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Location: We’ll say Salt Lake City, only because unless you’re from the area, most people don’t know where American Fork is, although Green Arrow AF, does have a nice ring to it, haha! 

SMC: Why did you start cosplaying?
SLC Green Arrow: I started in Sept of 2016, and it was something I had wanted to do for years. I’ve always been a huge comic book fan, but had always been really heavy, so I didn’t feel comfortable doing a superhero. My brother Wills got into it, and looked like he was having a blast, so it really got me hungry to fix things in my life to become a healthier version of myself. After years of struggling, I was finally able to get to a point where I felt comfortable portraying my favorite hero, the Green Arrow.

SMC: What was the first convention you attended in cosplay?
SLC Green Arrow: Salt Lake Comic Con 2016 was my first time debuting the Emerald Archer, but having grown up in San Diego, Quailman from Doug was my first cosplay at SDCC 2005.

SMC: What has been your most memorable convention moment?
SLC Green Arrow: I got to meet Neal Adams at this past WonderCon, and he loved my cosplay. I talked to him for a bit, and actually gave him a print of Wills and myself as Hal and Ollie, and he thought it was the coolest thing. He began showing it around to his booth staff, I was really proud of my cosplay.

SMC: What is your favorite thing about cosplaying at a convention?
SLC Green Arrow: Hands down getting to be Green Arrow for little kids. When they come running up and are so excited to meet you, it’s the coolest thing. I especially like it when an older family member (usually a grandparent) says, “Oh look, Robin Hood!” and the kid responds, “No, GRANDMA! That’s Green Arrow!”

SMC: Where can fans expect to see you next? (2017/18 Schedule?)
SLC Green Arrow: Denver Comic Con is my next stop. I want to make it to SDCC, but would be outside since weapon props seem to be a hassle there. After that, Salt Lake Comic Con and Snake River Comic Con to finish out what’s scheduled for 2017. 2018, I plan on hitting up Long Beach Comic Expo, FanX, WonderCon, Emerald City Comic Con and want to plan out two cons on the East Coast in the North and South. I would like to hit those four corners of the 48 states. 

SMC: What cosplayers inspire you?
SLC Green Arrow: I think there are too many to mention, but I love to see all the heart and passion that each cosplayer pours into their work! It’s exciting to see people bring to life their fandom, and share that love for it, and why it’s special to them, with everyone else. 

SMC: Which is your favorite cosplay you’ve created?
SLC Green Arrow: I kinda went straight at my “dream cosplay” with Ollie right out of the gates. I do love my Green Arrow and am super proud of it, but as my closet grows with different variations of him, I think the weather and ease of application will play a role in my favorite, haha. Sometimes I’m really lazy when finished with a con, and mask removal seems like the longest process, even though it’s not at all. 

SMC: What cosplay are you best known for?
SLC Green Arrow: Classic DC Comics Green Arrow

SMC: If money was no object what would be your dream cosplay creation?
SLC Green Arrow: Injustice 2 Green Arrow, which leads into your next question!

SMC: Do you have any new cosplays currently in the works?
SLC Green Arrow: We are about to debut Mike Grell’s Longbow Hunters Green Arrow, probably as soon as we get home from DCC, and then we are going straight into Injustice 2 GA. I absolutely love that version of him, and can’t wait to try and bring it to life.

SMC: What are your cosplay strengths?
SLC Green Arrow: I would have to say bringing out Ollie’s personality in my posts, poses and interactions. I think I have the most fun coming up with the captions for my IG posts, and I try and bring out that classic humorous Ollie in he dialogue I come up with. 

SMC: What’s one thing you wish you knew about cosplaying before you got started?
SLC Green Arrow: Pockets are insanely important for when you’re at cons, so try and sneak them into your cosplay whenever you can

SMC: Any advice for people interested in cosplaying for the first time?
SLC Green Arrow: Go with something you love, and wear it proudly. I lost 200lbs before I cosplayed Green Arrow for the first time, and I still had people make rude comments towards me; two of them where other male cosplayers. I was on cloud 9 though, so try as they might, they couldn’t touch me! I was having so much fun, I couldn’t have cared less what the haters thought. They’ll be out there, that’s just the fact of the matter, but if you’re rocking something you love, I feel it makes it easier to ignore them. 

SMC: What do you do in the real world for a job?
SLC Green Arrow: I actually do voiceover work, but have put that aside to help my wife pursue her passion and small business. She does seamstress work, is a professionally trained makeup and FX artist and has recently been selling her art at conventions.

SMC: What is something your fans may not know about you? Other hobbies?
SLC Green Arrow: I’m a huge hockey fan, and learned how to skate a few years ago so I could play. It’s my favorite non-weightlifting workout. I also worked in a comic shop after high school and through colleges, coolest job ever.

SMC: What part of “geekdom” is you favorite avenue of entertainment (i.e. comics, movies, video games, anime, etc?).
SLC Green Arrow: I love comics, especially since DC launched Rebirth and I feel like I get excited for Wednesdays again. Going to a con and rummaging through dollar boxes is something I loved as a kid, and still love to this day. I’ll slip back to the hotel, throw on some street clothes and head back for the last 30-45 minutes of a con day just to have those same experiences I did when I was younger at a con. I do love movies and video games.

SMC: What Comic Books are you currently addicted to?
SLC Green Arrow: Batgirl and the Birds of Prey by Julie and Shawna Benson is my favorite title out of Rebirth. It’s also a great story, with solid character interactions that feel super natural. It’s a kickass girl power title that does female heroes justice! Green Arrow has been fantastic since Rebirth started, and SuperSons is a lot of fun. I’m sad to see it go, but realize that it’s the best call for Invincible from Image Comics. One of the greatest superhero comics on the market. Saga is Brian K Vaughn being awesome, but not at all SFW. And a title a lot of people haven’t heard of but is great if you enjoy history as I do, that was my major, Manifest Destiny is a great series out right now. 

SMC: Any favorite TV shows, movies or cartoons?
SLC Green Arrow: I’m not sure if people are watching it as much as they should, but Justice League Action is a fun ride from Cartoon Network. Great use of the DCU roster, and the comedy is great without being in your face like some other shows out there. Justice League Unlimited is also gold, with possibly my favorite version of Ollie being in it. 

SMC: What is your gaming system of choice?
SLC Green Arrow: Don’t really have one. I have an XBO and a PS4 so I’ll switch to play with different friends.

SMC: What are you currently playing / upcoming video game releases?
SLC Green Arrow: Injustice 2, Red Dead Redemption 2 and the newest NHL game!

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