Cosplay Interview with Eric Lenhardt
By Katherine Vasper
How long have you been Cosplaying?
Four years, [I] started in 2013.
How/When did you first get into Cosplay?
I went to Phoenix Comic Con and fell in love with the cosplay costumes.
What does Cosplay mean to you?
You get to be someone else for the weekend, leave the real world behind for a little while.
What do you think Cosplay could mean for someone who has had a hard life?
It opens up so much more opportunities to add more fun to your life, bring in something new.
What is your favorite Cosplay you have done?
That’s a hard question, kind of like asking a parent which kid is their favorite. Poison Ivy took the most time, so I’ll pick her.
What would you like to do with Cosplay in the future?
Just try and out do my last cosplay, give my fans what they follow me for.
What are your thoughts on Cosplay Isn’t Consent?
I’m all for it! Men have the same issues, especially with people coming up and touch our stuff that we took so long to make. We also get touched inappropriately.
What can cosplayers do to make a difference in their community?
I haven’t had a chance to do this yet.
What do you want to see in the future of cosplay?
Cosplaying a character who we want to cosplay without having someone say you can’t do that character because you aren’t tall, muscular, good looking, and you don’t do the character justice.
What goes into a planning a costume/how much time could it take?
I do a lot of cosplay shopping at thrift stores around town. Sometimes I get it done in one day, sometimes it can take several.
What is the most difficult thing about being a cosplayer?
Getting negative comments from people who think they know everything.
If you had an unlimited budget what would you cosplay?
Anything and everything! No exceptions!
Do you only Cosplay at conventions? If not, where else do you Cosplay?
Mostly conventions, but I have also worn costumes to several street fairs and had fun!
How Far do you go to get into “character”?
I’m not a character actor. I wear a costume, that’s it.
15. How has Cosplay affected your day to day life?
My Mom keeps telling me I have enough cosplay costumes. I just keep telling her no.
How do you decide what you are going to cosplay?
I don’t care what gender the character is—if I love the character, I will do it.
With do you think of “Cosplay Celebrities”?
I follow so many celebrity Cosplayers. I get a lot of my ideas from them, [like] Dynamit Webber Cosplay, Michael Hamm Knightmage, Gay Comic Geek, and so on.
Thoughts on Homemade Cosplay Vs. Commissioned?
I’m all for people who make cosplay costumes for people, but I am a thrift store budget kind of people. If I can make something awesome for a few dollars, that’s what I am going to do.
Do you have a Cosplay “Bucket List”?
Yes, I do! I want to do my own Justice League!
Who are your favorite Cosplayers?
I’ve already mentioned a few [previously], but here’s a few more: OhmySophii, Aksarben Industries Costumes and Props, Triple Diamond Cosplay, Chris Riley . . .
When it comes to photographs at conventions, when do you think its appropriate and not appropriate for people to ask for photos?
I don’t take a picture when someone’s eating, putting on their cosplay, taking a break. Ask before you take the picture.
If you make your own costumes, where is your favorite place to source materials?
Thrift stores! Love them! I have a Salvation Army family store, Red Racks, and Goodwill that have taken a lot of my money, but you never know what you will find! I feel like Indiana Jones on a quest for the Holy Grail.
What are your thoughts on screen accuracy versus artistic interpretation?
I love being artistic in my cosplay costumes, but I also love seeing cosplays that look like they came out of the movies.
How much does makeup figure into your overall look?
Sometimes for my cross-plays, I will put a little lipstick on and use pancake makeup to blend and make myself look pretty.
Best cosplay trick/tip?
Buy pieces you can use for more than one cosplay—that includes wigs!
What would you say are the must-have tools when it comes to making costuming?
Fabric glue, peel and stick fabric tape, and scissors.
Advice to people just starting out in cosplay?
Pick a character you love, and start from there. Don’t worry about getting everything right the first time around, or even the second.
Where can people find you online?
Instagram: Erics_Cosplay_Closet, and Facebook: Kansas City Superman and his superfriends.
What was the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done?
Poison Ivy! That was a lot of leaves to glue onto that shirt, and the gloves with the vines coming out of them took a while too.
Any advice for beginning Cosplay?
Start small!
How do you feel about “closet cosplay?”
Closet cosplay is so much fun! I love putting a cosplay together with stuff I already have.
Have you won any awards/contests?
Not yet, and I’m stressing [about it].
Do you participate in cosplay contests?
I’ve only been in two so far. I love walking across the stage and showing off what I have made with my own two hands.
Anything you refuse to cosplay?
If you have seen my Instagram account, the answer is NO!
Genderbent DC characters (Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn). Collage given with permission by Eric.