Costume question

[Chris Wallace]

This is regarding all the complaints about comic characters who don't wear their traditional costumes onscreen; in other words, wearing leather or rubber or some type of combination in lieu of the spandex.

[Kable24]

I went with the Goblin just because his costume looked the worst out of everyone elses.

[Silver Sable]

X-Men

[Isildur´s Heir]

None.
Sure, even in real life, spandex would a logical choise for a superhero costume (can be stretched over 500% without breaking, able to be stretched repetitively and still recover original length, abrasion resistant, no static or pilling problems, etc...), but it justs look weird to go running around.

[Soundwave88]

None.
Sure, even in real life, spandex would a logical choise for a superhero costume (can be stretched over 500% without breaking, able to be stretched repetitively and still recover original length, abrasion resistant, no static or pilling problems, etc...), but it justs look weird to go running around.

:up: :up: agreed

[Trevor Goodchild]

None.
Sure, even in real life, spandex would a logical choise for a superhero costume (can be stretched over 500% without breaking, able to be stretched repetitively and still recover original length, abrasion resistant, no static or pilling problems, etc...), but it justs look weird to go running around.
That's why I chose none of the above.
Why spandex, if it looks that awful?
I would rather have a leatherish/rubberish material, if it has to be.
What matters most to me isn't the fabric, it's the look.

Other than that, the X-Men and Green Goblin could've used something closer to their source material.

[TheFalcon]

None of the above.

I just want the costume to look good and be atleast partially realistic.
I'd rather have Batman in the Begins armor thing than a grey t-shirt with a black bat on it.

[32CAGE]

Spandex just doesn't work. It's too hard to take anyone who wears the stuff seriously.

[Chris Wallace]

I'm glad the majority of you agree.

[JackBauer]

one of the few good things about F4 was how the suits were made, it wasn't exactly spandex, but it was close, and yet it didn't look silly. it worked for them. doesn't mean it'd work for the others.

while I don't think X-Men should've been spandex, I do think the design should've been a little more comic booky... think UXM.

[Morgoth]

They all should've had better suits, especially the X-men. I hate how in every comic movie they have to make some stupid remark about the suits, in X-men:"What would you prefer yellow spandex?" In Fantastic Four Ben made the comment about doing Swan lake in the suit. Stupid. Don't crack on it. It's part of being a superhero. They just have costumes, they don't need excuses as to why they wear 'em they just do, it's their disguises, and if it's in the comics then it should be in the movie. If it has to be tweeked a bit to fit the film, fine, but don't dumb it down and look all lame like black boring leather.

[Morgoth]

while I don't think X-Men should've been spandex, I do think the design should've been a little more comic booky... think UXM.Yup.

[Spoarz™]

Other than that, the X-Men and Green Goblin could've used something closer to their source material.

Totally dude, I don't think any of the characters should have worn spandex personally. I think Daredevil showed that a costume which was similar to that of the comic book could be worn in a film adaptation, and could be translated well IMO. I wish the same had been done for the X-Men.
I don't think the Green Goblin's mask would bother me half as much if they had simply made the mouth moveable. And if the suit had a little more purple. ;)

[Mr. Socko]

I' just fine with all the costumes except The Goblin whose costume sucked horribly. Also, I wouldn't mind seeing Batman in a [superman returns kinda] spandex

[Chris Wallace]

So many of you keep saying the X-suits should've been closer to the comic. like what? Blue & yellow rubber?

[Trevor Goodchild]

If they can make blue and yellow rubber look good, then why not?

