Leon Scott Kennedy might just be the most well-known Resident Evil character, a title that is hardly uncontested. Debuting in 1998’s Resident Evil 2 and pushed into the solo protagonist role for 2005’s Resident Evil 4, Leon goes through quite a lot throughout the horror franchise’s run. When it comes to the numbered entries, Leon also appears in Resident Evil 6.
Leon is the poster boy of Resident Evil’s shift from horror to action-oriented gameplay, and he features prominently in games that highlight the best of both genres. As such, it is hardly surprising that many fans feel a strong connection with the character. Here are 10 fan art creations that pay tribute to the agent.
10 Remade Leon
Art by AruuYuda.
Originally introduced as a rookie cop, Leon survived the outbreak at Raccoon City only to join the U.S. federal government as a superagent trusted enough to be tasked with rescuing the American president’s daughter. While he would eventually become quite laid-back and cool, Resident Evil 2’s Leon is a rookie who is clearly out of his depth, which makes him arguably more relatable than tough as nails characters like Chris Redfield.
Inspired by 2019’s Resident Evil 2 remake, AruuYuda’s splendid drawing reflects Leon’s inexperience and youthfulness, along with his determination to push ahead and survive.
9 Leon Is Timeless
Art by nikafargos2iris.
Capcom deserves all of the credit in the world for its handling of the Resident Evil 2 remake. Along with just being a fantastic game, the 2019 title includes an array of fun collectibles to amuse players. As part of the “Extra DLC Pack,” Leon and Claire are given a range of costumes, with one of the more noteworthy inclusions being a throwback to noir films.
Clearly, Leon’s dashing copper hit a spot with nikafargos2iris, who went the extra mile with a stunning retro-style portrait. The brushwork is wonderful.
8 Leon At His Best
Art by ZiyinLiu.
Although answers may vary depending on whether someone prefers their Resident Evil with a healthy dose of horror or action, Resident Evil 4 is arguably Leon’s peak as a character. If Resident Evil 2 serves as the catalyst for his transformation from a wide-eyed rookie to a genuine hero, then Resident Evil 4 introduces a fully realized Leon.
ZiyinLiu moves away from Resident Evil’s somewhat realistic visuals to present a version of Leon that would not look out of place on the pages of a comic book. This is a graphic novel that should exist.
7 They Wait
Art by TheodosiaMeilisa.
Taking into account the live-action and animated movies, Leon has appeared in a ton of content over the years. Some of the lesser-known Resident Evil properties are a string of CG films that began with 2008’s Degeneration, with the most recent one being 2017’s Vendetta. Going by TheodosiaMeilisa’s chosen costume, the latter film might have served as the inspiration for the artist’s Leon.
This fan art has a haunting atmosphere, as the ambiance combines well with the setting to create a sense of both dread and exhaustion.
6 Reignited By A Remake
Art by Boosify.
As great as Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was, it marked a significant departure from the franchise’s classic titles. Consequently, Resident Evil 2’s remake helped bring back fans who yearned for a return to the third-person gameplay of yesteryear, ideally without the over-the-top mayhem of the sixth entry in the series.
It is not surprising that a lot of Leon fan art revolves around his most recent video game appearance, as Resident Evil 2 sparked a rejuvenated interest in Capcom’s series. Boosify’s Leon looks shell-shocked, a reaction that is hardly surprising given the game’s premise.
5 Real
Art by denkata5698.
As technology becomes more advanced, developers have sought to envision more realistic worlds. 1998 and 2019’s Resident Evil 2 are not even in the same ballpark when it comes to their visuals; however, if denkata5698’s image is anything to go by, Leon could still be a bit more realistic.
With some fantastic lighting and a chilling backdrop, this version of Leon looks so good that it could easily pass as concept art for the remake.
4 Black & White
Art by Veni-Mortem.
The original Resident Evil is an absolute masterwork of building fear, as the simple act of changing the fixed camera angle becomes nerve-racking due to the unseen horrors that may be lurking in wait just out of view.
Despite having a vastly different art style, Veni-Mortem’s tribute to Resident Evil 2 is just as unsettling, mainly due to the image’s impeccable use of shadows. In order to save himself, Leon must run into the unknown where something even worse could exist.
3 Bated Breath
Art by SilverScythe89.
Leon remains human throughout the franchise, but experience does eventually dull his reactions to the horror presented by zombies, monks, and everything in between. Out of all of the games, Resident Evil 2’s Leon is the most vulnerable from a gameplay and storyline perspective.
SilverScythe89’s drawing captures that relatable fear that comes with being caught in a terrifying situation beyond one’s control. This Leon is scared but will nevertheless take action.
2 A Splash Of Color
Art by Carlotus.
Due to its preferred genre, the Resident Evil franchise is not exactly known for its eye-catching colors. The games try to look realistic, even if many of the entries come with a sizable side-dish of cheese. Unrestricted by genre conventions, Carlotus could present Leon in a completely different art style.
Through the expert application of watercolors, Leon became someone slightly softer, although his facial expression still screams “action.”
1 In The Rain
Art by ResVeeF.
ResVeeF put together an impressive work of art that features some fabulous coloring, especially when it comes to Leon’s facial features. The character’s paler than usual skin tone allows his sky-blue eyes and red lips to really pop out of the screen, while the uniform’s light blue color is almost calming compared to the purposeful chaos that is the rest of the setting.
This fan art creation is a fantastic tribute to an iconic video game character.
NEXT: The 10 Worst Things About The Resident Evil 3 Remake On PS4 & Xbox One