Horrible Costumes That You Actually Like [Archive]

pennywisdom

09-28-2006, 02:40 AM

Which universally reviled costumes do you really like? Typically, classic characters who receive updated costumes in a vain attempt to make them more contemporary and cool fall into this category.

My choices:

Daredevil's Armor Costume (Daredevil 319-325)

http://www.theclubhouse1.net/photo/albums/userpics/10001/mh48~0.jpg

It looks badass, and it's obviously functional. I think people associate these costumes with characters at low points in their popularity or creative talent on their respective comics, so they give the costumes the same sideways look.

Superman's "Electric Blue" Costume (1997)

http://members.aol.com/whoclix/supeblue.gif

Sacrilege, right? I just personally like the ideas of classic characters evolving and going in whole new directions, iconic status be damned. Not only did the costume change in this case, the powers did too. I though the look of "Electric Blue" Superman was really cool and stylish, and it would have worked on a new character. I also associate this costume with Morrison's JLA, which was badass.

Jean Paul Valley's "Azrael/Batman" Costume (KnightFall/KnightQuest/KnightsEnd, 1993-94)

http://static.flickr.com/31/55731713_e5da92908c_m.jpg

I enjoyed this story because I knew it wasn't a permanent switch. The new Batman was a completely different character, though, so a new costume had be in place to separate them visually. This is one of the best gothic/creepy character designs and is exactly what I have in my head if I were to picture a more violent and extreme version of Batman. The costume agrees with the character, even if you hate them both.

Those are my picks. Horrible, aren't they?

dancj

09-28-2006, 04:46 AM

I'm with you on tha Azbats costume. There was nothing wrong with that.

There wasn't really anything wrong with the Daredevil costume either other than the fact that the red one looks better.

Dan

Kid Kyoto

09-28-2006, 05:15 AM

The V 4 Legion of Superhero costume.

Basically grey jackets and pants worn with elements of their costumes.
http://www.collectortimes.com/2005_11/lg2.jpg
http://www.mikejozic.com/giffrespage/devlin.gif

They looked grown up and practical.

And of course I associate with my favorite run on the LSH.

brundlefly

09-28-2006, 09:58 AM

He's not really a classic character and the costume wasn't exactly universally reviled, but Doc Polaris' costume upgrade caught some flak here and there for being "too 90s," too heavy-handed an attempt to make him look cooler, and other such weak criticisms. But I thought his new duds:

http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/bigimages/polaris.jpg

were quite an improvement over his old costume:

http://www.emeralddawn.com/gallery/images/docpolaris2.gif

which was just so goofy that he couldn't be taken seriously, what with that horseshoe magnet on his chest like it was his version of Superman's S-shield or Batman's bat-symbol. "I am Magnet-Man!!" :D

Dan Apodaca

09-28-2006, 02:15 PM

I'm with you on tha Azbats costume. There was nothing wrong with that.

Excessive pouches, "kewl" armor, and no mouth spring to mind.

pennywisdom

09-29-2006, 12:07 AM

dancj

09-29-2006, 05:10 AM

Excessive pouches, "kewl" armor, and no mouth spring to mind.

But it all works well for the character.

(is the "no mouth" thing a serious criticism? Do you hate the Spider-Man costume?)

Dan Apodaca

09-29-2006, 03:49 PM

But it all works well for the character.

(is the "no mouth" thing a serious criticism? Do you hate the Spider-Man costume?)

I don't always hate the "no mouth" mask, I just get irritated when it's done in an attempt to make a character more "badass". Especially if it's a mouth removal from a character who used to have the mouth.

mouth mouth mouth mouth mouth mouth

CapFan

09-29-2006, 04:36 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/johanzen/ddarmor2.jpg

I like Armored Daredevil too. :cool:

Nitz the Bloody

09-29-2006, 05:25 PM

I know this is Comics Should Be Good, not Cartoons Should Be Good, but I love the designs for the current Batman cartoon. The show's writing is average at best, but for some reason I love designs like Rasta Joker, Ice-Head Freeze, and Manson Riddler. They look so wild and crazy, much more imaginative than the flat Dini/Timm designs.

( And Batman started and continues as a comic, and The Batman has an animated tie-in, so it connects back to comics, see? :p )

howyadoin

09-29-2006, 06:31 PM

Wasn't the AzBats costume deliberately ugly? Seems to me I read that somewhere.

Either way, it looks like a Liefeld design. The only cliches it doesn't have are a ponytail and a vest.

Babylon23

09-30-2006, 12:35 AM

The V 4 Legion of Superhero costume.

And of course I associate with my favorite run on the LSH.

I loved everything about this run, including the costumes.

The DD armour looked good. It's only problem was that it was completely impractical for a character like Daredevil.

Gingold

09-30-2006, 10:34 AM

The old Dr. Polaris is a much better luck than the 90s update. He looks like some generic Youngblood villain.

Bad costumes that I sort of like? The original Robin and Bat-Girl costumes. Wonder Man's Christmas Tree costume is hideous, but there's something about it that appeals to me. Those New Mutants "graduation costumes" that Art Adams drew in X-Men annual #10 were ugly and fun.