[Chris Wallace]

I don't think they can. Some things have just convinced me that the X-Men's comic book look will never work on film. One of these was, admittedly, the Visa commercial. Another was the slew of fan costumes I see at conventions. Then the fact that while they onse wore a team uniform, now everybody's just dressed however they feel like. Which is fine in a comic book, but the team uniform makes more sense, IMO. And although I've stressed this 1,000 times, the X-Men-unlike Batman or Spider-Man-are not defined by their costumes. Never have been. If something happens while they're out in their civvies, they're gonna go into action rather than look for a place to change. They have no identities to protect; no statement or motif to uphold. Some of their outfits aren't even that distinctive. They have a kind of "Mardi Gras" feel to them. The X-Men are more of a strike force than a superhero team. Which is why nobody says anything when Storm changes her look every 6 weeks but when they put Spider-Man in that hideous red & gold armor or put Superman in the "Electro-blue" suit, people had a fit.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Never seen that Visa commercial but I know how spandex and rubber fan made or convention costumes look like. But answer me this first - do they have the same budget to allow themselves to put a whole ton of effort into that just like blockbuster movies can?
Open your eyes on Spidey’s outfit! I have no idea what kind of material that is but it sure looks ‘rubberish’. And it’s a complete success, if ya ask me!
And "no statement or motif to uphold"!? Riiight! Listen to yourself! Do I really have to argue with you on that one? How about for one - individuality and that it’s alright to be different?

I hate how in every comic movie they have to make some stupid remark about the suits, in X-men:"What would you prefer yellow spandex?" In Fantastic Four Ben made the comment about doing Swan lake in the suit. Stupid. Don't crack on it. It's part of being a superhero. They just have costumes, they don't need excuses as to why they wear 'em they just do, it's their disguises, and if it's in the comics then it should be in the movie.
If I can allow myself a late answer - yeah man, it would seem big star moviemakers don't want to take that seriously for some reason.

[Chris Wallace]

Okay-as I said before, Spider-Man is defined by his costume. The X-Men are not. The uniforms they wear in the movie are not identical, so there's your individuality. Add to that they're already different from the rest of humanity.
And truth be told, no matter how much money you put into it, those bright colors would not fit the aethetic of the movie.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Well, I like a little bit more of colour and distinction in my individuality.
And who said we want exactly bright colours?
Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and DareDevil all looked great. You call their costumes bright?
Brightness is one of the things that can be very well changed…and probably should be. Comic books are all very bright coloured. If they would’ve taken the exact same colours from the pages we would’ve gotten clowns instead of our favourite superheroes. And anyway, just because it hasn’t been done, or done correctly, doesn’t mean it can’t be done right eventually.
If you care, I can give you a couple of points I've discussed in the X3 forum, just so you could understand my opinion better:
I personally am not asking for much. Looking at the current job they're doing, I'm very satisfied with Magneto's costume in all of the three movies and the new Juggernaut costume. I mean, the colours are there, as well as the key elements. Like the helmets and the cape for Magneto and the heavy armour for Juggernaut, not to mention Sabretooth’s fur.
Now, I would figure, if they can make all the villain costumes look good and seem like they're sure not afraid to express themselves and their emotions with their clothing, they could also make the hero costumes not look like restrained by some black suit and tie office worker/police wardrobe protocol.
I mean, the villains end up being more sympathetic than the heroes, as far as mutant freedom goes.
And ultimately, the X-Men are superheroes. If you want to watch a movie about disciplined assault forces you can pick any other police or war movie out there.

[Chris Wallace]

I don't consider the X-Men superheroes in the same sense as-again, Spider-Man. They exist to protect innocent mutants from overzealous humans & to protect innocent humans from overzealous mutants. They generally don't chase bank robbers or crack dealers. They don't patrol the streets or go back to civilian lives afterwards. Their uniforms are a symbol of one ideal; Xavier's ideal. Now where the villains are concerned, these are people who don't conform to any of humanity's other standards-names, for example-so why conform to our standard of dress? Besides, villains are always more outlandish & over-the-top than heroes.

