Interview with Rogue

Greetings NERDS,

How are you on this Marvelous Monday? I am just fine and dandy! I am full of excitement for this edition of our cosplay interviews. I am not only excited because it is one more interview closer to reaching 100 cosplay interviews (this interview makes number 92 in my blogging career), but because I have interviewed the best Rogue cosplayer around. She comes to us from the Great White north and is hands down the best and more than likely most recognized Rogue cosplayer in the world. Hell, when Aliens finally make themselves known, they will know who this beautiful and talented young lady is. So without further delay, here is my interview with Rogue.

1. Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Rogue and I hail from the southern part of the Great White North, Toronto.

2. How did you discover cosplay?

I grew up studying theatre so costuming was always heavily prevalent for me. Cosplay specifically I actually discovered through a mutual friend when we decided to dress up as Sailor Scouts on Halloween back in 2009.

3. I really love your Rogue/Mystique cosplay. What made you choose that concept?

The Rogue/Mystique concept is something I’d been wanting to explore for years. The relationship between the two within the comics is such a fascinating one with the Mother/Daughter aspect and Mystique’s frequent attempts to ‘win back’ her daughter but in reality all she does is ruin Rogue’s life as much as possible. Furthermore the duality between their powers of absorption and transformation has always intrigued me. If you saw this figure mid-transformation who would you think it was? Has Rogue absorbed Mystique’s powers and memories? Or is Mystique trying to don the likeness of Rogue again to mess with her?

4. Which do you prefer, making a costume or just using body paint?

I love both costuming and body paint. That being said a costume I can wear again and again – where as body paint you have a limited window to maximize the memory of the art work. Plus body paint usually takes a lot more time in post depending on the movements, shots, textures, layers etc.

5. What other characters have you cosplayed?

Rogue has always been my major focus. I’ve done three of the different Marvel outfits of her, as well as various other concepts like the Mystique transformation or my own concepts such as Rogue and Remy go to prom and more. However recently I’ve also cosplayed as Zatanna Zatara, Fox (from the cartoon Gargoyles) Pikachu, An original Sue Storm concept I designed myself, Sailor Moon, Sailor Jupiter, Mary Jane and am currently finishing up an Alice costume from Resident Evil.

6. Do you go to conventions to show off your cosplay or do you do photo shoots only?

On average I attend at least one convention every three weeks or so. There are a lot of smaller conventions in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) so there is always something to do. That being said only certain costumes are showcased i.e. not body paint.

7. Do you do other modeling besides cosplay?

I do. I actually started modeling long before I started cosplay. Initially I began with purely still life modeling for sketch artists, later I progressed to photo shoots on camera and just this year for the first time I got a chance to walk a run way. Now it’s just a matter of who hires me and for what.

8. What are your plans for the future?

My future plans include lots more cosplay so long as I can afford it, (definitely not the cheapest of hobbies) as well as returning to school in September to begin the American Sign Language-English Interpreter program at George Brown College.

9. Where can my readers see more examples of your work?

The best place to find me and my work is Facebook. (www.facebook.com/Toronto.Rogue) (However I can also be found on tumblr (roguecosplay.tumblr.com/) or at my personal website (www.kristaroguebenjamin.com/) I do have twitter… but it is rarely used.

Prints and other crafted items can be purchased at my store (roguecajuncreations.storenvy.com/)

10. If you had to pick one cosplay, which one is your favorite?

My favorite cosplay? Tough question… to pick a character; Rogue obviously. However if I had to pick a shoot it would be the Mystique/transformation… but the actual outfit I think the classic Jim Lee suit will always have a special place in my heart. Rogue in the 90’s cartoon was not only my namesake but my superhero of choice and my inspiration.