Not to say all jackets look crappy. But not every comic book hero can be Hellboy, and by that, we mean, not everyone can rock a jacket well, especially in 2010l. It's not an easy look to pull off. Wonder Woman's new Jim Lee-designed costume may be a swell form-following-function look, but that jacket... well, the jacket looks like it came from that same Salvation Army bin mentioned above (she probably got a helluva deal on it, though). At any rate, we figured it's a good a time as any to take a walk down comics memory lane and call out the worst jacket costumes in comics. We guarantee, it gets much worse than Wonder Woman's. Much.
10) Hitman
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9) Alex Elder
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8) Superboy
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7) Invisible Woman
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6) Mr. Terrific
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did it work for the Fantastic Four?
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Usually the problem isn't the jacket...it's the gaudy spandex superhero costume they are wearing underneath and the clash between the two. Never been a fan of leotards, capes, spandex etc. that most superheroes seem to wear. Wonder Woman looks silly in a jacket but that's because she's wearing a damn costume underneath, it's not the jacket itself.
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::Snort:: Snarky win is snarky. And win.
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Does The Beyonder remind anyone else of Elvis in that picture? You know...during the bad years...
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Jubilee is and will always be AWESOME regardless of jacket, (anyway she ditched it in Generation X near the end anyway). Please also don't forget the design for Jubes was from the comics in the early 80's not the cartoon. The clothes she wore were made up from bits of the other x-mens uniforms when she was hiding under the Australian base when homeless and therefore had no clothes of her own - the jacket actually belonged to Rouge but jubes stole it and she let her keep it.
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I just can't "get" why Wonder Woman is so popular. And no one else can seem to tell me why she is, other than in vague, sweeping generalities as to why she should be one of DC's top three. She has no really great stories. What is her "Dark Knight Returns?" What is her "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" Hell, what is her personality? (I'm not dissing anyone who likes her, I just wish someone could give a good argument as to why she's supposed to be good, let alone part of the DC trinity.)
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At least Rob Liefeld didn't do it. She'd have 17 different pockets to put her lasso in... with 2 of them being on her giant stylish shoulder pads! Like Boom Boom style where they don't seem to connect to anything and gravity would've had them fall off but not in Liefeldland....
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I would just like to state for the record, in case this page should ever become the sole document to survive the singularity...what? that could happen. I'd just like to say, so future civilizations are not misled: THE FANTASTIC FOUR COMIC BOOK DID NOT DEBUT IN THE YEAR 1618. And even if it HAD, there is absolutely NOTHING in our culture about putting especial emphasis on multiples of 25. A "375th Anniversary" equals 31 years and 3 months in the comics biz. Oh damn, even the fricking TORCH is wearing a jacket! There is nothing about that cover that is not hilarious. "This is not your parents' comedy of errors!"
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People aren't done bitching about "Greedo shot first". If you don't have a stomach for long-held grudges against aesthetic trivialities, maybe nerdery isn't your calling. Try sports...wait, that's no good. Musi-- Perhaps politics? Oops, maybe religion? Science if you have no interest in publishing? Actually, griping for years about style instead of substance permeates every human activity except...hey, that could be your new hobby! Grab a jar of hand cream and get busy.
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Thank you for Wonder Man! That and the Animal Man nods. How anyone can see Jubilee and not think Robin (Dick Grayson costume) is beyond me. The helmet the Thing wore for part of the Defalco run was because Wolverine cut his face and was a nod to an earlier Lee/Kirby story. Hopefully this Wonder Woman reboot will be assigned to Earth 12 or something, so this stupid design can be forgotten. Does anyone remember years ago in Superman/Superboy Annual crossover where the remains of the Justice League reunite to thwart alien conquerors? Their method of inconspicous? Almost everyone wore jackets. Good story, but WTF?
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Gen-13. Sorry.
