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 Bizenghast's M. Alice LeGrow
Written by Jason Brice
JB: There has been a minor controversy about folks cosplaying Bizenghast characters. Can you explain what happened there?
M.A.L: Well, the problem started when a former editor of Tokyopop inserted a statement into the back of my book, and into Takuhai's July issue, which was worded in a way that I felt was offensive to me and to cosplayers. I had no knowledge of this statement and did not give my consent for it to be published, and I'd like to state that none of it reflects my opinions. I love cosplayers and I'm flattered that anyone would cosplay my characters. I certainly wouldn't want to deter anyone from doing so...I'm very open to any kind of cosplay. I'm afraid the person who authored that piece felt they were doing me a favor and putting an edgy spin on my persona, but had I known about it prior to printing, I would have never allowed it to go into the book.
JB: Have you had any negative feedback from fans about it?
M.A.L: Not really, most fans know me by what I post online and how I am at cons. I've had a lot of feedback from people who have said they're relieved that the comment didn't originate with me, because they felt it didn't mesh with my personality. Most everyone seems to know me better than that. Those who don't have quickly found out the truth and don't hold it against me. So I'm grateful that my online readers understand me enough to know that I would never say such a thing.
JB: Are you familiar with the concept of wearable art? Would it be something you'd be interested in?
M.A.L: I've never heard of it but it sounds very interesting.
JB: Where does cosplay cross the line between just plain fun and what legal types might consider as copyright and intellectual property rights issues?
M.A.L: I'm not sure. I've never had a problem with it. Cosplay is primarily about doing costumes of copyrighted characters, but I think as long as they're not being used to endorse a product or service, there's nothing wrong with it. Some American creators might have more of a problem with it than Japanese creators do, though.
JB: You obviously endorse American-produced manga. What makes it "manga" rather than American-style comic books?
M.A.L: Actually I don't endorse it. I'm sort of neutral either way. I don't consider my own book to be American-made manga. I consider it to be an alternative American style.
JB: Is there anything you'd like to say before we sign off, other than to tell folks to rush out and buy ten copies of Bizenghast?
M.A.L: Well I wouldn't want them to buy more than they'd like to...but I would just like to say "Eye of the Tiger". Just that.
JB: Cryptic!
M.A.L: No, I just like that song.Previous : :
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22 July 2008
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