10 Best Comic Book Movie Costumes

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When a beloved comic book finally makes it to the big screen a lot of details have to be considered. Most importantly, which parts of the story will the creators keep, which parts will they remove? Which characters get used and which storylines? The selections that movie makers chose can make or break a comic book movie. Comic book fans are serious about honoring their favorite heroes, villains, and storylines; and while they are open to updates and changes that enhance their experience, they can be downright mean when something is not handled correctly. Especially when it comes to comic book movie costumes.

An important detail that falls on the shoulders of the costume designers. The work they do alongside the films' directors is treacherous and full of chances for it to all go wrong. To adapt comic book costumes into real life is fun but exhausting work. In many cases, the costuming of our heroes on the page is dated or seemingly too out of this world to bring into real life. But like with most things movies have a way of working around challenges, whether or not the work they do turns out well, is another question altogether.

Though we did think about excluding make-up heavy costumes in this list, we've decided that the entire looks of these characters were worth noting and that the work done on someone's face can be fairly ranked with some great stitches. Now, without further delay, click through to see our picks for the 10 Best Comic Movie Costumes.
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Hit-Girl – Kick-Ass

We tend to heavily favor this character for all sorts of lists, but who can blame us really? She is well-crafted, interesting, and pulls together the film version of Kick-Ass in ways that other sidekicks can only dream of. She really steals the show. Her costuming is great and reflects her character's storyline. The heroes of Kick-Ass are just kids, their costumes reflect their limited supplies and access to money. Hit-Girl's is made for both a little girl (heavy on purple, a touch of pink, and a plaid skirt) but also the trained killer that she is (gun holsters, leather, utility belts). The costume updates her look from the original source material in a fun way that makes her immediately recognizable, even to those who have never even seen the movie. One of the greatest comic book movie costumes created for a female character.

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Captain America – Captain America The First Avenger

Though his updated costume in The Avengers is pretty sleek and cool, Captain America's costume from The First Avenger wins this one. We're fans of simplicity done right and this case they movie nails it. The suit reflects the 1942 time-stamp by being modest, well-made, and all American. This is classic Captain America not yet a glammed up superhero. The uniform is made to move in battle while also keeping the Captain protected and safe. It is easily moved while being protective and is ultimately to serve one purpose–keeping him in tip-top shape while he battles Hydra. When it comes to comic book movie costumes, this is one that does simple right.

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Superman – Superman (1978)

In a lot of ways, when it comes to Superman, it's hard to beat the original. That includes Christopher Reeve's 1978 costume from Superman. Sure we love the updated looks in years past and Henry Cavill's suite for the upcoming Batman v. Superman looks to be as sleek and cool as they come, but there's something about the original's blocks of primary color that stands the test of time. Though on the surface it's kind of goofy, underwear on the outside secured with a belt, Reeve wore the costume with such confidence that it became kind of sexy. It's this costume that is the iconic representation of Superman and one that will last for years to come. Not convinced? Look to the Halloween costumes, this one is a classic.

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Batman – The Dark Knight

Designed by Director Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale behind the camera, and by Lucious Fox onscreen, the updated Batman costume for The Dark Knight ensured a cooler, darker, and edgier Bat than we had ever seen before. As far as comic book movie costumes went at this time, it was an epic change from movies past. Allowing for more movement by utilizing hundreds of small, individual armor pieces, the suit was worthy of a hero with a large inheritance. The costumes of past never really screamed "I am using all my money to save Gotham". While someone like Superman, raised on a farm and pretty wholesome, can get away with something simple, someone complicated, reclusive, and, well, rich, like Batman, needs something a little bit more luxe. For the first time, Batman looked both like the millionaire Bruce Wayne is and the badass that Batman can be.

Ron Perlman stars as Hellboy. Photo credit: Columbia TriStar Films

Hellboy – Hellboy

How do you create the unique, and ok kind of grotesque, character that Hellboy is onscreen while utilizing an actor and not CGI? A question that lingers for all kinds of comic book movie costumes the world over. Director Guillermo del Toro and Costume Designer Wendy Partridge re-imagined the iconic demon as a little bit more "human-like" and used Ron Perlman's already distinct facial figures to build on the look. They also did not shy away from heavy prosthetics and Hellboy's signature red skin. Perlman added his signature, gravelly voice to the pile and we were given one of the most memorable characters of the early aughts. By not shying away from Hellboy's aggressive and somewhat repulsive look, del Toro and Partridge managed to capture the soul of the character. They succeeded without any Hollywood flash or glam and the payoff was huge.

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Wolverine – X-Men

How do you make pointy horn hair a la Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura Pet Detective and massive mutton chops look not only acceptable, but also kind of cool? Put them on Hugh Jackman and make sure he is ripped to shreds. The thing that works about Jackman's Wolverine is that he eat, sleeps, lives by the character. The hair and chops don't look strange on him because HE IS Wolverine, without a doubt he was born to play that character. By owning the role and believing in it, Jackman bottled Wolverine's essence and used it on us time and time again. One of the most well-executed characters and comic book movie costumes on this list.

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Iron Man – Iron Man/Avengers

Without a doubt, Iron Man's costume has evolved over the past few films to the perfection we find it in for today and for Avengers: Age of Ultron. What starts off as a bulky, almost comical outfit and ends in a more recognizable and acceptable suit in Iron Man, transforms in Iron Man 2 and Iron Man 3 to a suit much better matched to those of the comic books. The armor only becomes more sleek as we get to Age of Ultron, which reflects Robert Downey Jr.'s take on the classic hero. Clean cut, powerful, and effective, of the more visually stunning comic book movie costumes on this list. The suit is an engineer's dream and a comic book movie fan's cup of tea because it not only brings to life technical possibilities but also a character born on paper and brought to life.

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Thor – Avengers/Thor

We have to give Marvel another round of applause because the continually knock it out of the park when it comes to their characters and their onscreen costumes. Chris Hemsworth's Thor is no exception to this rule. Of course, they get a lot of help here by Hemsworth himself whose own facial features match those of comic book character's to a disturbing degree. But even with the gift of a classically handsome Hemsworth, the costume designers nail this one by staying close to the originally drawn suit of Thor. From the armor, to the belt, straps, and thick burgundy cape, they nail it.

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Rorschach – Watchmen

Zack Snyder's Watchmen is perhaps one of the closest matching adaptations out there, sometimes even matching shots to panels from the original comic book. Creating a pretty great version of the story for the big screen. The movie costumes are no exception here, staying true to every detail of the characters. From costuming to casting to makeup, our heroes are brought to life in stunning detail. Rorschach is the best example of the fine work done on costuming for this movie. From the simple but perfectly put together trench to the infamous masking, Rorschach looks as though he has jumped right out the pages of the original. Though it seems like it could be easy to put together, the fact that the costume was kept simple is the real success here.

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V – V for Vendetta

V from V for Vendetta is one of those costumes we categorize as perfect in it's simplicity. Our favorite Guy Fawkes mask wearing avenger is simple while mysterious and a little bit scary. Masks always peak our interest while also keeping us a little bit afraid of what is underneath. Not to mention the use of the long hair and hat create shadows throughout the movie that echo back to the original comic book pages in a beautiful and visually stunning way.

What we've found most interesting about putting this list of comic book movie costumes together is that a comic book movie doesn't need to approach costuming in one way to make our heroes a hit. In some cases we have loved updated and new takes on costumes and in other cases we have loved the movies that don't mess with the originals and keep them simple, recognizable, and clean. What does matter is that they honor our beloved characters with whatever choices they make and make them believable.

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