For those thinking of dressing up as a character from the Last of Us, I highly recommend it! Dressing like a gritty survivor puts you in the mind that you’re at the periphery of civilization. You look at the areas beside train tracks and highways, under bridges, behind stores, and think, “I could put up here with my back to the wall and hold a defensive position.” The feeling of a rusty pipe in your hand and your eyes squinted against the mean world…all it takes is some dirty clothes and props. To dress as Joel you’ll want a green plaid cowboy shirt–I got this one from Insert Coin Clothing. Wear it a lot or, like I did, tear it in places and use it to clean out the inside of the barbecue. Then smear it with charcoal, drag it through the dirt, drop salsa on it, and in a short time it’ll look lived in. It felt a bit odd tearing up a new shirt but it got worn in pretty well.
You can also leave it out in the sun for a few weeks or months if you have the time–it adds an extra layer of age you can’t get from washing. Next get a backpack and start a round-robin of dirtying, destroying, and repairing. Repeat.
Medical tape is great for repairs because it’s extra-sticky, takes dirt well, and can be torn by hand. A military flashlight and some jute twine fills out some details. I also went after this pack with an electric sander and a wire brush for a while, to wear down the leather and the corners.
Joel’s watch got a bullet hole or impact in it at some point. This watch was a giveaway from the NRA, which brings with it a hint of irony and made it sweeter to destroy.
For the pipe I got some pre-cut and threaded cast-iron pipe from the hardware store, an 90-degree elbow, and a cap. I sanded it a bit then soaked it with salty water. In less than a day it began to rust. After a month outside it looked nice and aged. Some dirty medical tape for a grip finished it off. This pipe feels wonderful to hold and swing. For ComicCon I strapped it to the side of my pack with some dirty jute twine. I debated getting a bow and arrow or gun but I thought this was the most authentic-looking. Plus I like Joel at his most basic and dangerous: just a scrap for a weapon and his bare hands.
Joel also has a gas mask. The real thing is nice but expensive. This prop made do well enough.
Add some dark dirty jeans and dark brown on black work boots, suitably scuffed and dirty, and you’re ready to head out in the dangerous world and fight off infected. Later this week we’ll look at Ellie’s costume and props.
Writer, architect, father, husband.