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I used to like The Ray's original jacket from the 1990s series. Of course, I was 10 back then. Animal Man's jacket was also awful, but the costume underneath it was even worse. Granted, Morrison had come up with a really good reason for the jacket: the guy needed to carry his keys and some spare change. Moving on to Marvel, to the yells for Gambit I would add Rogue. My, but that was one ugly jacket. Also, I'm not a big Image fan, but didn't just about every goofy member from Gen-14 had a customized jacket??
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WRONG!!!! The Superboy jacket is still awesome.
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First, you really need to work on your reading comprehension. There is no contridiction in his week and day statements. Second, what site do you think you're on? Bitching about people going on about nerd trivialities on Topless Robot is like bitching that 4Chan is not SFW.
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You are what is wrong with comics fandom.
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Forget Wonder Woman. Best superhero costume/jacket combo still goes to George Perez's reboot look for Marvel's Wonder MAN in the '80's. At the time, a lot of people ragged him for that "safari jacket" in bright red, but- -it was practical (possibly the first superhero costume EVER to have pockets). -it looked different from every other superhero of the time. -it was way ahead of the curve, years before anyone else thought of jackets as superhero gear.
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Ok, so you ragged on Invisible Woman's coat in the image for #7 (which it deserved, don't get me wrong, that coat is TERRIBLE!), but ignored the nonsensical one on Human Torch?! I mean, a) why the hell would he NEED a coat? The dude spends half his time literally covered in FIRE for fuck's sake! b) Why the hell didn't it burn off when he yelled "Flame on!"??? And finally: it looks even more ridiculous than Sue's already clownish outfit!!!
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she looks like a Chinese Grandmother in that picture. Jim Lee..MR. ASIAN BIGOT SUPREME
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Yeah... I don't care WHY he has "Fair Play" on his sleeve. It's a deeply stupid idea. I imagine some theoretical Mrs. Terrific with an "Eat Your Veggies" tramp stamp. The Terrific family must be a didactic bunch of busy bodies.
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How do those Wolverine "Playboy" comics where he rocks sports-jackets not make this list? Too obscure, yeah that's it...Mr. Terrific is faaaaar better known xD...
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Hey now, Mr. Terrific can rock the jacket. Can't say the same for everyone else though.
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Rouge?
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The saddest thing about Jubilee's costume is that it's not really a costume at all. It's an outfit. It's basically her normal clothes, which gives the impression that whoever designed it thought that this is what kids of that era normally wore.
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I kinda like the new uniform, but the jacket is too much. Loose the jacket e show that shoulders and everything will be just fine. Feminine shoulders are sexy!
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I just realized this list didn't include Ravage 2099's sleeveless kevlar trenchcoat.
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Good God, that Fantatic Four Cover has got to be one of the worst things i've ever seen. Man i'm so happy i wasn't that much in to US Comics during the early parts of the nineties. They all look like they just lost to there deadliest Opponent yet... Rob Liefeld
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The whole DC changing characters back to their white versions is total bs. Except for the Atom, Mr. Terrific, the Blue Beetle, the Question, Jakeem Thunder (Johnny Thunder's replacement), Judo-Master, the Crimson Avenger, the Invisible Kid, and Mr. Miracle have all remained characters of color. Even Firestorm still has Jason sharing the Firestorm Matrix with Ronnie. Similar to the "Dark DC" bs from a few years ago, it's an excuse created by people that are upset that DC returned a lot of the Silver and Bronze age aspects back to their characters. So DC returned Ray Palmer, so it isn't DC returning a character back to his position, but a matter of racism.
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You know, people can bitch all they want about Wonder Woman's new suit, but the fact remains that the shit HAS to change. He original, "classic" outfit is one of the worst-designed things EVER, and very likely one of the main reasons her books never sell. Let me count the ways: 1: She's the world's greatest warrior, and yet all she's wearing for armor is a bikini (and don't give me that "she doesn't need armor" crap-neither did a LOT of warriors, but it's still a matter of pride) 2:She's DC's premier female representative, and seemingly as a result is showing more skin than her contemporaries (why, praytell, does Superman get a full-body suit?) 3.She represents an island outside of modern society, but is wrapped in an American flag (and those retcons as to WHY are horribly stupid. tl;dr: They shoulda gone with Joss's black and gold gladiator suit.
