Since Iron Man’s debut in the first Iron Man movie, the MCU, its superheroes, and their costumes have evolved over the years. Similarly to comics, Marvel movies prefer to change the costumes of their superheroes for each movie. It not only helps give the character a new look but also gives their action figure and online RPG game merchandise and promotion a new look. With self-realization or acquiring new powers or abilities, superheroes’ appearances and costumes change. It becomes available to non-superpowered superheroes when they upgrade their suits. As Marvel has reached Phase V this year, we will present the best costumes from the MCU or Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many may disagree with the list, but their opinions are addressed later on. In addition, supervillains and animated characters have been excluded from the What If… Disney+ series.
Top MCU Costumes
Let’s begin with the best MCU Costumes.
1. Man-Thing
This year’s Werewolf By Night has been the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most ambitious attempt to introduce preternatural creatures. Both fans and critics have heaped praise on the short movie. However, the introduction of Man-Thing was the primary reason for receiving such praise. Man-Thing is one of the most powerful Marvel Comics characters. In the movie, he played a brief but essential role. The movie was released with black-and-white cinematography, but the final few minutes were shown in color. That was the moment when people first noticed Man-Thing. The character may look like a CGI character, but he was created using a practical suit, animatronics, and both practical and CGI effects. Carey Jones delivered the motion capture for Man-Thing while wearing the suit. Variety referred to Man-Thing’s appearance as the “MVP” of the show, which made the other secondary characters forgettable.
2. Mark I Iron Man Armor
It would be a mortal offense if we failed to mention the superhero costume that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tony Stark constructed this armor in a cave using only scavenged materials. This suit helped him evade the militants who had abducted him. The suit’s principal function is flame-throwing, so it’s not remarkable. It can also launch one missile and fly in the air for a few minutes. However, the suit’s significance in MCU history is quite significant.
3. Hawkeye from Hawkeye Disney + Series
Hawkeye, played by Jeremy Renner, always appeared in team-up movies despite being one of the Avengers’ founding members. During the post-Infinity War era, he assumed the persona of Ronin. Later, Natasha, alias Black Widow, assisted him in regaining his former self. From the beginning, fans complained that Hawkeye’s purple suit was not shown. But Marvel listened to their fans when they gave Hawkeye his Disney+ series. Renner wore a Hawkeye costume with purple designs in this particular series, similar to the version seen in modern comic books. In addition, we saw the iconic Hawkeye costume, which Renner did not don.
4. Star-Lord
Before making his MCU début in Guardians of the Galaxy, Peter Quill, alias Star-Lord, was not well-known. Also, His MCU appearance influenced the creators to change the comics’ appearance due to his enormous popularity, despite his look not matching the comic book version. Like his infantile personality, Star-Lord’s look in the MCU is quite campy. His cool-looking, multifunctional, high-tech headgear makes him the most fashionable space pirate with red leather vests. He has a quintessential rancher look to him. As hinted in the trailer, the impending movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 has returned to its original comic-accurate look.
5. Professor X in Multiverse of Madness
Over the years, Fox Studios has introduced various versions of Professor X. But they are more precise than the MCU’s sole version. Patrick Stewart retired and reprised his role as the aberrant professor in Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness. The character only appeared momentarily. But Patrick Stewart’s brief appearance stole the show. His appearance resembled Professor X’s version from the 1990s TV show “X-Men: The Animated Series.” In addition to the iconic green suit, he wheeled around in an animated show’s enormous yellow wheelchair.
6. Hulk from Thor: Ragnarok
Before Avengers: Endgame, there is little variation in Hulk’s costume. As a result of the MCU’s portrayal of the green gargantuan superhero as a weakling, fans have high expectations for him. The World War Hulk is one of the most popular versions of the Hulk in the comics. But fans’ wishes came true when Taika Waititi introduced a bizarre-looking gladiator Hulk that was very similar to the World War Hulk from the comics. He wore partial metal armor and a metal gladiator headpiece, and his strength exceeded that of the typical Hulk in the MCU. Before the introduction of Professor Hulk, however, that was the last time audiences saw the standard version of Hulk.
7. Scarlet Witch in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Wanda Maximoff, alias Scarlet Witch, has been depicted differently by the MCU. Elizabeth Olsen made her debut in Avengers: Age of Ultron as Wanda. Her costume has always been red, even though she did not appear in his signature look. Before her solo series, she did not have a permanent costume. Wanda received the appellation “Scarlet Witch” in WandaVision. In this series, she also manifested her new costume through chaos magic, which was very similar to the outfit from the comic book. Well, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, fans could see Wanda’s extended version of her comic-similar suit. Her destiny in the MCU is currently unclear.
8. Black Panther
Black Panther by Chadwick Boseman has had a significant impact on popular culture. Though he appeared for the first time in Captain America: Civil War in his Black Panther suit, his solo movie was the primary reason he made this list. Without a cape, the MCU maintained a look similar to the modern comic book costume. Fans can readily relate to King T’Challa’s larger-than-life persona because his costume and purple aura look so good together. His Vibranium suit absorbs the energy of his foes and utilizes it against them by emitting purple shock waves. We can no longer see Chadwick Boseman’s version of Black Panther on screen, which is unfortunate given his untimely death.
9. The Mark LXXXV Iron Man Armor
This armor was Tony Stark’s eighty-fifth Iron Man suit. This was also the final suit in his arsenal before his demise in The Avengers: Endgame. He was an Avenger who used his fortune to ensure the financial stability of his fellow Avengers. Tony Stark has always learned from his errors, and his Iron Man suits reflect this aspect of his personality. This final suit possessed unique characteristics and capabilities, making it the most powerful Iron Man suit. Even the suit assimilated the power of the Infinity stones. The suit resembled the iconic red and gold Iron Man suit from the comics and the first movie. It features nanotechnology and even absorbed the energy of Thor’s Stormbreaker to destroy Thanos.
10. Captain America: The First Avenger
Well, Chris Evans first appeared as Captain America in Captain America: The First Avenger, the genesis narrative of the superhero. Fans of that movie saw World War II and how Captain America battled for America and saved his country in that fictional universe. Captain America has a long history in the comics and contributed significantly to the popularity of Marvel Comics. Captain America wore various costumes throughout the MCU movies, but his World War I suit from the first movie was the most recognizable. Due to the popularity of his suit, he donned it again in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This suit signifies American nationalism and is Steve’s World War II uniform.
11. Ant-Man
Scott Lang’s Ant-Man suit is a sophisticated and high-tech costume that enables him to reduce to the size of an ant while retaining his strength. The design of the suit is both functional and visually arresting.
12. Doctor Strange’s Cloak of Levitation
Even though it is not a conventional superhero costume, Doctor Strange’s Cloak of Levitation is a magical relic with its personality. His look is enhanced by the flowing crimson cape with a high collar, and he can now fly.
Honorable Mentions
Even though we have reached the final section of the list, many notable characters still need to be added. Worry not; we’re mentioning them in this segment.
- Thor
- Spider-Man
- Vision
- Thanos from Avengers: Endgame
- Eternals
- Ms. Marvel
- Captain Marvel
- Classic Loki
- The Mighty Thor
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Conclusion: MCU Costumes
As anticipated, the list may delight or disillusion some individuals. However, we know that Spider-Man and Thor are the most notable omissions from this list. Due to subpar CGI, Moon Knight is unable to make this list. Due to the expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this list may become obsolete in a few years. However, the MCU costumes have the same influence on the audience as comic book superheroes have on the reader.
