One of the features we do here at Comic Impact is the cosplay girl (NO anime, manga, role-playing games just comics) of the month, that’s right hot girls dressing up like your favorite super- hero characters. This month we’re privileged to have Brieanna Brock aka Xena Simon for this months Cosplay Girl of the Month!

1-What is your name?
Brieanna Brock but I also go by Xena Simon

2-How old are you?
In my 30’s

3-Do you read comics and if so, what are your favorite titles?
Yes I read comics and I enjoy picking them up the box my fiance and I have at Atomic Comics every Wednesday, unless there is a holiday that week…then we’re stuck waiting a day.  Comics tend to grab me by art on the cover.  I’ve read some of my best reads by grabbing a new comic because of the cover art.  My favorite Comics are ANYTHING Zenescope, Penny For Your Soul-Big Dog Ink, Scarlet, Hack/Slash, Wonder Woman, Walking Dead, Chew, I-Zombie, The Crossed, Hawkeye and Mockingbird, Sense and Sensibility, Zatanna, Fables, True Blood,She Hulk, OZ, Women of Marvel, Fringe, True Blood, Life of Buddy and so so many more.

Our list is pretty big but those are my top favorites new and old.

4-What is your favorite comic book character?
There are far too many wonderful characters, men and women to choose from but if I have to I’ll pick two although Xena the princess warrior will always be a hero of mine and a favorite character making up for her past by helping others yet a hot and skilled rebel.  hehe.  Wonder Woman!  She is 2nd to Superman in strength and always trying to do right and make the world a better place.  She carries a Lasso of truth, can talk to the animal kingdom, and has super stamina, ability, agility, and is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat.  And Zenescopes Sela for sure!  A sexy, do right lady trying to help others by telling them stories (Grimm Fairy Tales) and hoping they make different and right decisions in their lives.  Although she has also had a dark side and has let some of her patients die.

5.-Who are your favorite artists or writers?
My favorite artists are Eric Basaldua, Michael DeBalfo, and Adam Hughes.  Their art grabs me and pulls me into character!  If I hadn’t seen a title on the comic, their art would still draw my eyes, hands, and then my wallet.  Tosh Delaney and April Grady-Reyna are also talented artists in Arizona that are a few of my favorites locally here in Arizona.  As far as writers, it doesn’t get any better than Raven Gregory, David Lapham, and Brian Bendis!  These writers keep me entertained and I can hardly wait for the next cover that comes next.

6-What got you into cosplay?
Zenescope Entertainment!  Zenescope has had a wide amount of different series from Grimm Fairy Tales to Wonderland, the Waking, Inferno, Neverland…they add a certain twist to these stories and create stories that make you want to be the character and imagine yourself in their shoes.  So I imagine me in their clothes and fantasy.  My fiance actually got me reading comics again and after reading the Life of Buddy by Peter Bagge, I had to check something else out because I was digging entertainment after laughing so hard and swarming through comic books.  I was drawn in by art by Eric Basaldua and after the first graphic novel I fell in love with the characters…every one of them =)

7-If you do more then one character which one is your favorite, and if you do only one do you have some ideas for more costumes?
I am actually cosplaying more than one character.  I can’t settle for one even though I have my favorites.  Just like the comic taking your mind to fantasy, so does dressing up for me.  I enjoy bringing to life several characters.  Zatanna from DC and Calie from Zenescope are my favorite to cosplay next to Sela.  Both are feisty and sexy.  I really want a Xena costume but I’ll have to get one custom made sometime.between my fiance and I we’ve managed to gain a closet worth of costumes, props, and accesories.  I am having way to much fun to quit or stick to one character.  If anyone ever does get confused or stuck on one outfit, just do what I do and check out other artists and go off their creation of the character.  While I listed my favorites, I could go on and on about artists and writers that I like and that have inspired me.

