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Get Graphic: Camille Richardson is The Black Widow

Modeling by Camille Richardson

Photography by Joe Carabeo

Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

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This week's "Get Graphic" falls on the week of release for Marvel's Black Widow, the MCU's long-anticipated espionage thriller featuring Scarlet Johansson in the title role. If you've been waiting and waiting to finally discover the cinematic story of Natalia Alianovna "Natasha Romanoff" Romonova then you're not alone. Cosplay model and all-around Black Widow fan Camille Richardson is right there with you. To celebrate the release of the film (and our first "Get Graphic" with a cosplayer!) we asked cosplayer Camille and photographer Joe Carabeo to take us inside their Black Widow photoshoot. In the process, we discovered a little more about their respective craft, their favorite Black Widow moments, and more! Scroll, scroll, scroll...

 

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"My name is Camille Richardson, former comic book retailer (Fantom Comics) turned continued enthusiastic fan, who dwells in the Northern Virginia area, soon to be Maryland." Camille Richardson


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"I always enjoy working with Camille Richardson, we've shot and worked together for years, and when it came time to figure out what we haven't done yet, we've done fashion and editorial shoot, the obvious choice was her Black Widow. That character is one of her go-to choices of cosplay, and it funny because for some reason that idea never appeared in my mind before. But truthfully, it might also be because I don't do Cosplay style photography. So I went into the shoot like I would if I was making a movie. Which is truthfully my normal process even in photography." - Joe Carabeo


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"I began cosplaying after losing my parents 9yrs ago, it really helped me stay afloat during that time with portraying characters that inspired me to stay strong and continue to keep picking myself up. Modeling came a little later when I unexpectedly received a lot of love for the characters I was portraying, got over my shyness, and told myself it was okay to celebrate yourself. It was definitely new territory for me." - Camille Richardson


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"I admired Frank Miller, Chris Bachalo, Tim Sale, David Lapham, Joe Quesada, but sometime in high school, I started to believe that my drawing skills were not up to par and because my parents were both into photography I took a photo class and it just clicked. I became always attached to a camera of some sort." - Joe Carabeo


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"[I love] the character [of Black Widow] and have had continual issues with Marvel mishandling the character, but finally the movie is coming out and with the announcement of the date, I hit up Joe to do a BW shoot to celebrate!" - Camille Richardson


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"I knew that for these images to be successful - to a degree - it would have to start with the location. The reality of the situation would only make the characterization more real. When I first envisioned photographing Black Widow, I was in the middle of writing a current screenplay and I had the movie Children of Men's visuals stuck in my head. I remember one of the main long takes in the movie when we follow Clive Owens' character to retrieve a baby in a warzone destroyed building. I wanted to put Black Widow in that type of surrounding and her narrative could be her in some sort of hunt in some sort of hellish part of the world. It definitely did feel like that where we shot." - Joe Carabeo


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"[I was trying to capture the] badassery with a tinge of vulnerability, a side of Widow you don't see too much, with the background giving a very urban and run down setting." - Camille Richardson


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"[Black Widows] first appearance in the MCU in Iron Man 2 is still pretty fantastic. But I'm always entertained when she works with Daredevil because I was actually introduced to knowing the character during Kevin Smith's Daredevil Marvel Knights run." - Joe Carabeo


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"In the comics, I read [Black Widow] mostly from Daredevil and Avengers, but "No Place Like Home" really emphasized the hardship of growing up in the Widow program, her early life, what she was forced to do, etc. I didn't have an easy upbringing, so I tend to connect with characters who have rough hands given to them. Otherwise, the only time she was ever written well in the MCU was Winter Soldier and hoping the new movie does it to the same degree." - Camille Richardson

 

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It can sometimes depend on what hair I have at the time, but [other cosplay] I've done have been Rogue (90's Jim Lee), Typhoid Mary (original), Age of Ultron Black Widow (comic w/missing eye), and various types of Vikings. - Camille Richardson


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"Camille and I actually did another shoot on the same day that was Viking inspired that I believe turned out pretty stellar. I had an idea for a modern day Viking/Miracleman style story that I pitched to Camille and it was fun to dip my toes in those visuals to see how it feels." - Joe Carabeo


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"[Photographer Joe Carabeo and I have] worked together before and will continue to do so, and hoping to bring Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn and/or Bo-Katan from Clone Wars, Rebels, and Mandalorian into fruition sometime in the future." - Camille Richardson

 

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Special thanks to AstrayJ Photography. 

