Meet Gus Matos of Heroes United Az

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gus Matos.

Gus, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, raised by a single mom and three sisters. I lived in a neighborhood where we were not as well off as others. However, I never remember being unhappy or feeling as if I missed out on something. When I was nine years old my sister’s boyfriend at the time introduced me to the world of comic books. I had watched the cartoons and tv shows before then but never read comic books. He gave me a stack of Marvel Tales: Spider-man. I was hooked immediately.

There began my life long love of the superhero genre. I collect comics; however, not for the value but for the love of reading them, I would read them over and over again. As I got older and trying to “find myself” I tried different things however always came back to comics. I tried my hand at acting, pro wrestling, got married, had a family, moved to Arizona, tried wrestling again, became a preacher, joined a motorcycle club, and became a single dad. Once again I came back to comics and started to read again, go to comic shops to not only buy comics but introduce my daughters to them.

In 2011, I was introduced to the new hobby of cosplay through a friend that managed the local comic shop I frequented. His idea was to take the model which the 501st (Star Wars) charity cosplay group but use superhero costumes. I was curious about being a life long comic book fan myself. Being able to combine my love for the superhero lore and helping others was a dream come true. My background in acting, pro wrestling, and ministering helped me be more outgoing. The 1st cosplay I did was Wolverine because as to quote my daughter “dad you’re kind of short and hairy, you should be Wolverine.”

From there, I started to attend events as Wolverine to bring smiles to kids from all backgrounds. I was hooked on the hobby especially when it came to doing it for charity. I became Captain America by necessity. We had a hospital visit scheduled, and they requested Captain America. Unfortunately, the one we had at the time could not make it, so I mad a costume with help from my friend and amazing costume maker Gabby with Maise Designs, it was the comic book version. Fast forward a few years later, I found myself as the head of the same cosplay group, however, I thought that we could do more.

At the time to do costumes of different genres you had to join multiple groups, whether it be Marvel, DC, Star Wars, etc etc etc. I then approached my second in command and best friend Johnny Carwell about starting a group where we were able to accept cosplayers of all genres and create just one standard as opposed to having to adhere to different standards for each other and only have the ability to do fewer events and help limited charities. That was the birth of Heroes United Az, we dedicated ourselves to building a group that was inclusive for those who had a passion to help others and focused more on quality people that had room to grow as cosplayers and not so much “movie accurate” costumes.

We started to grow, and friends we made along the way joined us in our crusade. We went from four members when we started to our roster now that is 85 members strong. We were open to doing events and fundraisers for many charities, school and community events. In 2015, I was going through some personal issues and almost gave up on cosplaying, then I had the privilege to meet Detective Sean Reavie of the Phoenix PD who had just started an event called Superhero September to benefit children who are victims of abuse.

At first, he only had volunteers from Phoenix PD and friends, until I was invited to attend one of their shopping sprees. When Sean and I met, we immediately hit it off as we had similar backgrounds. Both of us loved the superhero mythology and the love to serve our community especially when it came to children who are victims of abuse. Children who were afraid and would not open up to others. We committed to Sean’s cause where his first year there were five volunteers to the next year where we were able to provide over 25 heroes from Heroes United Az, and it has grown every year to where this past September we have over 40 cosplayers volunteering to help.

In our fourth year, we saw the need to do something more something bigger to help more than just one advocacy center and beyond just locally. Sean had a vision and he included Heroes United Az in his dream to create a non-profit 501c3 charity to benefit advocacy centers and victims abuse. Heroes United Az was honored to be included as the official cosplay chapter for the new foundation and thus The Put On The Cape foundation was born.

We started and received our 501c3 in January of 2019 and already have a 5K race scheduled and are working on other fundraising events in the future.I  have the privilege of serving as Co-Founder and CO of Heroes United Az with an amazing group of people that believe in the dream we started, but also as Vice President for The Put On The Cape Foundation. In my life I have worn many hats, however today I believe I have found where I want to be now. Combining two things I have loved my whole life Superheroes and serving the community

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggles I have faced in the cosplay is my age. I didn’t start until later in life. I started at 38 years old, and cosplay is seen as a young person’s hobby. Also, trying to grow a group from the ground up. As well as the monetary committed to making and buying costumes as a single dad with only one income.

Heroes United Az part of the Put On The Cape Foundation – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As Co-Founder and CO of Heroes United Az, it is my job to find new charities for us to work with on events. Work as sort of the face and spokesman for the group as well as delegate different assignments to members.

Heroes United Az and myself are known for our committed to serve the community as a whole and our diligence to attending the events we commit to doing.

I am most proud that we have built a reputation of our commitment to excellence, professionalism, and outgoing as possible when attending events and working with kids. Also for making it fun to all those that attend the events we appear.

What sets apart is our philosophy of inclusion. Everyone has the right to serve the community whether that have the skill level of an award-winning cosplayer or a really great store-bought or put together costume.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
I would have started cosplaying at a younger age. Although it wasn’t really a thing when I was younger. As I tell friends when I started going to cons you were the weird kid if you wore a costume to a con or any other day besides Halloween. Now you are the weird kid if you don’t wear a costume to a con.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.putonthecape.com
• Email: co.huaz@gmail.com or huaz.events@gmail.com
• Instagram: @heroesunitedaz @captamericaaz or @put_on_the_cap
• Facebook: Heroes United Az, Put on the cape

Image Credit:
Captain Americlaus: Britt Hogan
Joker: Surreal Sister

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.