Every week, a secret cabal of Marvel staffers gathers to discuss the best of the best when it comes to the House of Ideas.
It's a very special edition of Take 10 this week as we celebrate Fashion Week in New York City as well as the release of MODELS, INC. #1 by picking out Marvel's best-dressed heroes and villains!
Not only did the Secret Cabal make our picks for the finest fashions from the House of Ideas, we had Marvel.com's Senior Fashion Correspondent-and personal friend of "Project Runway" co-host Tim Gunn-to get her take on our favorites. In some cases, she lauded our selections; in some cases...she did not. In fact, she insisted on throwing one of her own in as well.
For each character you get the quick rundown as well as a special spotlight comic courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
As always, these picks reflect the personal choices of the Secret Cabal, not the official opinion of Marvel or Marvel.com, and can be considered subjective at best. Enjoy!
Margarita's Pick: NOVA (Classic costume))
First Appearance: NOVA #1 (1976)
Last Regular Appearance: ANNIHILATION: NOVA #1 (2006)
Margarita's Take: "It can be tough to balance fashion that is both stylish and functional, but Nova's blue and gold costume succeeds on both counts. The three gold bursts on his chest and red and gold helmet add dynamic elements to the look without being over-the-top. And besides looking great, the helmet picks up radio transmissions and the entire ensemble doubles as a space suit. Talk about being fashion forward!"
Spotlight Comic: ANNIHILATION: PROLOGUE (2006)-The Nova Corps' last stand!
10. DOCTOR DOOM)
First Appearance: FANTASTIC FOUR #5 (1962)
Last Regular Appearance: Currently in use
Margarita's Take: "A tunic over armor? No thanks..."
Spotlight Comic: BOOKS OF DOOM #1 (2005)-The history of Doom!
9. IRON FIST (Modern costume))
First Appearance: IMMORTAL IRON FIST #6 (2007)
Last Regular Appearance: Currently in use
Margarita's Take: "Don't let Iron Fist's yellow belt fool you; this guy packs a punch with his martial arts expertise and looks stylish doing it. This costume gets an update from the prior Kung Fu ensemble. The yellow emblem on his chest is the only ornate detail to this suit, with yellow gloves and mask to offset the green body suit. The overall effect is classy and understated."
Spotlight Comic: IMMORTAL IRON FIST #8 (2007)-Danny Rand takes his new look to the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven tournament!
8. HAWKEYE (Classic costume)
First Appearance: TALES OF SUSPENSE #57 (1964)
Last Regular Appearance: AVENGERS #76 (2004)
Margarita's Take: "Super heroes are larger than life, and should have costumes that set them apart from the crowd. Hawkeye's vivid purple and blue costume is flamboyant and memorable. The look hints at a medieval tunic, but with a dramatic colorful update, creating a strong visual identity for this modern day Robin Hood."
Spotlight Comic: AVENGERS #16 (1965)-Hawkeye shines up his classic togs to join the Avengers!
7. DAREDEVIL
First Appearance: DAREDEVIL #7 (1965)
Last Regular Appearance: Currently in use
Margarita's Take: "He may be blind, but Matt Murdock still has an eye for fashion. Having a costume consisting of a single bright color is a bold choice, but the fit and matching accessories of the gloves, boots, and belt defy style conventions with positive results. The entwined double D logo gives the ensemble a subtle but strong sense of identity."
Spotlight Comic: DAREDEVIL #8 (1965)-The Man Without Fear sees how his crimson costume holds up against Stilt Man!
6. VENOM (Original))
First Appearance: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #299 (1988)
Last Regular Appearance: SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #5 (2003)
Margarita's Take: "Venom is a good example of how the same outfit can look dramatically different on two people. On Spider-Man, the black suit with white spider emblem works well and hints at a darker side to his persona. However, on Venom the suit takes on greater sinister proportions, showing off this villain's sculpted physique to great effect."
Spotlight Comic: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #316 (1989)-It's Venom vs Spider-Man, round two!
