Sequels Costuming of the X-Men

[Wesley Dodds]

Y'know, i'd go so far as to say that even the black leather movie costumes were a little bit too much... The X-Men are the only super powered comic book characters that actually work BETTER without costumes...
Lets think about this... What are the X-Men? Superheroes, right? Wrong! In spite of what Joss Whedon seems to think the X-Men are not superheroes, they're teachers! That's it... Teachers who live and work in a school for mutants (mutants being allegory for whatever minority is popular at the time of writing).
The fight always comes to them, they just want to be left alone... (course living in the Marvel universe thats never gonna happen.... You you cant hold it against them for being fictional characters)

 

[zenith16]

Y'know, i'd go so far as to say that even the black leather movie costumes were a little bit too much... The X-Men are the only super powered comic book characters that actually work BETTER without costumes...
Lets think about this... What are the X-Men? Superheroes, right? Wrong! In spite of what Joss Whedon seems to think the X-Men are not superheroes, they're teachers! That's it... Teachers who live and work in a school for mutants (mutants being allegory for whatever minority is popular at the time of writing).
The fight always comes to them, they just want to be left alone... (course living in the Marvel universe thats never gonna happen.... You you cant hold it against them for being fictional characters)

LOL where have you been wesley. Xavier went to Cairo, Egypt, where he successfully defeated in battle the powerful telepath Amahl Farouk (later, the Shadow King), the first criminal mutant he had ever met. After his battle with Farouk, Xavier decided to make his life's work the protection of humanity from mutants who used their powers in criminal ways as Farouk did, and the protection of mutants from persecution by humanity.and to protect all humanity from any
threat.

When the FBI launched an investigation of superhuman mutants, Xavier met with Fred Duncan, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation and proposed that he himself track down the superhuman mutants in the United States, train young ones to use their powers for humanity's welfare, and report his progress to Duncan, who would keep Xavier's involvement entirely secret.


Quote from professor Xavier.

I have walked down this path of memories before, too many times. In the beginning the challange seemed so simple the world was entering a period of dynamic accelerated evolution--across the face of the globe, children were exhibiting strange and wondrous abilities which set them apart from the baseline genetic model of humanity. The popular press proclaimed this new generation, mutants. And proceeded to demonize them. As objects of such unreasoning fear and hatred--branded as outcasts merely because of an accident of birth--it would have been easy for them to succumb to the temptation of fulfilling that very fear--to become the enemies of the human race and its predators. Both sides needed a becon of hope that represented the best of what this new species had to offer. That hope was embodied in my school, where young mutants would be taught proper control over their abilities, together with a moral framework that would inspire them to utilize their powers for the betterment of this world and it's people. But I also knew that there would be those who would not hesitate to use such talents to exploit their neighbors, to plunder and pillage. They needed to be fought. The planet needed protectors. And so I founded the X-Men. They numbered five in those first, almost carefree days. They thought they were embarking on the greatest of adventures. Since then, their example has inspired others to follow in their footsteps, either as a member in the core team, or in offshoots of their own. That is a legacy to be proud of."(Uncanny X-Men #379)

nope Xavier was planing for them to be heroes and the teaching school thing was to have people educated about each other to get rid of the fear. their reluctant superheroes. but heroes none the less.

 

[Storm22]

seeing how the green goblin looked movie wise. I don't buy that excuse any more storm 22 that was a power rangers rip off there in plain sight. If you've seen the show you know what i mean. And there are many ways those guys in X-men movies won't look like power rangers the FF( well only in costume wise any way ) movie and spider man in what he wore proved that. so please don't bring up power ranger's again there's so much working against that big screen wise. it's a poor excuse and was just used for fox wanting to be cheap.

What is your point here exactly?? Green Goblin looked like he came directly from a Power Rangers movie, I agree, but I also think the multi-coloured/shiny X-Men uniforms also have a Power Rangers feel to them.

