From all the films, songs and poems I’ve heard in my twenty two years of bumbling about in life, I’ve discovered that love really is quite a strange old thing.
Although you shouldn’t really pigeonhole romance, it’s often that some couples have a lot in common whereas other couldn’t be more different, yet they still click. Some couples love nothing more than to spend all day together in bed and other couples dress up like sworn enemies and delight thousands of people a year.
Mark & Rex are in the latter category and are known for portraying a loved-up Xenomorph and Predator, providing one of the best double-acts currently on the cosplay scene. I first ran into (and was completely enamoured) by them at Wales Comic Con earlier in 2014 and have been following them on social media since. It seems like wherever they go, the Alien Loves Predator routine is a huge hit with all and rightly so.
In an age where relationships are more complicated than ever, it’s comforting to see a couple who are so at ease with each other and are able to put themselves through severe rubber-induced rashes just to do what they love and to do it together. As Abi the Xenomorph and Pedro the Predator, the couple have created a huge fanbase for their act but it was what’s underneath that interested us here at CV.
We talked to Rex (aka Abi the xenomoprh) about being in the costume, the best and worst reactions and more.
1. Hey guys, how are you doing?
Hi Jimmy! We’re both fine! A bit sore and tired from a recent event in the 30 degree heat but apart from that, all is good!
2. Where did the idea come from for Alien Loves Predator?
Alien Loves Predator wasn’t so much an idea as opposed to the fact it just kinda, happened after a couple of trips out as Abi and Pedro. Obviously from there the relationship behind the characters developed which helped in creating the pairing.
But don’t be expecting any Predalien babies any time soon!
3. Did one of you have to convince the other? Or was it a joint idea from the get go?
Not so much! I had a Predator costume well before a Xenomorph, and it just so happened that Mark had been interested in getting one too. It wasn’t until I showed up at our local rock club wearing the suit for Halloween that we really started to get to know each other, and I started helping him get his own predator suit.
4. What was the first trial run like, the first time when you went out in public as the duo?
It was amazing! We’ve both had different experiences in our outfits at different times, but the first time we went out as Abi and Pedro was in Carlisle city centre and the response was just phenomenal.
5. What do close friends and family think to the idea? Have they had any reservations?
Not really! I think they just kind of let us get on with it!
6. What’s the best response you’ve had?
Some of the best responses we receive happen to be from the younger generation, whether it be over-excited kids who want to pet a xeno on the head to death or the terrified ones who just will not go near us and hide behind their parents!
Though I’m not quite sure how such a young generation even know what an Alien and a Predator are!
7. And the worst?
Mark has been jumped on from the back at a festival and I have been punched by a guy coming out of a local bank branch, both in each situation were clearly drunk though. We’re not sure that they knew quite what was going on!
8. Apart from yourselves. what’s the best cosplay you’ve seen?
To be honest I couldn’t put my finger on one single outfit. We’ve seen many across all the events we’ve been too, from Angemon (Digimon) to Ultimecia (FF8). Mark’s favourite is the General Grevious that’s seen with the UK garrison.
9. If you two were to fight, who would come out on top?
We’ve had the odd scrap in public! Neither of us seem to want to let the other lose, so it always just ends up in a truce and a hug!
10. And finally, do you have advice for cosplayers who might be too reserved to wear whatever they want?
If it makes you happy, then do whatever you want, ignore negativity. There’s a lot of it on the internet, you don’t have to look identical to the character, be the same body type, or even gender. If it makes you happy then DO IT!
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