[3dman27]

all of the aboveplus other elektra

[Trevor Goodchild]

I don't consider the X-Men superheroes in the same sense as-again, Spider-Man. They exist to protect innocent mutants from overzealous humans & to protect innocent humans from overzealous mutants. They generally don't chase bank robbers or crack dealers. They don't patrol the streets or go back to civilian lives afterwards.
Superhero ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_hero) - a fictional character who is noted for feats of courage and nobility, who usually has a colorful name and costume and abilities beyond those of normal human beings.
And they don’t go back to their civilian lives? Do you ever reread your posts? :rolleyes:
X-Men were born as superheroes and act as superheroes, which must make them superheroes.
I understand that you like one of their traits more than others but that doesn’t nullify everything else that makes what they are to this day.

Their uniforms are a symbol of one ideal; Xavier's ideal.
And that ideal would be the freedom to express yourself and not to be afraid to show what you are by walking around all in the same clothes?

Now where the villains are concerned, these are people who don't conform to any of humanity's other standards-names, for example-so why conform to our standard of dress? Besides, villains are always more outlandish & over-the-top than heroes.
And that makes superheroes into conservatives?

[Chris Wallace]

You're taking my words to extremes. Again, you act as if wearing matching-not identical, but matching-uniforms is a suppression of identity. I don't think so. And when I said they don't go back to civilian lives, I meant they don't go to some apartment in the Bronx, switch to regular clothes & then go punch a clock like regular people do. No, they go back to their mutant headquarters & chill. They don't date civilians, they date each other. They don't have a supporting cast apart from each other.
But all that's neither here nor there. Say they do it your way; how does Wolverine's costume come into play? Did Cyclops just happen to have a yellow tiger-striped suit w/a mask for him to wear? And why is he wearing a mask when noone else is. He's got no identity to protect-HE doesn't even know who he is.
In any event, I guess this is just one of those times when two people must agree to disagree.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Yeah, I’ve been over this whole thing with a couple of other posters at the X3 forum.
Some of those points you mentioned are arguable but all I was saying was that just because they don’t do the same stuff other superheroes do, it doesn’t make them more or less the superheroes they are. Different and that’s great but they still fall into the same category.
In my opinion this whole special ops team crap is restraining the characters too much.
I just don’t see any originality or variety in their black suits. Some, like blue and yellow colors could’ve helped.
It’s not as much as a suppression of identity as false first impression. They are not undercover agents. They’re supposed to be family friendly, if they want some sympathy for crying out laud.

Well first of all, again, I don’t want everything exact, like I said, I love Juggernaut’s suit. Then of course I wouldn’t want anything put into the movie without a reason but from what I know, which might not be exactly correct, Logan’s costume was his own and he was part of the Weapon X/Alpha Flight, no? So if they didn’t want to go through all that, they could’ve just made him have the costume already, like he would want to hold on it, thinking it would help to unlock his past. And then with the X-Men he finally gets to chance to use it.
But anyway, once again, they are superheroes, it’s fantasy, some things just don’t need to nor have to make sense.

[Chris Wallace]

Some things do have to make sense or they don't stand the test of time. 30 years ago it was ok to have Kal-El stand in one spot for 12 years & then suddenly be wearing his costume. Nowadays fans are too nit-picky to let something like that go.

[Rac]

Most definitely Green Goblin. (A good second is Bullseye.)

[Trevor Goodchild]

Nowadays fans are too nit-picky to let something like that go.

Hmm, then I suppose people should practise the suspension of realism more.

[Chris Wallace]

I just don’t see any originality or variety in their black suits. Some, like blue and yellow colors could’ve helped.

What are you talking about? Everybody's got a distinctive color to their leather suit. Wolverine has yellow, Cyclops has blue, Iceman has white, Rogue has green, Storm has silver & Jean has red.

[Chris Wallace]

Hmm, then I suppose people should practise the suspension of realism more.
I have no problem w/suspending disbelief; but what looks good when drawn does not always look good on a real live human being.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Hmm, alright, do find me some picks of them please.
I sure didn't notice that in X1 and X2.

