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Iron Spider |
For years, Marvel had dabbled with putting Spider-Man in an armored suit, often with disastrous results (see Web of Spider-Man #100, which features an armored Spider-Man that resembles a disco ball). But the Iron Spider suit, which was first illustrated by artist Ron Garney and made its debut during the build-up to Marvel’s “Civil War” event in 2006, was bombastic and excessive in all the right ways. Abilties-wise, the Iron Spider attire offers Spider-Man an array of new powers, including retractable mechanical arms, a glider function, a mask filter and enhanced optical lenses.
Spider-Man’s tenure in the Iron Spider outfit also represents a unique time for the character. The costume is designed and gifted to him by Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, who Spider-Man develops a close friendship with after he “dies” during “The Other” arc. The color-scheme intentionally echoes the famous red and yellow Iron Man suit, as Tony sets Peter up in the attire not only to enhance his abilities, but to let the rest of the superhero world know which side Spider-Man is on for the divisive Superhero Registration Act battle that drives “Civil War.”
Spidey wears the suit through the first half of the “Civil War” until he switches sides about halfway through and joins the forces of the anti-superhero registration faction led by Captain America. Elements of the suit resurfaced about seven years later during the Superior Spider-Man era, most notably the retractable arms – an editorial decision that makes sense considering how the aptly named Doctor Octopus is actually the one currently controlling Peter Parker’s body and brain.
5. Ultimate Spider-Man (Miles Morales)
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Ultra-Spider |
The death of the Ultimate universe’s Peter Parker in 2011 sent shockwaves through the world of comics, especially when Marvel announced that the Ultimate Spider-Man mantel would be passed on to a new teenage character, Miles Morales. But Miles has proven to be a very viable alternative to Peter in the two-plus years of his fictitious existence, and his slick, black and red-webbing costume, as designed by artist Sara Pichelli, is a real visual standout.
From a storyline perspective, after Miles receives powers from a genetically-enhanced spider (similar to Peter’s origins in both the mainstream and Ultimate universes), he tries his hand at being Spider-Man only to be criticized for wearing the same costume as his tragically deceased predecessor. Agreeing that the classic red and blues were in “bad taste,” Miles creates a new outfit that combines elements of Marvel’s black Spidey suit, with subtle touches from the classic red and blues.
Miles will continue to wear this new costume when his series reboots this April. And there’s no reason for him to change. The Ultimate suit is an instant classic and helps differentiate Miles visually from his predecessor. Pichelli’s sleek design is a perfect demonstration of why she received a 2011 Eagle award for best newcomer artist.
6. Scarlet Spider Hoodie
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Scarlet Spider Hoodie |
Superheroes are often attired in capes and cloaks but hooded sweatshirts don’t typically enter into the equation. And yet when the Spider-Man’s clone, Ben Reilly, was reintroduced in 1994, artist Tom Lyle developed arguably the most famous hoodie in comic book history.
Ben’s blue sweatshirt works thematically for what the character represents at the time of his reappearance, which kicks off the start of the controversial “Clone Saga” storyline. Spider-Man’s clone was last seen during the Bronze Age era and was believed to be dead. Instead, readers learn that the clone had been living as a hermit for five years before making his way back into New York City to throw a wrench into Peter Parker/Spider-Man’s life.
It’s only a sweatshirt, but the hoodie is a nice touch by Lyle, as it subtly communicates the character’s outcast status. Plus, for those of us who aren’t into hardcore cosplay, Ben’s blue hoodie is an easy piece of clothing to purchase and throw-on to demonstrate our Spider-Man fandom.
7. Stealth Costume
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Stealth Costume |
When Dan Slott took over as the sole writer on Amazing Spider-Man in 2010, there was a renewed focus on Peter Parker’s scientific aptitude and inventiveness. Remember, Peter is the same guy who developed one of the greatest superhero accessories in comic book history, Spidey’s web shooters. During the “Big Time” storyline, Peter is hired by the fictitious Horizon Labs, and immediately utilizes the resources at the facility to develop innovative technology, including a new stealth costume that features cloaking and sound-canceling abilities.
As is often the case, necessity proves to be the mother of invention. Peter develops the stealth suit (which first appears in Amazing Spider-Man #650) to defend himself against the brand new Hobgoblin, who had been taking down opponents using a “sonic scream.”
After “Big Time,” the suit resurfaces during “Spider Island,” when Peter’s clone Kaine dons the stealth costume in order to combat the Spider Queen. Kaine periodically wore the stealth suit in his own solo series, Scarlet Spider, which was cancelled in 2013.
8. FF Spider-Man
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FF Spider |
After the (temporary) death of his good friend Johnny Storm, Spider-Man is recruited by the surviving members of the Fantastic Four to join their new team, the Future Foundation (shortened to FF). Right before the new team’s first mission together, Spider-Man preemptively grabs an old Fantastic Four costume out of his closet (perhaps the same one left over from his time as the Amazing Bagman) and declares himself ready to roll. When the FF tell him that using the old costume is disrespectful to Johnny’s legacy, Spidey is forced to suit up in one of the group’s new black and white get-ups.
While Spidey initially carps at the attire, thinking it makes him look like one of his villains, Anti-Venom, he eventually relents and swings into action in the black and whites. Spider-Man continues to wear this costume in a handful of Amazing Spider-Man issues, and for the first 12 issues of the FF series, until Johnny returns to the team in Fantastic Four #600.
On a personal note, I thought the FF attire was a nice change of pace for Spidey, and the almost clinical black and white color scheme successfully embodied the “future” in the Future Foundation.
9. Captain Universe Spider-Man
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Captain Universe Spider |
For a brief, but memorable run of issues in the early 1990s, the “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” obtained the great cosmic power of Captain Universe. Some of Spider-Man’s new abilities included flight, x-ray vision and telekinesis, while his own existing powers (strength, speed, spider-sense) were amplified exponentially.
In the final chapter of the “Cosmic Spider-Man Saga,” Spidey becomes aware that his new powers are derived from Captain Universe, and this discovery allows him to physically embody the cosmic superhero. Artist Erik Larsen blends elements of the Captain Universe entity’s blue and white color scheme, with the classic red and blue Spider-Man costume. In this form, Spider-Man uses his immense power to stop a Tri-Sentinel from destroying a nuclear power plant. By the end of the battle, Spider-Man loses the Captain Universe abilities, and he physically goes back to the red and blues.
10. The Amazing Bagman
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Amazing Bagman |
Not a practical superhero costume by any stretch, writer Tom DeFalco and artist Ron Frenz managed to create one of comic book history’s greatest visual gags when Peter Parker was forced to become the Amazing Bagman.
Peter acquires these inglorious duds in Amazing Spider-Man #258 when he visits the Fantastic Four in their Baxter Building headquarters to inquire about the strange new black costume that he had picked up in Marvel Secret Wars #8. Upon studying the costume, Reed Richards determines it is an alien symbiote and that Spider-Man should get rid of it right away.
Unfortunately, Spider-Man isn’t prepared for such a scenario, and didn’t pack a back-up costume. Because Spidey still cherishes his secret identity, Johnny Storm, ever the prankster, pulls an old Fantastic Four costume out of storage and provides Spidey with a paper bag to cover his face (a “kick me” sign on the back is the cherry on top). On the way home, Spidey stops a crime as the new Amazing Bagman, proving he could still be a hero, even when he looks like a jerk.
Despite being designed as a one-off joke, the costume has persevered. The Amazing Bagman skin is an unlockable item in a few Spider-Man video games, and the get-up is still alive and well on the cosplay circuit.
Haha So Cute ... ^_^