Personally, I find that it isn't so much the costume, but the way the Iconic character is treated and/or portrayed.
Batman: Blue with grey or Black with Grey, Yellow oval or basic Black. Armored cowl or Cloth-like means little. Is he a master detective? A multiple martial arts black belt? Is he the 2nd best escape artist in the world? If we get to see a character that is confident that under almost any situation he can find a way to come out on top. If we are shown all of these traits, then the Icon is there. If it isn't hidden or forgotten about by the writer at the time, the artistic rendering is a little less important to me.
Superman: Should have a humble confidence. He knows he is god-like in power, but understands all the different ways those powers can work together. I think most writers forget that he comes from an once highly advanced race of beings. Super-science and incredible intellect was at least a basic part of the former Kryptonian culture if I am remembering things correctly. (but its been a while since some of the post-Crisis of Infinte Earths, so I am not sure what is cannon) So, not only is he super powerful, but at least as smart as Batman or Luthor. His look doesn't mean as much if the writers do not nail the Gravitas. That sense of awe and wonder the other characters in the world should feel when Superman enters the room.
Essentially, if the core Iconic status and the basic ingredients of the mix are there, if the general colors of the orginal design are there, then I am happy.
I do not really like the way Jim Lee has redisgned most of the Justice League or Teen Titans. But I guess I will wait and see if they nail the character traits before I make a further ruling.
Hopefully my ramble wasn't to hard to understand.
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Spider-Man!
Wonder Woman's!
Batman!
Superman!
All Iconic and people always trying to change them!
Now, I actually liked the Iron Spider outfit, it was pretty awesome. But I'm glad (or so it seemed) it was temporary. Spider-Man should always be back in his classic outfit.
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Good post Chamage. I am in agreement with you.
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One not listed, Captain America.
Flash
DC's big 3
Captain America
Spider-man
I don't mind them coming up with new looks. Sometimes they're better, sometimes not, but they should definitely keep the originals around.
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ooo good one|
Originally Posted by Father Xmas
Columbo
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really...I'm not a fan of the superhero costume....for some of the iconic characters it's part of them, but I don't like spandex without a reason
most of my heroes generally wear practical wear
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The Shadow. Hat, red scarf, cape-like cloak and two oversized .45 guns.
When it comes too outfits/looks "Iconic" doesn't add much value in my book
G1 cartoon Optimus Prime's look and attitude are fine and iconic
But The War Within, Super Galaxy Convoy, and Fire Convoy looks are far superior Imo
and the g2 comic's prime has the definitive attitude every prime should be based on imo
The two Nolan Verse batman outfits are better than anything I've ever seen Bruce or Dick wear in comics or in the cartoons
The vast majority of the outfits I've see Supes in don't work for me but there are some outfits from the mythos I would like to see "updated" for a movie; God Fall, but my favorite one isn't a clark suit it's the red and blue one Connor wore that is a design worth of being movie-ized in the same vein as Captain America(which I really dig)
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Iconic isn't a specific design attitude.|
Originally Posted by Cheetatron
When it comes too outfits/looks "Iconic" doesn't add much value in my book
G1 cartoon Optimus Prime's look and attitude are fine and iconic But The War Within, Super Galaxy Convoy, and Fire Convoy looks are far superior Imo and the g2 comic's prime has the definitive attitude every prime should be based on imo The two Nolan Verse batman outfits are better than anything I've ever seen Bruce or Dick wear in comics or in the cartoons The vast majority of the outfits I've see Supes in don't work for me but there are some outfits from the mythos I would like to see "updated" for a movie; God Fall, but my favorite one isn't a clark suit it's the red and blue one Connor wore that is a design worth of being movie-ized in the same vein as Captain America(which I really dig) |
Iconic are those costumes that virtually define the character.
Costumes that say THIS is what the character should ALWAYS look like
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Spider-Man's costume changes in the comics every time he's put on a team book (Fantastic Four, Avengers, Etc). The reason is his web pattern on his costume take a really long time to draw out. When you have a bunch of other people to draw, the artists tend to get overwhelmed by the deadline, so Spider-man's costume is the first to get an "update". The symbiote suit came from another "team" book, Secret Wars. Usually, the suit remains unchanged on his own books, unless the writer get ideas on doing stories around the new one.
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Originally Posted by Durakken
it occurred to me that throughout Ultimate Spider-Man everyone pokes fun at Spider-Man's costume and when I think about it... i consider it one of the better costumes out there yet for some people everyone wants to change it... even if those changes are "better" or as good in some senses I don't know why everyone needs to change his costume... Funny thing Spider-Man does have a few costumes that are awesome looking like Iron Spider and the Symbiote Suit, but i don't see what's wrong with it and I feel it is Iconic so why change it?
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Thor and the Fantastic 4 
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I think Iconic as "this is what most everybody thinks of" I don't think any character is limited or even defined by anyone look and is imo infinitely open to reinterpretation and upgrades regardless of whatever the expectation is
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Originally Posted by Lycanus
Iconic isn't a specific design attitude.