I have no problem w/suspending disbelief; but what looks good when drawn does not always look good on a real live human being.
Well, as I said, if they made Magneto and Juggs look good, they could've made the rest just as well.

[Abaddon]

I'm not sure it wouldve been very practically.

[Chris Wallace]

To be fair, I didn't notice it for awhile myself. But it's there. The trim around the shoulder pads, wrists, etc. In X2 they even have distinctive colors on their insignias.

[Chris Wallace]

I'm not sure it wouldve been very practically.
To what are you referring?

[Trevor Goodchild]

To be fair, I didn't notice it for awhile myself. But it's there. The trim around the shoulder pads, wrists, etc. In X2 they even have distinctive colors on their insignias.
I did notice that in the costumes for X3.
But, if that's true for the previous films as well, so much for a 'hint'.
While I was talking about more of an obvious statement.
Like, it would've been great, if the big front X's on each of their costumes would've been each in their own colour, like Wolverine’s yellow, Iceman's white, ect...

[Chris Wallace]

The outlines are.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Yes, I know, and I take that no more than as a 'hint', which isn't bad itself but, if we're talking about something more...colourful, for the lack of better word, that's how I would've done it.

[Abaddon]

To what are you referring?


spandex.

[KenK]

In the case of the X-Men, they all were the same costume when the comic began. I don't see the X-men as a superhero team the same as the Avengers, who all started out as solo heroes anyway, hence each having an individual costume. Furthermore, each X-Man has gona through so many redesigns of their costumes, choosing one for each of them would be a pain in the ass. And in the context of the films and their tone, I wouldn't want them wearing something similar to spandex ala Spider-Man or Superman. The story isn't served by their costumes as it is in Spider-Man or a Superman movie. In those cases, there's a degree of fantasy and escapism that doesn't fit with the X-Men in translating them to live-action. Grounding them somewhat in reality is better for selling the themes of prejudice and intolerance and those who are born different having to deal with the world. Imagine the first film, with Erik Lensherr being separated from his parents in Auschwitz, then having to take him seriously in that maroor and purple get-up he wears in the comics!! Don't even get my started on Wolverine's yellow costume and that wing mask. And it's not like movie costume doesn't have hints of that comic costume, with the tiger stripes on the ribs and shoulders, and remember, in the first movie, that costume was one he had to borrow from Cyclops, it's not like they had time to make it for him before the Liberty Island mission.

[Chris Wallace]

Everything you've said here is what I've been trying to say all along.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Ugh, ok, I don’t know, if you addressed my view in your post as well KenK, but, just in case, as far as my opinion is concerned, no matter how much I try to explain it to you guys, you always seem to automatically assume ‘SPANDEX!’ and ‘BRIGHT COLORS!’. If you really want to know what I’m thinking, try to reread through all of my posts in this thread, I sure am not going to tell it allover again.

Imagine the first film, with Erik Lensherr being separated from his parents in Auschwitz, then having to take him seriously in that maroor and purple get-up he wears in the comics!!
What? We (well, I at least) did get Magneto’s costume in all XM films already. He has the helmet, the cape and violetish colours, and I still can take him very seriously. It is perfect.

In the case of the X-Men, they all were the same costume when the comic began.
Yup, look at Beast’s costume. That one is pretty much my perfect image of their very first outfits from the comics. Now do you really think they couldn’t all wear those colours? It looks fantastic and still serious, in my opinion.

And in the context of the films and their tone, I wouldn't want them wearing something similar to spandex ala Spider-Man or Superman. The story isn't served by their costumes as it is in Spider-Man or a Superman movie. In those cases, there's a degree of fantasy and escapism that doesn't fit with the X-Men in translating them to live-action. Grounding them somewhat in reality is better for selling the themes of prejudice and intolerance and those who are born different having to deal with the world.