The Batman

10-01-2006, 01:05 PM

I can't say that I cared all that much for the Azbats costume, I'm not sure that it was specifically designed to be ugly but I do believe it was designed to encorporate alot of very recognicable 90's era costume elements. There were things liked about it when it entered into it's final and more armoured stage but as a whole, not so much. I did like both 'Electric Blue' Superman and the amoured look for Daredevil which I felt made sense given that he's more or less as vulnerable as the rest of us and it didn't seem to be so much armour and protective padding and didn't see so bulky as to hamper his movements.

Now, just to show that I don't have any taste, here's a few of the costumes that other people hate but I love.

http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/bigimages/kyle1.jpg

A bit of a departure from Hal's costume sure, but I really liked Kyle's first Green Lantern costume, crab mask and all. By far my favourite look for my favourite Green Lantern.

http://www.x-mencharacters.com/images/Cable.jpg

I know it's beyond impractical but there's something I just love about the overly cluttered look that Cable had going on in the 90's. It's terrible and the pouches and shoulder pads got so overdone so quickly but I thought Cable always looked really cool and I liked how it all came together. Excess done right IMO.

http://www.alaph.com/spiderman/pictures/suits/scarlet.jpg

http://www.samruby.com/Spiderverse/BenReilly/BenSpiderLegs.gif

I liked both of the costumes Ben Reilly worse during his time as first the Scarlet Spider and then as Spider-Man. I know that the 'Clone Saga' gets alot of flak now but I always thought it was a cool story that just went on too long and I really liked both these costumes that came out of it.

Tommy

10-01-2006, 01:11 PM

I liked the bomber jacket look. It worked on Rogue. I liked it on SOME of the Avengers. I like a jacket much more than I like capes.

The Batman

10-01-2006, 01:22 PM

Some more

http://www.comixmania.com/comix/sub/superman/charkt/eradicator1.jpg http://www.zarathos.banita.pl/superman/2.jpg

The costume worn by the Eradicator during his time as 'Superman' during the Reign of the Supermen storyline. A darker, more 'modern' version of the supersuit that looked pretty cool to me. Yes, even with the sunglasses.

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/m/manowar1.jpg

I don't know if the X-O Manowar armour counts as a bad costume, I can see things that people might complian about, but I always thought it was pretty cool looking.

Finally, to prove that I have no taste . . .

http://membres.lycos.fr/thalys/thanos/xmen/gal/Stryfe.jpg

This is just a terrible costume for an alternate timeline clone of Nathan Summers. It's busy, symptomatic of all the worst of the 90's excess in costume design, and it's got nipples for Christ's sake. So why do I like it so much?!?

Dan Apodaca

10-01-2006, 02:21 PM

It's interesting how well this thread indicates the age of a poster.

The Batman

10-01-2006, 02:50 PM

Yeah, I was 12 in 1990 and it's pretty obvious that those 90's comics kicked me in the head but good.

Josh S

10-01-2006, 03:22 PM

Martian Manhunter's costume (before the evil conehead)

Dan Apodaca

10-01-2006, 03:38 PM

Yeah, I was 12 in 1990 and it's pretty obvious that those 90's comics kicked me in the head but good.

Hey, I've been there. I was a huge 90's X-men kid.

dancj

10-02-2006, 05:04 AM

I know it's beyond impractical but there's something I just love about the overly cluttered look that Cable had going on in the 90's. It's terrible and the pouches and shoulder pads got so overdone so quickly but I thought Cable always looked really cool and I liked how it all came together. Excess done right IMO.
You beat me to it. Rob Leifeld has done exactly three good things. The Hawk and Dove miniseries, hiring Alan Moore and the design of Cable. Everything that could be wrong in a design piled up to the point where it becomes good. I don't understand it, but I like it!

The Batman

10-02-2006, 02:22 PM

^^^^

I think that it might've been because with Cable that excess was pure while with alot of other characters it was simply a matter of artists copying what was hot at the time. Didn't Liefeld design Deadpool? If so then I'd add that to the list of things he's done right, I think Deadpool has a great look.

If all the pro Liefeld sentiment hasn't convinced you guys that I've got nothing remotley resembling taste I'll offer this.

I think this guys is pretty cool looking.
http://www.norse-man.net/Marvel/Char-S/Sleepwalker.jpg

http://images.comicbookresources.com/previews/sleepwalker1/cover_sm.jpg

http://www.capitalcomics.com/covers/cc_sleepwalker_001.jpg

suedenim

10-03-2006, 01:05 PM

I rather liked the "Electric Superman" costume too, though more from a general design look than as an "incarnation of Superman." I thought it looked quite nice on this gal, Strange Visitor:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8c/StrangeVisitor.jpg/400px-StrangeVisitor.jpg

Always thought it was a little odd that they created this character who carries on that costume, only to quickly kill her off.

Arilou

10-06-2006, 03:46 PM

I kind of like Iron fist's costume.