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Good pic, Kwed. That was, coincidentally, the first issue of <i>UXM</i> that I read in my life, and I treasure it to this day, so ... good trip down memory lane.
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You did. It was a pretty awesome.
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I was thinking the same thing. Glad somebody else saw it, too.
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What really bothered me about the Avengers cover is that the Black Knight is holding a very phallic sword originating from the crotch region of an nearly nude Hercules. Very unsettling to my, admittedly childish, sense of humor.
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Gambit's trenchcoat did look good, but its primary purpose was to cover up the fact that he was wearing a pink top underneath that. I took the coat off my Gambit action figure once, realized how awful that look was, and immediately put it back on to stay.
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I think capes, like Superman's, were originally drawn because artists couldn't draw backs very convincingly (like Rob Liefeld and feet), and it was easier to draw a long, billowing cape than all that anatomy in every panel. I think the same thing goes with jackets. Besides, with all the skin-tight spandex, the characters look naked without them. It's like throwing a jacket on Porky Pig just for the sake of decency. Practicality wise it's just slightly less useful than the cape. The characters are supposedly wearing spandex to give themselves maximum mobility, then they put on a bulky-ass jacket.
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I'm a fan of Mr. Terrific's jacket, but yeah there's some dreadful jackets in here. What a shock that most of them came from the EXTREME!!! 90s.
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I was right with a lot of people in mocking it when the sketch first came out, but now that I've seen it in action, I like it (except maybe the wrist guards). It fits for the younger Diana in this storyline who's spent a lot of time on the streets. Knowing that it's almost certainly not permanent (the rest of the DCU needs the regular Wonder Woman back at some point) makes it easier to deal with and I'm interested in seeing how elements of it are included once she gets a new standard uniform.
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The problem with most jackets in comics is that the artists try and minimize their function... so you have jackets that are never zipped up, with rolled up sleeves to show off the maximum amount of skin/latex. If its that warm out, most normal people just take the damn thing off. That's sorta the case with the new WW costume. Other than covering her delicate shoulders, why bother?
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finaly some one else thinks Jubilee and her jacket was one of the craziest things marvel did to the x-men and to see her make the top three would think she would have been top five. as for super boys jacket given how super boy was really new as a character the writers figured oh jacket works. wonder womans bra jacket think the writers were trying to use an asset of the character that most think of. the other ones on this list prove that even fashion can go wrong in comics.
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I think Morph pulled it off pretty well, though. When he wasn't busy dying.
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Is it a day or a week? Make up your mind. Again- it's a costume. The scale of things that "broke the internet in half" is getting considerably more foolish. And yes, there's a rule. It went into effect 3 seconds before Twilight fans donned "Team Jacob" shirts.
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did i not lay the sarcasm on thick enough?
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I find it hilarious that the FF cover goes out of its way to not show the character's feet. Liefeld never could draw feet. Even if he didn't draw it, the style's still there.
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If you run a vertical line down the horizontal bar of the "A" icon of the Avengers Team Jacket, then it would look like the Adventure Team icon from the classic 12" G.I.Joe line - just do an image search for "Adventure Team", you cant miss!
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Animal Man's jacket really improved his look, plus he did it for utilitarian reasons--pockets to hold his keys and wallet.
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Grant Morrison's re-inventions are eventually going to get to the point where he has characters performing self-mutilation of their genitals, just to make them more fucked-up and out-there. - He's awesome, but he tends take the "scorched earth" approach to character re-invention.
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I like John Byrne as a writer (usually), but I cringe whenever I see his artwork. Everyone has the same face in a John Byrne comic (does he even know how to draw a nose?), and women all have ridiculously long legs. His costume designs are universally terrible, too.
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I would like to add to this list........ 0.) Every goddamn thing Rob Liefeld ever drew.
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The Jim Lee uniforms were pretty sweet, but he was also one of the worst offenders at throwing jackets all over everyone. Jubilee was his idea and design, so was Gambit's trench, Rogue's jacket... and actually any random moment in the 90s X-Men could have had one of the members in a casual brown leather bomber. And the new Wonder Woman design is of course his. He needs a jacket intervention.
