Welcome back to the Community Corner! In this series, we’ll share cozy Q&A's with notable creators from the Halo community. Today’s entry features a personal history and lessons in handiwork from artisan armorer SangheliosCustoms (a.k.a. Oscar Fabozzi).

Hi, Oscar! Thanks for sharing your story with us here on the Community Corner. Before we get started, can you give our readers a sense of who you are and what you do?

Hi, I'm Oscar Fabozzi! I’m 37 years old, and I'm from Italy. I live in a small town 30 minutes from Naples, and I have a hardware store where I’ve been working for almost 20 years. I’ve always loved video games—but I would only call myself a real nerd if I had more time to dedicate to them.

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A HALO HISTORY

Tell us about your Halo origin story. Where did you first encounter the series?

I remember when I was young, a friend of mine bought the first Xbox and Halo: Combat Evolved. He was the only one who had it, so we all gathered at his house to play it together. I later bought my first Xbox to play Halo 2, and from that moment I never left Halo! I have played all the games, seen all the various films and series, and I own the entire collection of books that have currently been released in Italy.

Are you more of a campaign player, a multiplayer diehard, or a mix?

It’s absurd to say, but when I started playing Halo, I didn't even have a console! I went to my friend's house to play Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer, and sometimes we even managed to gather two consoles and eight players for a larger get-together. Some of my friends even bought controllers just to play and enjoy multiplayer together.

Once I bought my first Xbox, I played the campaign a lot. I really like the story! Having played it in co-op with many different friends, I really don’t know how many times I must have completed the campaigns on any difficulty.

Now I have little time to play, but when I can I eagerly jump into the multiplayer experience of Halo Infinite, where I always meet many friends online who invite me to their team.

What’s your favorite Halo game and why?

It all started with Halo 2 for me. The Arbiter was a character that struck me instantly, and his story made me fall in love with the series right away. Since it was love at first sight, I’d have to admit that my favorite game is Halo 2.

I am also very attached to Halo 5: Guardians for the return of the Arbiter, fighting on Sanghelios, and the inspiration to create my Warden Eternal cosplay. Those things truly changed me and so I will be forever grateful for that chapter of the Halo story.

Do you have any other favorite Halo media?

As I mentioned, I have all the Halo games, films, series, and books. I have never been a great reader, but when I started reading the Halo books I immersed myself in the lore and discovered many things that I would never have even imagined! I must say that the books are truly a great strength of Halo, and I hope that other editions translated into Italian will come out in the future because I would really like to enjoy them all.

Who are some of your favorite Halo characters?

It goes without saying that the Arbiter is my favorite character. He has charisma, he has honor, and I've always had a weakness for enemies in video games with a great backstory.

But the real thanks goes to the Warden Eternal. He was crazy as a villain and he really deserves a lot of credit. He’s one of the most esteemed and hated bosses in the history of Halo at the same time. That's why I wanted to create his cosplay—a project that was nothing short of ambitious, difficult, and almost unrealistic.

And yet I worked so hard, and the satisfaction it gave me is impossible to quantify. The best thing that happened is that, with this cosplay, I managed to encourage others to revisit and form a greater appreciation for that character.

What do you love about the Halo community?

Being part of such a community is truly a fantastic dream. Being someone who has contributed to the world of Halo is not easily explained or expressed.

Thanks to my Warden Eternal cosplay, I got to meet the Halo team directly. We've already discussed it in the past and I still can't believe that all my childhood dreams have truly come true! I’ll forever be grateful for this truly unique experience.

As a community, we manage to always keep the passion and love for this masterpiece alive—and I love that the studio encourages cosplayers like me and the rest of the community to participate. That is and will always be something that a fan will never forget.

COSPLAY CREATIONS

How did you get into creating custom armor and weaponry? What do you love about it?

I entered the world of cosplay thanks to Halo! As I grew up, I had less and less time to play—but ten years ago, I decided to create my first Arbiter armor. Because I created it while I was in the hardware shop, I was able to combine my work and my passion.