5. WOLVERINE (Brown and tan))
First Appearance: UNCANNY X-MEN #139 (1980)
Last Regular Appearance: WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #27 (2008)
Margarita's Take: "Wolverine's look has alternated over the years between two main costumes. The yellow and blue ensemble, while a tried and true classic, does not suit him nearly as well as the brown and tan. The latter is more masculine and less cartoonish, and the earth tones compliment his brawn and show off his claws better than the primary colors. As one of the toughest heroes in the Marvel Universe, this costume and its wearer demands to be taken seriously."
Spotlight Comic: WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #1 (2006)-Logan returns to his classic look as he investigates his past!
4. BLACK BOLT
First Appearance: FANTASTIC FOUR #45 (1965)
Last Regular Appearance: Currently in use
Margarita's Take: "When you are a silent but powerful monarch, your clothes should speak volumes. Black Bolt cuts a sleek and imposing figure in a black suit with silver accents and lines zigzagging down his torso. What makes this look truly memorable and unique is the small antenna on his forehead and the metal wings that unfold from beneath his arms. Black Bolt makes a great impression without saying a word."
Spotlight Comic: FANTASTIC FOUR #46 (1966)-The FF feels the power of Black Bolt!
3. IRON MAN (Classic red and gold)
First Appearance: TALES OF SUSPENSE #48 (1963)
Last Regular Appearance: IRON MAN #200 (1985)
Margarita's Take: "Using the sleek design elements and vivid colors of a racecar, Tony Stark's red and gold Iron Man armor is not only streamlined striking, it's just plain cool. It took a few tries to get the armor just right, but the result is an eye-catching, perfectly sculpted suit of armor that looks better on Stark than any tuxedo."
Spotlight Comic: TALES OF SUSPENSE #50 (1963)-Clad in his classic red and gold, Iron Man meets the Mandarin!
2. STORM (Mohawk and leather))
First Appearance: UNCANNY X-MEN #173 (1983)
Last Regular Appearance: UNCANNY X-MEN #225 (1988)
Margarita's Take: "Not many characters in the Marvel Universe could pull off a Mohawk and leather ensemble while retaining the sense of majesty that Storm does. This look transforms her into a modern super hero-edgy and tough yet still classy and dignified."
Spotlight Comic: UNCANNY X-MEN #201 (1986)-Storm and her edgy look take on Cyclops for leadership of the X-Men!
1. SPIDER-MAN (Classic costume)
First Appearance: AMAZING FANTASY #15 (1962)
Last Regular Appearance: Currently in use
Margarita's Take: "What is more iconic than Spidey's classic red and blue suit? Black spider webs on red are offset by solid blue panels to create one of the most recognizable costumes in comics' history. Even without the black spider emblem on his chest, you would recognize this super hero anywhere."
Spotlight Comic: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #259 (1984)-The red and blue returns!
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[color=seagreen:dbba4ad349]Marrow's look during "The Shattering" is good, too, even if colorists had to make it look different for the Comics Code, LOL.[/color:dbba4ad349]
I happen to like Dagger as well. Now-a-days you can't get much hotter than Emma Frost's outfit!
i like ronin myself over the purple and blue robin hood.
:8d605b4b66="neling"]No, no, no! Doctor Doom is number one! :evil: [/quote:8d605b4b66]
:aa70c78fe2="neling"]No, no, no! Doctor Doom is number one! :evil: Black Bolt is number two, I have always liked his little blue wings. :cool: Hawkeye would be number three of those choices. Why isn't Havok there? His cool black leotard deserves a spot on the "best-dressed" list.Pete Wisdom's wrinkled suit should be there as well.[/quote:aa70c78fe2]If we are going with Pete Wisdom's wrinkled ...
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:aa70c78fe2="neling"]No, no, no! Doctor Doom is number one! :evil: Black Bolt is number two, I have always liked his little blue wings. :cool: Hawkeye would be number three of those choices. Why isn't Havok there? His cool black leotard deserves a spot on the "best-dressed" list.Pete Wisdom's wrinkled suit should be there as well.[/quote:aa70c78fe2]If we are going with Pete Wisdom's wrinkled suit then we need to add Foggy Nelson and his awesome bow ties! ;)
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