Ridicilous collar, ballet-shoes and horrible, horrible colour-scheme and all.

howyadoin

10-06-2006, 10:11 PM

I think Deadpool has a great look.Spider-Man with guns?

Shellhead

10-07-2006, 08:31 AM

I liked the original Jack of Hearts costume.

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/51845482862.44.gif

Yes, it's very gaudy, and probably a real pain for an artist to draw.

But at least Jack never wore purple leg warmers. ;)

The Mirrorball Man

10-07-2006, 08:42 AM

Always thought it was a little odd that they created this character who carries on that costume, only to quickly kill her off.
Yes, that was really weird. She would have made a great addition to the Superman family. A more dignified riff on the Supergirl theme.

I liked the Electric Superman costume too, actually, and I don't think it was "horrible".

I think the worst costumes I actually like are the ones worn by The Forever People (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1563895102.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg).

WorldWide

10-07-2006, 04:59 PM

BRASS
http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/data/media/181/BrassDamono.jpg

The Joker

10-08-2006, 12:18 PM

The Azbats costume was alright by me.

The Armor Daredevil costume was pretty cool as well I thought.

Didnt really care for the Blue/Red Electric Superman costume however.

Reptisaurus!

10-09-2006, 01:53 AM

BRASS
http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/data/media/181/BrassDamono.jpg

I only like the original Metal Men.

Also, am I supposed to be seeing a picture?

The Batman

10-09-2006, 12:23 PM

Spider-Man with guns?

Guns, and sharp, pointy swords. :D

90'sCartoonMan

10-11-2006, 01:30 PM

http://www.alaph.com/spiderman/pictures/suits/scarlet.jpg

I liked both of the costumes Ben Reilly worse during his time as first the Scarlet Spider and then as Spider-Man. I know that the 'Clone Saga' gets alot of flak now but I always thought it was a cool story that just went on too long and I really liked both these costumes that came out of it.

I second the Scarlet Spider costume. I always thought his fight scenes looked cool, maybe it was because I was so used to Spider-Man and Scarlet Spider was fresh. When I saw they made an action figure of him, I had to have it.

howyadoin

10-12-2006, 11:20 PM

Guns, and sharp, pointy swords. :DBut again, people trot that out as an example of something cool Liefeld designed. He didn't design a damn thing; he just stole from his betters, as usual.

KYTouchMassage

10-13-2006, 12:46 AM

BRASS

I have a poster of Brass I got at a convention years ago hung up in my basement. It's hilariously awesome. Who could draw that monstrosity in every panel?

I can't seem to Google a good picture of it, but I love "The Wizard"'s outfit. The guy from Frightful Four. With the helmet and the goatee and the whole purple thing going on.

His action figure owns all.

Dan Apodaca

10-13-2006, 02:07 AM

I can't seem to Google a good picture of it, but I love "The Wizard"'s outfit. The guy from Frightful Four. With the helmet and the goatee and the whole purple thing going on.

You know, I kinda love the Wizard, too. I found this:

http://www.twobrotherscollectibles.com/FF4Wizard.JPG

The Batman

10-13-2006, 09:45 AM

But again, people trot that out as an example of something cool Liefeld designed. He didn't design a damn thing; he just stole from his betters, as usual.

Is Deadpool's costume derivative of Spider-Man's? Yup.

Is Deadpool's costume kinda a different from Spider-Man's? Yes it is.

Is Deadpool's costume a horrible costume? Not really in and of itself, but the fact that it's one of the those 90's ripoff costumes with the swords and the guns makes it sort of horrible.

Is Deadpool's costume a costume that I love anyway? Definately.

Does this mean that Rob Liefeld is awesome? Not really no. I don't hate Liefeld nearly as much as some people do, I certainly am not a fan either. I guess I am Liefeld neutral. I agree that Deadpool's costume is derivatine and that Liefeld isn't the most talented guy and he, like many of those 90's Image guys, sort of just built on the superhero costumes already in existance for the looks of their new characters. That being said, in my mind, if you go far enough it becomes a new enough look. I sort of feel that way about Deadpool I think.

I'm crossing dangerously close to Liefeld apologist aren't I?

Hmm. That's not good. I think I need a drink.

http://www.x-forums.org/images/deadpool.jpg

The Batman

10-14-2006, 10:05 AM

I've always thought that the Judge Dredd costume was pretty awesome even though it's got some really messed up stuff going on with it.

http://www.termight.co.uk/images/dreddhelm6.jpg

yo go re

10-14-2006, 08:20 PM

I really like Daredevil's yellow costume. And in case you think I can't "out-awful" that:

http://www.socalcomics.com/wolvmini.jpg

I love Wolverine's original "cat-faced" mask more than anything else he's worn since...

