Hi everyone and welcome to our monthly cosplay feature! We here at EYC like to salute our costumed comrades. The men and women for whom characters are more than creations to admire, they are role models to aspire to and emulate. These folks are the few, the proud, the cosplayers, and we love them in all their quirky, gutsy awesomeness.

Last month, we had the opportunity to speak with our good friend Linzypoo. This month, we are featuring a new friend to the site, a man who requires little introduction, but we're going to do it anyway! Ladies and/or gentlemen, let's meet: Caveman!

Hey there Caveman, thanks so much for joining us! Why don't you tell us a little about yourself:

Well I’ve been a gamer/comic book reader since I was about 6 years old. I enjoy working with my hands and building/creating anything I can, whether it is a handmade work bench or mighty hammer to slay my foes. I have a passion for all things electronic and find a lot of relaxation in creating my own stuff the more complex the better and I’m an insane perfectionist when it comes to my work, I have to even get the timing right on my blinking lights.

How did you get into cosplay?

Well originally I made a cosplay prop to try to impress a girl I had been crushing on for a long time and then found a nerdy cohort of a friend who shared my excitement in superheroes and pieces fell into place and the excitement of new ideas kind of took me over.

How long have you been cosplaying?

Well I made my first prop in March of 2012, but my first costume that I wore was May of 2013 so not as long as some.

What was the first costume you made for yourself?

New 52 Blue Beetle. It was very exciting when someone would ask to have my picture taken and all the compliments I received and an overwhelming since of pride when a local paper published my picture.

What is your favorite cosplay genre?

I would have to say comic books for sure, superheroes are what started me in the cosplay thing but I would love to do some movie or video game characters.

How do you choose your characters?

That’s a tough one, I feel like the character is already chosen I just have to get pumped about the idea. If I see something or read something and plans start flowing from all directions I take it and run with it.

How much of your costumes do you make yourself?

All of them, if I don’t make the object entirely from scratch I will modify it beyond the point of it even being the same concept.

How long does it generally take you to build a costume?

My quickest build I believe was my Deadshot costume and that’s because I put it off until the last minute but it still took me 30+ hours of work not including growing the mustache.

What was the toughest costume that you’ve ever put together?

Toughest as far as build wise was Blue Beetle being my first full costume I made many mistakes and went too big too quickly. But the toughest on me physically was Detective Chimp because prosthetics hurt to remove I think it took me an hour to peel off the mask and another couple of days scrubbing off layer after layer of skin.

How much do you usually budget for a costume?

The problem is I don’t budget my costumes so I get out of hand really quickly but I try to be conscious of what I’m spending and work on spreading the purchases out so it doesn’t dent my pocket book too much.

Do you have a go-to material for your costumes (i.e. duct tape, foam latex, etc.)?

I love making latex masks but I tend to use Bond-O a ton.

If money and time was no object, what would be your dream costume?

Well I’m currently working on my dream costume that is about a year into the planning stage and just have a few pieces done but I can’t reveal what it is until I can wear it.

I hope we'll get an update when Who are your costuming inspirations?

Anyone from Stan Winston and Allen Amis makes armor that I’m always drooling over.

How many conventions or events do you go to every year?

Costumed I have gone to about 2-3 a year but not in costume as many as I realistically can.

What is more important to you: comfort or accuracy?

Accuracy, I don’t think I have had a “comfortable” costume.

What is the biggest compliment and the creepiest comment you’ve ever received while in costume?

The creator of Blue Beetle told me I was the best Blue Beetle he had ever seen. As a male cosplayer I don’t get many creepy comments, but I’ve had a couple comments directed at the fact that spandex doesn’t conceal too well.

Do you compete in competitions or fashion shows?

I have not, I leave that stuff up to the professionals, I do this for fun.

Have you won any awards?

I won an award for my computer skills in 2nd grade if that counts.

What do you think is the most overused cosplay character/series?

I would say Finn from adventure time because the hat is just so easy to do, bell it’s really easy to overuse a costume especially if it’s something that just came out and people are excited about it. But you have to do what you like and I have respect for anyone at all who is brave enough to walk the couple of miles from a hotel to a convention in a full costume.

An enormous thank you to Caveman for taking the time to speak with us about his experiences in the majestic beast that is the world of cosplay! Check out some more great images of his work in the gallery below!

For more awesome stuff by Caveman, you can reach him on his Facebook page.

Image Gallery:

Do you have any questions that you would like to ask cosplayers but haven’t had the opportunity to do so? Send us your questions and we’ll aske them for you! Also, if you or any of your friends cosplay and would like the opportunity to take part in one of your cosplay features, please email us at greene@eatyourcomics.com or tweet us @eatyourcomics or @iamgreene654. We’ll see you next month for another Featured Cosplayer! Until then, stay hungry nerds!