If you're interested in more of Camille's work then be sure to follow her on Instagram

Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's TwitterFacebookYouTube, or Instagram for more artist spotlights! And if you want to find out more about Black Widow then be sure to check these titles out at your local comic shop...

GOOD SMILE COMPANY
BLACK WIDOW MOVIE BLACK WIDOW NENDOROID AF DLX VER
From Good Smile Company. From Marvel's upcoming film Black Widow comes a DX Nendoroid of Black Widow! The Nendoroid is fully articulated, allowing you to recreate all kinds of action-packed poses. She comes with two face plates: a standard expression and a smiling expression. Optional parts include two batons with hooks attached and two handguns for recreating battle scenes from the movie. The DX version also includes an alternate body featuring the white version of her suit, two standard batons and a Stinger effect part.
In Shops: Sep 01, 2021
SRP: $104.99

MARVEL COMICS
(USE DEC218505) BLACK WIDOW BY KELLY THOMPSON TP VOL 01 TIES
(W) Kelly Thompson (A) Elena Casagrande (CA) Adam Hughes
Something is very wrong with Natasha: She's...happy?! Kelly Thompson. Black Widow. 'Nuff said! The best-selling, Eisner Award-nominated writer of CAPTAIN MARVEL joins rising-star artist Elena Casagrande to change everything for Natasha Romanoff! The Widow has been a spy almost as long as she's been alive. And she's never stopped running, whether she was working for the good guys or the bad. But retirement definitely agrees with the world's deadliest woman as she revels in the perfect life she never dreamed she could have. But scratch the surface of that perfect life and you'll find something very wrong lurking beneath it - and a woman like Nat just can't help but scratch. Beyond San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge lies a mystery only the Marvel Universe's greatest spy can solve! Prepare for a can't-miss thrill ride! Collecting BLACK WIDOW (2020) #1-5.

Rated T+
In Shops: Apr 21, 2021
SRP: $15.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #90

MARVEL COMICS
BLACK WIDOW EPIC COLLECTION TP COLDEST WAR
(W) Ralph Macchio, More (A) More (A/CA) George Perez
The Black Widow goes solo in adventures that defined her as one of Marvel's greatest heroes! In one of the most beloved Black Widow stories of all time, enter a web of intrigue as Natasha navigates a complex maze of international espionage orchestrated by an old foe! Then, a revelation regarding the Red Guardian draws Black Widow back into a Russian spymaster's crosshairs. Plus: Natasha teams with the Punisher to take down a rogue former government agent, reunites with Daredevil to investigate the murder of S.H.I.E.L.D. psychics and returns to post-Soviet Russia with Nick Fury! Collecting BLACK WIDOW: THE COLDEST WAR, PUNISHER/BLACK WIDOW: SPINNING DOOMSDAY'S WEB, DAREDEVIL/BLACK WIDOW: ABATTOIR, FURY/BLACK WIDOW: DEATH DUTY and JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY (1952) #517-519 - and material from BIZARRE ADVENTURES #25, MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #10-13, SOLO AVENGERS #7, MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS (1988) #135 and DAREDEVIL ANNUAL #10.

PARENTAL ADVISORY
In Shops: Oct 07, 2020
SRP: $39.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #141

GOLDEN BOOKS
BLACK WIDOW LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
(W) Christy Webster
The Marvel Avenger known as Black Widow is ready to strike in her first Little Golden Book!
Meet Marvel's super-spy hero Black Widow, the Avenger who knows how to pack a punch even when faced with the baddest of the bad guys. Boys and girls ages 2 to 5 will love this action-packed Little Golden Book as they learn about the Black Widow, from all her amazing skills to her faithful friends and fiercest foes!
In Shops: Jan 08, 2020
SRP: $4.99
PREVIEWS Page #293

