Spanish-German actor Daniel Brühl first played Helmut Zemo in 2016's Captain America: Civil War. His performance received positive reviews, and fans wondered when they'd see him again, considering the movie's open ending. A less brooding and sassier Zemo would return five years later in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and fans welcomed him back with enthusiasm.
In the show, Zemo finally wears his iconic purple mask from the comics, although his outfit receives a more contemporary adaptation. Zemo has long been a favorite of cosplayers all around the world, and with his renewed popularity, fans are now giving their own interpretations of the classic comic book character.
Straight To Business
Andy is a 32 cosplayer and self-described Zen Master. His Instagram page is a testament to his considerable talent for cosplay, bringing to life varied characters like the Joker, Sweeney Todd, Din Djarin aka the Mandalorian, and Hawkeye.
For his Zemo cosplay, Andy goes for a faithful adaptation of the show's costume. The mask and the coat are spot-on, but what really sells the whole thing is the attitude. Just one look at those eyes, and anyone would be afraid of this mysterious masked man.
In Control
Like Andy, Eros Metaprime goes for a straightforward adaptation of the character. The mask nails the color, even if it lacks the stripes, while the gloves and coat are impressively accurate. Furthermore, the pose brings the cosplay together, channeling Zemo's controlling personality.
Eros is a 26-year-old cosplayer who also identifies as a Hufflepuff. His Instagram page is full of great transformations, including classic Harry Potter characters like Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy, as well as pop-culture mainstays like Jafar and Chief Hopper.
A Toast!
Beta is a 27-year-old cosplayer and writer. Their cosplay work includes inspired choices like Shameless's Mickey Milkovich and Atlantis' Vinny Santorini.
For their Zemo cosplay, Beta goes maskless. Adding just the right amount of scruff to their face and with their hair slicked back, Beta channels the elegant and polite side of Zemo's personality. The result is a clear and refreshing take on the antagonistic but charming character.
Zemo Unmasked
Pascal comes all the way from the Netherlands. He is a fan of Dr. Who, Star Wars, DC, and of course, Marvel. With his cosplays, he explores different characters, from the 11th Doctor to Frozen's Kristoff, and even some outside-the-box choices like JD from Heathers.
For his take on the character, Pascal chooses to unmask the Baron. He holds the mask in front of the camera, an icy and even disdainful expression on his face. The costume is also very accurate, elevating the whole thing.
A Game Of Wits
Baron Zemo is well-known for his cunning and resourcefulness. He single-handedly tears the Avengers apart using only his wits, making him one of the only MCU villains to come out victorious. And he manages to win twice because he ends TFatWS in a better position than the one he initially had.
Max is a cosplayer and Mad Max fan who also enjoys Halo, Fallout, and Marvel. He understands and values Zemo's intellect and chooses to place his cosplay in the middle of a game of chess. The result seems taken straight out of the comic book page.
Mixing It Up
In the comics, Baron Zemo wears a golden crown on top of his mask. He also has a slightly more over-the-top personality, reflected in his colorful purple-and-gold costume. In the comics, the mask also hides Zemo's disfigured face.
Elias, a cosplayer from San Diego who loves Michael Jackson, horror movies, and the San Francisco 49ers, goes for a mix of classic and modern. He wears the MCU version of Zemo's costume but keeps the golden crown from the comics. His cosplay also includes knee pads and greaves, making it slightly militaristic.
An Unspoken Connection
Bucky and Zemo's relationship plays an important part in TFatWS. Their conflict in ideologies leads them to butt heads with each other, but they still understand the importance of their shaky alliance. In the end, Bucky even earns Zemo's respect, not that he wants or needs it, though.
This dichotomy gets to shine in @princewonderous's cosplay. Tasya is a cosplayer, makeup artist, and seamstress who fills her Instagram page with creative and colorful characters. Along with fellow cosplayer @_r.nk4, they bring to life one of the most unexpected and intimate moments in TFatWS, where Zemo invades Bucky's personal space and even graces his cleft chin.
The Baron Arrives
Fans went wild with the announcement of Zemo's return, expecting the character to wear his famous comic book mask. The Marvel Gods didn't disappoint, and Zemo indeed donned the purple garment, although the rest of his bright outfit remain exclusive to the page.
Cosplayer @the_masked_fox opts for a hard version of Zemo's mask. Made by Hector Díaz, who specializes in 3D printed props and helmets, the mask gives a whole new look to the cosplay, making the Baron seem even more menacing. A prop gun and a pretty spot-on costume provide the ideal finishing touches.
Classic Zemo
One of the great things about cosplaying is taking those splashy superhero outfits out of the page and into the real world. Baron Zemo's classic outfit, which includes the aforementioned golden crown, bright yellow gloves, and fur lining around the armpits, might not seem like something that would look good in real life.
However, cosplayer, artist, and costume designer Levi James proves that the iconic outfit can not only work but actually succeed. Faithfully translating all the classic elements into a real costume, James becomes the spitting image of Zemo.
The Magic Of Makeup!
Makeup artists can sometimes achieve magic. Mizzy, an actress, gamer, cosplayer, and storyteller, is the living proof. Her Instagram page is full of examples of her work, which translates beautifully into fantastic characters like Jack Frost and the Mad Hatter.
For her Baron Zemo cosplay, Mizzy goes all-in on the makeup and actually becomes Daniel Brühl. Her costume is also quite good, but it's the impeccable makeup that truly steals the show. And she even does Zemo's little dance, which only enhances an already perfect cosplay.