You're going out wearing THAT?? (Bad comicbook costume design)

Started by Glitch Girl, May 22, 2009, 06:11:41 PM

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Glitch Girl

I recently had a trip down memory lane, back to my college days and one of the comic shops down there and the fun we used to have chatting up the owner when we'd pick up our lists.  It was the mid-90s and Image/Rob Liefeld were big, which should explain the following.

The owner got a promo poster for a new book from image by someone I didn't know but was obviously a Liefeld protege. 

It was "Knightmare"

It was comedy gold.
Spoiler
Even the owner thought it was hillarious.  Besides being mostly generic 90's grim-n-gritty, strap-ilicious, pouch-tastic, and armor-ific, it has the SHOULDERPADS.  Yes, we must say it in all caps because these were SHOULDERPADS, so big we concluded that if he raised his arms above shoulder hieght, he'd crush his little head.  We'd mime it out from time to time "I AM KNIGHTM-CLAAAANG!! owwie"

The actual issue of course had the SHOULDERPADS changing size from panel to panel, not because it was a power, but because the artist was of questionable talent.  We were mildly dissappointed, but had expected as much.
EDIT: And here are covers for those curious.

So, I ask you out there... what are you all time favorite examples of bad super costume design? 

My only critera:
  • It is a costume, not part of the character's body (like hair, horns, etc.) We can't help the way we are born/mutated
  • It is something that would have looked dumb in the period it was designed.  For example, some of the stuff in the 60's looks goofy now, but at the time, it might have been quite trendy.
  • It wasn't designed to be bad. (unless it's a really choice piece, in which case, post it anyway)
  • Bonus points if the outfit physically hinders the wearer by getting in the way, restricting movement, hampering vision, crushes their head if they move their arms, etc.

I know someone out there has got to be able to top Knightmare and his SHOULDERPADS.
-Glitch Girl

"Cynicism is not maturity, do not mistake the one for the other. If you truly cannot accept a story where someone does the right thing because it's the right thing to do, that says far more about who you are than these characters." - Greg Rucka

lugaru

I love bad costume threads, I cant wait until I get home so I have access to photobucket and can post a few choice ones I love/hate.

daglob

Mento from the Original Original Doom Patrol. His first costume was bad, his second costume was hilarious and made the first one look good, and his third costume wasn't an improvement.

Bruno Premani was a good artist, but he just never got the hang of Mento. Can't remember if George Perez designed the third one, though.

Then there are all the Golden Age exhibitionists running around in briefs, boots, cape, cowl, and gloves. I've seen a lot of 'em while looking at GA stuff. I know Copper Age has theorized that some were actually supposed to be clothed, and the colorist just colored the body suit "flesh" tone, which says a lot more about the colorists than it does about the characters.



I can't find any illustrations of Mento's second or third costumes at all.

marhawkman

that horrible huh?

I've found a lot of the 80-90s costumes to be insanely insane.
Thick metal plates in random places with exposed skin between? SUCK!
Random cloth strips instead of sleeves/pant legs? SUCK!
then there's this trend with female characters not wearing pants... DOUBLE SUCK!

By comparison a skin tight body suit with weird pockets and straps is positively awesome!

Glitch Girl

markhawkman, find some links, post some examples!  I wanna see the trainwrecks!  :)

Moving on...

Quote from: Any episode of Chicken BooHe's a chicken, I tell ya'... A GIANT CHICKEN!

At first, I thought this character was designed as a joke.  After reading his entry, I'm not so sure as it sounds pretty dark and serious - adept of Necromacy and voodoo, human sacrafice, zombies, deals with death and all.  Heck, they even used him in Marvel Zombies so I hear.

Too bad he dresses like a giant chicken.

Okay..."rooster", but still.

Behold the Mighty Black Talon

I think Deadpool sums it up really well here
(note, the above was from my first comic exposure to the Black Talon, hence why I thought he was 100% gag based. )

-Glitch Girl

"Cynicism is not maturity, do not mistake the one for the other. If you truly cannot accept a story where someone does the right thing because it's the right thing to do, that says far more about who you are than these characters." - Greg Rucka


Uncle Yuan

The point of view in the last panel is entirely gratuitous!!
"But there's no use crying over every mistake
You just keep on trying 'till you run out of cake
And the science gets done, and you make a neat gun
For the people who are still alive."

BentonGrey

God Bless
"If God came down upon me and gave me a wish again, I'd wish to be like Aquaman, 'cause Aquaman can take the pain..." -Ballad of Aquaman
Check out mymods and blog!
https://bentongrey.wordpress.com/

murs47


AfghanAnt

I love that Deadpool costume.


The costume I really hate is this one -
Spoiler


Jackpot's gold, silver, studs, color choices, it is all wrong.

vamp

More deadpool mistakes

Spoiler

The X-men outfit really did suck. I don't know, I just don't like it.

