Question: Golden/Silver Age Costumes

Honestly, I am not a fan of this era of costumes. I really hope you guys allow us to buy the Celestial set in the store.

As for the Golden/Silver age...I would like to see actual masks (not painted on looking); more belt options...maybe more symbols or emblems....I am not too sure what else to add at this point.

More mask options please. I love how versatile the jester masks are, but need some more diversity.

More diverse patterns would also be desirable by me.

Propeller beanies! Animated propeller beanies! For the thousandth time over the course of the last six-plus years, PROPELLER BEANIES.

White eyes for masks like GG posted... a thousand times this!

I would be happy if the hair styles were improved with current hats... I would rather have a pony tail that goes down your back as to having super short hair, or being bald.

Masks - lots of em!
Think of early Marvel Girl from The X-Men
Huntress
Alchemiss from Freedom Force
Green Hornet
Green lantern
Some should have eyes whited out. These should also be able to use with masks with hair options.

High collars without having to use a cape. See Wonder Man above as an example.

Thigh high boots for men. This is quite common in comics especially during the golden/silver age.

The Rocketeer/Adam Strange incl jetpacks & laser pistols

Belts with symbols on them

Mystical amulet/necklace looking neck items.

Boots
Different leather boot styles such as Superman for example
Take a look at Black Canary's short boots from Justice League Unlimited. This style was common in the golden age.
Elf style "shoes"

Gloves
short wrist length gloves that can be used with full tights (currently short gloves in game can either be used with no sleeves or the sleeves come down to elbow length, leaving the forearm exposed and looking unfinished)

Hairstyles of the eras, especially golden age.

It was very common for "briefs" to be worn over tights for men. This is do-able in CoH but only if the briefs are a different colour. Would be nice if the briefs had a texture to them allowing you to make them the same colour as tights and not having them blend together.

Heck you could look at Freedom Force for a lot of examples of golden/silver age costume ideas. Not saying copy them but they definitely had a finger on the pulse of those eras.

Thats all I got for now.

I like Silver Age Fans list. I would add lower boots ankle high.

Dunno if this falls under this category or not, but I love me some anckle boots for both genders with and without a pirate flare on them.

It's an Olympian Guard costume set.

The very basic stuff we need are:

Cotton - Tights (Top and Bottom), Gloves, Skirts, Prints, Boots (Flat, Stilettos, Thigh Highs, etc.), Masks, Capes

Shiny - Tights (Top and Bottom), Gloves, Skirts, Prints, Boots (Flat, Stilettos, Thigh Highs, etc.), Masks, Capes

Leather -Tights (Top and Bottom), Gloves, Skirts, Prints, Boots (Flat, Stilettos, Thigh Highs, etc.), Masks, Capes

Metallic - Tights (Top and Bottom), Gloves, Skirts, Prints, Boots (Flat, Stilettos, Thigh Highs, etc.), Masks, Capes

I'm pretty sure this will cover the Golden Age theme and many more themes.

Add Masks that are not painted kinda like the Jester masks.

As for hairstyles:

Curly long hairstyles.

"Twiggy" haircut.

tl;dr version: read Astro City and copy their ideas. Not verbatim, but rather the general vibe and feel of their costumed heroes/villains. THAT is what everyone complaining about "not enough superhero stuff" wants. Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross are the genius's behind it.

I gotta point out that lack of love for traditional western comic superheroes aesthetics is what the concern is here. While new golden age / silver age stuff would be absolutely fanastic, it's not the overall concern. See here:

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=279872

Also: golden age and silver age aesthetics differ. Having a costume pack for each would be fantastic and would obviously sell extremely well. For inspiration? Look at the competition (the newer one), it does it better. Also look at comics in general and see how they do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noble Savage Obviously, COH was originally conceived with that era in mind, and many "basic" super-heroic options are already available.

So are basic jeans, bowler hats, waistcoats, jackets, hair, boots, etc, etc. Yet updated versions of all those things have been released. I think it's unfair to say that the "basic" super-heroic options are of the same quality as the basics of other things. (Such as casual clothing.) They are definitely in need of improvement.

