Cosplayer Feature: Joannie V.
How long have you been doing cosplay?
I started cosplaying since I moved down to Florida in 2015. It all started when my friend and I went to Comic Con in New York City for fun one time back in 2013. Seeing everyone cosplay characters that I loved made me want to cosplay too, but it was difficult for me to cosplay back at home due to my parents not allowing me to spend money on it.
Who is your favorite Lore Olympus character to cosplay?
Oh god! This is a question I’m always asked. It’s really hard to answer this because I’ve cosplayed a lot of the characters in Lore Olympus and it’s always hard for me to choose. The two that I loved cosplaying the most were 1) Hera because I got to team up with my best friend @jacobhexa and do Hera and Zeus for the first time and 2) I also enjoyed doing Minthe. With Minthe, I got to channel my inner spicy Latin side and it was definitely a different side of me since I’m always told I’m the nicest and mother figure of my friend group.
Tell us your Lore Olympus story.
To be honest, I’d seen photos of Persephone and Hades around the internet but I never knew the name of the comic until one day a coworker told me about it and introduced me. During a slow day at work, I read 40 chapters all together and became hooked on it. Since then I’ve been reading the fast pass and would sometimes reread the whole thing to make sure it helps me with my cosplay. What made me stay with LO was definitely the relationship Persephone and Hades have, but also waiting to see if Hera would do something about Zeus!
What is the most memorable cosplay?
The most memorable cosplay I’ve done was Jasper from Steven Universe. Jasper was my first office cosplay that I kept doing for 5 years and she’s been through so many different changes. I haven’t done them in a long time and I would love to bring them back but I don’t have the motivation to repaint my arms again. She was definitely a lot to deal with. She’s never been to a con though, so maybe they’ll come back once things clear up!
What other fandoms are you in?
I’m definitely into the Sailor Moon fandom! I’ve always love Sailor Moon since I was young, and I’m happy I got to be apart and cosplay characters from the show! I’ve been apart of the Steven Universe fandom as well.
If you could body snatch one LO character for a day, who would it be?
Hera!!! I want to take her out on a girls day and just away from all her depression and stress from Zeus. It would also be a chance for me to learn the ways of being a classy Queen.
What does cosplay mean to you?
Cosplay is about having fun and being your true self!
Any advice for a new cosplayer out there?
Have fun! I know it’s hard at first but you’ll get a hang of it and you’ll love it so much! Also, be nice to everyone! Even if sometimes people can come off as rude or mean, always keep your head up and smile! At the end of the day, cosplay is to have fun and meet new people, not a competition!☺️
Just for fun: Who did you get on the Hades’ dog character quiz?
Russell :)
Joannie is a Hispanic female from Brooklyn who’s sweet, loud, loves to draw and play video games when she’s not cosplaying! Follow Jojo on: