The comic series written by Robert Kirkman, which was initially released in 2003, took the World by storm when Frank Darabont developed the series into a TV show. The Walking Dead has become a bit of a phenomenon, garnering loyal fans all over the Globe and has even brought about its own spin-off Fear the Walking Dead. Of recent years, the digital storytellers over at Telltale Games have released another spin-off in the form of episodic video games.
Being such a fan favorite, it didn't take fans long to start cosplaying as their favorite characters at events like SDCC or Walker Stalker con (a The Walking Dead convention organized by fans for fans and takes place in several locations across the World yearly).
As the new season of The Walking Dead is being aired on October 23rd and the new episodes making their way out from Telltale in November, we thought we'd find some great TWD cosplayers.
Rick Grimes
The best starting point would probably be the main guy, the top dog, the father of the group Rick Grimes! This small town deputy finds himself in a whole world of trouble when he wakes from a coma to find that the world has gone to pieces and there is a zombie apocalypse going on. He leads a group of survivors from one stronghold to the next in the never-ending mission to survive and rebuild society.
You would be forgiven if you thought that it really was him (well, actor Andrew Lincoln) but it is actually a guy called Cecil Garner from Melbourne FL. He is a professional Rick Grimes cosplayer who goes by the name of Cecil Grimes and won a nationwide Rick Grimes Look-A-Like Contest which was sponsored by Walker Stalker Con.
Image from the Cecil Grimes website
Daryl Dixon
Did you know that Daryl Dixon wasn't a character in the original comic series? He was created purposefully for the show. The actor who plays Daryl, Norman Reedus, has originally auditioned for the role of Merle Dixon (which ultimately went to Michael Rooker) but the writers were so impressed with him that they created a part for him and so Merle's younger brother Daryl appeared.
Daryl has quite a lot of iconic appearances but none more recognizable than his angel wing leather waistcoat. The above cosplayer is Deviant Aoki-Lifestream from Russia. A lot of work has gone into really making the outfit instantly recognizable as Daryl complete with the waistcoat and his weapon of choice, the crossbow.
Image from Aoki-Lifestream's Deviant Art gallery
Glenn and Maggie
Ahhh... young love in the face of a zombie apocalypse. Glenn Rhee, played by Steven Yuen, and Maggie Green's, played by Lauren Cohan, romance in The Walking Dead has come a long way since they met on The Green's farm and has totally seen its fair share of ups and downs (quite often downs) but they are still together. Well, in the TV show they at least.
This fantastic cosplay is of both of them and was found on Reddit. While I was reading through the comments on it, I found a post from Redditor truecolormix explaining that this was her and her real-life boyfriend and that they have been cosplaying as Glenn and Maggie for a number of years now. We can totally see why though because the resemble is uncanny!
Image and Reddit discussion can be found here
Carol Peletier
Before we start I just want to say that Carol Peletier, played by Melissa McBride, is my favorite character in the show! Anyone else with me on that? Her transformation from the start to how we see her now is amazing and, I think, she is the person who has changed the most throughout the course of the series. Don't let Carol's housewife exterior fool you because she is a cold-blooded mofo ready to do anything to protect the rest of the group from zombie and other humans alike.
This cosplay is by Kay Dee Collection & Costumes and she has cosplayed done a cosplay of Carol from seasons 4, 5, and 6 but this has to be my favorite Carol look.
Image credit Kay Dee Collection.
Jesus
When we first meet Paul "Jesus" Rovia, played by English actor Tom Payne, we don't really know what to make of him until all is revealed and we find out he is a recruiter for the peaceful community of Hilltop. Fans of the comics will know him as Paul Monroe. He is a relatively new character in the show but it seems that he has already cemented himself in with the usual crowd, shown that he is a "good egg" and is there to help.
This cosplay of Jesus is by Sam Leone, the guy behind the Twitch channel Samtastic97. He just IS TWD's Jesus. There is no doubt about it. The likeness is striking!
Negan
Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the last season, you will know who this cosplay is. Yep, it is Mr. Nasty himself Negan. Negan, portrayed by Jeffery Dean Morgan, is the leader of the not-so-friendly group The Saviours. He is quite the psychopath and has an unhealthy relationship with Lucille... errm... his baseball bat. While you hear his name mentioned throughout the second half of season 6 of the show, it isn't until the very last episode of said season that viewers get their first look at him.
This cosplayer has got Negan spot on! Credit goes to Podo Cosplay from Spain. He even has a chilling maniacal grin going on! And don't forget Lucille!
Of course, this piece has only listed 6 out of the many fantastic and memorable characters from The Walking Dead series and there are loads of other fantastic cosplayers out there who have portrayed them. As we look towards the new season starting, we will be losing a character (or two)...but could it be one of the ones mentioned here? Are there any of these characters (or others) that you'd like to cosplay? Let us know in the comments below!
Published: Oct 19, 2016 02:58 pm