STRUCK FIRST: Jessica Nigri + Gladzy Kei as Mercy and D.Va!

Photo by Azulette Cosplay

Struck First gives you a first look at a cosplay just as it's been debuted/had its first photoshoot. Cosplayers have been kind enough to let me have a first crack at analyzing the cosplay by providing me with brand new pictures.

Like clockwork, cosplayer and designer Gladzy Kei drafted up some incredible concepts based around a collection of Overwatch females. Dubbed 'Mythic Overwatch', the idea is having these characters being inspired by Egyptian myths along with having a Cyberspace style to them. This was a pretty sizable group but unfortunately some of the members weren't able to make it to Katsucon where this project debuted. That being said, I want to share some of these lovely ladies! Of course Jessica Nigri was asked to be a part of it as she has been for Gladzy's past groups! I also thought having the creator herself added in for this post was a no-brainer!

Starting with Jess, she got paired up with everyones favorite angelic mom, Mercy! The concept art features a hefty amount of gold everywhere and Jessica took that info and ran a freaking mile with it. Starting from the top, the wig looks to be one she's worn before for other Mercy variants she's cosplayed as in the past. Attached to the wig on the sides look to be winged like horns done in gold with a cyan colored gem in the center spot. Cyan, gold, white and black are the main colors used throughout this whole cosplay. A gold neck piece adorns her on top of the start of the breastplate. Black fabric kicks it off before diving straight into the chest area.

Photo by Charles Lan Photography

The breastplate is relatively short, just ending at the bottoms of Barnes & Noble (yes that's what she named them XD). A gold wing design is set as its centerpiece with various black and cyan lines added in. The overall base color is white. This piece looks to wrap around her back and I wouldn't be shocked if it had some part to play in the wings sticking out of her back. Along the bottom you got a gold trim with a sharp point sticking outward on either side.

Jessica's arms have gauntlets done in white with larger cyan gems placed in them. One arm has an added wristband higher up. Underneath these pieces look to be a black sleeve mostly done for comfort. Fabric really plays a larger role when you get to her skirt. The waist is covered in several gold sashes with cyan gems in the dead center. Jess' skirt turns into more of a tabard with more detailing covering her backside. The front shows several separate gold strands traveling down.

Photo by David Ngo

This goes further with a layered look and has orange pieces of fabric peeking out. In fact, the inner part of the skirt is all orange. For the legs, Jess has a small band for each of them before then getting into her strapped up boots. the bands are gold with that same cyan gem that's pretty much everywhere as I mentioned earlier. Jessica's boots have that plated look in the front with interesting patterns on the side. No doubt a normal boot was used as the base and she just went to town in modding it to match Gladzy's design. Gold mainly handles the top portion with white acting as the real boot coverage. Small gold heels can be seen coming out the back of these shoes.

I guess getting to the wings makes sense to wrap this all up right? They match up with Mercy's original design but are just massive in its scope. Each wing has about 5 parts to it sticking out. These are all identical in its design with yellow being a primary color. Small trims of white, gold and black can be seen with cyan resting at the top. I'm curious if they're all the same length or were different because of the positioning. Holding each wing in place is a white top piece that really hones in on that Cyberspace style. I don't think the wings retract in and out though. What's missing from the whole cosplay is the staff and I imagine Jessica was on a time crunch to get this full cosplay done for Katsucon!

Photo by David Ngo

For Gladzy's part, she selected D.Va and actually based her costume around the Egyptian Goddess Bastet who's also the protector of cats. Pretty fitting for the Mech warrior don't you think? In comparison to Jess' Mercy, Gladzy has a lot more fabric usage I feel. The armor comes in through a breastplate, armored shoulders and a neck piece. However, let's start from the top! SHE'S GOT THE CUTEST CAT EARS with a blue and gold trim and purple interior. These ears are on top of a headdress which travels pretty far down the wig. Said wig is long and gorgeous with its brown shade. This headpiece looks to have some armor involved but not a lot. Lots of purple is involved too as you'll see.

Photo by Kevinertia

The sides of the headpiece have purple gems hanging off them. Gladzy has D.Va's signature facial markings done in pink for her makeup. A giant neck collar is seen for her neck and this is all in gold with a gem smack dab in the middle. The outfit overall looks to have a black bodysuit/leotard as its base with everything else on top. For starters, the breastplate is a simple design with purple lines seen along the cups and a gold trim for the edge. These purple lines also light up too!

After this, you have fabric done with multiple stripes and lines in a variety of colors. The ends converge down at the bottom in a bunny like symbol which is another callback to D.Va. This trim in particular is also pink cause duh? The main color for the fabric is a shiny shade of blue, almost metallic. That tabard style is repeated as you travel even further down Gladzy's outfit. A small belt can be seen around her waist with multiple gems placed throughout.

Photo by Cyberhead Designs

The full tabard is even longer on Gladzy's backside, much like how Jessica's is. I imagine this is one common point across all the Mythic Overwatch designs. The front portion has sections of pink on the side with strands of gold fabric finishing it off on the bottom. For the arms, Gladzy has 2 distinct things going on. One has a shoulder piece done in full gold with a purple gem in the middle and an armguard done in blue with gold trim. This is the only similarity between both arms. Black sleeves are used as one of Gladzy's arms has a full gauntlet/claw going on with an interesting layered gold look and purple fingertips at her hands.

The other hand is free so that she has easy usage of the blaster she made as the weapon prop. That bunny emblem I mentioned earlier can be seen on the inner parts of the long tabard. The blaster is relatively small with gold, blue and purple taking the charge as far as color palettes go. One of the shots shows off how all the purple parts light up too which is freaking AWESOME! The boots Gladzy has are relatively simple in terms of design. Mainly a leg covering can be seen for each one and that's done in metallic blue with a gold trim for the top and bottom. Parts of these are also etched in with purple which you guessed it, lights up as well!

Photo by Dave Yang

Photo by Dave Yang

Photo by JwaiDesign

Photo by Big Tofu Photos

Photo by Mimiji

Photo by Dave Yang

Photo by Kevinertia

Photo by ShotsByETC

I usually come to expect groups to be absolutely amazing and boy did Gladzy Kei and Jessica Nigri not disappoint! They always work so damn hard and pump out amazing pieces of art! I highly recommend you follow these two as they've done nothing but constantly impress me with their builds <3
https://www.patreon.com/JessicaNigri
https://www.instagram.com/gladzykei/
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