So yeah basically copy (DO NOT REPLACE) what you have, improve it, and then release it. Patterns that aren't painted on, but that actually have clear lined, possibly raised, edges. Face-masks that sit off the skin. A mouthless full-face mask that doesn't have a bunch of weird ninja folds in it. A mouthless full-face mask that doesn't have eye pupils in it. In fact - the masks should have two separate options - with or without pupil, and the eye itself should be colourable.

Don't make new spandex that is all over the top with too-busy patterns ala the new CoT. Just make high detail, high quality, BASIC spandex skins that can be used as a single-color foundation upon which other costume parts can be added. Integrate them with patterns that are more than just painted on, and you will have a winner. (Especially if you can make the patterns asymetrical.) And for the love of Mot don't make them too shiny!

Chainmail spandex would be good. As would scaly spandex. Hard rubber spandex. Metallic spandex. And also an improvement on the original spandex spandex.

Gloves in all the above options too. Would also like a flared glove to match the Baron boot from the magic pack as that is very comic booky.

Briefs in the above options would also be great. Especially with an option for skin or tights to cover the rest of the leg. Like this guy:



Some examples of this differint type of "spandex". (I have no idea why I'm calling it spandex when what I mean is "skin-tight costumes". Please forgive me.)





These options should be offered to masks too. So having a mask that is a different material to the rest of your face. Like this guy:



Also, let me make this guy. Spandex costumes that are low cut v-neck, vests (with stripes as an option). And a bandito mask:



Also a helmet like this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xzero45 Interestingly enough, we don't actually have any basic trim patterns for anything, either. Gloves, boots, and every cape except the Magic Cape don't have any basic trim options to go with them. It would be nice if we could design capes like this.

HEAVILLY seconded.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMountie I didn't think of it at the time, but as long as we're throwing in hairstyles, too . . . I would like to see something like Reed Richards, or the Kingdom Come version of Superman for the men. One of those hairstyles that screams (or politely interjects?) 'responsible adult' instead of punk rocker, emo kid, or scenester. While I've nothing against those styles, we've gotten a lot of them lately. Not all heroes are supposed to be in their teens/early twenties, after all.

HEAVILLY seconded this also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noble Savage A) revamped old school/spandex tights similar to the ones we already have (adding a few details like seams but still mostly plain) B) modern tights (w/ ribbing, surface texture(s), subdivided surfaces) a la Ultimates 1 or Marvel movies C) pieces we just haven't made before (e.g. domino mask) What are you guys most interested in?

