Interview with Harley's Joker
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Interview by: Roxy Lee GG
Hi all, Roxy here with another epic interview! This time I had the pleasure of interviewing one of my favorite Joker cosplayers, Mr.J himself, Anthony Misiano, aka Harley’s Joker! I remember the first time seeing his work when I randomly stumbled across “The Batman Chronicles“ trailer. Not only does he dress the part completely, but everything from his makeup to his expressions are spot on to the classic Joker. So please enjoy getting to know this villainous cosplayer a bit better.
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“Anthony Misiano is a San Diego based actor and filmmaker. He began drawing at the age of two, writing and even publishing poetry at nine, and throughout his teens picked up photography, acting, and composing. The self-proclaimed walking talking film encyclopedia realized filmmaking was the greatest art form in which he could exercise all of these other abilities and passions. This healthy, horny, vegan goofball can sometimes be seen at comic conventions dressed as the Joker, and hopes that there may soon be a place where a modern day renaissance man can actually make a living doing what he loves.”
Roxy: Thank you so much for doing this interview with Geek Girls. You happen to be one of my favorite male cosplayers and Joker cosplayers so I am sort of feeling honored right now haha.
Anthony: Well thank you very much!
Roxy: When did you start cosplaying and how exactly did you get into it?
Anthony: The first time I ever really wore a costume in public aside from Halloween was at Wondercon in Anaheim, March 2012. I had the Joker costume, similar to the version you see now, left over from Halloween 2011. At the last minute I thought, “why not bust it out at the convention? Maybe someone will get a kick out of it.” Boy was I right. So I decided to spend the next four months leading up to San Diego Comic Con refining, replacing and fine tuning every single part of it. I wanted it to be PERFECT. I wore it two days in a row at SDCC, and that’s when it all blew up online.
Roxy: Boy did you ever! Now, did you create your Joker costume all yourself? And if so is it the only variation you have of him?
Anthony: I designed every single inch of the costume in excruciating detail, made all the accessories and finishing touches (buttons, snaps, props, trim, etc.) by hand, and found all the fabrics and even dyed or hand colored half of them myself. I cannot sew however, so I work very closely with someone who can, and even create several of the patterns on butcher and tissue paper myself. I’ve been blessed to work with talented and endlessly patient (I’m a royal pain in the ass obsessive compulsive perfectionist) seamstresses. I have a few subtle variations, but nothing major yet. I can swap out a green shirt and black tie for a black shirt and green tie. Exchange a cane for a crow bar. Little things like that.
Roxy: It is all in the little details for sure. Do you have any tips for a newcomer on sewing, construction or development of a character? Especially when wanting to put it in front of a camera or being in character at events.
Anthony: The first thing I can say is never be afraid to be picky. The ultimate goal of every artist in every art form is to not have to compromise. If you don’t think something’s right, don’t settle, work on it until it is right; until you’re not only happy with it, but even impressed by it yourself. If you can impress yourself, you’re on the right track. Also, I’m ALWAYS thinking about how something’s going to look on camera. There are a lot of things that look one way in person, but compete different photographed. Do tests. Take photos of materials and colors and pieces every step of the way to help you figure out what needs to change and develop further.
Roxy: Wow advice we have never heard before, that is a great tip. So What about Joker drew you into cosplaying him? How long did it take to perfect his look and mannerisms?
Anthony: I’m a slender man with a pointy stretchy obnoxiously expressive face – I’m not going to be pulling off a good Superman anytime soon. Aside from physical resemblance I’ve always been a huge Batman fan. I grew up on Batman. Sadly I’m not muscular or square jawed or tall or anything really required physically to do him justice, so I picked the next best thing. As far as the expressions and mannerisms, a lot of that comes from my theatre background as well as the mime training I’ve had. It’s pretty easy for me to turn that energy on and pose and express with my whole body, not just the face. One of the things you learn in the art of mime is that your entire body is a tool for expression, and everything about your posture and physicality can have a huge impact on how you come across to an audience emotionally.
Roxy: Mime training! That is amazing, have you created any other cosplays? And if so how exactly do you decide which characters you are going to cosplay as? Which are some of your favorites to wear other than Joker?
Anthony: The only other costume I’ve made (aside from ones I’ve worked on for theatrical shows or film projects) is the new Harley Quinn costume which I made with my girlfriend. It was a logical choice, haha.
Roxy: Well but of course! Now what does Cosplay mean to you? And how do you feel about women getting a tough time with the whole “Fake geek girl” trend? The whole “Geeks can’t be sexy” fad.
