10 Marvel Costumes That Outshine the Originals

Marvel significantly transformed the concept of superheroes from the very beginning, distinguishing them noticeably from DC’s heroes, even during the Golden Age. Over time, Marvel’s commitment to superhero comics grew deeper, and this difference became more pronounced. People often give credit to Marvel for pioneering the shared universe superhero idea, but they also excelled in another area – costume design. While Marvel borrowed some costuming elements from their esteemed rivals, they also introduced many unique costumes, making Marvel’s superheroes stand out as the best-dressed heroes in comic books.

Marvel has had the good fortune to work with some of the finest comic artists in history, which has resulted in amazing character designs and captivating costumes. Occasionally, classic costumes have been redesigned, and rather than being regrettable alterations, these changes led to improved outfits that surpassed their predecessors. Here are ten Marvel costumes that weren’t the original, but they represent significant upgrades from earlier versions.

Black Widow’s Bodysuit

Initially introduced as a Russian spy with fatal charms, Black Widow manipulated Iron Man by employing her seductive powers. She managed to win over Hawkeye and instigate conflict against the Armored Avenger, demonstrating her skills in espionage. Her debut outfit was more akin to an evening gown than practical attire for battle. Nevertheless, when Black Widow switched sides to become a hero, she opted for a sleek black jumpsuit equipped with wristbands housing her line throwers and widow’s bite lasers. Over time, this costume has undergone alterations, but it consistently returns to its original design that has come to symbolize Black Widow. Nowadays, many fans are unaware of what her previous outfit looked like due to the iconic nature of her revised look.

Hank Pym’s Giant-Man Costume

Hank Pym’s Ant-Man suit is a well-known design, but it’s not his best costume. Over the years, Hank has sported some fantastic costumes, making it tough to choose one over the others. However, there’s a standout outfit from the Silver Age that took Hank’s superhero status to new heights – his Giant Man suit. While it retained many of the same design elements as the Ant-Man suit, the mask and cowl were significantly improved compared to the helmet. The ant antennae on the headpiece added a nice touch, referencing the original Ant-Man design and giving it a unique twist. This is an excellent costume that outshines the Ant-Man suit in many ways.

Danny Ketch’s Ghost Rider Costume

Initially, the character known as Ghost Rider was John Blaze, a professional motorcycle stuntman. He made his first appearance in the 70s during Evel Knievel’s peak popularity, which undeniably impacted the design of the Ghost Rider character. The outfit that Ghost Rider wore was styled after the typical attire of a motorcycle stuntman. Although it looked great, it’s not the costume most people associate with Ghost Rider. That distinction belongs to Danny Ketch’s costume. Danny’s attire is more reminiscent of an outlaw biker, complete with a heavy leather jacket, dark pants, and motorcycle boots that wouldn’t feel out of place in a biker bar. To give it an edgier look, there are spikes and chains incorporated into the costume. This is how most people envision Ghost Rider, and it served as inspiration for John Blaze when he resumed his role as Ghost Rider.

All of Cyclops’s Costumes

To put it simply, Cyclops initially donned a blue and yellow suit from Xavier Institute, which was decent but fell short compared to what followed. His first unique costume, navy blue with red trunks and yellow pirate boots, was exceptional and he wore it for an extended period. Over time, Cyclops received numerous new costumes, each one surpassing his initial design. Although some outfits are more memorable than others – like the blue and white X-Factor suit, the classic ’90s costume, the Astonishing X-Men costume, the Utopia Era costume, and the Krakoa Era costumes – every single one of them outshines his original.

Emma Frost’s Astonishing X-Men Costume

The initial attire of Emma Frost, known as the White Queen, was fitting for her role as a villain due to its extravagant sexiness that shaped her character for many years. Later, during her tenure with Generation X and her time at the Massachusetts Academy, she sported a more acceptable costume, reflecting her New X-Men appearance. However, the outfit Emma Frost debuted in Astonishing X-Men (Vol. 3) #1 stands out as the superior one. It manages to be alluring without crossing the line into excessive sexiness. The cape serves as a nod to her past and emerges from the strapless crop top, lending the costume an air of arrogance that suits Emma Frost well. Paired with tight pants, boots, and forearm-length gloves, this design is a brilliant example of costume craftsmanship.