Punch

10-14-2006, 09:28 PM

Dan Apodaca

10-15-2006, 01:28 AM

I like Daredvil's yellow costume, too. But then, yellow is my favorite color.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0e/Daredevilv1issue1splashpage.png/413px-Daredevilv1issue1splashpage.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0e/Daredevilv1issue1splashpage.png)

md62

10-15-2006, 05:52 AM

The Creeper...

jaguarshark

10-15-2006, 07:21 AM

Yeah, I was 12 in 1990 and it's pretty obvious that those 90's comics kicked me in the head but good.
You lucky bastard! At least you were old enough to get that Az-Bats was a parody. As a five or six year old, I didn't totally figure that out until an editor said so in a letters column.

Not to turn this into that Monty Python sketch where all the characters engage in one-upmanship about how bad their childhood was, but when I was 12, I got the Spider-Man reboot. THAT kicked me in the head.

But yeah, I dug the Azbats costume too, and I didn't mind bomber jackets and excessive pouches either. I think it's only recently that people have gotten enough perspective to look back on that time with a kitschy fondness.

yo go re

10-15-2006, 10:51 PM

you know, other than the eyes, Deadpool's costume doesn't look that much like Spidey's. I know Rob used to draw him with a similar wiry physique, but body type and (ripped-off) poses don't have anything to do with the costume. What's the parallel? That it's red?

Dan Apodaca

10-15-2006, 11:28 PM

The Batman

10-15-2006, 11:56 PM

Deadpool was, I believe, originally supposed to be a parody of Deathstroke right down to the Slade Wilson and Wade Wilson names. I don't know if this is a case of 'parody' being another way of saying 'ripoff' or not. The Deadpool I know and love is the Deadpool that Joe Kelley wrote and now appears montly in Cable/Deadpool; a book which fills my heart with 90's fanboy glee.

The Batman

10-16-2006, 12:39 AM

You lucky bastard! At least you were old enough to get that Az-Bats was a parody. As a five or six year old, I didn't totally figure that out until an editor said so in a letters column.

Not to turn this into that Monty Python sketch where all the characters engage in one-upmanship about how bad their childhood was, but when I was 12, I got the Spider-Man reboot. THAT kicked me in the head.

But yeah, I dug the Azbats costume too, and I didn't mind bomber jackets and excessive pouches either. I think it's only recently that people have gotten enough perspective to look back on that time with a kitschy fondness.

You know, I never really thought that I was lucky to start getting into comics when I did but now that I think about it I kinda was. I mean the Spider-Man: Chapter One reboot . . . yeah, ouch. One thing I liked about really getting into comics when I did, with stuff like Knightfall, Death of Superman, and Emerald Twilight going on, is that I've got a good perspective on events and major shake-ups. I don't really sweat them because I know that they never last and they're mostly hype. It also means that I kinda like the jerky Frank Miller Batman which isn't the most popular opinion around here.

As for pouches and bomber jackets. They're no more or less silly than spandex, just different. Besides, even superheroes have to carry stuff around sometimes.

yo go re

10-16-2006, 12:46 AM

personality/name isn't a costume, either.

I often (okay, not "often") wonder whether Deathstroke's look was ripped off from Daredevil...

The Batman

10-16-2006, 01:21 AM

If anything I think Deathstroke's look owes alot to Captain America. Deathstroke is after all a mercenary super soldier created from army experiments isn't he?

http://es.geocities.com/heroecom2/weblog/jul05/deathstroke1.jpg

http://captain-america.us/images/cap.gif

Shellhead

10-16-2006, 07:14 AM

personality/name isn't a costume, either.

I often (okay, not "often") wonder whether Deathstroke's look was ripped off from Daredevil...

Before he and Marv Wolfman created Deathstroke, George Perez created Taskmaster. At the very least, Deathstroke is wearing the exact same color scheme:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/05815547774.196.gif

yo go re

10-16-2006, 12:03 PM

Same boots, too. But Daredevil had the vertical split or orange and blue...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/235_4_002.jpg

howyadoin

10-16-2006, 06:55 PM

you know, other than the eyes, Deadpool's costume doesn't look that much like Spidey's.http://pc59te.dte.uma.es/cdb/series/marvel/bitmaps/deadpool.jpg

yo go re

10-16-2006, 07:37 PM

nah, still not really...

The Batman

10-25-2006, 12:47 PM

Alright, so the love child of Captain America and the Taskmaster is Deathstroke aka Slade Wilson who's parodied by a character nominally created by Rob Liefeld but since transformed into something worthwhile called Deadpool who's wearing a costume that in some variations is vaguley Spider-Manesque.

That seems to sum it up?

As for a costume that's not so popular but I really like is Iron Man's original grey armour look. Yeah it's clunky looking but it's also got a cool simple 50's sci-fi thing going on with it that I really like alot.

http://www.azogscollection.com/priceguides/bowen_statues/ironman_grey_big.jpg

http://www.marveldatabase.com/wiki/images/7/7c/Iron_Man_Armor_MK_I_001.png

http://www.ironmanarmory.com/firstapimgray.jpg

howyadoin

10-25-2006, 07:30 PM

As for a costume that's not so popular but I really like is Iron Man's original grey armour look. Yeah it's clunky looking but it's also got a cool simple 50's sci-fi thing going on with it that I really like alot.

http://www.azogscollection.com/priceguides/bowen_statues/ironman_grey_big.jpg
Definitely looks cooler than this:

http://www.cybercomicsandtoys.com/backissues/images/marvel/IronManvol2-1regularcvr.JPG

twilight

10-25-2006, 07:52 PM

For some reason the old Iron Man costume has always had a place in my heart.

