How did ISO get into the "Prelude" storyline in The Clone Wars webcomic on Starwars.com?
We have been incredibly blessed to have gained the friendship of LFL artist Tom Hodges and his fabulous wife Terri -- of 501st Legion Quilt fame. They are both fans of the pinup genre, and he really gave us the idea to model ourselves on, so as the concept has moved along, they have been integral to helping us shape our vision. Terri has since become an ISO Girl herself, and even came with Tom to our Phoenix Comic-Con last year to primp and get ready with all the other girls for the ISO Mixer. We love them both like crazy.
When Tom got the nod to do the online Clone Wars comic, we were completely excited for him, just for the incredible opportunity he was being given, but then imagine our shock when in the first page there's an ISO girl serving a drink to a clone trooper! It was amazing. Of course, as the Empire had yet to fully form, they would technically be Republic Service Organization Girls, but Tom somehow worked his weird magic and got the decision makers at LFL to consent to the appearance, and one thereafter as art on a clone trooper's speeder bike.
What's the reaction of the ISO you've been getting from other women who love Star Wars since you started?
The ladies are really deeply excited. For some, the time period and the genre are just greatly appealing, but for even more, it's a chance to take part in charity and sisterhood. For many of the wives and girlfriends of men in the 501st, as much as they love their troopers, they have no interest in putting on white plastic and clanking around. Some girls just can't find a character in the Star Wars universe that resonates enough with them to inspire the urge to costume, and many of us will never be comfortable trying to be a petite, perfect Amidala, Zam Wesell or Mara Jade. With this, though, the uniform is easily accessible, it makes the ladies feel a part of the greater group, and it doesn't involve molded plastic.
Girl bonding time is something that many of us can't do as much as we ought -- between husbands and kids, or boyfriends, and working, and the demands of real life, it's easy to get overwhelmed and isolated. This group gives us an excuse to get out together and just enjoy each others' company, and pursue our charity aims in the process.
We use the 501st as a guidepost, acknowledging how much good they do and how much brighter the world becomes through their constant willingness to help in charity pursuits, and we forge a circle of friendship that accepts anyone who is willing to help.
One side benefit that we've realized, at least in the Dune Sea Garrison, is that while the men like to show up and play and have fun, asking them to organize anything can be a challenge. When this particular group of ladies gets together and plans something, like our upcoming 4th of July ISO Luau, we have tons of helping hands, a wealth of great ideas, and total security in the fact that the men will be where they need to be, when they need to be there, because the women are in charge. It's amazing how much more smoothly things have been running lately.
Why do you think it's important to have a fun outlet for fangirls who want to be geeky and girlie?
One of the things we love is that we are geeks, and fangirls, and yet are still smoking hot. The stereotype of a geeky girl, or fangirl of any type, generally isn't overwhelmingly flattering. How joyous, then, to have us all banded together as a group and have men of every possible background show appreciation for us.
My personal favorite when I'm at a Convention is to answer the doubtful inquiries with, "Well, yes, we're here with the stormtroopers. In fact, I'm actually their Commanding Officer -- which makes me one of them as well." I invariably accompany this with my sweetest smile.
The most important thing we try to get across to the ladies is that it really doesn't matter what you look like -- we want you. We women all have insecurities, and the ISO as a group fights against all that. It's girl bonding time at its finest; and the laughing and the sisterhood always wins them over. We take pictures of everyone and reinforce that each girl is beautiful, and unlike any other. Some of our finest times are when we can get our new friends to look in a mirror and believe it.
What events are coming up where fans can see you all next?
There may be a few girls making the rounds at San Diego Comic-Con in July -- where Tom Hodges goes, the ISO tends to follow -- and in fact, you increase your odds of an ISO Girl sighting significantly if you stop by his booth in Artists Alley. He might even have something ISO-related for sale. He's fabulous like that sometimes.
The Dune Sea Garrison ISO will, after their upcoming luau and care package assembly party, likely wait out the balance of the hot desert summer indoors, but as cooler weather beckons us outside again, we look forward to toy drives, the DSG's annual participation in the MS Walk here in Phoenix, the Tucson Boo at the Zoo, and the triumphant second year of the invasion of the Fiesta Bowl Parade in downtown Phoenix on January 2, 2010.
To learn more about the ISO and how to join, find them online on Myspace, Yahoo and at TrooperChicks.com.
