Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

As a long-time comic book enthusiast and self-proclaimed superhero fashion critic, I must say that the evolution of the Thing’s costumes is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride through the annals of pop culture fashion history. From the classic trunks to the Future Foundation jumpsuit, each costume has its unique charm that resonates with fans in different ways.

The Fantastic Four marked Marvel’s reign during the Silver Age, setting the tone for superhero comics in the following years as envisioned by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. For a substantial period, Fantastic Four was Marvel’s top-selling comic, but that changed with the emergence of Spider-Man, the Avengers, and eventually the X-Men. However, with their impending return to the big screen and an MCU premiere, the group seems poised for unprecedented popularity once more. Although the team’s fame has dwindled over time, one character has consistently remained a fan favorite – the Thing. Ben Grimm, who bears a resemblance to Kirby, has been the enduring emotional core of the Fantastic Four for six decades.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always admired how The Thing’s rugged appearance sets him apart from the crowd of superheroes. Unlike many other heroes who frequently switch up their costumes, Ben Grimm’s iconic look has remained remarkably consistent over the years. However, this consistency doesn’t diminish the fact that The Thing has sported a diverse range of outfits throughout his comic book history.

The Thing Unlimited Class Championship Wrestling Costume Is A Light Modification On His Classic Look

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

In various instances, the character known as The Thing has sported multiple versions of the tank top and trunks ensemble, often featuring a “4” emblem on the chest. Yet, the most impressive rendition of this attire is the one he wore during his stint in the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation. This wrestling federation was unique in that it showcased individuals with superpowers, such as future USAgent and Marvel Cinematic Universe’s John Walker, in intense wrestling matches. The Thing’s uniform within this federation was remarkably straightforward – a black tank top, red belt, and black trunks – which is part of its allure. Despite the lack of vibrant colors and intricate designs in The Thing’s costumes, this one stands out among its counterparts due to its simplicity, making it an exceptional choice.

The Rockier Mutation Made Him Look More Formidable Than Ever

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

The Thing’s rocky look has changed changed several times over the years, with the most striking being the mutation that came in Fantastic Four #310, stemming from being exposed to more cosmic radiation. The Thing’s rocky body was always rather smooth, but this mutation changed that; the rocks on his body became altogether more spike-like. He kept the trademark trunks, but looked way more savage and was stronger than ever during this time. This physical change also had a psychological effect on him. The Thing always felt like he looked like a monster, and this change intensified that. The Thing was forcibly reverted to human form in Fantastic Four #327, so this look barely lasted a year. However, it remains one of the Thing’s most memorable looks.

The Classic Jumpsuit Was A Cool Change To The Thing’s Look

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

The Thing’s rocky exterior meant that costumes for him are purely cosmetic. A big part of the character is the way his body looks, so artists usually go with a less is more approach. However, the Thing has had several different costumes that cover him up more than others, including his jumpsuits. The Thing has several different jumpsuit variants, and the classic version is one of the best. Again, the whole appeal of this costume is the simplicity – the FF’s trademark blue and white color with a simple, no-nonsense “4” on his chest. He’s worn this costume many times over the years, but one of the more memorable was after a fight with Wolverine. The diminutive mutant slashed the Thing’s face open, and he decided to put on a helmet while his face healed. The helmeted look had a mixed reputation, but most fans enjoyed the jumpsuit.

The Pants/Shorts Are A Simple Twist On The Classic Formula

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

The iconic appearance of The Thing often includes him wearing swim-like attire, typically in shades of blue, white, or black. However, there have been instances where the suit is white and red as well, depending on the colors of the other Fantastic Four members. While the trunks are the traditional style, they aren’t the only way The Thing can be depicted without a shirt. Variations of the trunks that resemble shorts and pants also exist, although these are essentially just different versions of the same design. These variations are often indistinguishable from the original trunks, which is why they are grouped together. Occasionally, they may include a belt, but not always. This design maintains simplicity while paying homage to the original trunks and effectively conveys the character.

The Thing’s Guardian Of The Galaxy Costume Is Amazing

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

During his brief stint with the Guardians of the Galaxy, it was quite fitting given his past exploits. The Thing, being a trained astronaut and pilot, primarily contributed to the scientific aspect of the Fantastic Four by transporting heavy equipment and fending off any monstrous or alien adversaries attempting to impede their experiments and expeditions. His unique set of skills made him an ideal fit for the Guardians’ missions, as he possessed a wealth of experience dealing with various cosmic perils that most other superheroes lacked.

The Thing’s Hat And Trench Coat Is Way Cooler Than It Has Any Right To Be

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

The most compelling narratives about The Thing center on his frequent expressions of regret over his monstrous form. Despite being endowed with extraordinary physical abilities, he can never truly return to being human. Compared to other superheroes, The Thing faces unique challenges when trying to enjoy a day in public without attracting unwanted attention; unlike them, he cannot remove his disguise. However, he found a kind of solution and it’s one of his most iconic appearances – the hat and trench coat. Although it may not hold up under close inspection, it remains an outstanding style choice for this character. It isn’t traditionally considered a costume – he has worn it in combat, albeit unintentionally for the most part – but it certainly ranks among The Thing’s coolest ensembles.

The Classic Trunks Have Stood The Test Of Time

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

The Thing consistently gravitates towards a particular appearance, one he’s sported more than any other – his trademark trunks. Much like his other outfits, there are several versions of this one, often in colors such as white, black, blue, or occasionally red. These trunks seem tailor-made for the Thing, highlighting his rugged physique and underscoring the physical power bestowed upon him by cosmic radiation, while also hinting at the psychological transformation he underwent. Over time, these trunks have become synonymous with the Thing’s iconic image.

The Future Foundation Jumpsuit Is A Perfect Look For The Thing

Fantastic Four: The Thing’s Best Costumes Ranked

The journey of the Fantastic Four transitioned into the Future Foundation following a heartbreaking event – the presumed demise of the Human Torch. This new chapter aimed to shape a brighter future for mankind, which wasn’t much different from their usual mission, but the attire was distinctly changed. Instead of their traditional blue and white, the Future Foundation costumes adopted a sleek white and black design, featuring three hexagonal logos – two black and one white. Unlike before, where he wore his suit in blue and white, the Thing opted for a jumpsuit in the Future Foundation’s colors. The new costume is highly admired; the contrast between white and black is striking, with black piping throughout the suit adding definition to its overall design. The Future Foundation-inspired costumes have become a fan favorite for the Fantastic Four, and the Thing received his best costume ever with this change.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps MCU movie has a release date of July 25, 2025.

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2024-11-29 02:10