Jeanne Killjoy

There are many talented models and performers who bring their love & enthusiasm to dressing up as their favorite characters. Comic Book Critic will regularly showcase a performer who embodies this spirit of cosplaying.

Whether it’s creating the costume from scratch, altering the appearance of an existing one, or just getting into character, these performers spend a lot of time and effort on their craft. As much as we all enjoy seeing our favorite fictional characters represented in real life, let’s not forget the behind-the-scenes work that goes into that portrayal.

One thing is for certain though, their love of cosplaying shines through in their work.

The Comic Book Critic Featured Cosplayer Interview this week is:

Jeanne Killjoy from New Jersey

The multi-talented Jeanne Killjoy is a longtime model and cosplayer from South Jersey who has a wide array of costumes. With cosplays ranging from comics to video games and anime, she really puts 100% into her work and it shows.

You would think that with modeling and cosplaying, Jeanne would have her hands full. Nope. She’s also a dancer, gamer, videographer, writer, and wrestler. Now that’s a full plate, yet somehow, she manages to keep up with all her interests.

While we included many of her comic book related cosplays, Jeanne has a large and varied collection of excellent cosplays. Do yourself a favor and check them all out on her Facebook page.

We were lucky enough to get an interview with the very talented, beautiful, and extremely busy Jeanne Killjoy…

You started out as a model, what made you decide to jump into cosplaying?

I had been interested in cosplay since middle school, but it wasn’t until after high school that I had the money and means to go to conventions and cosplay. I went to my first con in 2010 and happened to do my first cosplay photo shoot there. I was so nervous! I used to be terrible at combining modeling with cosplay.

How long have you been cosplaying and what was your first costume?

Aside from the terrible SoulCalibur cosplays I did in the 7th grade, I like to consider Yuki from Vampire Knight my first “official” cosplay at AnimeNEXT 2010.

Do you make and/or design all of your costumes?

Yes and no.

In the beginning, I didn’t make anything. I started with alterations such as hemming skirts/dresses and adding details to plain items to make them work for the cosplay. I designed a few cosplays then had designers create them, and there were a few cosplays that I made 100% from scratch. I’ve definitely gotten better at it over the years, so it varies from cosplay to cosplay.

Which was the most satisfying to make?

Probably Elektra since it was the first one I made completely.

Who are some your favorite characters to portray?

I love portraying all of my cosplays, but I’d have to say Rogue, Domino, and Gambit.

Did you read any comics while growing up?

I didn’t read too many comics as a kid. I didn’t have access to them, so I’d read them over my friend’s house because his parents bought them for him. It wasn’t until I started college that I started habitually reading and buying comics. It really helped having a comic book store across from campus. LOL

What are some of your favorite videogames?

Persona 3+4, Catherine, BlazBlue, Tekken, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Gravity Rush… I can keep going!

You have so many interests and skills, how do you find the time to do all the things you do?

I don’t even know half the time, but I think one of the best things I do is keep a planner. I make sure I don’t double book myself. I make a lot of lists too to keep track of what I need to do. It’s really rare that I get “me” time, but it’s never boring.

Since cosplaying is very interactive experience with fans, have you had any bad experiences with it?

I’ve been very fortunate to have great fans. They’re the most supportive group of people and out of the several thousand, I can only think of one or two “bad seeds”. I love going to cons and having them come up to me and talking with them. I try to stay interactive with them, both at cons and online.

What do you enjoy the most about cosplaying?

The part I enjoy the most is actually getting to wear the final product at the con and getting to nerd out with other people cosplaying from the series.

What’s one of your most memorable moments while cosplaying?

NYCC 2012… I was in one of the changing rooms and had just gotten into Elektra. Stan Lee ducked in there with his body guard because he wasn’t feeling well. I felt bad asking for a photo, but I did anyway. I knew he wasn’t feeling well, so I stood kind of far from him, but he ended up putting his arm around me for the photo.

Do you have any favorite cosplayers?

There’s a ton I look up to. Vampy Bit Me and Twin Bee were some of the ones I looked up to since I got started. Since then, I’ve made a ton of friends within the community, so it would be hard to name them all ^-^

Have you noticed any changes in the cosplay community since you began?

So many! The culture has become more popular and has gained a lot of attention. On the plus side, costumes/props/etc. are more obtainable, on the downside, there’s the mass amounts of drama. Luckily I’ve managed to stay away from a lot of it.

You attend both Anime Cons and Comic Cons, what do you find to be the difference between them and do you prefer one over the other?

Comic Cons tend to be bigger with more guests. However, I tend to like Anime Cons more. It’s where I started cosplaying, I tend to like the panels more, and I kind of like the smaller crowds as opposed to the giant crowds of NYCC. Both usually have great dealers rooms. My favorite part of any con ;D

What advice do you have for someone just starting out?

Just have fun. Cosplay characters you love and don’t worry about what anyone else says. If you need help, find someone with some experience, whether it’s a friend or by posting on cosplay forums. Most people in the community are willing to help out.

If you could change anything since you started, what would it be?

I really wouldn’t change anything. I wish I was more confident in myself when I was younger because I have the ability to create costumes and props, but I didn’t always believe in myself.

Do you have any new costumes that you’re working on, that you can tell us?

I have a few coming up in the following months are: Himeragi from Strike the Blood, Kurumu from Rosario+Vampire, and Typhoid Mary to name a few.

What does the future hold for you?

My future is taking quite the turn. I still plan on going to my favorite cons and doing new cosplays, but I’m cutting back on cosplay/conventions because I’m pursuing professional wrestling. I’ve been in training for a few months and I plan on dedicating a majority of my time training, staffing shows, and hopefully working on shows in the near future.