Comic-Con Cosplayer Profile: Meet the Halo Spartans

As part of our continuing Comic-Con coverage this year, Movieline is profiling some of the most elaborate cosplayers roaming the San Diego Convention Center halls. Yesterday's subject was a Homeland Security employee dressed as Chef Vader, and this morning's profilees are two dramatically costumed Halo Spartans, who Movieline found asking for directions at a Mrs. Fields stand outside of Ballroom 20.

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Name: Sean (Left)

Age: 25

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Occupation: Metro City Bus Driver

Name: Kenneth (Right)

Age: 27

Hometown Pomona, CA

Occupation: FedEx Ground Package Handler

Would you please describe your costumes?

Sean: I'm from Halo: Reach, the new Halo game that came out last year. There is a function on the game where you can custom-make your own character and he'll be part of the game, the way you make him. That's what I am, my own custom-made Halo Spartan.

Kenneth: I'm one of the main characters in the game named Carter. I'm one of main Spartans, the captain. I'm one of the few Spartans who gave up his life in the game.

Why do you guys dress up for Comic-Con?

Sean: [Laughs] Truthfully, I do it for attention. I just found a hobby that -- not to sound conceited but -- I'm better than a lot of people at doing. I guess I feel energized that people like what I do. If you look around, everyone's looking at us and taking pictures. So that just makes me feel all conceited about myself and good for today.

What makes you a better cosplayer than the others here at Comic-Con?

Sean: I don't want to make it sound bad, I don't. All my life I've been an artist so I have an eye for detail. One day I went to my first convention and I felt left out because I didn't have a costume. I'm the kind of person that wants the attention too. So the next year, I made a costume that was really crappy and they've just gotten better and better. Truthfully, I've been making costumes non-stop for the last five years.

What was your costume last year?

Sean: Actually, I was making War Machine from Iron Man but I never finished in time. I got mad and scrapped it and then got the idea for this costume when Halo: Reach came out last year.

How much time and/or money did you put into your costumes?

Kenneth: All said, probably about $200 on mine.

Sean: Together, just the materials alone was $120 and this took a little less than a year to make.

What do your family and friends think about you dressing up for Comic-Con?

Sean: I've been an artist all my life, so my mom sees these things and doesn't even care anymore. She sees and is like, "I know you do this shit." Oh sorry, I shouldn't have sworn.

Do you live with your mom?

Sean: [Laughs] Yeah.

Kenneth, what does your family think?

Well, I'm the artist in the family too. They don't quite get it. They don't even know I made this. They just think I bought it somewhere.

What are your goals at Comic-Con?

Sean: You know, it's been hard all year. With everyone suffering from depression and just stressing about their day-by-day lives, career-wise. Comic-Con for me is like my adult Christmas. This is the one day I'm happy and free. I'm around people with the same interests as myself. It makes me feel good. My goal is just to be happy today.

PREVIOUSLY: Chef Vader