8-How long does it take for you to make a costume?
Not long if your open to ideas.  A lot of my costumes I put together by assorting stuff from ebay or yandy.com.  Some of it is made by my dear friend and designer Laronica Dendinger.  She helps with my comic and gaming related costumes.  Some of them take a week or so if your customizing them much but when I’m not going to far out I can put together a costume quick.  My Zatanna I put together in 2 days by shopping around

9-Have you met any of the artists or writers where your costume is based on their work?
Yes I sure have.  I’ve met so many people in the industry and have been blessed.  The talent all the way around in this industry are simply an amazing large mass of people.  Whether it’s local talented artists/models/writers or the big men and women, they’ve all been lovely.   I’ve met numerous people and have had them sign my art and comics.  Meeting them and knowing that their not stuck up was even better.  John Layman of Chew is kind hearted and is always willing to give advice and a helping hand.  Raven Gregory of Zenescope, a riot!  Everyone loves that guy.  He is kind hearted and great fun to be around.  Mike DeBalfo of Zenescope, another kind heart and fun guy, always smiling and showing off his hair.  David Lapham of Crossed, a kind heart too and dark side, love that!  I got a crossed avatar from him at Atomic Comics in Mesa Arizona and wore it home even while driving.  I love that avatar =)  Eric Basaldua of Zenescope, kind hearted too and fashion sense, go ass guy that is super awesome.  Can’t wait to hang out with he and his fiance. They are wonderful people.  I meet Bendis this month and I’m super excited about that.  I haven’t met anyone who wasn’t nice yet.  Maybe I’m lucky but I think we’re just one big wonderful industry if you ask me.

10-Do you buy any toys, busts and etc. based on some of your favorite costumes?
Yes I do.  We have SO much art in our house.  You will find art in every sort in our home whether it’s toys, costumes, props, wall art, and even glassware.  If some of these artists walked in our home, they would think we have a shrine dedicated to them.  =)

11-So do people know you dress up like a comic book hero on your free time?
Yes they do!  I have a facebook under my alias character name XenaSimon Brieanna Brock and I post most of all of my cosplay there for fans and friends.  I’ve been featured at many local events as a cosplay model and sold and signed prints all over the valley.  I’ll be living in Vegas after January 1st and hope to plan some events there as well.  I would also like to be featured in California.  A goal of mine is to recruit as many gorgeous and confident women as I can to cosplay.  I think as women you tend to have a deeper appreciation for the characters.  Guys cosplay too and love it.

12-What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at a convention?
ah, cons…hahaha, That would be rubbing against a gal and her skirt coming undone.  Yep, it was funny.  A little humiliating but very funny.  Aside from Jack Sparrow not coming out of character for a 30 minute lunch setting I don’t know what’s been funnier.  He was a good Sparrow.  Stayed in character the whole con.  I love that at cons.  I love the dress up, but get to know your character your cosplaying and you’ll have the time of your life at a con.

13-Do kids come up to you and think you are the real life character?
In my Sela Costume and Zatanna Costume yes.  The kids love it.  I keep telling myself I have to carry an apple with my Sela costume and learn some magic tricks for my Zatanna costume.  I have so many though still to come, so I hope to keep them smiling and enjoying themselves.  There is such joy in seeing the kids inspired to read comics too

14-What do you like to do when you’re not costuming, such as other hobbies?
When I’m not modeling and costuming I enjoy catching up on my favorite reads or playing my guitar.  Either one is soothing.  I hate getting behind on my comics and I love playing the guitar and singing.  You can find me on myspace music and youtube.  Aside from that and catching up on Fringe, House, and Glee, I enjoy my time with my fiance Heath.  He and I share so many interests so it’s easy to pass time and enjoy it.  We catch a movie or catch up on reading or watching a series we’re late on.

Would you like to be featured as the Cosplay Girl of the Month(NO anime, manga, role-playing games - just comics)? Then drop us a line! We would love to hear from you! We will also be posting a new Cosplay Girl on the 5th of every month.

Simon Daoudi
Simon@ComicImpact.com