Something about the fact he has an ariel sticking out of his shoulder :D

Cam63

11-10-2006, 06:40 AM

Dan Apodaca

11-10-2006, 03:00 PM

I gotta ask.... How the hell do you take a piss in those outfits ?

I think you just provided the answer.

You take a piss in those outfits.

Jeremy A. Patterson

12-01-2006, 07:31 AM

How about the costume The Scarlet Witch wore in her 1993 mini-series: Red dress, red necklace, short red gloves, short red boots.

It looks more like a nice costume for a date night!

J.A.P.

Nitz the Bloody

12-01-2006, 01:31 PM

The original Iron Man armor isn't a horrible costume, so it doesn't belong in this thread :) Out of all the characters' looks, I still think the original is one of the better designs, looking quite ominous and monstrous. Probably not a good corporate mascot ( hence Tony painting it in gaudy gold when he returned from Vietnam ), but certainly very formidable looking for its time.

It looked even better when it was brought back during the 190s of Tony's title, as a sort of " Rehab Armor " after Tony's lengthy battle with alcoholism. Of course, by then its bulk and drab color scheme suggested not strength, but obsolescence...

notintheface

12-03-2006, 12:23 PM

Guy Gardner's GL costume.

yo go re

12-03-2006, 07:42 PM

Heck, Guy Gardner's "Warrior" look.

Of all the things I hate about Hal Jordan being brought back, the loss of that aspect of Guy is at the top of the list...

Omar Karindu

12-11-2006, 08:36 PM

The Melter.

No, not that version:

http://www.geocities.com/ironman_villains/melter/ironman092.jpg

The original Melter costume:

http://www.geocities.com/ironman_villains/melter/tos047.jpg

Also, Mr. Sinister. He wears exactly what a procreation-obsessed, childless Victorian-era Dr. Mengele would wear if an ancient Egyptian god-mutant mucked up his DNA.

Dan Apodaca

12-12-2006, 01:31 AM

Also, Mr. Sinister. He wears exactly what a procreation-obsessed, childless Victorian-era Dr. Mengele would wear if an ancient Egyptian god-mutant mucked up his DNA.

I don't know about the pixie boots...

FortKnox

12-12-2006, 07:04 AM

I know it wasn't the most liked but, I loved War Machines Eidolon Warwear suit. It helped him move away from looking like an Iron Man clone. But, I REALLY hated the colors on that suit.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/08/War_Machine_%28Eidolon_Warwear%29.png

Jeremy A. Patterson

01-01-2007, 02:06 PM

How about the black with yellow trim costume Hellcat wore in her 2000 mini-series. It was pretty cool!

J.A.P.

John Nowak

01-01-2007, 04:45 PM

You beat me to it. Rob Leifeld has done exactly three good things. The Hawk and Dove miniseries, hiring Alan Moore and the design of Cable.

I kind of think the original Cable works (arguably) because it sort of pioneered the cluttered, equipment based look. Sort of the whole "Wolverine? Cool. X-23? Less cool." argument.

Karl H

01-10-2007, 04:38 AM

The "evolution" era x-men costumes, particularly cable's with cyclops' visor and the head sock thing.... all of gambits costumes (Head sock thing again!)

I also really disliked the generic yellow/blue X-gear as worn by Forge, Banshee and various others throughout the 90's.

And the Captain America Exo-Skeleton... Now that was a hideous costume.

Nitz the Bloody

01-10-2007, 01:46 PM

The "evolution" era x-men costumes, particularly cable's with cyclops' visor and the head sock thing.... all of gambits costumes (Head sock thing again!)

I've always wondered what, exactly, was the appeal of those " head sock " masks. They're like weird skullcaps that don't actually cover the entire skull, and make the wearer look like their hair is a bad toupee. They look like crap and don't seem to serve any visible purpose, yet they were all over the place during the 90's ( I even remember Hawkeye trading his old mask for a " head sock " during the Crossing ).

Karl H

01-11-2007, 01:12 AM

I've always wondered what, exactly, was the appeal of those " head sock " masks. They're like weird skullcaps that don't actually cover the entire skull, and make the wearer look like their hair is a bad toupee. They look like crap and don't seem to serve any visible purpose, yet they were all over the place during the 90's ( I even remember Hawkeye trading his old mask for a " head sock " during the Crossing ).

Well the head sock mask is certainly unique... I don't think I've ever seen anything like them anywhere. Hopefully we'll never see them again either!

Dreadstar

01-11-2007, 10:54 AM

More than half of the stuff that George Perez created fits this category for me.

Like Wanda's Gypsy hooker look.

Grazzt

01-11-2007, 11:33 AM

Like Wanda's Gypsy hooker look.