All three. (Although I should point out that Option B is not silver age but would still be desired by people.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverAgeFan Masks: Eye mask details that update what we have in our current library under full masks. This category has not been added to or updated since initial launch nearly 8 years ago now. And all of these should have been made available for "with hair" options years ago. Masks with white eyes as has been suggested above repeatedly. Adaptable details like a tie for the back of the head (tied on mask is very Golden Age versus a blend pull over mask) White. Something needs to be done about the white on masks for faces. It blends with skin as if it were a very thin white watercolor wash rather than opaque fabric. Keep the "painted on" look available for face masks but if possible update many of the mask textures we have to add a simple bump map or shadow of a seam around the edges Signature details and gimmicks (see category below for ideas) for foreheads and full masks--can be symbols or dimensional objects. Take a good look again at the super science goggles, especially in a full mask setting. This is a good starting point. Could use a few goggles like this that color well to blend with full mask colors and carry even more eye shapes: Cat eyes, sneering eyes, dot eyes, etc. Tights: Not painted on is good but as several posters above point out, just like the new tights you've included in i22, the cinematic textures--i.e. the scale or hightech weave fabric details all stray from classic comic looks. So just like the face masks getting help from a touch of texture just at the liminal edges where fabric then becomes skin, tights could use this minimal treatment. SIMPLE base tights for below patterns that take advantage of new tech introduced since launch: A base tights layer with a modest uniform glow to it using glow tech. A base tights layer with a modest uniform reflectance map to it using that tech. A base tights layer with a uniform reflectance map equal to that of the metallic skin. Some more "with skin" options for lower body tights for men. A female base skin with more defined musculature. A "cotton" base layer. "Smooth" works okay for this now. But the softer texture may benefit people trying to capture this look. Patterns: Some of these need to be uprezzed. Not changed. Just go back to the original art and get crisper lines. Many of the original tights patterns look like lo-res jpgs that got tripled in size and have all sorts of weird dithering artifacts. Take a good look at the radioactive chest and upper leg patterns. This is perhaps one of THE most silver agey of all the patterns in game. It fits what I go into below about gimmicks. It has a baked in symbol. It is very graphic. The lines are crisp. The areas of color are large and blocky. Too many of the post i4 or so tights patterns have too many fine areas of detail to qualify as GA or SA. Missing some basics like a good checker board pattern. Suits of cards patterns with some baked in symbols but room for a chest emblem. Question mark patterns. From prior threads I know big graphic asymmetric patterns are out of the question. But the game could use 'em if it were possible. Boots and Gloves: Taking a cue from above in case it is possible: a set of gloves and boots that are colored asymmetrically. Edit to be clear: By this I mean left boot is color A while right boot is color B. Or a few very simple mirrored patterns such as the "fat stripe" pattern but inverted on each boot. All the GA & SA type boots in game all date back to i0 (except the rubber boots and gloves from super science is adaptable at times). When you can, consider revisiting the boots and gloves with spikes, fins & folded. A geometry revamp (or new ones that fill some adjacent gaps designwise) of those with versions that are not overly textured would be appreciated IMO. Gimmicks and Signature Items: Most GA and SA characters, SA in particular, are built around a schtick. We need more generalized items that can be turned into dimensional face masks, forehead details, shoulder baubles, chest details, emblems worked into full tights patterns, etc. These items should not try to look realistic but instead should have a gimmicky logo feel about them. Some of these items we already have in one category or another, but I'm repeating things that could be made more symbolic where I think the in game ones try to convey a realism rather than a logo object. Try to think as each of these on a Venture Brothers hero or villain--pasted as an object to their forehead, turned into a uniquely shaped eye mask, neck brooch, etc.: Dice Dominos Leaves (not like the ones we have but a stylized oak leaf or two around the eyes) Heart Cross X Question Mark Smiley Face Bomb with fuse Fist Atom Spider Beetle Crab Bat Moon Sun Comet Ringed Planet Feathers Horseshoe 8-ball Numbers Infinity sign Swirl All of the above (and more) could then be blended with the existing (and forthcoming) more "realistic" and less stylized pieces from other sets to create a range of signature looks allowing for a range of various heroes and villains from all eras of superhero comics. The suggestion above regarding all existing and future hats to have a no hair option allows any and all hat assets you make to do double duty as a hat and as a signature costume item. That pilgrim hat this past thanksgiving? Missed opportunity. With no hair for his, her and huge, anyone could have thrown that onto a plain-jane tights color combo and instantly they have a visual schtick with which to build a costumed character around. Edit: Related to the final category of logo-like gimmicks and signature items: don't forget weapons sets when producing such assets. i.e. if you were to produce an big die that can go on the forehead, consider also putting a slightly larger version of that die at the end of a walking stick and giving it to mace sets or replacing the ball on the hilt of a blade with the die. Suddenly now you've opened up a range of new schticky classic comic book options for all "Lucky ______" characters.

This post absolutely nailed it.

I'd honestly like a touch of all three options you listed David. Yeah, Defense and Olympian cover the modern tights well but I'd also like a modern tights option that doesn't have extra details and seams so much as just a good textured look to it that we can match across the gloves and everything, ala Spiderman in the films. This should be an easy enough thing to not rule out other items as well.

The simple tights with some upgrades to texture, to make them resemble cloth/leather/latex would be lovely, again so we could make full-body tights that don't look painted on. As someone else mentioned, some new "emblem" patterns and simplified pattern options would be very useful so we could take the base tights and build up from there to create a unique look.