Yes the FF and Spider-Man outfits worked and so did the black X-Men uniforms imo. The tone of the movies imo should dictate the costumes and I think the X-Men uniforms fit the tone of the X-Men Trilogy very well. The X-Men are outcasts who seek refuge from society, they don't need big flamboyant outfits that attract attention to themselves. Could the X-Men uniforms have done with a little bit more colour? - probably, but not to the extent of some of these manips.

 

[zenith16]

it doesn't matter the suit's would have worked with ether type especially if they went the same way as spider man and FF it wouldn't have taken way from the mood of how dark the characters can act. it wasn't about tone to them(fox) they just wanted a low cost with the suits, so they(producers) would get money period and gave that excuse. time to move on from the lies they told on that.

 

[Storm22]

it doesn't matter the suit's would have worked with ether type especially if they went the same way as spider man and FF it wouldn't have taken way from the mood of how dark the characters can act. it wasn't about tone to them(fox) they just wanted a low cost with the suits, so they(producers) would get money period and gave that excuse. time to move on from the lies they told on that.

I don't know where you're getting the whole low cost idea from. The X-Men uniforms were hardly made out of bin bags. The uniforms, in X2 and X3 particularly, have some significant detail, eg. Storm's and Wolverine's uniforms - moreso than the FF costumes imo anyway.

 

[BMM]

it doesn't matter the suit's would have worked with ether type especially if they went the same way as spider man and FF it wouldn't have taken way from the mood of how dark the characters can act. it wasn't about tone to them(fox) they just wanted a low cost with the suits, so they(producers) would get money period and gave that excuse. time to move on from the lies they told on that.

I'm pretty sure watching Daniel Cudmore walk around in a red speedo and thigh high boots would distract from the tone of the movie just a bit. As for the Fantastic Four, the only thing those movies prove is that more faithful spandex uniforms don't necessarily make the movies any better.

 

[zenith16]

I don't know where you're getting the whole low cost idea from. The X-Men uniforms were hardly made out of bin bags. The uniforms, in X2 and X3 particularly, have some significant detail, eg. Storm's and Wolverine's uniforms - moreso than the FF costumes imo anyway.

It was shown on hyper space look into the X-Men where the producers wanted not to go into the detail of making the suit's like WB did with the bat suit and they chose leather cause they said it was low cost and easyer for them to get a hold with out it effecting their budget for Special effects. the way hollwood has been working since 19v 96 was if you made a movie with a low budget and it made more then it did to make it your consider a hit movie which was shown ABC news some time back.

And James marsden was complaining that the leather had him and cast complaining about the heat of wearing it( the leather) during the summer. during the first movie in that look into making it.

BTW it was recently shown CBS Sunday morning News show. that both the Spider man suit and the FF suits inspired the new designs for swim wear for the Olympics and Speed skating and racing


it was a look into the super hero movie museum.
And the the X-Men uniforms in the comic inspired this form Future space suite
http://www.discoverychannel.ca/reports/article.aspx?aid=2350
I had video, from the discovery channel Canada daily planet, but since the annoying merger with CTV news canada they screwed the video archive up.

unless some one can show how to use a grave yard computer program to restore and down load it.

so I'll have to buy the video and try to recreate the video in a new link of my own about both this biosuit and the molecule fibered body armor called aramid that is replacing Kevlar cause it's be shown to work better for body armor. all of which were made cause guys were inspired by marvel.

 

[zenith16]

I'm pretty sure watching Daniel Cudmore walk around in a red speedo and thigh high boots would distract from the tone of the movie just a bit. As for the Fantastic Four, the only thing those movies prove is that more faithful spandex uniforms don't necessarily make the movies any better.

who said he would wear that when there this

there's another variant which later showed up that covered the legs fully when he's in metal mode. And that one I just put up went on to be normal pants in his normal skin mode too as shown in the comics when it frist came about.

You are aware that their costumes have changed over the years right? this reminds me of that weird time that some one on comicsfan Xfan made that comment on iceman trunks look when he hadn't worn that in ages, and had better uniform which was on the fox cartoon tAS but that guy seemed so out of touch that he was on the stan lees era. and was think he was cleaver with that comment and every other poster was asking where his head was at. man that guy was messed up. I'm not thinking that way of you but it' would be best to up date yourself. they have worn certain looks in ages.