I can top that. I actually liked the costume where she had short hair and no cape or headdress.

Oh, and I actually like Grell's Cosmic Boy.

http://www.legionnaires.com/characterimages/cosmicboygrell.jpg

dancj

01-12-2007, 04:50 AM

Is Cosmic Boy gay?

Grazzt

01-12-2007, 11:17 AM

Is Cosmic Boy gay?

Not that I know of, no.

And besides, why can't guys who've got great bodies show it off, too? You'd never ask if Phantom Lady were a lesbian, and she has a similarly revealing outfit.

Michael P

01-12-2007, 12:19 PM

Is Cosmic Boy gay?

No, he and Night Girl were just heavily into S&M, and didn't care who knew.

dancj

01-15-2007, 04:57 AM

Not that I know of, no.

And besides, why can't guys who've got great bodies show it off, too? You'd never ask if Phantom Lady were a lesbian, and she has a similarly revealing outfit.
I'm not sure if that's a serious reply or not, so I'll assume it is.....

Plenty of guys show off their bodies without looking gay, but Cosmic Boy looks like he's in drag in that picture. It's nothing to do with the amount of flesh on display

Dan Apodaca

01-15-2007, 01:59 PM

I've always wondered what, exactly, was the appeal of those " head sock " masks.

They're easier to draw than actual human heads and faces.

yo go re

01-18-2007, 10:26 PM

... which doesn't really come into it, since the only thing they cover are the necks and ears. Got a better reason?

I like the Golden Age Atom's first costume.

The Batman

01-22-2007, 01:08 PM

If the mask that you're talking about is the type of mask that I think you're talking about then I think it was likely just a way of trying something that looked a little new and/or different. Maybe something that looked more like some kind of functioning gear and less like a superhero costume asthetic.

I assume that we're talking about the sort of mask that Spartan wore right?

http://www.travischarestgallery.com/images/wildcats_9.jpg

Dan Apodaca

01-23-2007, 07:48 PM

... which doesn't really come into it, since the only thing they cover are the necks and ears. Got a better reason?

Check your eyes again. Better yet, check someone else's. Find where they are. Remember those two spots. Now check where their neck is and where their ears are. Found them? Good. Notice how they are in very different places on the head. Now refer to Hawkeye's "headsock" (I'm using his since it was specifically mentioned in a post) and you will see that in fact it does cover part of the face.

http://jerome.galica.free.fr/marvel/Avengers/hawkeye/Hawkeye_OnslaughtSaga.gif

Notice how the artist now only has to draw a portion of the face exposed. Look, it even covers part of his chin!

yo go re

01-24-2007, 10:29 PM

And yet all those features are still present - even Hawkeye's extra-large headsock shows all his features, which means that the artist couldn't skimp on any of them. You don't want to draw actual human heads and faces, you draw Spider-Man's mask, not Spartan's, so I'm still lost on what you're trying to say...

Jeremy A. Patterson

02-11-2007, 04:30 PM

MLJ's Mr. Satan: www.toonopedia.com/mr_satan.htm

That was a neat costume!

J.A.P.

Apathy Boy

02-11-2007, 10:56 PM

The original Peacemaker costume (http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=44051&zoom=4) is on the short-list of my favourite superhero designs EVER. This despite, or perhaps because of, the highly unusual brown-and-white colour scheme and the helmet that caused a letter writer to describe the character as "that guy who wears a toilet seat on his head."

Scavenger

03-06-2007, 04:53 PM

I'm not sure if that's a serious reply or not, so I'll assume it is.....

Plenty of guys show off their bodies without looking gay, but Cosmic Boy looks like he's in drag in that picture. It's nothing to do with the amount of flesh on display

Well the colors are off in that...he's not exposing any flesh but his hands and head...it's a pink full body suit with the black designs.... not just the black parts.

Scavenger

03-06-2007, 04:56 PM

... which doesn't really come into it, since the only thing they cover are the necks and ears. Got a better reason?

Based on ski/winter gear. Keep the ears warm, etc. You add maskes/goggles/whatever as needed.

ubergeekette

03-15-2007, 11:28 AM

Shamrock
http://www.marvel.com/universe3zx/images/8/80/Shamrock.jpg
Horrible character, horrible design yet I drew her alot

Puck
http://jbgallery.ourbunch.net/muhandbook/images/mu_puck.jpg
A midget w/a giant "P" on his chest = gold

myslead

03-15-2007, 01:23 PM

Not that I know of, no.

And besides, why can't guys who've got great bodies show it off, too? You'd never ask if Phantom Lady were a lesbian, and she has a similarly revealing outfit.

then he'd be better off with just a speedo and not a costume that looks like he stolen it from the girls locker room.

Pól Rua

03-16-2007, 05:35 AM

... which doesn't really come into it, since the only thing they cover are the necks and ears. Got a better reason?

I like the Golden Age Atom's first costume.

Hell yeah, it's got a real lucha libre look to it.

Bill Angus

03-21-2007, 01:33 PM

Well the colors are off in that...he's not exposing any flesh but his hands and head...it's a pink full body suit with the black designs.... not just the black parts.