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I always thought Jubillee's classic outfit was designed to make her resemble Robin...
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And therein lies the problem. Whether the new costume is bad or not is irrelevant; it's not <i>Wonder Woman's</i> costume. The same problem as when Superman was a lightning bolt. That costume wasn't bad, and they could bring the character back and it would be fine, but he wasn't Superman.
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You most certainly are not. I like it too. The Jim Lee sketch above is not a good representation of it, however. It was changed a little by Kramer in the actual issue. I'm actually a little sad that it's going to be temporary, by nature of the storyline - but I would like to see it evolve into a new iconic WW look inspired by this once the current arc wraps up.
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To this day, I still love the 4-shaped window of cleavage on the Invisible Woman costume.
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I also like Terrific's jacket. It's very... Starfleet. And say what you will about Starfleet, they did have (will have?) fashion sense. Also, Mr. Terrific was white? And DC hasn't changed him back yet? I've only ever seen the modern design (didn't read many comics as a kid), so that's who I think of when someone mentions him. And good for DC for not re-redesigning him.
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You say it's hard to rock a jacket but Mr. Terrific makes it work.
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Superboy was designed to have every annoying 90s trend when he first appeared. Hence the Jacket, fade haircut, sunglasses, earring, weird design on the tights, and useless belts.
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Someone didn't read One Year Later.
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Go watch it again. While I agree that the yellow diaper is awful, the clash of the bomber jacket with it is worse. I've been rewatching that series these past few weeks and it is simply so incongruous to see that. And sometimes he appears to be wearing a black unitard, other times it's blue. X-Men TAS had some issues.
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It sucks to be sure. They even tried to explain it's use saying it took in more oxygen and therefore boosted his powers. Thankfully it was just for one issue.
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Screw it, I never minded Jubilee as a character. And I don't even mind the jacket that much. It reminds me a bit of April O'neal's Rain Coat.
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There was never anything 'badass' about the original Mr. Terrific. The dude once got knocked out by some rope. Yes, regular rope. Now, the modern Michael Holt Mr. Terrific, on the other hand, is just below Batman in sheer gadgety awesomeness, and even Bats admires some of it. But the jacket? Meh. Its not good, not bad.
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The new costume was revealed last week. Are you really surprised that people are still talking about it? Is there some new rule that topics of discussion are now only relevant for one day?
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I didn't even notice that until I went back for a second look as lol-spiration for possible comments.
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Because Gambit and Rouge's jackets were so badass, Jubilee gets a pass.. for trying.
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damn gypsy and dart... I forgot about those.. and I'm like gambit.. yeah add those..
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Any thoughts on Wonder Man's purple safari jacket? I was certain that would be on the list somewhere. As for these ten, they're all pretty bad looks. Although with Superboy I'd argue the jacket is actually the least offensive part of the costume compared to the hair, shades (my fashion crime of the 90's), and belts.
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Ouch. What's up with the spare yellow belt on Superboy's leg, too? Regardless, it STILL doesn't cover up the faux-pas of feetless, over-pouched superheroes. Thanks, Liefeld.
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Whats wrong with Shoulder pads?
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Don't I recall Animal Man consciously deciding to start wearing a jacket with his costume because he felt under-dressed running around in nothing but spandex? I think this was during Grant Morrison's re-invention of the character.
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I think Mr. Terrific's jacket works as well. Like Guy Gardner's jacket. It should not be on this list, considering the tons of awful jackets that are out there (remember DC's attempt at making a grim and gritty Green Lantern?). I guess Grant Morrison should be blamed for the leather trend, since he introduced them in Animal Man and the Doom Patrol. Also, Hitman shouldn't be on this list either, since his jacket was part of the joke.
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There's so many things wrong with that FF cover.
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Total nostalgia goggles for Jubilee. I never LIKED the character, but she always did and always will seem like a quintessential X-Men character to me.
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Me too. I think it suits the character.
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I take issue with that statement!