 

[Jango X]

IMO the leather uniforms make a lot more sense than bright individual costumes. Why would they wear that? Its great for a comic because it looks more interesting but for a "realistic" movie it isnt.

 

[zenith16]

And yet the other movies did fine. and still kept the dark mood where they should be too. it's all in the actors execution, and the plot story wise and scenes by the director execution. not the clothes colours.

 

[BMM]

who said he would wear that when there this

He's wearing the equivalent of inverse chaps. How is that better? Just because it's in the comics, doesn't make it good, and this uniform is a perfect example of that. Can you imagine if someone just removed half of Tobey Maguire's pants from his ankles to his a--?

there's another variant which later showed up that covered the legs fully when he's in metal mode. And that one I just put up went on to be normal pants in his normal skin mode too as shown in the comics when it frist came about.

I'm not surprised they covered it up. Colossus would look pretty silly otherwise.

You are aware that their costumes have changed over the years right?

Of course I'm aware the X-Men's uniforms have changed over the years, and it's because I'm aware of all their uniform changes that I recognize what does and doesn't work and that the X-Men generally go from one nonsensical uniform to the next (just like in the picture above).

Granted, I think future movies can be more faithful, implementing more color and personal design to the uniforms but I'm not expecting to see anything quite like the above.

...I'm not thinking that way of you but it' would be best to up date yourself. they have worn certain looks in ages.

I am up to date, which is why I unfortunately have to endure characters like Storm looking like this.

 

[zenith16]

And that's why I said give storm the under world costume selen wore in this very thread to you, cause it was too obvious what your issue was BMM on that. the only the keep giving storm that look is cuse she's doesn't have issue with showing of her body as they told us at comic's fan xfan. and the writers have this whole thing with show off the women that way. . and any I read you too well. don't know why you brought that back in my face when I answered that. use the damn under world suit and move on the storm thing I moved past ages ago. ok last month or so, but still way past it.

 

[BMM]

And that's why I said give storm the under world costume selen wore in this very thread to you, cause it was too obvious what your issue was BMM on that. the only the keep giving storm that look is cuse she's doesn't have issue with showing of her body as they told us at comic's fan xfan. and the writers have this whole thing with show off the women that way. . and any I read you too well. don't know why you brought that back in my face when I answered that. use the damn under world suit and move on the storm thing I moved past ages ago. ok last month or so, but still way past it.

Evidently, it isn’t too obvious considering that isn’t even the problem I have with Bianchi’s rendition of Storm. What is obvious is that you took a vague statement and, from that, developed the wrong conclusion. My problem with Bianchi’s rendition of Storm has nothing to do with the thigh high boots or the swimsuit look. In fact, those elements are throwbacks to Storm’s classic Cockrum uniform, which happens to be one of my favorite staple looks for Storm. As for Bianchi’s work, my problem is the color combination, ornamentation, and the way he draws the character in general. As for bringing that “back in your face,” I never brought anything in your face in the first place. I wrote a general response to returntovoid’s suggestion regarding Bianchi’s designs. I didn’t address you.

 

[X-Maniac]

I think the movie costumes worked well within the tone and presentation of those movies. But more individuality would have been nice.

Storm's head-dress could have been made into a communication device, she could have worn the classic original comicbook costume for a scene around a swimming pool at the mansion.

I think costumes usually need to have a purpose in order for a movie to reach a mainstream audience. Most superhero movies have managed that pretty well so far. Dark Knight, Iron Man, all went to great lengths to justify the superhero costumes.

Having said all that, X-Men costumes closer to the comics could have worked if the movies had shown the X-Men as individuals coming together. But the movies never showed the individual background and personalities of the core X-Men. They were presented as an underground team who already existed.

 

[Jango X]

And yet the other movies did fine. and still kept the dark mood where they should be too. it's all in the actors execution, and the plot story wise and scenes by the director execution. not the clothes colours.

Well Spiderman is a superhero who wants to be easily recognized so he needs a superhero costume. And the Fantastic Four also had uniforms not costumes, just made out of something else. The X-men dont need individual costumes. They need something functional that actually helps them in combat and helps to hide them.