Well, my previous comment still stands:
In my opinion this whole special ops team crap is restraining the characters too much.
I just don’t see any originality or variety in their black suits. Some, like blue and yellow colours could’ve helped.
It’s not as much as a suppression of identity as false first impression. They are not undercover agents. They’re supposed to be family friendly, if they want some sympathy for crying out laud.

[SingItWithMeNow]

none spandex is stupid at is reminiscent of old dodgy tv series'. Even what Spider-Man and Superman wear isnt at all spandex but its cool.

[Chris Wallace]

Ugh, ok, I don’t know, if you addressed my view in your post as well KenK, but, just in case, as far as my opinion is concerned, no matter how much I try to explain it to you guys, you always seem to automatically assume ‘SPANDEX!’ and ‘BRIGHT COLORS!’. If you really want to know what I’m thinking, try to reread through all of my posts in this thread, I sure am not going to tell it allover again.


What? We (well, I at least) did get Magneto’s costume in all XM films already. He has the helmet, the cape and violetish colours, and I still can take him very seriously. It is perfect.


Yup, look at Beast’s costume. That one is pretty much my perfect image of their very first outfits from the comics. Now do you really think they couldn’t all wear those colours? It looks fantastic and still serious, in my opinion.



Well, my previous comment still stands:
OK-You know what I want from you? A detailed description of exactly how you would dress every member, head-to-toe. I'm only gonna put one restriction on you; everyone has to have a clearly visible "X" on his/her uniform. Go.

[tzarinna]

Yeah, I guess heroines can pull it off but it is not a good look on live action grown men.

[Trevor Goodchild]

OK-You know what I want from you? A detailed description of exactly how you would dress every member, head-to-toe. I'm only gonna put one restriction on you; everyone has to have a clearly visible "X" on his/her uniform. Go.
Heh, alright, but I feel lazy to come up with the right words at the moment and I just don't think I really need to describe anything.
This costume (http://superherohype.com/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=X-Men/X-Men_The_Last_Stand/Movie_Stills&image=beastreach.jpg&img=36&tt=) is simply perfect for everybody in my opinion. Maybe it could use a little touch of blue and with a little variety of lines for each costume and you got yourself a great X-Men suit that I believe suits all members of the team. With the only exception of Storm probably.
Heck even colouring the black jumpsuits themselves in such a matter would be just as great.
No?

[Chris Wallace]

I think what Beast wears-having been away from the team-is the original uniform. That said, you're not as anti-leather as I thought; you'd just like more splashes of color. Ok.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Shish, that was what I was trying to tell ya man.
I even mentioned it from the very start:

I would rather have a leatherish/rubberish material, if it has to be.
What matters most to me isn't the fabric, it's the look.

So they wear black leather suits in the movies, big deal.
Even if, yes, I will always prefer more colour, they look cool nonetheless.

[Chris Wallace]

My Apologies; I'd Gotten So Used To A Certain Type Of Response I Just Kinda Projected It Onto You.

[The Question]

None of them should have worn spandex. Green Goblin should have had a better costume, but Soandex would have looked even worse.

[Trevor Goodchild]

My Apologies; I'd Gotten So Used To A Certain Type Of Response I Just Kinda Projected It Onto You.
It's ok dude, peace.
Lately I try to be more considering.
I will voice my opinion, if I have a problem with a certain element, but I’ll accept it anyway for the sake of the whole picture, if it means something to me.

[Chris Wallace]

Ok-here's One; Future Characters Whose Look Should Be Tampered With To A Minimum. (Did That Make Sense?)

[Trevor Goodchild]

Hmm...Captain America?
I don't know...none come to mind, all the popular ones have been already made. If you could give me a name...?
Oh, and Iron Man's in my opinion would still be faithful no matter what.
Techno costumes are easy for Holywood, no?

[Chris Wallace]

Tell That To The Guys Who Dressed Shaq.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Well, I don't know.
There's nothing really to change in Iron Man's costume besides making it look good.

