FCBD the Girl Behind the Claws
So the first Saturday in May has officially become a day of excitement in the comic book community. Casual and rabid collectors alike gather to bask in the glory of Free Comic Book Day. I told many geeks about this day and was met with a blank look. It turns out the geek community is still unfamiliar with something that started back in 2002. The event began as a way to bring people into their local comic book shops and hook them on the drug that is comic book collecting. Most stores in North America have 20-30 titles to choose from and allow you anywhere from 1-5 titles per person. Usually, they only ask that you share your name and email so they can add you to their mailing list and in return you get a handful free comics.
I was joking with Aaron from MindtrickdMedia that I should dress in costume and terrorize the town. He took it to a whole new level when he suggested we record our antics and find out what sort of people come out for Free Comic Book Day. He even made a trailer of our outing to hype up the videos to follow.
Now, what you don’t see is the stress and panic that consumes me with these events. Sure, I work at Hooters and run around acting like a fool in orange shorts. Somehow, I see that more as a costume than wearing my Kitty Pryde or X-23 getup. At work, I play the bubbly server. Don’t get me wrong, I SWEAR I was made for that gig but it isn’t ME. The management and girls alike found out my true geekdom with my Kitty Pryde contest entry. They were shocked when I won and asked me to explain how. That when I mentioned my blogging, videos and posts. Until then, nobody really knew the REAL me and I liked it that way.
Cut to Wizard World or Pax East and you’ll see the scared, insecure geek come out in full force. I work months on a cosplay and do my best to rock it. Inside, I’m shaking. I’m not hiding behind orange shorts. I’m wearing my geek on my sleeve…or leather clad crop top. At this point, I usually break out in a hive. Yes, one hive pops up on my right cheek whenever I start to stress or work myself up. I worry that my outfit isn’t good enough or that I’m “posing” because I don’t know how to sew. What if the people that I REALLY want to accept me, see me as an impostor? Ever since I was little, I always wanted to go to a convention to find friends. I know how sad that sounds but I wanted to meet people with similar interests to me. I wanted to bond with other geek girls.
After the initial terror of walking across the parking lot in nothing but black leather subsides, I begin to relax. I’m still a bit nervous with the camera but Aaron’s snarky behind the scenes comments keep me laughing and I end up having an awesome time. This 5 minute video is the result of what can happen when you expose your naked geek to the world and step out of the Tardis to enjoy Free Comic Book Day.
Hey Kitty,
Great blog! It’s nice to see you spreading the joy of Free Comic Book Day. You don’t have to worry about being nervous. The more you do it, the easier it should become. You’ll find your way.
I want you to know that you are a true geek and you don’t need to seek approval from anyone. Be who you are. If there are people who say you are an imposter, they don’t need to be in your life. From reading your blogs and watching your vlogs, you are a true geek. This site is proof and your dedication to cosplay? Enough said.
There is a huge geek community, as I’m sure you have noticed because of Twitter. I hope you have found some new friends along the way, as I have. I did not really have geeky friends, until I met Zoë on Twitter. Then a wormhole opened in my geek world. It is so wonderful to meet people with the same geeky interests and feel like you belong.
There’s nothing wrong with going to cons to meet new people with similar interests. If you ever come to NYCC, you would make new friends I’m sure. Plus I imagine you already have a few here in NYC. Your dedication and hard work is appreciated. So keep on wearing your geek heart on your sleeve and may the force be with you.
So say we all!
-@tmoney1138
Wow! Great post (outside of missing a K in MindtrickdMedia)! Loved how you let us all into your inner geekdom. I would NEVER ever guess that there is a Nervous Nelly when you do what you do. You wear with such a confidence and you “killed” it during this fun project!!! You are an absolute pleasure to work with. Thank you for sharing your insight…missed you today, would had loved to corral more geeks into the pressure cooker at FSC.
Wonderful blog. Id always listened to you on the podcasts that you appear on and as much fun as they were, they dont hold a candle to being able to see the photos that you have here alongside the words.
Dont get me wrong. I love the podcasts so keep doing them. But this new outlet(I only found this blog a few days ago) is wonderful.
Keep up the great work and keep posting photos of you in your cos’s