The domino mask, and a few variations on shape there-of, as well as options for those to have the lens/white-eye effect, would fill in SO many gaps it's not even funny. I'd also really like something similar to Manticore's cowl, maybe take a page from the animal pack and give us a simple base cowl with several options to build onto it? We could have a smooth basic cowl that could work well on it's own, add animal ears of a sort (fake ones ala Batman or Catwoman) so we could make animal-themed heroes that aren't anthropomorphic or have actual animal parts, perhaps some flared mask pieces (like what we have now under the full mask options but... well not crappy looking or flat), and there's always the option to add new pieces to it at a later date.

My own personal requests: If such a cowl is included (Or even if not hopefully this could be worked in) I would like to see something along the lines of the brooches from capes added as a Forehead detail. Think similar to the female tiara options that have the big chunky piece in the center with various emblems, but without the heandband part. It could allow for Star Sapphire style head jewelry. Imagine a character with a cowl piece on their head and the crescent moon brooch in the center of it. It would look very iconic and allow for some really classic looks. It'd be easy enough to add without requiring new UI interface stuff either. Just a "Headbrooch" option under details with the second menu being all the brooch options. I'd also love to see this option made available as a belt. Make a "with belt" and "without belt" option so we can have heroes with iconic belt buckles, just a simple solid belt, maybe a utility version as well with the option to set any of the brooches as a buckle. This would give us a moon belt, a saturn belt, a star belt, etc. Then if the option was available without a belt it would give those of us who like full-body tights an option to not just leave our waist bare (which looks a little silly) while not dividing up our tights with a belt that we might not be thrilled with. It wouldn't require alot of work really, just take the existing brooches and move them to a different part of the body. The only new art it would require would be a basic and utility belt with no buckle as the brooch would take the place of it. Give us both the forehead and belt version of this and we could make some VERY Golden Age looking toons.

Final mention as I saw the Silk Spectre pic and it reminded me of something else that is GLARINGLY missing. We need some long gloves/opera gloves. Not ones that have ridiculous details, buttons, laces or anything like that. Just some plain, cloth gloves that reach the upper arm. Witch gloves are nice but they're distinctly leather-looking and have that silly bit at the top. I have SEVERAL toons that would make use of a plain white opera glove. Once we have that, yes, feel free to give us some alternate versions like one with buttons up the side, or laced up, or even a lacey version, but the basic item is what I really want, preferably with the option to use patterns on it as well so we can use a simple, solid-colored glove, but if needed we could use the various tight textures to give them a little oomph.

Summed up: Better textured tights, masks with depth to them and white-eye options, long-gloves, and the option to use brooches as waist and forehead details and/or belt buckles.

EDIT - Forgot to second the option for simple trim on capes, as well as the option to make basic tights different materials. We need the option for pleather, leather, cotton, and metallic tights at the very least, and anything else you guys can think of to use as material. I'd love to be able to use a full-face metallic mask in whatever shade I wanted to create a (literally) copper-skinned character who wears no shirt and just a pair of pants or tights, ala The Thing, but metallic. Metallic tights alone would open so many doors, but giving us a leather/plastic/sleek/cloth version of just some good basic tights would open so many doors. And hopefully the old "body paint" tights could be given these options as well so we could create the illusion of characters with customizable metallic skin.

I love the idea of spandex and briefs having a texture like the above image's



A mask with different textures = win win



Yes Zorro needs some love! haha woo! I support this fully!



Yes, helms like this and other's would be killer

Here is a great link for public domain super heroes, a lot from the golden era of comics, great place to get ideas. I've made a few characters browsing through here and even bought some comics

http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Public_Domain_Super_Heroes

Hrm, looking at the Olympian Guard pictured at paragonwiki, isn't that just the same old painted-on spandex with baked-on Gold Stars using one of the existing stripe patterns, as well as bracers and boots that already exist in-game? The only thing new (in that particular pic, I'm not sure how varied these Olympian Guards are) appears to be a faceplate, shoulder pads, and belt. I gotta say that I'd love to have that chain independent of the shoulder pads or as a cape brooch option, though.