BentonGrey

God Bless
"If God came down upon me and gave me a wish again, I'd wish to be like Aquaman, 'cause Aquaman can take the pain..." -Ballad of Aquaman
Check out mymods and blog!
https://bentongrey.wordpress.com/

GrizzlyBearTalon

Quote from: BentonGrey on May 23, 2009, 06:08:44 PM
And I hate how Ross draws Black Manta:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4b/Blackmanta.PNG/250px-Blackmanta.PNG
He just looks ridiculous, like he could tip over at any minute.  That helmet is just ludicrous. 

But... but I love it when Black Manta looks like an evil chess piece!

Anyways for your perusal I give you...

The Walrus

BentonGrey

God Bless
"If God came down upon me and gave me a wish again, I'd wish to be like Aquaman, 'cause Aquaman can take the pain..." -Ballad of Aquaman
Check out mymods and blog!
https://bentongrey.wordpress.com/

Glitch Girl

AA: The thing about that outfit is that it might have worked... in the 70's, NOT in the year 2000+  And what exactly are her earrings hanging on?  It looks like the mask covers her ears.  Oy...

Vamp: Ah Deadpool.  I'm surprised you didn't post his "Pimp my Armor" suit.  That one's a classic.  Truly though, that Marvel Girl Deadpool one is horrific.  Even Beast is doing a facepalm.

Benton: Oh yes, the pastel wave outfit.  That one didn't even last a year did it?  Gads I hope not.  I remember cringing when I saw solicits for that one. 

Griz: Woo woo! That outfit will strike fear into the hearts of men. :P  Love the clarification at the bottom
QuoteClarifications: The Walrus shouldn't be confused with:

A real Walrus. They're stronger, quicker, smarter, and can learn nifty tricks.


My turn again!

What does the name "BloodThirst" bring to mind?  I bet it's not something like this:
http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/5000/4571/4571-38557-1-superman-the-man-of_400.jpg

eeeeeeeyeah. 

I suspect this may be the reason he's one of Superman's lesser-than-lesser foes.



And... file this under "Nice Costume, where's the rest of it?"  Marvel's "The Blue Blade"

Can you spot him in this cover from the recent series "The Twelve"? I bet you can!

Some more images, including an original appearance just to prove that yes, it looked silly even back then

There are some things that even updating can't save. 


Oh oh oh.. And one more!

Now I admit, I do kinda like this character, but usually he dresses a little better than his first appearance. 

Yes, nothing says "master thief" like hot pink tiger stripes and matching patent leather speedos and boots.   
Guess who
-Glitch Girl

"Cynicism is not maturity, do not mistake the one for the other. If you truly cannot accept a story where someone does the right thing because it's the right thing to do, that says far more about who you are than these characters." - Greg Rucka

GrizzlyBearTalon

Glitchy I have gotta say... Blue blade... wow....

He looks happy... very VERY HAPPY... gay even...

That being said my first thought was GENERAL CUSTARD YOU FIEND!

Now for my other additions...

Speedball
He is secretly David Lee Roth

And his updated self... Penance...
Mmmm... spikey...
He is very emotinal

I'd like to clarify... I hate Speedballs' costumes... there MIGHT be one I can stand... however his Gigolorific costume is not that one. I'd also like to mention that I don't mind Penance' costume... my problem is that he went from Goofy Gigolo to CAPTAIN SPIKY BONDAGE so quickly as to be disturbing. I wouldn't mind seeing another character with the Penance costume... but seeing someone like Speedball rocking that... not so much...

Also everytime I think or say Speedball I think it is some bizarre drug reference.

President Raygun

Personally I never thought Vibe from the Justice League deserved to die, but then I remember his 1st costume.

   


GrizzlyBearTalon

Quote from: President Raygun on May 23, 2009, 11:10:57 PM
Personally I never thought Vibe from the Justice League deserved to die, but then I remember his 1st costume.

   



I would like to take this moment to point out that Vibe's real name was Paco Ramone. I have no idea if that would be considered a realistic name or not... but is really sounds stereotypical to me. I think I'll make him a partner named Sunstorm his real name shall be Muhammad Jihad. Together they will fight crime with the power of... I have no idea... but they'll probably go wreck a Trailer Park to take down Texas Twister! The evil redneck whose real name shall be Billy Ray Donny Bobby Lee Hunter Johnson, Jr. the Third.

President Raygun

Quote from: GrizzlyBearTalon on May 23, 2009, 11:17:14 PM
Quote from: President Raygun on May 23, 2009, 11:10:57 PM
Personally I never thought Vibe from the Justice League deserved to die, but then I remember his 1st costume.

   



I would like to take this moment to point out that Vibe's real name was Paco Ramone. I have no idea if that would be considered a realistic name or not... but is really sounds stereotypical to me. I think I'll make him a partner named Sunstorm his real name shall be Muhammad Jihad. Together they will fight crime with the power of... I have no idea... but they'll probably go wreck a Trailer Park to take down Texas Twister! The evil redneck whose real name shall be Billy Ray Donny Bobby Lee Hunter Johnson, Jr. the Third.

That's because someone so cool needs two first names

Courtnall6

There are alot of bad designs out there...but these are the first ones I thought of.


Astonishing X-Men Beast - I'm not a fan of "Cat Beast" to begin with and this look just makes it worse.