Actually, I think you're wrong on that. While Cosmic Boy did have several costumes with the pink bodysuit/black gloves, boots, etc.... that particular one was all exposed flesh except for the black parts.

It's been years since I read any of the Legion books from that era, but I don't recall any artist (Grell or otherwise) ever presenting that costume in any other way, and it was certainly always coloured as though it was flesh. The pink/black combo came back during the Levitz/Giffen run (Great Darkness Saga era), based, I believe, on a George Perez design (at least, I seem to recall it having debuted in an Legion-oriented digest as part of a series of Perez-designed outfits for various Legionaires) - and it was really just an update on one of his earliest outfits (the pink & white one).

EDIT: Assuming, of course, you were referring to Cosmic Boy - as I re-read your post I wasn't sure (given your mention of exposed hands... which aren't in that costume).

The Lucky One

03-21-2007, 03:48 PM

And besides, why can't guys who've got great bodies show it off, too? You'd never ask if Phantom Lady were a lesbian, and she has a similarly revealing outfit.

I'd never ask, no.

I guess the difference is, in the real world, women wear costumes like that to look good for men. And men wear costumes like that to look good for... men.

Getting back to the original question, surprised no one's mentioned Professor Zoom yet. That much yellow does NOT belong on the human body, but damn does it look cool.

-D

Sijo

03-21-2007, 07:01 PM

Jack of Hearts' original costume was a crazy combination of visual elements (half mask, tabard, etc.) that only George Perez could draw well, so they eventually simplified it. Too bad.

Michael P

03-21-2007, 07:05 PM

Jack of Hearts' original costume was a crazy combination of visual elements (half mask, tabard, etc.) that only George Perez could draw well, so they eventually simplified it. Too bad.

No, not even Perez could draw that eyesore well.

Super-Skrull

03-22-2007, 07:39 AM

You know what's weird? Back in the early to mid 90's I had to embarassingly admit I loved the costumes of Jessica Drew's Spider-Woman, Carol Danver's Ms Marvel, Jean's Phoenix/Dark Phoenix and Rogue's original green and white number circa Avengers Annual 10. Now, ten-ish years later, those costumes are cool again. It just shows how cyclical these things are.

So just wait a few years and those 90's designed Hawkeye and Cable uniforms will be cool again.

Having said that, I loved the Jim Lee designed Cyclops uniform. I'm not sure if it's horrible so much as generic and stereotypical of all those strappy strap strap 90's costumes.

Shellhead

03-22-2007, 07:59 AM

I liked the original Jack of Hearts costume, too.

And I like the Brother Voodoo outfit:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e2/StrangeTales_169.jpg/200px-StrangeTales_169.jpg

Billy

03-26-2007, 02:06 PM

Does inpractical designs count, there is no doubt Yellowjacket and Karate Kid's Dave Cockrum costumes are great, but how do they see left and right? Especially for a Martial Artist like Karate Kid, that costume must be annoying as hell, too bad it looks so cool!

I like Jack of Hearts costume! I like Jack of Hearts period!

Michael P

03-26-2007, 04:56 PM

So just wait a few years and those 90's designed Hawkeye and Cable uniforms will be cool again.

No they won't.

kello

03-29-2007, 09:08 AM

I always kind of liked Daredevil's original costume:

http://www.azogscollection.com/priceguides/bowen_statues/daredevil_yellow_full.jpg

and Havok's helmeted look:

http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/individuals/h_1d/havok.gif

And Aquaman, when he was "playing hooky" :

http://www.dcuguide.com/Who/images/aquaman.jpg

Shellhead

03-29-2007, 12:43 PM

I do like that original Havok costume, even though the headgear does make him look like an eggbeater.

Sijo

03-29-2007, 10:58 PM

One good thing that can be said about those absurd old costumes is that at least they showed artists back then had a "no-limits-to-design" mentality. They came up with whatever they could imagine, regardless of things like logic, usefulness or comfort! :D While I definitely prefer more practical costumes now, I still fondly remember opening the pages of 70's Marvel or DC comics and being astonished by the parade of costume designs (the "Defenders for a Day" storyline- featuring over a dozen Marvel heroes and villains, most of them quite bizarre!- comes to mind.)

The Mutt

03-30-2007, 08:57 AM

I absolutely love Luke Cage's original yellow shirt and tiara costume. I even wore it as a Halloween costume once. It was bold and iconic. Nowdays, who'd know who Cage was if there was no context to the picture?

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/The_Mutt_pics/CagesLament.jpg

Jeremy A. Patterson

04-24-2007, 12:17 PM

I liked the original Jack of Hearts costume, too.

And I like the Brother Voodoo outfit:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e2/StrangeTales_169.jpg/200px-StrangeTales_169.jpg

It did have a blaxploitation like feel to it.

J.A.P.

ultramandingo

05-04-2007, 07:27 PM

love the stilt man in theroy - in reality he would trip over a mail box and get killed

escapegoat

05-11-2007, 10:35 AM

I totally agree with the poster who suggested the Creeper...horrible color scheme, yet it works for the character because of who he is.