MARVEL COMICS
BLACK WIDOW MARVEL TEAM-UP TP
(W) Chris Claremont, More (A) Bob Brown, More (CA) Al Milgrom
The world's greatest superspy in her finest team-ups! First, the terror group Sword of Judgment threatens the end of the world - unless Natasha Romanoff and the Thing can stop them! Then, Spider-Man and the Widow form an arachnid double act to take on the Silver Samurai! But when they meet again, why does Natasha think she's a teacher named Nancy Rushman?! Maybe Nick Fury and Shang-Chi can help unravel the mystery of the Widow's double life! Plus: When a young man is wrongfully accused, Natasha must cross paths with old flame Daredevil. And it's all-out action when the Black Widow teams up with Silver Sable and Darkstar! Collecting MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE (1974) #10; MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #57, #82-85, #98 and #140-141; and material from MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS (1988) #53, #70 and #93.
Rated T
In Shops: Mar 11, 2020
SRP: $29.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #140

TITAN COMICS
BLACK WIDOW OFF MOVIE SPECIAL HC (RES)
A behind-the-scenes guide to the forthcoming latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Widow! This Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie Special includes interviews with cast and crew, along with much more!
In Shops: Nov 04, 2020
SRP: $19.99
PREVIEWS Page #333

MARVEL COMICS
BLACK WIDOW TP VOL 01 FINELY WOVEN THREAD
(W) Nathan Edmondson (A/CA) Phil Noto
Black Widow is an Avenger and an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. But on her own time, she searches for atonement for her past as a KGB assassin - in ways those teams just wouldn't approve of. The Widow goes undercover in Russia - but from its cold streets, the Hand of God reaches out to crush her...and it is as merciless as its name. Outmatched by the brute force of this powerful new villain, Natasha discovers a deadly plot that spans the entire globe. Paris, London, Montenegro - Natasha is in a race against time, with nowhere to turn for answers. Black Widow's strength and cunning will be put to the test as she follows the trail of blood and destruction to the beginning, but can she locate the entity behind the attacks? Collecting BLACK WIDOW (2014) #1-6 and material from ALL-NEW MARVEL NOW! POINT ONE #1.
In Shops: Jul 16, 2014
SRP: $17.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #94

MARVEL COMICS
(USE FEB239197) MARVEL KNIGHTS BLACK WIDOW BY GRAYSON & RUCK
(W) Devin Grayson, Greg Rucka (A) Scott Hampton, Igor Kordey (A/CA) J. G. Jones
Natasha Romanoff has always led a life of adventure. A former Soviet spy, she defected to the West and became a super hero and Avenger. Natasha has earned a reputation as a consummate professional, coldly efficient and deadly as her namesake. But now, her time as Black Widow may be running out! Yelena Belova is the first student in the history of the Red Room to exceed Natasha's skills - and now she's gunning for the mantle she feels was stolen from her. And she's determined to put Natasha in the grave! Prepare for a war of the Widows that will rage from the Middle East's deserts to New York's Upper West Side. And explore the history of the "pale little spider" in a never-before-collected tale! Collecting BLACK WIDOW (1999) #1-3, BLACK WIDOW (2001) #1-3 and BLACK WIDOW: PALE LITTLE SPIDER #1-3.
In Shops: Oct 10, 2018
SRP: $19.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #103

DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
MARVEL SELECT BLACK WIDOW MOVIE TASKMASTER FIGURE
A Diamond Select Toys release! The long-awaited Black Widow movie is almost here, and the villain is just as cool as the heroine! Taskmaster arrives on the big screen to menace Natasha this spring, and he'll be on toy shelves this summer, as part of the Marvel Select toy line! This approximately 7-inch action figure includes multiple accessories and 16 points of articulation and comes packaged on display-ready Select action figure packaging. Designed by Eamon O'Donoghue, sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios!
In Shops: Sep 23, 2020
SRP: $29.99
PREVIEWS Page #1026

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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. His comics work includes MF DOOM: All Caps, Public Enemy's Apocalpyse '91, Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Awards-nominated Magic Bullet.

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