Anthony: To me it’s an opportunity to express myself creatively. I needed a new outlet, and I found one. The notion that someone can see themselves as so superior as to judge the “level” of “geekiness” of another person is absurd. Take into account the terms “geek” and “nerd” have almost no connection to their traditional meaning, but instead are now used as a way to say you’re a fan of something. Not even anything counter culture either, but mainstream popular art. So one person is a “geek” for video games, and another a “nerd” for comic books, or a “geek” for movies, or even a “nerd” for conventions or costuming. Big deal. Live and let live. The whole point of any hobby or interest is to have fun, so people should stop ruining others’ good time.
Roxy: Touche. Now I know I have seen your Joker in “The Batman Chronicles“, but any chance for a Joker series??? That would be awesome! Which do you prefer, making videos or doing conventions?
Anthony: No Joker series, at least not now. For those curious about the “The Batman Chronicles”, it's a three part episodic fan film in which I am co-producing and playing the Joker. We plan to shoot this June and debut the episodes by August. Aside from that I don’t think I could ever really play the character in anything else. It would be weird, wouldn’t it? Imagine if an actor went around playing the same character in numerous un-connected projects. It just doesn’t work. This project will feature my one true performance of the character, as realistically and honestly as I can portray him. To answer your other question, as much as I enjoy going to conventions, my true passion is acting and filmmaking. Always has been, always will be.
Roxy: What has been your favorite convention to attend so far and why? Also what events will you be attending this year?
Anthony: It’s hard to say, I’ve really had a great time at all of them. I think I particularly enjoyed Stan Lee’s Comikazee in Los Angeles last September. I got to meet a lot of people who I really admire and was so happy to find myself connecting with so many of them so well. This year I’ve already attended Wondercon in Anaheim. Later this year I will be attending Big Wow Comic Fest in San Jose in May, as well as Puerto Rico Comic Con also in May. In July I will be going to San Diego Comic Con. After that I’m not sure.
Roxy: Now a little gossip, who, if anyone, is the Harley that is referred to in your name? I know all the ladies wanna know, myself included seeing as I am a HUGE HQ fan (Got her name tattoo’d on me hehe) ;)
Anthony: Honestly? The facebook page name came about simply because it hadn’t been taken yet and I thought it was cute and memorable. However now that my lovely girlfriend will be accompanying me from time to time at conventions in her Harley Quinn costume, it’s only suiting that it refer to her. :)
Roxy: I just heard the sound of a million Harley Quinn hearts breaking, but that is none the less adorable! Now time for my lightning round!
1. Favourite movie: I love’em all. It’s what I’m a “geek” about.
2. Favourite TV show: All time? Can’t pick. At the moment? “Bob’s Burgers”.
3. Favourite Geek celebrity: Neil deGrasse Tyson.
4. Favourite Superhero/Villain: Batman/Joker.
5. Favourite game (Pc, console, table top etc): Scrabble.
6. Favourite Super power to have: Money (just ask Batman and Iron Man).
7. Favourite Character to dress up as: Man in t-shirt.
8. Favourite comic book or book: Comic: “The Killing Joke”. Book: “Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer.
9. Favourite Artist or director: Can’t pick, but Emmanuel Lubezki is my favorite cinematographer.
10. Favorite website: This one?
Roxy: Hahaha kudos on the last choice. Now Please take this time to plug all of your pages where we can find your work or any other projects you are a part of that we should check out, and also any final words for your fans and ours?
Anthony: Sure! You can go to
Harley's Joker to check out everything Joker related I do. I’m also somewhat of an accomplished filmmaker, and you can check out a film I completed a little over a year ago, “Moonflower” at this
webpage.
There you can watch the trailer, see a clip from the film, enjoy the beautiful poster, and even download a copy for yourself in either SD or HD.
Roxy: Wow thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with us Anthony, I know our fans and yours will truly appreciate reading and getting to know you a bit better, I know I have! I wish you the best of luck in the rest of your cosplay endeavours and I cannot wait to see some more of your awesome Joker. We hope to see you at an event soon!
Anthony: Thank you so much!
Roxy: There you have it Geeks and Geekettes, Anthony Misiano, one of the best Joker cosplayers to date. Go check him out in the
“Batman Chronicles” teaser trailer. Also show him some love on
facebook and stay tuned for some more epic interviews!
Cheers.
-Roxy Lee GG <3
Photo Credits:
All photos except the collage and Poster for Batman Chronicles by:
Low Carb Media
Collage and Batman poster created by: Anthony Misiano aka
Harley’s Joker himself.
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April 28 2013