For me, I'd haveta throw in the original Beetle costume. Not only does it use the horribly overused green/purple color scheme of the silver age, it's also fairly clunky looking, got the goofiest gloves, and looks absolutely nothing like a beetle. Yet I still find it cool because of the way it plays its part in the history of costume design in the Marvel universe. Everything looked odd and clunky back then because the wearers of the outfits really weren't worried about how "fashionable" they really looked :)

http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManD/Large/AmazingSpider-Man094.jpg

ultramandingo

05-11-2007, 02:45 PM

...i love old school beatle with the bucket head and goofy fingers. plus any ditko costume design rules

phantom1592

05-12-2007, 04:28 AM

Azbats: I liked the ORIGINAL Azbats that was posted earlier. the one with the smooth helmet. That actually looked cool. He kept tweaking it and with every change it just got uglier.

Daredevil Armor: I came to realize I didn't hate the armor, I hated the artist. When that armor was floating around it always looked like crap. That is until he guest starred in a Spiderman comic, Then it actually... Worked.

Robin: For some unknown reason I always liked the original Robin costume. It just seemed like the "real" Robin to me. I liked Tims first costume too, but it always seemed liked a "wannabe" Robin. The shortpants version is the REAL on. I despise the newest Robin suit. That's just BAD.

Ohhh also Iron Fist. I don't care how "practical" people think it may not be... That is an AWESOME costume!

escapegoat

05-12-2007, 12:29 PM

I just saw this one on the Pulse today at comicon.com and felt like I should include it in my list of favorite bad costumes:

The Porcupine!

http://loloracaud.free.fr/vo/talestoastonish/48.jpg

To me, I remember thinking this villain was frickin' cool when I was a kid. They need to bring a new one back into the fold (since the original weare of that costue is dead)

Reptisaurus!

05-13-2007, 06:42 AM

I kind of like the character who's name is Shaft. The character was designed by Rob Liefeld.

(It took me five minutes to think of a way to phrase that without sounding way dirty.)

yo go re

05-13-2007, 03:36 PM

You're daaaaaaaaaamn right!

king_ghidra

08-09-2007, 07:19 AM

Puck
http://jbgallery.ourbunch.net/muhandbook/images/mu_puck.jpg
A midget w/a giant "P" on his chest = gold

Even worse, a midget w/a giant "P" on his chest and rampant body hair.

I vote for the original Mister Terrific. As soon as i saw that 'Fair Play' slogan i was in awe, despite the nonsensical nature of the rest of his outfit.

http://my.execpc.com/~icicle/Mrterrific.jpg

Jeremy A. Patterson

09-03-2007, 06:02 AM

Even worse, a midget w/a giant "P" on his chest and rampant body hair.

I vote for the original Mister Terrific. As soon as i saw that 'Fair Play' slogan i was in awe, despite the nonsensical nature of the rest of his outfit.

http://my.execpc.com/~icicle/Mrterrific.jpg

It was a really cheesy costume!

J.A.P.

The Beast Of Yucca Flats

09-03-2007, 06:13 AM

I kinda liked Huntress's "Hush"-outfit, but only when it was in Birds Of Prey or on JLU.

hangmanjury

09-03-2007, 06:41 AM

I think the Scarlet Spider costume is dead awesome.

Your Imaginary Pal

09-03-2007, 06:59 AM

Madcap, it's gaudy and silly but it works for the character, way better than the Heckler.

Babylon23

09-03-2007, 07:19 AM

Despite the total impracticality of it (why would he need armour) I've always loved Sandman's armoured look from his Frightful Four days

http://www.hembeck.com/Images/FredSez/CoversEbay/FantasticFour61.jpg

Green Lantern alan Scott's costume shouldn't work - red, green and yellow with a purple cape - but it's one of my absolute favourite costumes ever.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/75/Alan_scott-ross.jpg

Last but not least, what's not to love about the wonderful costume of Captain Ultra.

http://www.patric.net/images/marvel_comics_captain_ultra_1985ohotmu2_small.jpg

dancj

09-04-2007, 04:50 AM

I kinda liked Huntress's "Hush"-outfit
You've just hit a new low for this thread

krantzbucks

09-19-2007, 11:07 PM

Before he and Marv Wolfman created Deathstroke, George Perez created Taskmaster. At the very least, Deathstroke is wearing the exact same color scheme:

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/05815547774.196.gif

Taskmaster had a really cool look and great powers too. The ability to duplicate someone's fighting styles by observation. Where have I seen that since?hmmmm....
I liked the original Shocker getup.

Super-Skrull

12-19-2007, 10:32 AM

I kind of like the character who's name is Shaft. The character was designed by Rob Liefeld.

(It took me five minutes to think of a way to phrase that without sounding way dirty.)

I'll one up that and say, for some reason, I liked the insane business of the "Babewatch" version of Shaft.

http://www.tgfa.org/comics/babewatch/images/YoungbloodShaftCover.jpg