Every month the staff at Critical Blast combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and spirit, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

Cosplay must really be taking off in the southern hemisphere, because for the second month in a row now, our Bombshell of the Month comes to us from Argentina, and she's bringing a special Valentine's Day greeting to our readers through her splendid cosplay!

Dear readers, please open your hearts and prepare to fall in love with our new...

Critical Blast Bombshell, February 2020

Jade Martinez

Killer Frost (DC COMICS, FURY OF FIRESTORM)

What is your interest in cosplay?

I love all kind of artistic things, and being a model. So, for me, cosplay mixes both of those things. I love putting effort into it, and make them look as if I'm the real character as much as I can. I love how kids react to it.

How did you get into cosplay, and what was your first cosplay experience?

My first ever con was at the end of 2010. I didn't know anything about cons or fandoms, so I was so amazed to have the possibility to get to know other people with the same shared interests. I saw people doing cosplay and I was so amazed, I wanted to do the same, so i spent my summer vacations figuring out how I could sew a costume for the first con at the beginning of 2011. And so I started my new hobby!

My first ever cosplay was Momo from BLEACH. This happened when I was 13. It didn't look that bad because I was a cute little girl (haha). But the cosplay was ugly.

How has your cosplay evolved since you began?

It evolved a lot by me trying new things and ruining costumes! At first I modified clothes I already had. But then, very slowly, I began to buy the fabrics and start my things from scratch.

At the beginning I made characters that I could do using my own hair. Now I know about wigs, so I mostly use that. Using wigs is something that also evolved, because at the beginning I bought the wigs and use them as they came out of the box--I was afraid of cutting them. It's funny because back then I used to have kind of expensive wigs, and now I like to buy the cheapest wigs and style them so the final result looks kind of unique.

My family taught me how to use the sewing machine when I was a kid, but I started taking classes at the beginning of 2019 because i wanted to learn how I could do my own patterns. My teacher is mai.hamstar, another cosplayer.

Paine (FINAL FANTASY X-2)
photo: Frederico Weber

What is your "secret identity" outside of cosplaying?

I'm a hairdresser. I do mostly color.

What kind of social or charity activities do you get involved in with your cosplay?

I'm part of a group called liga de superhéroes y villanos. We go mostly to hospitals, but all kinds of places with kids in need. We collect toys and pencils, and then we go in our cosplays and give those gifts to those kids, and we talk with them. The goal is give them a smile during those hard things they are facing.

Harbinger (DC COMICS, CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS)
photo: fotosph.8

Do you make as much of your own costume as possible or rely on purchased materials -- and is that important overall to cosplaying? 

I like to create as much as I can so the final product is going to look very unique, I sew everything I wear, and I always do my own makeup and wigs. But all of this is my choice. You don't have to do it my way. The best thing about cosplay is that everyone can do this the way they want. It's okay to buy the costume; but if you do it, please give credit to the artist who made it.

What's your favorite cosplay, your "go to" look that you just love to put on and act out?

My go to are two. I have Wonder Girl (Donna Troy) that I love so much to wear. That costume changed my life for better, so that's the one I use for most of my charity events.

The other is Killer Frost (Dr. Crystal Frost) because it's a character that I love. I'm so proud of that costume because this was the first dress I made, and I have to body paint myself.

Where can people go to find you online?

I have an Instagram only for my cosplays: @smol_cosplay7