The Lois Lane Effect

Since her debut in Action Comics #1 Lois Lane has inspired a string of feisty female journalists who are often the supporting character to the leading male super hero. The award winning reporter from Metropolis has become a pop culture icon since her debut in June 1938. The sometimes damsel in distress is also an independent modern woman with her own award winning career and has proven that you dont need super powers to fight for truth, justice and the American Way. This very mortal woman is also an important part of Supermans/Clark Kents support system. He viewed her as an equal and she won his heart and hand in marriage. Despite the New 52 Universe wiping it away, the Superman/Lois Lane star-crossed love story remains the first great romance in comic book history and is legendary. Whether its the damsel in distress or the love interest, its clear many super heroes need their own fabulous version of Lois Lane.

 Iris West: Iris West made her debut in Showcase #4 published by DC Comics and released in 1956. She is a reporter for Pictures News in Central City and eventually marries Barry Allen, aka The Flash. On the popular CW show The Flash, Iris works at a cafe and is the author of a Blog which chronicles sightings and information on the super hero. She is portrayed by actress Candice Patton.

April ONeil: The feisty television reporter made her debut  in 1984 not as a T.V. journalist but as a computer programmer. Her occupation was changed in the classic animated series. April is a friend of the turtles who uses her connections to assist them in their missions. While not romantically linked to any of the turtles, she is often in a relationship with vigilante hero Casey Jones. April was recently portrayed on the big screen by Megan Fox.

Vicki Vale: Vicki Vale first appeared in Batman #49 released in 1948. She was a reporter for the Gotham Gazette. In the 1989 Batman film she is played by actress Kim Basinger  with the slightly different position as a photojournalist. Ms. Vale is also the sometimes girlfriend of Bruce Wayne however their relationship simply never seems to work out. Fun fact: Ms. Vale was modeled after Norma Jeane Mortenson, an upcoming model who would later be world famous as Marilyn Monroe.

Betty Brant: Betty made her comic book debut in 1963 in The Amazing Spider-Man #4. The secretary for the Daily Bugle often had journalistic aspirations and was romantically linked to Peter Parker.  In the Ultimate Marvel Universe, Betty was murdered by Venom after obtaining footage of the new Spider-Man and trying to expose his identity. Betty was played by actress Elizabeth Banks in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy.

Chloe Sullivan: Since her debut on the pilot episode of Smallville, which aired on the WB in September 2001 (and was moved to the CW), fans speculated that the blonde from Kansas was so much like Lois, she would eventually color her hair dark and change her name to Lois Lane. Theories were put to rest when Lois joined the show in season 4 and turned out to be her cousin. The character of Chloe Sullivan was specially created for the Smallville show. She began appearing in comics set in the Smallville Universe beginning in 2002. Chloe eventually marries and has a son with Green Arrow. She was portrayed by actress Allison Mack.  

View my Lois Lane/Superman Costume Gallery HERE

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Epic Cosplays of 2014!

Photo by Danny Hunter

2014 is coming to a close. Towards the end of every year, I write an article listing all of the costumes that I completed. Before I publish that annual post, Id like to take the time to spot light other talented costumers and showcase their art and talent. Weither it be armor, body paint or sewing, their hard work deserves a standing ovation. Take a look at what they achieved in costuming in 2014!

Spider-Woman by Ivy Cosplay

Photo by MC Illusion Photography

Body paint by JP Designs

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Catwoman (Batman: The Animated Series) by Adrianne Curry

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Xerxes by Aokiji Cosplay

Photo by Shudan Pictures

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Zombie Ariel by Traci Hines

Photo by Saffels Photography

Makeup by Keaghlan Ashley-Makeup Your Mind

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Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry) by Elendriel 

Photographer Unknown

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Maleficent by JAZE Cosplay

Photo by Grant Brummett

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Guy Gardner by Danny Lantern Cosplay 

