Spider-Man Crawlspace
PROUDLY PRESENTS

Greetings Crawlspacers!  Welcome to the eleventh 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!!

Face it Crawlspacers, you’ve just hit the Jackpot!  On a scale from one to ten, she’s an eleven!  No seriously..she’s our eleventh edition for Spider-Man Cosplay.  Please welcome Ginger as she talks about Spidey and what it’s like to dress up as..

What drew you into Spider-Man and when was that?
Oh man, I think my first recollection of Spider-Man is from watching a recorded-from-TV VHS of Spiderman and His Amazing Friends from the mid 80’s. Does that date me too much? I’m not a thousand years old, I swear.

What does Spider-Man mean to you?
To me, Spider-Man gives hope to the everyday person – no matter how unpopular, nerdy, or awkward you may be, there’s the potential for greatness in all of us (with or without radioactive spiderbites). Plus, it’s just really refreshing to see a superhero struggle with the things we have all dealt with  – love, family…homework.

Favorite Spidey writers and artists?
Beyond giving Stan Lee and Steve Ditko the credit they obviously deserve, I have to say Gerry Conway, because he killed Gwen Stacy. 🙂 Good choice, Gerry. Seriously though, the change that Conway’s choices brought not only to Peter Parker, but also to comics as a whole, cannot be understated. I also really dig the sleekness of J. Scott Campbell’s work. His MJ obviously served as inspiration for many cosplayers (myself included).

Was there a favorite issue or story arc you like?   Can you tell us why?
Oh yeah. I am SUCH a sucker for The Kid Who Collects Spide-Man. The depth and compassion that Roger Stern brought to Peter in that issue is unparalleled. I have all the feels just thinking about it. If you haven’t go read it right now. If you have, go read it again and wallow with me.

Is there any merchandise you hold dear to you that represents your love for the character besides your Cosplay?
I don’t really collect a ton of stuff. My house is pretty much brimming with costuming supplies, leaving little room for memorabilia. What isn’t filled with fabric and foam is occupied by cats – I have three. I do have a framed photo of Stan Lee and myself though…that is pretty dear to me.

Speaking of which, let’s get into that! Mary Jane 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?
Mary Jane has been one of my favorite Spidey characters for as long as I can remember. I love how fiercely independent she is, something I can definitely relate to. Plus, the combination of physical beauty, talent, and intelligence is just really refreshing. She’s the whole package! As for the cosplay, my first MJ was based off of the now iconic cover of Amazing Spider-Man #601 by J Scott Campbell. You know the one – Mary Jane all curled up on the couch with a hot drink, looking concernedly out the window as Peter swings from a building outside. That one was fairly easy to put together – I painted the mask on a tshirt and distressed some jeans. My second MJ uses a suit by Brandon Gilberto (https://arachnidstudios.ca/), based on the MJ Maxim cover by Jamie Tyndall (https://www.facebook.com/jamietyndall.art/), so those dudes did all the hard work for me. All I do is wear it.

What made you decide to dress up as everyone’s favorite Redhead?
Aside from the things I just mentioned (and wishing to be even half the catch that MJ is), I really like not having to wear a wig. There aren’t a ton of characters where being a freckly redhead is an advantage and not an obstacle.
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?
Comfy! Both of my Mary Jane cosplays are hands down my most comfortable costumes. No corsets. No wigs. No armor. It’s great. MJ is so much fun to play because I get to just be sassy (occasionally salty) and flirtatious; can’t ask for much more than that on the con floor!

I’ve done my research and you were actually in a parade dressed as Mary Jane sitting right next to STAN LEE?  How did that come about and how did you feel?  Was it exciting?
I’m still squee-ing over this. Okay. So, DragonCon selected myself, two other Mary Jane cosplayers, three Gwen Stacys, and three villians to potentially ride with Stan during the 2017 DragonCon parade and then tossed us to the internet for voting. Being chosen in and of itself was incredibly humbling – everyone nominated was so amazing and talented (especially the villains – us MJs and Gwens had it easy…those villians were OUTSTANDING). I really never thought I had a snowball’s chance of winning. But…I did. By a lot. And I’m still so in awe of the outpouring of love and support that was shown to myself. It was a once in a lifetime experience to ride side by side with Stan Lee for over an hour – he’s just amazing. He’s funny, quick witted, kind, and gracious.

Sometimes a costume you cosplay as defines you, because you represent it so much. Has anyone ever called you “MJ” or “Mary Jane” while out of costume?
Definitely. I think being a green eyed, freckled, redheaded girl lends me to Mary Jane comparisons regardless of what I’m wearing. I also get called Amy Pond a lot.

Any specific Spider-Man Cosplayer or Mary Jane Cosplayer that you know you wanna give a shout out to? Other than my gals from the parade last year
Ms Pepper Potts (Gwen – https://www.instagram.com/mspepper.potts/) and Ottilie Murray (Mysterio – https://www.instagram.com/angryplainjane/), big shoutout to fellow Nashvillian Chris Utley who does a KILLER Green Goblin (https://www.instagram.com/p/BUPQsN2l8xW/?taken-by=tc_615)

Due to the events of One More Day storyline in the comics, more people want Peter and Mary Jane to be together or married again.  They think they are a “Power Couple”.  Do you agree?
Oh, I certainly hope they get another shot. I think that by virtue of Mephisto calling it a once in a millennia kind of love is indicative of its power. Mephisto wouldn’t have wanted to deprive Peter of that if it wasn’t seen to be a huge loss. I really think that MJ and Peter bring out the best in each other. He gives her something to stick around for and she gives him love in a life marked by grief. Maybe a love like that makes it inevitable that they’ll end up together again?

This is a Spider-Man site, but I’m sure people would like to know. What other cosplay costumes have you done?
I build about one new costume for myself a month, so I have a lot to choose from! However, I’m probably best known for the Nuka Cola Girl (Fallout), Sarah (Labyrinth), Queen Beryl (Sailor Moon), Gambit (X-Men), and the Tardis (Doctor Who).

You don’t have to say Mary Jane, but which costume is your favorite to dress up as?
Although Mary Jane is a ton of fun to cosplay, I think I have the most fun as Navi (Legend of Zelda) because I get to run around and yell at…I mean, help…people.
Have you ever considered dressing up as another spidey themed character?
Not really. MJ is my main gal. Oh wait…maybe Lady Octopus. Those tentacles would be fun.

Have you ever heard or visited the Crawlspace (this site)?  If so what is your favorite feature on the site?
Yep – I got forwarded a link to another cosplay feature that happened to give a shoutout to me, which was neat.  Aside from cosplay features, I really dig the panel of the day. It’s like a little single-serving Spidey!

Do you listen to the Spider-Man Crawlspace Podcast?  If so, do you have a favorite episode?
I haven’t yet. I’m woefully behind on my favorite Pathfinder podcast…but once I catch up, the Crawlspace is next in my queue.

Have you considered joining our message boards?
I dunno – should I? Will you guys be my friends if I do? 🙂

Where can people find you online if they wanted to?
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ginger.oh.snap/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thegingerohsnap/)
Ko-Fi (ko-fi.com/ohsnap).

Follow me there and keep your eyes peeled for some big announcements in the next few weeks regarding a brand new website and some fun Patreon-type things!

PhotoCredits: Kyle McCormick, red_baron2008, Darrington J Reape Photography

Ginger showing some #CrawlspaceLove