[Chris Wallace]

I Wouldn't Agree There; That Suit's Not Very Movement-friendly; It's Bulky, I'd Imagine It's Heavy, There's No Elbow Joints. Plus, How's He Gonna Breathe, See, Or Hear?

[Obi-Ron]

Spider-Man definitely should have been in the standard bright red and blue bodystocking he's been portrayed as wearing since the 60's. I hate the fancy-shmancy movie suit.

[Chris Wallace]

Why?

[Obi-Ron]

It's too high-tech looking, IMO. But I guess it's better than his current comic duds...

[Chris Wallace]

To Each His Own.

[Chris Wallace]

I'd Rather Not Look At A Costume That Looks Like A Fanboy Made It For The Convention; Not In A Big-budget Movie, Anyways.

[Trevor Goodchild]

I second that opinion.
Oh, and about Iron Man’s costume:
Well, looking at Spidey’s mask, breathing, sight and hearing shouldn’t be a problem.
And, as long as it looks metallic, they could make the suit out of light plastic stuff.
Other than that, of course joints should be made but I wouldn’t consider it an extreme change just yet.

[Chris Wallace]

I second that opinion.
Oh, and about Iron Man’s costume:
Well, looking at Spidey’s mask, breathing, sight and hearing shouldn’t be a problem.
And, as long as it looks metallic, they could make the suit out of light plastic stuff.

Which so far, hasn't been done. Spidey's mask is cloth, Iron Man's would be a rigid, metallic-looking susbstance. So far I've never seen such a mask worn practically. If you know of an example, let me know.

[Obi-Ron]

I also dislike the black-rubber fetish suit Batman has had in every movie since 89.

My favorite Batsuit remains the one in Dead End.

[Chris Wallace]

Sounds To Me Like You're A Traditionalist; Nothing Wrong With That, But I Think Sometimes A Little Change Isn't A Bad Thing.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Which so far, hasn't been done. Spidey's mask is cloth, Iron Man's would be a rigid, metallic-looking susbstance. So far I've never seen such a mask worn practically. If you know of an example, let me know.Funny you should ask that actually.
*coughdarth* *coughvader*

[Chris Wallace]

I knew you were going to use that. Vader has a grille, which is part of the mask's primary function. He not only can breathe through it, but CAN'T breathe without it. Iron Man has no such opening in his faceplate.
Now Boba Fett might be a better example, come to think of it.

[Trevor Goodchild]

See, and anyways, Ironman does have a small slot for a mouth.
They could make it just like they made V's and Goblin's masks.
Spidey’s was cloth, yes, but underneath they put a plastic mask.
Looking back on all those, I just don’t think that would be really such an issue.
Now the costume could be changed for the sake of better movement, yes.

[TheGrayGhost]

I would like the costumes to be a direct translation. Modifications can be made and camera techniques employed to help the costume appear better. I'd love to see a more faithful Batman costume.

[Chris Wallace]

The Problem There Is, Batman's Grey Tights & Black Trunks Are Not Conducive To The Image He's Supposed To Be Trying To Project.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Why costumes were in fact so colourful in the 60s, including Batman’s - colourful pictures just like colourful TV was big news those days, so they just used it because they could.

[Chris Wallace]

I'm Well Aware Of That; This Is Why Batman's Look Is Just Superman's W/a Different Color Scheme. But He Should Never Have Looked Like That.

[Trevor Goodchild]

Not in our age, no.

[Chris Wallace]

Perhaps If They Ditched The Trunks & Went With Black Tights-AGAIN.

[TheGrayGhost]

The Problem There Is, Batman's Grey Tights & Black Trunks Are Not Conducive To The Image He's Supposed To Be Trying To Project.

I disagree.

[Chris Wallace]

I Know Your Traditionalist Position & I Sympathize, But Batman's Comic Book Duds Never Worked For Me. The Best Artists On The Books Are Those Who Manipulate Shadows & Positioning So That You Forget He's Wearing A Modified Superman Costume. Again, All Black Just Makes More Sense.