 

[zenith16]

Well Spiderman is a superhero who wants to be easily recognized so he needs a superhero costume. And the Fantastic Four also had uniforms not costumes, just made out of something else. The X-men dont need individual costumes. They need something functional that actually helps them in combat and helps to hide them.

hmmm jango in the comic's the x-Men uniforms that are individualized are made of the same stuff as the FF only upgraded since the first secret wars. since after Reed Richards gave it to them and they made improvements due to the better tech they had of their own. and I'm sorry leather doesn't do jack to armor piercing bullets and Lazer weapons and thing's of heavey impact weapons of the future time line (which cable and bishop came from) that rival a punch from the hulk and alien wepons that they've met and taken shots from their weapons, which those individualize suits in the comic have done in the comic and helped keapt them alive, and Inspired scientists to make what I mentioned up top. with the bio suit and there's that armor of which I mentioned which these suits inspired too.

If I have proof of the "bio suits" which is clearly in that link I showed, then I'm not lying about the armor ether then. I just have to find away to restore those video links that that stupid ctv station screwed over when they took over the daily planet site .


And your still forgetting or choosing to ignore the quotes of Xavier, they were made to be Heroes as well teach. repeated in legions quest and said befor in his early days in creating the X-Men.

Any way hopefully The prequel will fix the problem of their origins X-Maniac like when prof X brought them together. it's time we learned more about the others and their personal reasons and how they got into it.

 

[donaldthe3rd]

Ugh, I'm sorry but those coloured costumes make the X-Men look like Power Rangers, they would have looked stupid in the grounded in reality based X-Men movies!

Who cares? Power Rangers kick ass!

 

[Hmarrs]

Actually there is a way.Tim Burton was the genuis at this.You introduce the characters at first in their costumes.That 's what he did in Batman.It is what it is,with no apologies. You then introduce the characters under them.It is less apologetic.If you introduce the person first it takes away from the credibility.When you introduce the costume first and then the person it adds to the credibility.You also don't have to explain why the character would do it.Take a look at the Watchmen.If the Hulk movie woud have started out with the Hulk in full scale warefare against the military it would have then peaked our interest as who is the man behind the Hero.If an X-men movie started out with them in character you then would want to know who is the person behind the mask.Phantom of the opera type stuff.When you buy first addition comics we see the character origin,but it was the cover that sold it. It was Batman,Spiderman,Daredevil etc. in full costume on the cover that sold it.Can you imagine Peter Parker,Matt Murdock or Bruce Wayne on the cover first.I woudn't buy it.But if the cover has them in full custume we see the cover and we want to know who is that person behind the mask .so we buy it.It has to be sold that way in movies as well.If we get into the the person the character is less credible.For instance if you see a clown before he puts on his makeup it's less credible even for a child.If you see the clown first and then he takes off his makeup you say oh that's the man behind the clown.But if you see the man first you say why is that man putting on the clown makeup.You then need a reason.You then say that's the clown behind the man. Now we ask Why?

 

[Hmarrs]

He's wearing the equivalent of inverse chaps. How is that better? Just because it's in the comics, doesn't make it good, and this uniform is a perfect example of that. Can you imagine if someone just removed half of Tobey Maguire's pants from his ankles to his a--?



I'm not surprised they covered it up. Colossus would look pretty silly otherwise.



Of course I'm aware the X-Men's uniforms have changed over the years, and it's because I'm aware of all their uniform changes that I recognize what does and doesn't work and that the X-Men generally go from one nonsensical uniform to the next (just like in the picture above).

Granted, I think future movies can be more faithful, implementing more color and personal design to the uniforms but I'm not expecting to see anything quite like the above.



I am up to date, which is why I unfortunately have to endure characters like Storm looking like this.

Ummm.Actually I think Storm looks cool.Reason being I think she looks more majestic and royal.It actually comes across mre natural than a costume.It comes across as clothes,not only clothes but she looks more native to her background. especially the hair piece looks very African Royalty.

