Allow myself to introduce... myself. My name is Richie Cunningham and this is my wife, Oprah.
Cards aren't my bag, baby. But I love movies and comics. My name is actually Ben, and my wife isn't Oprah.
My biggest passion is for Star Wars. First film I saw on screen was The Empire Strikes Back, though I was only a few months old at the time. Something must have stuck, because it's still my favorite Star Wars movie.
I first got into costuming before I knew anything about cosplay. I always loved Halloween, and my first replicated costume was Beefcake the Mighty of GWAR. While I sadly no longer have that costume, many others have come, mostly Post Apocalyptic stuff, until I got involved in Star Wars costuming.
I rally got my start in that field with the Mandalorian Mercs costume club, and though I'm still an unofficial member, it's because I work too much and neglect my kit, though it is done. I've also finished two costumes for the Dark Empire costume club, and hope to eventually have kits for the 501st and Rebel Legion.
I dabble in foam, resin, plastic and metal for my costume pieces. I'll often buy B pulls and fix then up to acceptable standards.
I'm also a big Marvel comics fan, and have ideas for a few costumes in that genre. My first foray into EVA foam was a helmet based on the Thing, from Fantastic Four. Still working on the rest of the body, so for now he sits on my helmet shelf next to my Captain Rex (in progess), Vader, Snowtrooper (in progress) and Custom Mando.
Future projects include a Mando inspired by the early 90s comic book character Darkhawk, an XMO:W Sabertooth, a post apocalyptic / Mad Max type kit, and a Spiderman/ Jeffrey Lebowski mash up.
I'm into most science fiction, fantasy, steampunk, and westerns.
Franchise Favorites include
Star Wars
Alien
Conan the Barbarian
LOTR
Clint Eastwood westerns
80s comedy (I'm a huge Dan Aykroyd fan)
Cheesy B movies (Sharknado series, Attack of the killer doughnuts, things like that)
And so much more.
My mind often works faster than either my hands or my wallet, though.
Glad to be a part of this community, and hope to learn a lot and be inspired more.
Ben