Dragon Con 2013 Cosplay Photos: Arsenic Arson Explains Her Art

Dragon Con 2013 is off to a good start with Dragon Con 2013 cosplay photos already making their rounds.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Mega Con 2013 featured the Star Trek: Next Generation crew.

Comic Con 2013 in San Diego wowed audiences not only with cosplay costumes, but they had giant walking robots and all sorts of official announcements about games and movies. But Dragon Con 2013 appeals to a broader fan base and this year’s Dragon Con is expected to draw 55,000 people in pre-ticket sales alone. While Comic Con is scheduled 8 AM to 8 PM Dragon Con is going full steam ahead 24 hours a day for four days.

Willam Shatner and George Takei will be attending Dragon Con 2013. To mingle with such celebrities costs $130 for a four day ticket. Atlanta estimates Dragon Con will be bringing in more than $40 million this year.

Dragon Con cosplay costumes tend to be very diverse, ranging from comics to video games to movies to anything considered part of geek culture. For example, group calling itself the 501st Squad is composed of 10,000 members from 48 countries who dress up as Star Wars Stormtroopers in order to raise money for local charities.

Wanting to know more about the people who attend such conventions, for Dragon Con 2013 we spoke to a cosplay costume maker and model calling herself Arsenic Arson.

What was our first cosplay ever?

SNJ Naruto.

How many costumes have you done?

I’ve lost count, I’ve done so many.

What was your most recent cosplay costume?

Annie from the popular anime Attack on Titan.

What is your favorite cosplay costume that you have done?

Lady Sylvanas from World of Warcraft.

What is the character you have cosplayed that is most similar to you? Or maybe there’s a character you plan on cosplaying?

I guess I can relate to Annie; being quiet and a monster.

What are your cosplay plans for the coming future?

Oh Lord, Its too early to know. I tend to wait till the last minute to decide.

What is the dream cosplay that you want to happen? Do you consider anything out of your reach?

Kerrigan from Starcraft 2 in her Queen of Blades form. Can’t think of any.

Is there something cosplay related that you will never do (eg. crossplay, cosplay from a certain series)?

Nothing, really.

Who is your cosplay idol?

I guess if I had to pick it would be Kamui Cosplay.

What is your cosplay specialty? Do you have something that seems to apply to a large amount of your cosplay costumes?

I prefer blondes.

You created your own Dragon Con 2013 cosplay costume. Do you have any cosplay-making habits? For example, do you sing while you sew?

Waiting until the last minute.

Your least favorite thing about cosplay?

Stress. I’ve literally worked on sewing my costumes while in the car on the way to conventions.

Do you belong to any cosplay groups? If so, what are they?

No.

What is your best cosplay memory?

I was part of a huge Naruto group in 2007 where i made many friends.

What is your worst cosplay memory?

Overheating in costume. Mega Con is in Florida, and Dragon Con is in Georgia. I was extremely close to passing out from heat exhaustion.

Have you won any cosplay awards?

Yes, a couple. But the one im most proud of is 3rd place in the World of Warcraft costume contest at Dragon Con.

Your best cosplay derp photo!

I dont know that i really have any.

Have you worn cosplay in a regular situation? (eg. at school, to work)

Yep, gave a report in cosplay as Noel Vermilion in college.

What has been your most expensive cosplay costume to produce?

I’m not sure which one was most expensive but I have several that got into the thousands of dollars in production cost…

What has been your most comfortable cosplay and most uncomfortable cosplay to wear?

Comfy would be Carmen Sandiego. Uncomfortable would be any of my crossplay because of the binder…

I can see how crossplay could be uncomfortable since you’re dressing as a character of the opposite gender. But what cosplay costume have you put the most effort into making?

Lady Sylvanas.

Do you have any unfinished costumes? Will you ever finish them?

Dozens. I plan to finish them but don’t know if it will happen.

What is your favorite cosplay item?

Wigs, they so easily change your appearance.

How many wigs do you own? Which is your favorite?

At least 50. My fave is my pink pigtail wig. But my fave to wear is a short spiky black one, though.

Where do you work on your cosplay costumes and where do you store them when they’re done?

I have a separate workroom from my house that I make and store them in.

Do you have any cosplay peeves or things you are particular about?

Fabric weight. It needs to move like the characters outfit does.

Is there something you want to improve on for future cosplay costumes?

Large prop making.

Is there any cosplay-related work you are most naturally talented at (ie: sewing, prop-making, wigstyling, etc)?

Sewing. I’ve been doing it since I could sit up so it’s just part of me.

Thanks for taking the time to do an interview. Have fun at Dragon Con 2013 with your cosplay costumes!