I wanted to somehow leave a mark in the world of this series, which felt like a challenge because there were already so many crazy cosplays which were incredible to say the least. How could I ever make a difference and get noticed among all these amazing artists?

And so, I decided to create the Arbiter cosplay—an ambitious, difficult, and long project, but it didn't weigh on me even for a day. When you create something you really love, all the problems and all the difficulties in creating such demanding things pass.

It was a very difficult project, but I was determined. It took me almost two years to complete. And with the release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Halo 2: Anniversary, I managed to recreate all the best details and finish this great challenge.

After I completed the Arbiter, that’s when the wild idea arrived to create the Warden Eternal, and the rest is history.

Can you share your armor crafting process?

I started in the hardest way—not using foam, but fiberglass. Yes, real madness! I created every single part with simple paper using images online, and then used fiberglass to mold the pieces, smoothed them, and finally painted them. All without experience! And starting with the Arbiter, I had to create not only the armor, but also a real alien body.

And then, still looking to challenge myself further, I created my cosplay of the Warden Eternal, who does not have a body at all—only floating armor. So: the pieces were still created in fiberglass, but this time I used plexiglass in-between to suspend them, with LEDs across the whole body to hide it as much as possible.

Is the process different for weapons and props?

For weapons, I fortunately know 3D design. Since I bought a 3D printer I have started to produce a lot of projects. At the moment I only create Halo props with my printers, but I hope to finally create my first Spartan armor soon. And—a little spoiler—I will surely dedicate some time to my lovely Arbiter.

What was your favorite weapon or prop you’ve created?

For weapons, it is very difficult to choose. I love every prop that I create. Each is a personal project that I start from scratch and realize in every little and particular detail.

But surely one of the great beauties and toughest challenges was the Gravity Hammer, a real beast at two meters and full of LEDs inside. Crazy to say that I'm building another hammer right now that is absolutely stunning.

I really love to create props with LEDs inside in particular, with docks for the batteries, switches, and circuits for the cables. It’s a challenging task but one that gives almost too much satisfaction when you see it completed. Indeed, I recently created my first Heatwave, and it’s been an unforgettable process.

How do you choose a subject to create?

I always try not to do things that have already been created or are well known. I like to aim for almost impossible projects. Ask yourself why it has never been done before, and only then will you have the true inspiration to create a real masterpiece.

Have you attended any events in cosplay?

I have only attended a few comic cons in Italy, but I took part in some competitions with my Halo cosplays. I admit that going around fairs with such big armors is unfortunately very difficult; you need to have a lot of friends to give you a hand getting there. That's why I prefer to enjoy events with simpler or textile costumes, which are light and allow you to move more independently.

Can you recommend any tips for those interested in cosplay?

After years, I’ve come to understand that making something you are passionate about really makes a difference. When you are immersed in the process of making something you love, the work is easier and the end product is even more satisfying.

Even if you think you don't have enough experience, you can be sure that good work will come out if you love the character you want to create. Experience will be acquired with time.

PARTING SHOTS

Care to share a random fact about yourself?

One very funny thing is how I got my customers used to this fantastic world. At my hardware store, my customers are bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, and other such professions. Many years ago, they saw me creating things while I was working, and they would look at me, and often make fun of me, saying, “Hey, you! Think about working instead of playing.”

Today everything is different. My customers can't wait to see what new project I'm creating. While they are buying maybe a faucet for the bathroom, they also take some photos with a sniper rifle I’ve just assembled.

Are there any exciting things coming up that we should look out for?

Oh, the more things Halo adds to this fantastic fictional world, the sooner I'll try to make them in the real one!

But there is one thing I want to announce: I've always wanted to create a real Energy Sword. I've tried several times and failed, but I feel close to finally being able to create a truly realistic one. Stay tuned!

Is there anyone you’d like to give a shout out to?

I definitely greet all the people who are around me and believed in my projects, but a special thanks will always be dedicated to Halo. This series will always be with me.

Thanks for reading! Follow SangheliosCustoms to check out Oscar’s latest creations, and stay tuned to Halo Waypoint and our social channels for more community coverage.