Iron Man’s Model 29 Armor aka the Extremis Armor

In the comics, Iron Man’s armor has evolved significantly over time, with his earliest suit appearing quite rudimentary by today’s standards. However, it was appropriate for its era. It’s clear that Iron Man’s later suits surpass his original in terms of quality. While it might seem like an easy assertion to claim that all of Iron Man’s armor is superior to his first — which is true — there’s one suit that outshines them all: the Model 29, more famously known as the Extremis armor. This armor served as the blueprint for the MCU armor and marked a significant advancement in Iron Man’s character development. It is, without a doubt, the pinnacle of Iron Man’s armors. Comparing the suits that preceded it and those that followed, one can appreciate many outstanding armor designs. Yet, the Extremis armor is the one all other armors aspire to be.

Storm’s Punk Rock Costume

Originally, Storm’s attire was akin to a swimsuit, adorned with a cape and an impressive headpiece, which has been significantly replicated in various Storm costumes throughout the years, solidifying its status among iconic costumes. Over the years, Storm has donned numerous remarkable outfits, but her Punk Rock costume stands out as the most exceptional. This transformation in costume design is one of the coolest in comic book history. After befriending the ninja Yukio, Storm chose to embody the rebellious part of her spirit. The regal attire of her past was abandoned, replaced by a more edgy ensemble. It’s challenging to single out the best feature of this costume because it is all fantastic, but most fans concur that her mohawk is the pièce de résistance. This costume significantly altered Storm’s appearance, and for the better.

Norman Osborn’s Iron Patriot Armor

The Green Goblin’s design stands out among the greatest villain concepts ever created. His green and purple attire suits the craziness of his character, and his original costume is worthy of induction into the supervillain costume hall of fame. However, Norman Osborn’s Iron Patriot armor surpasses it. This armor cleverly blends the striking features and design elements from Iron Man’s most impressive armors (Models 24 through 29) with the symbolism of Captain America, resulting in a costume that achieved its intended purpose – reminding people of their heroes and gaining their trust. Osborn looked fantastic in the Iron Patriot armor, and it significantly enhanced every page it appeared on. It’s debatable that this armor is one of the best Iron Man-inspired costumes in the Marvel Universe, which is quite an achievement for a costume that existed for just about a year and a half.

Jean Grey’s Green and Gold Phoenix Costume

The X-Men boast an impressive array of costumes, placing them among the most stylish characters in the Marvel Universe. Notably, Jean Grey, an X-Man herself, sports a collection of stunning costumes, many surpassing the initial X-Men ensembles. While her first post-X-Men uniform technically marks her debut costume, it’s the iconic green and gold Phoenix costume that truly stands out. The miniskirt and golden mask from her earlier attire remain captivating even today, but they are swiftly overshadowed by the striking green and gold Phoenix costume. This ensemble cleverly incorporates the colors from the skirt and mask, yet takes a completely different design path, trading the allure of the miniskirt for full-body coverage. The overall aesthetic seems fitting for someone embodying death and rebirth, although some fans argue that the red and gold Dark Phoenix costume is its superior version.

Wolverine’s Brown and Orange Costume

Over time, Wolverine has donned several striking outfits, but one Wolverine costume stands out above all others in people’s minds – the blue and yellow suit. This iconic ensemble, widely recognized due to its exposure in X-Men: The Animated Series, became a hit again when it was shown in live action during Deadpool & Wolverine. However, many fans believe that this isn’t even Wolverine’s finest costume. A far superior outfit from his collection is the brown and orange costume. This design was created by legendary X-Men artist John Byrne, a fellow Canadian, who aimed to create a costume that mirrored Wolverine’s wild and rugged personality. In comparison to the blue and yellow suit, the brown and orange ensemble fits Wolverine much more appropriately and remains his most impressive appearance.

2025-03-15 05:40