New York City cosplayer and burlesque dancer Stella Chuu has been into cosplay for three years, but, despite the fans she’s amassed in that time, she’s been a nerd her whole life. Chuu’s been into anime and comics since she was a teen (card-carrying member of her high school and college anime clubs!) and studied otaku culture in Japan. In today’s premiere episode of Just Cosplay, Chuu takes to the Emerald City Comicon floor as Kabuki, the titular assassin from David Mack’s dreamy ‘90s graphic novel series. Watch as Chuu receives an official, hand-painted gift from Mack himself, roams ECCC in killer Kabuki cosplay, and shares her love of the comics and character with fellow fans.

What piece of cosplay would you love to receive from your favorite creator? How did you get into cosplaying? Let us know in the comments below.