The Last of Us series has been one of the most well-reviewed and influential video game franchises in recent memory. With its unique world, harrowing narrative, and compelling characters, both of The Last of Us games have amassed an enormous following of fans, to the point where The Last of Us will be adapted for television on HBO.

With the games’ massive popularity, the internet is filled with amazing fan art and cosplay for both the Infected and the roster of human characters. This list will take a look at some of the best Joel cosplay out there and celebrate the work of the performers behind them.

10 Ready For The Fight

High caliber guns? Check. Blood and guts? Check. Dilapidated city? Check. This cosplay hits all the marks and cosplayer Zell-Ecstasy deserves bonus points for taking the time to render a game-accurate background for this image, further boosting its quality.

With their bandages, worn clothing, and realistic-looking weapons, this cosplay work impresses. While the Ellie cosplay is top-notch here it’s Joel who really shines, sharing several similarities to the character like his thick beard and salt and pepper hair.

9 We Got Trouble

This isn’t a situation that any fan of The Last of Us series wants to find themselves in, as the Infected are incredibly dangerous up close. RabbitMeatVendor’s cosplay work deserves praise for its attempt to recreate an action sequence from the first The Last of Us game.

Joel’s intensity and desperation in this performance are very reminiscent of the games, effectively bringing to life the rush of emotions and fear that comes when the Infected overrun you. We just hope that Joel was able to pull Ellie up in time!

8 Stare Down

Although this cosplay lacks the gameplay realism of some of the other performance art on this list, the level of detail and accuracy on the costumes and accessories is noteworthy. From Ellie’s Converse-inspired sneakers to Joel’s favorite six-shooter revolver, and even the flashlight on his backpack strap, HeroLie clearly did their homework.

Production quality put to the side, this cosplay deserves credit for its effort to recreate Joel and Ellie as close as possible to how they appear in The Last of Us games.

7 The Mighty Brick

While cosplayer JoelXero is more known for his great Sub-Zero cosplay from Mortal Kombat, his performances as Joel are just as memorable. Utilizing both character-detail accuracy and solid production value to create an advertisement poster-like image, this cosplay rocks.

Extra points are awarded for this cosplay’s usage of the fan-favorite brick weapon that gamers from both The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part 2 have used to distract and pummel their enemies.

6 Swing For The Fences

If you’re not paying attention, many hidden details of this cosplay will be lost on you. From Joel’s wristwatch to the melee upgraded pipe with its attached scissor blades, performer PinkJusticeCosplay invested the proper time to make Joel look appropriately in-game accurate.

The performer’s pose and the tease of action look like a combat animation straight out of the first The Last of Us game. Whether human or Infected, whatever is on the receiving end of that swing is about to have a bad day.

5 Lock And Load

Cosplayer LeoCamacho’s performance work as Joel receives a strong boost from the fact that he shares a striking resemblance with the character. Looking like Joel in his mid to late-twenties, fans will be hard-pressed to find another cosplayer who looks so similar to Joel.

This performer hits all the highlights, elevating their cosplay with Joel’s classic pump shotgun, accurate clothing with his jeans and flannel shirt, and his watch that was given to Joel by his deceased daughter.

4 Guitar Lessons

After the early events of The Last of Us Part 2 (MAJOR SPOILERS), with Joel’s death setting the game’s story in motion, this cosplay by laracalder manages to be both depressing and heartwarming at the same time.

Reminding fans of a simpler time when Joel and Ellie still shared some semblance of a future together, this cosplay does an excellent job in recreating their relationship and how music was such a big part of it. The scenes where Joel performs for Ellie makes fans love these two characters even more.

3 Machete Kills

Returning for a second appearance on this list, Herolie tops themselves with this cosplay that is even more detail-oriented than their previous work. Fans with eagle eye vision will notice the radiation button on Ellie’s book bag, which is such a small detail from the games that it’s clear that this cosplayer is a major fan of the franchise.

Joel’s bloody machete and the performer’s intensity really sell this cosplay and make it work, earning its spot at third on this list.

2 Calm Before The Storm

Baku-Project impresses with their atmospheric cosplay of Joel, not only effectively performing as the character but also successful in recreating the haunting feel of the world. Whether it’s fighting humans or fighting the Infected, sometimes a five-minute breather is just what the doctor ordered.

From this angle, the cosplayer looks almost identical to Joel, sharing physical traits like his beard but also expertly portraying elements like the pain and anger Joel carries from the killing of his daughter.

1 Alternate Game Cover

Coming in at number one on this list is the performance artwork of cosplayer Yukyh. Combining well-done character recreations with exceptional photography and editing, this cosplay attempts to create an alternate game cover for The Last of Us Remastered and they do a pretty great job at it.

The relationship between Joel and Ellie as well as the ever-dangerous state of the world are both represented effectively here, giving this performance cosplay a quality that stands above the others.

NEXT: The Last Of Us Part 2: The Worst Gun Upgrades Players Should Avoid