Photo by Hero Hotties

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Star Sapphire by Alys Snuggiemouse Adamantium

Photo by AMP Cosplay

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Shi by Margie Cox

Photo by Bodhi Tree Photography

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Joker by Joker Cosplay

Photo by Nicolas Alejandro Oviedo

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Product Review Pinky Paradise Cat Eye Lenses

Pinky Paradise is the largest circle lens store on the internet. They have a large variety of colored contact lenses including special effects. There is an entire section devoted to cat eye lenses which I will be reviewing today. The G&G Cosplay Cat Eye Lenses (Green 082) are listed on the Pinky Paradise website for $21.90. Made in South Korea, the lenses are good for one full year. The Cat Eye Green Lenses comes with a free contact case. You also receive hair accessories to hold back your hair as you place the contacts in your eyes. You can find a direct link to the item HERE.



I selected these lenses for a specific costume; Cheetah from Wonder Woman. When it comes to applying makeup or body paint, inserting the contact lenses is always the first step. You must put them in makeup free with clean hands to insure that you do not get any makeup or paint into your eyes. It also ensures that you will not smug or ruin your makeup or paint. After putting in the lenses, I applied makeup to my eyes (three colors of eye shadows, eye liner and mascara). Once the smokey eyes were done, I began to paint myself.

During the three hour process, I noticed that the lenses constantly moved about. Not only did they move but they completely rotated in my eyes. I repeatedly had to stop painting to readjust the lenses. It was difficult trying to paint myself with the lenses moving and impairing my vision. This made my job a lot harder. I applied eye drops but that did not help. Prior to this, I had worn the contacts a week earlier for roughly 4 hours. I was hoping they just needed to adjust and that my second trial run would be better. The situation did not improve and I had the same problem after wearing them for 5 hours which resulted in a headache.

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I contacted some of my personal cosplay friends for advice and they informed me that cat eye lenses, no matter the brand, are "notorious" for spinning in the eyes. Apparently the only way to avoid the problem is to purchase weighed lenses. The spinning is no fault of Pinky Paradise. Its the sad reality of how these lenses work. One friend I spoke to, told me they simply fix the lenses throughout the course of the day at a convention. Once I was done getting ready and began to take photos, I did have to fix the lenses often. This was difficult because I was painted. I had to leave one of my fingers bare so that I wouldnt get any paint in my eyes. If you plan on using any brand of cat eye lenses that are not weighed, I would recommend you do so for a costume that doesnt require you to wear paint.  I will say that the color of the lenses are absolutely beautiful. The green really pops and they photograph well. They truly do look like the eyes of a feline. It was the prefect compliment to all of the work I completed on the costume. 

Photos by Green House Photography

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Product Review Hulk Eye Contact Lenses from Spooky Eyes

Photos by Green House Photography

Spooky Eyes has a large variety of contact lenses available on their online store. They have many different types of lenses including natural colored contacts, Halloween, Cosplay and Special Effects. I recently received a pair of their Hulk Eye Contact Lenses (green). Priced at $28.95, these lenses are currently in stock with free shipping available. You can view a listing of the Hulk Eye Contact Lenses HERE and visit the sites main page HERE. I used these contacts for my teenage Buttercup Cosplay from The Powerpuff Girls.



After deciding which costume I would be using the lenses for, I placed the contacts in my eyes around 12:30pm and wore them until 6:30pm. I wanted to give them a good long trial test to see how they would hold up at a convention. The lenses were quite comfortable and I did not experience any vision impairment. Throughout the course of the day, I actually forgot that I was wearing the lenses. This shade of green really pops and photographs beautifully. I did not experience my eyes drying out or the contacts moving.

This is my second review for Spooky Eyes. Unfortunately I experienced problems with the first pair of contacts I received back in July. Im happy to report that my second pair were much better. I was very satisfied with this product. The Hulk Eye Contacts are great for Cosplay, Photo Shoots or a casual look.

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