The New Wasp - Ugh...he looks like he should be leading a college band or something.


Nothing is more boring to me than a plain clothes super hero/villain (there are very few exceptions). Superboy here is a good example of that. Yawn.


Clothes make the man and colourful tights make the Super-Hero.

stumpy

I don't mind street-clothes-wearing superheroes, but I don't like it when the artist can't commit to the idea. For example, in that Superboy pic, either those form-fitting jeans are made of something much stretchier than denim (e.g. spandex) or he needs an extra superpower to pull the narrow knee section over his calves. So, it looks like they aren't really committed to the costume idea: Either the artist wants to draw muscles, so he drawn an impractical-to-get-into pair of jeans, or the jeans are really spandex anyway, so why bother with the street clothes idea at all? At that point, he's not a superhero who is too cool or nonconformist to bother with a costume; he's just a superhero with a spandex costume that he's gone to extra trouble to make not look like a costume.

(BTW, I am an un-fan of the telekinetic clone Superboy, so forgive me if I am forgetting that he is secretly a shape shifter or something.)
Courage is knowing it might hurt, and doing it anyway. Stupidity is the same. And that's why life is hard. - Jeremy Goldberg

Podmark

 :o

C6 I'll give you X-pants Beast and new Wasp (I kinda like both though), but Conner's t-shirt is one of my favorites!
I've got a couple I could add but I'll need to hunt down some pics.
Get my skins at:
HeroForce
my Google page

Glitch Girl

Stumpy: for the record, there is such a thing as spandex jeans.  I have a pair of boot cut ones, amazingly comfortable, and they fit... well not THAT tight, but pretty snug.  I don't think they make them for guys though, at least, not at the stores I shop at. 

Not saying I'm a huge fan of the Jeans/T-shirt look on him though. 

C6: That's the new Wasp?  Ugh.  Pym can't design a costume to save his life.  And poor Beast looks like he's wearing a diaper.  Seriously, that waistline doesn't look good on ANYTHING and I see it pop up here and there lately.  On guys it just makes them look like a muscular ice cream cone.


Must add a classic, the epitome of what was wrong with early 90's male superhero costumes.
Behold, the grandaddy of 'em all...

http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/individuals/c_3d/cable.gif

I love this pic. You'll note on the side view there's a HUGE gap between the blue SHOULDERPADS (yes another one that earns caps) and his body.  And if they're rigid, how does he bend over?  And if they're not rigid, why the heck are they there?  Bonus points for limiting your own movement!
-Glitch Girl

"Cynicism is not maturity, do not mistake the one for the other. If you truly cannot accept a story where someone does the right thing because it's the right thing to do, that says far more about who you are than these characters." - Greg Rucka

BentonGrey

Those SHOULDERPADS are pretty horrible...but Cable has had LOTS of terrible costumes...he's pretty much the poster child, along with Shatterstar, for everything that's wrong with 90's comics....pouches...ankle pouches! 
God Bless
"If God came down upon me and gave me a wish again, I'd wish to be like Aquaman, 'cause Aquaman can take the pain..." -Ballad of Aquaman
Check out mymods and blog!
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GrizzlyBearTalon

RAWR! Blade before he learned of the joys of black leather.





The 90s may have been horrible to most but they were good to ol' Blade. Ghost Rider too.

thanoson

Quote from: GrizzlyBearTalon on May 23, 2009, 11:01:51 PM
Also everytime I think or say Speedball I think it is some bizarre drug reference.

Not that bizarre. ;)
Long live Slaanesh, Prince of Pain!!!

thanoson

Well, everyone knows that Liefeld is a master of costumes. Shoulderpads? check. Coils? check. Pouches? Gotta have more pouches. check. Ooh, kneepads. check. Well, here you go.

http://robliefeld.net/xf17.htm

Is Shatterstar wearing a half shirt? A since when did Proudstar have metal arms?

http://robliefeld.net/xf13.htm

http://robliefeld.net/xf30.htm

http://robliefeld.net/xf49.htm
Cable's diaper is full here.

http://robliefeld.net/past18.htm

http://robliefeld.net/past11.htm

http://robliefeld.net/past2.htm

http://robliefeld.net/past24.htm

http://robliefeld.net/past13.htm
One shot in the arm and pow!

http://robliefeld.net/xfc8.htm
Long live Slaanesh, Prince of Pain!!!

BentonGrey

Those are some excellent examples of awful Liefeld.  I've gotta' ask though....is Domino...uneven?  Also, color choice for part of her unmentionables there...unwise.
God Bless
"If God came down upon me and gave me a wish again, I'd wish to be like Aquaman, 'cause Aquaman can take the pain..." -Ballad of Aquaman
Check out mymods and blog!
https://bentongrey.wordpress.com/

bearded


BentonGrey

Gotta' love the cleavage in the 4. :P  Who does she think she is, the White Queen?
God Bless
"If God came down upon me and gave me a wish again, I'd wish to be like Aquaman, 'cause Aquaman can take the pain..." -Ballad of Aquaman
Check out mymods and blog!
https://bentongrey.wordpress.com/