From Batman to Bellatrix: 15 Best Cosplays of 2016

SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 22: Cosplayer dressed as Tony Stark from ‘Iron Man’ on day 2 attends Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

15. Tony Stark/Iron Man

Many a successful Iron Man cosplay necessitates a replica of Tony Stark’s armor, but that’s not an option for all fans of this Marvel stud. Fortunately, it just takes a little thinking outside the box to put together a well-rounded costume. This particular fan hits the nail on the head with Iron Man’s helmet alone. It doesn’t hurt that he seems to have won the genetic lottery, either. His resemblance to Robert Downey, Jr. is a mighty impressive one.

From the finely fitted suit to the finely trimmed beard, this cosplayer ticks all the Tony Stark details off his to-do list. The glasses and rolled-up sleeves are a nice touch that really pull the ensemble together. The intense gaze pictured here is the cherry on top of an already spot-on costume.

All in all, this get-up is simple (although I can imagine it wasn’t the easiest to put together), but effective. This is one cosplayer you don’t have to inquire after to know what he’s going for. It just goes to show that you don’t need the whole supersuit to play the superhero. Sometimes it’s better to go for the alter ego. Iron Man’s identity may not be any secret, but this cosplayer does a mean Tony Stark regardless. Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist? I believe it.

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