 

[donaldthe3rd]

I'm a fan of Bianchi's work, but his latest pieces with the X-men's redesigns are just awful. The Wolverine and Cyclops ones aren't so bad, but the others are terrible. No one is gonna be able to draw them from memory like they could before they were redone. To me the X-men look like their wearing someone else's costumes and not their own.

 

[javi1024]

i posted these in the "X-Men: First Class thread" until i found this one. figured it would be more appropriate here. i'll just copy everything over:

i plan on making a couple more, but this is an idea i have for Cyclops's costume. i figure it could be a team look for a First Class spin-off or if they ever did decide to just reboot the series it would be his independent look.

it's based off that field uniform Storm wore at Alkali Lake in X3, and just so happens to mirror Cyclops's "reloaded" costume from 2004-recently. the idea is that it would be a form fitting jacket and pants suit (like Daredevil's) with the skullcap separated and tucked under the jacket. the X buckle is actually part of the jacket, and swings open for the zipper. gloves and boot are seperate.

next up is Jean Grey. aside from the Phoenix she's never had an iconic look so i just gave her an "Xavier uniform" look, though its noticeably unique from Cyclops's and the others. i think giving the original team a similar color scheme is the best way to go, and when others like Storm, Wolverine, and Colossus begin to show they'll bring along their own looks.

here are some more designs i have. i actually would have had them up earlier but i was too busy running away from a hurricane.

first we have Beast (and this is actually the first time i've ever drawn him). his design is, again, based off the Xavier uniform look. i gave him a simple black sleeve-less shirt simply because i don't think anyone would purposely walk around without a shirt on all day long. but with it being a simple shirt it could easily get ripped allowing him to take it off in battle and we would have the classic Beast look.

also i have my Wolverine. i wouldn't introduce him like this unless it was a reboot and not until it's sequels, but i just wanted to show my ideas for other members. the rest of the suits have been pretty faithful to what we've already seen in the films so this is my first major change in design. the look is very faithful to his mid 80's to early 90's look. the idea is that the first class team would meet him some time after he's left Department H. the red design on his buckle is a makeshift "H" which would be the organization's logo, and he personally took the liberty in removing it's sleeves. personally i'm against giving wolverine a mask but i did still make one that could possibly work for a film, and it be explained that it's part of the standard Department H uniform as everyone was required to wear one specific to their costume. as it shows, the necking works like Cyclops's skullcap and it tucks under his uniform. oh and those aren't white lenses for eyes, it's just for effect.

for a sequel it would probably make sense that he would wear an Xavier suit, but they can probably pull a "Batman Begins" and have the school damaged in the end of the first film preventing him and others from getting uniforms.

new design. i did Psylocke simply because she's my favorite X-Woman and i would love to see her properly done in a reboot/prequel/whatever. this was actually one of the harder ones for me because i really wanted people to "see" Psylocke with this one, but i think i came up with something that works. to keep her background simple the idea is she's just a british-born asian who's trained in ninjitsu. so i kept with her famous "asian ninja" look and her costume is a simple form-fitting jumpsuit; light-weight and easy to maneuver in. the dark stripes refer back to her costume's "Elektra Strips", inexplicably wrapped around her legs, which are slightly more reflective to stand out, and seen on the bottom are her signature butterflies- also slightly reflective. i also wanted to include her red belt/sash, but it wasn't working with the stream-line athletic look so i shrunk it down and tied it to her arm as a "good luck charm" from her brother or sensei or significant person from her past. finish it off with simple fingerless gloves over wrist tape and black wrestling shoes for sneaking.

 

[Hellion]

Those look great...just take the headband off Jean...

 

[javi1024]

Those look great...just take the headband off Jean...

well i figure she needs something to keep her hair in place during combat, and i wanted to give her something other than a ponytail.

 

[trustyside-kick]

I'm real curious how you would design Nightcrawler. Think we will see that sometime soon?

 

[javi1024]

I'm real curious how you would design Nightcrawler. Think we will see that sometime soon?

??? why dont you just ask me in person.

**to those who don't know that's my brother who sleeps down the hall.