for a synonym or leave it for hopefully a more interesting answer. Thanks for taking the bait… and for delivering! So, tell us about the present promotion for Firebitch…

This one has been insane!! It began on Kickstarter and garnered over 42k. I wanted to give people a second chance to get in on the stretch goals and variant covers so I put it up on Indiegogo. You can still get in on all of the stretch goals and bonuses. With 11 collectors cards, enamel pins, lanyards, mini prints and more, this campaign is off the hook! Check it out and get your favorite cover or 7. https://igg.me/at/firebitch/x/11033193#/

7. You’re also an actress, correct? Will there ever be Firebitch, the movie? If so, will you write, star and direct and who would be your ideal costars?

I have done some acting that is correct. If someone wants to make Firebitch into a movie I suggest that it be animated. She is the only human after page 4. Later stories will reveal more but this is based in space. I can’t say who would do what because it all comes down to contracts, legalities, blah blah blah and at the end of the day we have to follow the golden rule. ye who has the gold, makes the rules. I have many stories and books in the works. Who knows what the future will hold.

8. If you would, please rank your favorite cosplay characters whom you’ve portrayed from 10-1. Is there a character you’ve yet to portray that you’re dying to do, or anyone you’d love to partner with on a cosplay or a comic? 

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I gotta go the other way or i will get confused.

1. Powergirl – I feel at home in that cosplay and use my real hair. White is my color. Don’t you think?
2. Firebitch
3. Jason Vorhees from Friday the 13th
4. Black Cat
5. Lady Death
6. Vampirella
7. Domino
8. Patriotika
9. Fitness Freddy- Lets get physical bitches!!
10. Candella

My ultimate I have to get done this year hopefully before Phoenix Fan Fusion is Seven of Nine 😉

Whew! Talk about too hot for TV! Thank goodness these are the interwebs so we can post all of these, haha. We now have some new favorite cosplays of you, thank you!! Oh, and forgive us, but we saw your Velma shots in your booth at C2E2 and felt the need (urge?) to include those in the gallery, too.

9. What non-industry related content (movies, books, music, comics) do you consume for pleasure, inspiration or just to put new creases in the old bean?

I like documentaries about food and I was a competitive body builder at one time and have recently started working out again. I love horror movies and do stand up comedy as well as karaoke.

10. Fascinating! There’s just no end to your interests, talents or pursuits! Speaking of pursuits, when and where can we see you again?

I will be at Planet Comicon, Phoenix Fan Fusion, Gila-Valley Comic-con, Terrificon, and more 😉

Well, we can’t wait to see you and your awesome cosplays at several of these! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us and we look forward to more interviews, videos, conversations and photo shoots with you in the very near future! We hope you enjoyed the interview and, readers, be sure to click the link for Firebitch fast, as the Indiegogo promotion for all the stretch goals and variant covers ends very quickly.

If you’re a cosplayer or know someone who you think should be interviewed, hit us up at brophisticate@gmail.com!