Carbon Costume

Will Simpson (played by Wil Traval) is an antagonist-turned-protagonist over the first two seasons of Jessica Jones. In the show he is a cop with the NYPD who is first brainwashed by Kilgrave and then recruited by a secret government project to test pills that cause supersoldier-like abilities with a nasty set of side effects.

This storyline is adapted from the Marvel Comics character Frank Simpson also known as Nuke. He is depicted as a foil to Captain America to such a degree that the two go up against each other more than once. The second time is in Captain America #14 (2013) when Cap defeats Nuke while uttering the poignant truth, “Patriotism taken too far is fanaticism”.

Portraying this contrast in the Netflix show is a little harder than it is with the comics since Cap never makes an appearance in any Netflix run. The show runners did manage it, however, though some clever costuming. In fact Will Simpson’s most memorable costume is almost identical to that worn by Steve Rogers while on the run in Captain America: Civil War. The big difference comes down to the behaviors they display and the pills Simpson takes.

Aside from the pills the cosplay for Simpson is very easy. A dark grey baseball cap, light grey shirt, and basic jeans all pair well with aviator sunglasses, a brown leather jacket, a brown leather belt, and brown leather shoes. If you do choose to take something along that resembles Simpson’s supersoldier pills, please do not use real medication. Mike and Ikes candy look close enough and come in all the same colors (plus a few extra you get to eat whenever you want!)

Are you a well-known superhero looking for intel while incognito?  A celebrity crime fighter just trying to have a quiet lunch out on the town?  Then the “I’m Just a Civilian” starter pack is for you!  In almost every Marvel movie, one of our cherished Avengers dons a baseball cap, a hoodie, and a pair of sunglasses to blend in with their surroundings.  Depending on whether you are trying to emulate Tony Stark’s Iron Man, Steve Rogers’ Captain America, or another member of the team, you can play around with the color of your hat, your glasses, and what you wear beneath your hoodie or jacket.  This is a great way to use your favorite superhero t-shirt as part of a simple–but clever–costume.