Iconic are those costumes that virtually define the character. Costumes that say THIS is what the character should ALWAYS look like |
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This theory doesn't really match with reality. Spider-Man's costume didn't change when he joined the Avengers. The only significant costume change to come about since that time was the Iron Spider outfit, which he wore for all of two seconds... and he barely wore it at ll in the Avengers books. |
Originally Posted by Innovator
Spider-Man's costume changes in the comics every time he's put on a team book (Fantastic Four, Avengers, Etc). The reason is his web pattern on his costume take a really long time to draw out. When you have a bunch of other people to draw, the artists tend to get overwhelmed by the deadline, so Spider-man's costume is the first to get an "update". The symbiote suit came from another "team" book, Secret Wars. Usually, the suit remains unchanged on his own books, unless the writer get ideas on doing stories around the new one.
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The FF outfit makes sense... and fits with your theory, but in general whenever he's drawn in a team book, a lot of artists get lazy and just leave the webs off the outfit. Heck, that happens in his regular books all the time!
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I have a collection of comics that show Spider-Man wearing the Iron Spider suit for much more than two seconds. He only took it off when he had a falling out with Tony Stark, and when he joined the other Avenger group, they put him in the black suit. Anyway it's not theory, the reason was actually stated by artists in interviews in the past.
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Originally Posted by ProcessedMeatMan
This theory doesn't really match with reality. Spider-Man's costume didn't change when he joined the Avengers. The only significant costume change to come about since that time was the Iron Spider outfit, which he wore for all of two seconds... and he barely wore it at ll in the Avengers books.
The FF outfit makes sense... and fits with your theory, but in general whenever he's drawn in a team book, a lot of artists get lazy and just leave the webs off the outfit. Heck, that happens in his regular books all the time! |
Captain Marvel (DC's version).
The cape, the top, the sash, the lightning bolt....they're all so incredibly distinctive and sums up the character's powers and at the same time has a faint sense of whimsy and fun in it, like the costume is a swashbuckler's costume mixed with a musketeer and a superhero.
S.
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Agreed. Captain "Billy Batson" Marvel's outfit is fantastically iconic.|
Originally Posted by SuperOz
Captain Marvel (DC's version).
The cape, the top, the sash, the lightning bolt....they're all so incredibly distinctive and sums up the character's powers and at the same time has a faint sense of whimsy and fun in it, like the costume is a swashbuckler's costume mixed with a musketeer and a superhero. S. |
And the the other end of the spectrum. Although the standard issue uniform of Mega City One's street Judges is pretty iconic, it's that combination of Judge's Helmet, hard chin, and even harder pressed lips that makes Judge Joseph Dredd immediately stand out. (Although there's far more than the Judge's uniform that makes Dredd such an iconic character in the verse of 2000AD.
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Huh. Well I stand corrected. What the heck have I been reading? ha
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Originally Posted by Innovator
I have a collection of comics that show Spider-Man wearing the Iron Spider suit for much more than two seconds. He only took it off when he had a falling out with Tony Stark, and when he joined the other Avenger group, they put him in the black suit. Anyway it's not theory, the reason was actually stated by artists in interviews in the past.
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Captain Marvel's costume is the only one I can think of that's largely remained the same since he debuted. The biggest change that costume has had, as far as I know, is alternating between having a buttoned flap on the red fabric of the chest, and removing it so the red looks more like tights. (To differentiate Cap from Superman, iirc.)|
Originally Posted by Durakken
...
So What costumes do you consider Iconic? and What do you feel about them changing Iconic suits? |
And as far as Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Spider-Man and the like, they've ALL had little tweaks to their costumes on a consistent basis over the years. Take Superman, for example. The "core" of the costume is blue tights, a red cape, and the S shield. How those are arranged, and what's been added in with them has changed a lot since he debuted.
I think the point of contention here is that you're thinking all these characters have an original costume that they've stuck to. And they don't. Hell, I've seen websites that detail all the changes made to Superman and WW's costumes over the years. Never looked for it, but I'm sure Batman and Spider-Man have similar pages.
Tales of Judgment. Also here, instead of that other place.
good luck D.B.B.
Vintage Hulk:
Torn, purple pants, no shirt, no shoes.
It defied explanation how Banner always ended up in these particular slacks, and it was even more baffling that the Hulk could traipse through fire, rockets, and aliens with only tears at the knees. Still, it is the 'iconic' Hulk to me.
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@Portland Underground
Jean Grey, Phoenix!
Green, gold and the red flash of hair! When I was a kid, I wanted all girls to be like her 
it occurred to me that throughout Ultimate Spider-Man everyone pokes fun at Spider-Man's costume and when I think about it... i consider it one of the better costumes out there yet for some people everyone wants to change it... even if those changes are "better" or as good in some senses I don't know why everyone needs to change his costume... Funny thing Spider-Man does have a few costumes that are awesome looking like Iron Spider and the Symbiote Suit, but i don't see what's wrong with it and I feel it is Iconic so why change it?
Same thing applies to Superman and Wonder Woman who's suit are Iconic, but we've seen them try all black, an electrical design, and now this new armored suit with Superman and all kinds of crazy stuff with Wonder Woman...
So
What costumes do you consider Iconic?
and
What do you feel about them changing Iconic suits?