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I think her costume got really bad on the 90's X-Men cartoon (like the screen cap). An unnecessary addition to the team and horrible artwork.
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I think I went blind for a second seeing that cover.
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right... because DC's been going great guns with Superman and Wonder Woman lately... i mean, look at how much positive buzz those books have been generating. for YEARS now. who would've thought that DC would've been able to keep the momentum going after the Death of Superman arc? it's been getting better and better all these years. and Wonder Woman? forget about it! she's arguably the most consistently-written character in the DC universe. it's like every person who's ever written that book all got together ahead of time and planned it ALL out.
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Wonder Woman definitely needs a redesigned costume. This just wasn't the right one. It doesn't fit the character on any level.
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So this means people aren't done bitching about Wonder Woman's new costume yet? It's a fucking costume. Maybe DC can give Superman purple laser powers again so we can move onto the next thing.
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I think the team look is nice when we're: A) Not dealing with super-powers (or limited super-powers) B) Introducing the design with new characters, not redesigning established characters But, like with the #1 pick, you slap uniforms on heroes so they can be more identifiable, it never works.
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I hate the new Wonder Woman design. It looks like she jumped out of 1995. I don't mind change, but change that looks modern.
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You got it right; Jubilee's costume was an intentional nod to Robin.
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Ugh... the Sue Storm 90's costume. And the cover where she has two navels... Thanks for reminding me how much worse the WW costume redesign COULD have been.
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I'm in favor of <i>anything</i> that draws attention away from Cyclops' yellow underoos.
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I like it, i just find it's wasted on a bad character like Wonder Woman.
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i always thought Cyclops' leather bomber looked good over that 90's blue uniform
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I was actually reading X-Men when Jubilee was introduced. I think her costume was meant to resemble Robin's Green shorts, pink top and a yellow trench coat instead of a cape. Though why in the world they wanted that I have no idea. Maybe Jim Lee just really wanted to draw Robin.
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His jacket was the first contribution of the ruin of Marvel, The Beyonder was the beginning of the end for Marvel Comics. It's been a long slow death ever since.
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Am I really the only person BESIDES Tim Gunn that lkes th new WW design?
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I would include Gambit's trench coat...
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The fact that even the Human Torch was wearing a jacket in that FF cover blows my mind.
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yeah the only really good jackets i can think of are: Rouge in X-men - classic bomber jacket. nice offset to the tights... Thing Trenchcoat - Classic style on a massive frame Punisher Trenchcoat - Again classic look...
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It looks like Jacket seem to work best for urban or non super powered heroes. Even that Hitman dude's jacket might have worked if it had not been green.
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I always liked Rogue's jacket. I felt in her case it added rather than take away.
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Are you going to do the cool ones soon? Like Nextwave's and Madrox's?
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I would rather see the team wear common uniforms like the X-Men. Nothing beats there original common uniforms and when Jim Lee redesigned them in the 90's...quite possibly his best work. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2876406030_a2c33e2f55_o.jpg
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I've always liked the current Mr. Terrific's costume, even with the jacket.
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great list. I have to agree with all of these. That FF cover summed up all the bad things about the 90's doesn't it? Jackets, pockets, big guns, that mask that the Thing is wearing, and the special cover...man.
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Personally, I always kinda <i>liked</i> jackets. Especially when they're used by a team--it can add kind of a professional/"common uniform element" without just putting everyone in matching jumpsuits, adds additional pocket space, and has a cool enough look without as much of a tripping or tangling hazard as an ankle length leather trenchcoat. Probably hell to clean, though. And hot.
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Thanks for the trip down an awful, awful memory lane. It actually showcases why Wonder Woman's "new costume" is such a bad idea. Really, any extreme variations from the iconic original costumes that most comic book characters were designed with quickly become outdated or wear out their welcome with a readership. In fact, I'm convinced that many characters created in the 80s and 90s that did NOT survive the test of time suffered that fate precisely because they were designed with costumes that looked outdated and stale within a few years. If you want a superhero to be around for decades, you've got to stick with the simple, yet iconic.
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