Fellow Steemians,
I totally laughed out loud when I thought of the perfect way to begin this post, and I’m pretty sure that my boyfriend thinks I am crazy now. Ohp, no he doesn’t, (I just asked him) haha.
“Brace yourself for a shock, I’m The Flash.”
Ah, damn it! I just remembered if I start out the way I wanted to, with a clip from Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, the default thumbnail would be taken from said clip. I rather the default be something else, (I have a particular pic in mind), so I’ll put the vid link at the end of this post. Just imagine it’s at the beginning, okay?
(The above is a self portrait)
It all started about a year ago when I had my first appearance at a community event which was basically a mash-up between hockey and a comic convention. Yours truly was freaking out about my cheap looking costume that was really not cheap.
I was freaking out because I really wanted to make a great impression at my booth, where I was displaying my comics that were a very long labor of love (oh yeah, I’m a comic artist for those of you who didn’t know). I knew that I was representing not only my talent, but also the power of positive possibilities.
I was not in the greatest headspace, but as the day went on I started to talk to people and got more comfortable.
Then, this little kid walked past my booth and said “Hi Flash! I love you Flash!”, and his whole face lit up, because I really was his hero that he looked up to! And from that moment on, my main cosplay will forever be The Flash. I didn’t set out to cosplay to make other people smile but it’s why I will continue, because it’s not just little kids that are drawn to me, it’s everyone, young and old, from all walks of life!
This was a pivotal moment for me and made me realize that maybe my disability didn’t matter as much as I thought it did. Because even though I clearly have a different way of talking and being, the cheap looking suit transformed me into The Flash – the fastest man alive.
This was the first realization of my superpower, my origin story, if you will.
The second, and most noticeable time where I used my superpower happened shortly after I got a much-welcomed and long overdue update to my suit. I was personally invited to Woodstock Spider-Man’s Birthday Bash (which I mention in an earlier post; I think).
Let me give you a quick recap. Spidey’s Birthday Bash is an amalgamation of a town street festival and a community fundraiser for the food bank. The whole town gets involved, including the mayor and superheroes from all over North America. Spidey told one of the local community members, who also has a physical disability, that I would be there, and he was all excited and really want to meet me. Spidey brought the guy over, and he was all smiles.
It felt and feels really good to make people smile! Even if I just make one person smile at a comic-con or other event, it would be worth it.
I'm posting a YouTube link in case the DTube link isn't playing.
'Til next time!