Brad Armstrong’s silhouette in LISA: THE PAINFUL is defined by neglect, grit, and survival. He wanders the wasteland of Olathe wrapped in a frayed brown poncho, bare-armed underneath with heavy wrist cuffs, carrying the physical and psychological toll of the world on his face. Putting this costume together does not demand intricate tailoring, but it does require leaning into an unpolished, weathered aesthetic.
Because Brad is rendered in gritty pixel art, your visual cues come down to proportions and textures. A clean, pristine outfit works against the character. The goal is to look like someone who has spent years surviving bare-knuckle brawls in the dirt.
The Poncho and Wrist Cuffs
The poncho anchors the entire outfit. A Brown Poncho gives you the triangular drape over the shoulders, falling loosely past the waist. Brad wears his directly over his torso without a collared shirt, leaving his arms completely exposed. To match the bleak atmosphere of Olathe, distressing the fabric along the hem makes a significant difference. Snipping rough notches with fabric shears, pulling loose threads, or scrubbing the edges with coarse sandpaper takes away the factory-fresh hem and gives the garment genuine wear.
On his forearms, Brad wears sturdy Brown Wrist Cuffs. These sit right above the hands, framing his bare arms against the loose poncho fabric. Pairs with buckle closures or lace-up ties stay secure around your forearms during long hours on a convention floor without slipping down over your knuckles.
Trousers and Boots
The lower half of the costume is straightforward and utilitarian. Standard Black Pants in a relaxed or straight-leg cut match his in-game sprite without calling unnecessary attention to themselves. Heavy cotton work trousers or chinos handle convention wear comfortably and hold up well if you choose to rub a bit of pale dust or powdered chalk onto the knees.
Finish the bottom with plain Black Shoes or flat leather work boots. Brad spends the entire journey trekking across desolate canyons, so broken-in footwear with solid arch support fits the rugged look while keeping you comfortable on hard convention hall floors.
Facial Hair, Balding Wig, and Scars
Brad’s head shape is unmistakable: completely bald on top with dark hair clinging to the sides and a bushy black beard. A Balding Black Wig establishes that receding pattern immediately. If the latex bald cap section shows a visible seam along your forehead, stippling skin-tone foundation or powder across the edge blurs the transition line.
Pair the wig with a full Black Beard that covers the jawline and chin. If the beard uses an elastic band, tuck the strap underneath the hair of the wig so it stays hidden from view. Securing the mustache corners with a touch of spirit gum prevents the facial hair from peeling loose while talking or eating.
Brad’s face carries deep trauma from years of brutal wasteland encounters. Using a Scar Wax Kit, you can build raised cuts or healed slash marks along one cheek or across the bridge of the nose. Warm a small pea-sized amount of wax between your fingers, press it onto clean skin, smooth the outer edges down, and carve a shallow trench down the center using a flat spatula tool. Stippling a mix of deep red and dark brown cream makeup into the depression gives the wound convincing depth.
The Joy Prop
Few elements define Brad’s character as starkly as his dependency on Joy, the mysterious pills that numb the misery of Olathe. Carrying a small clear vial or amber pill bottle filled with Round Blue Candies gives you an interactive, instantly recognizable prop. It is convention-safe, easy to keep in a pocket, and immediately recognizable to anyone who has played the game.
