Mephisto Cosplay Shows The MCU Exactly What To Shoot | Pretty Reel

After years of speculation and rampant rumors, Marvel Comics villain Mephisto is set to make his MCU debut soon, played by Sacha Baron Cohen. Mephisto is a demonic being who has ascended (or descended) to rule Marvel’s Hell, having claimed dominance over the other Hell Lords who preside over Marvel’s various afterlifes. His evil form is finally brought to life by veteran cosplayer @emg_cosplays, in a depiction so stunning it shows the movies exactly how to nail Marvel’s cruellest villain.

An ancient cosmic being, Mephisto is widely considered the Devil Incarnate of the Marvel Universe. Rather than a great threat like Thanos or Kang the Conqueror, Mephisto is often depicted as a conniving trader who works behind the scenes to sway the souls of the purest of hearts, playing the long game to corrupt the multiverse. That’s not to disqualify the villain from achieving grand villain status, as Mephisto has otherworldly abilities ranging from super strength, sorcery, shapeshifting, and reality manipulation. More recently, it was revealed that each reality’s Mephisto is in contact, plotting as part of the Red Council.

As moviegoers patiently wait for any sign of Mephisto, the beloved Marvel Comics villain is getting a stunning portrayal. Rather than wait, @emg_cosplays brought the fearsome demon to life with the help of makeup, design and photography pros @crowcaw_fx, @merman_ aquarius and @nels. This Mephisto is very reminiscent of the comics, with his red skin, sharp teeth, and even his signature “horn” hairstyle. There are even minor design niceties that add to the character’s physical identity, such as torn bandages and wrist armor. What makes Mephisto dangerous is that he can approach his victims either as a hulking demonic menace or as a suave and seductive negotiator, often with little change to his actual appearance. It’s easy to see from this cosplay how this is possible, as Mephisto comes across as both a sleazy plotter and a fanged menace.

Mephisto is at his best as an extreme character

Mephisto made his first screen appearance in the 2007 film adaptation of Ghost Rider, played by the late Peter Fonda. Unlike the comic iteration version of Mephisto, this version of the character largely retained a human disguise throughout the film, with his true demonic form given in vague glimpses. Mephisto would once again return in human form in the 2012 Ghost Rider film sequel Spirit of Vengeance, this time played by Ciaran Hinds. While these performances had their own strengths, Mephisto is a Shakespearean villain who accrues power and influence by portraying himself as the only definitive devil, and going out of his way to portray him as such can make him a unique threat. well done – like this cosplay shows.

When Mephisto really enters the MCU, Marvel would do well to look to @emg_cosplays’ costume for inspiration, as Mephisto appears in all his might and most insidious power, not hiding as a human, but broadcasting his unparalleled connection with the supernatural.