Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Legion costumes - rants!

All of them?!

Surely there are a couple that don't past muster. I think Shadow Lass's is the probaby the worst -- even though it's an attempt to update the Cockrum/Grell version. And Timber Wolf's is so -- well, boring.

I don't want ANY of the old Cockrum costumes.
Why would anyone want to wear something so old?

I've got some things from the 90's I still wear but they're just comfortable, not stylish.

Classic is fine but come on, let's have some fresh air!

And like cleome, I like a unified look with variations.
The Legion is a TEAM.

A team, yes. A platoon, no!

The unified look works for the Fantastic Four. I like that the Legion is made up of individuals -- and that's part of the reason I like the Bronze Age Legion better than the Silver Age verion. It was too homogenous -- from the personalities to the costumes.

I really don't mind if the Cockrum costumes aren't used -- as long as new versions are better or at least as good. Of course, taste is subjective, but it seems that the Frank costumes are more controversial than most.

My biggest problem with Timber Wolf is that he should never have lost the feral look. That said, the Frank costume is probably the worst of all of Brin's -- with the exception of the white/red from the horribe post Furball period. I think Kitson's design could have used a bit more orange in it -- something that Manapul rectified.

I guess a large part of the appeal of Legion to me was the great visual aspect, and that's something I feel is lost with the current uniforms.

Oh, I don't know. Updating of Legion costumes has become a reality over the years. We are viewed as being so intractable on other things, I think allowing a little leeway on costumes is a minor enough thing to accept.

I mean, yes, some are better than others, but thats been the case from the first change itself.

I think this is a great idea,put it to a vote.

The one thing that has been missing from the Legion even before the reboots,is fan participation.

Whether it was a vote for Legion leadership,creating characters for tryouts or fan designed costumes.

I can't seem to remember if other team books used to do this,but I know the Legion did.

Yes, I like a more feral look for Wolf and a more Asian look for Val (he's dead now so .)

I don't think the kids in the reboot looked like a platoon ~ they just had a few basic costume
starting points:

* high collars that they could open, close, turn up, turn down, etc.
* a center panel of a different color that could be subtle or contrasty, light or dark, hold a design or be plain, end on the torso or extend down the legs, etc.
* utility belts that carried things, or didn't and had a Legion symbol buckle.

Everything else ~ color, capes, gloves, boots/shoes, headgear, sleeves, lengths, loose or formfitting, skirts/pants/shorts/etc. and cutouts, were open for interpretation and creativity.

I just prefer something like that, not military sameness, just a cohesive, somehow identifying, over all concept.

Which I wish we would get from fan submissions but I don't think we would.

Maybe, an artist could start with fan designs and modify them into a 'look'.

I know, they could hire a real designer, like Christian or Chloe!

I get the impression that you think that because the archives included Legion stories from Superboy 184, 188, 190, 191, 193, 195, and 197 that they left out the Legion stories that appeared in the intervening issues. Is that true? Because the Legion didn't appear in the intervening issues. They only appeared sporadically in their Superboy backup position, until they took over the book with #197 that is.

There are also new Legion stories in Superboy 172, 173, 176, and 183. All drawn by George Tuska, I believe, and all pretty forgettable. Some intermittent issues featured reprints from Adventure Comics.

I'm not opposed to change,when the change is for the better,that said for the most part Frank's designs make them look like the Legion of Caribbean-Heroes,instead of the Legion of Super-Heroes in my opinion.

Heres a rundown of my favorite costumes for each Legionnaire.

Blok - Lightle
Bouncing Boy - Original
Brainiac 5 - Manupal or Frank
Chameleon Boy - Cockrum
Chameleon Girl - Frank
Chemical King - Original/Cockrum tweak
Colossal Boy - Cockrum
Cosmic Boy - Perez (used by Giffen), or Sprouse
Dawnstar - Grell or Frank
Dream Girl - Cockrum(Sherman really gave it a mirrored look)
Duo Damsel - Fan design used by Cockrum
Element Lad - Cockrum
Ferro Lad - Swan
Invisible Kid (Lyle) - Sprouse
Invisible kid (Jacques) - Giffen
Karate Kid (Val) - Cockrum (later brought back by Grell)
Karate Kid (Myg) - Lightle
Lightning Lad - Cockrum
Lightning Lass - Lightle
Magnetic Kid - Needed a redesign
Matter-Eater Lad - Original
Mon-El - Original
Night Girl - Colon/Giffen
Phantom Girl - Giffen or Maupal
Polar Boy - Lightle
Princess Projectra - Cockrum
Quislet - never mind
Saturn Girl - Lightle or Manupal
Sensor Girl - see Princess Projectra
Shadow Lass - Cockrum or Perez(used by Giffen)
Shrinking Violet - Cockrum
Star Boy - Cockrum
Sun Boy - Original
Superboy - Kal-El
Supergirl - Hotpants
Tellus - He's naked
Timber Wolf - Lightle,but with Cockrum face and Hair.
Tyroc - Somebody please redesign his costume
Ultra Boy - Original
White Witch - Giffen
Wildfire - Cockrum

Lyle had more than one costume? Didn't he die in his original one?

He's referring to the Invisible Kid from "Legionnaires" -- the team that was originally clones of the original Legion -- then switched over to being a second Legion book when the team was rebooted.

I liked Sun Boy's look as Inferno in Legionnaires. Simple, yet effective. Of course, I liked the classic version as well. And Manapul came up with a good look for the character right before Legion was cancelled.

Didn't like the yellow tights on Sun Boy that Kitson created.

And yeah, I'd like to see Val Armorr return to the Legion. Screw Keith Giffen!

Timber Wolf having Wolverine-style gelled hair is not a feral look.
It looks as if he has far too much time on his hands and is too interested in his hair.

I *think* I mostly agree with your choices, but I'll admit that I can't remember half of them that well. The only one I know that I don't agree with fully is Projectra, because I kind of loved the light purple bodysuit that Kitson put her in. (Although, arguably, that Projectra is a fairly different character.)

We totally need a costume gallery...

Wow! This is a popular thread! 3 pages already in only 1 day. I guess Legion costumes are a hot topic here at Legion World.

For what it's worth - I really like the Frank designs. I also really liked the Cockrum/Grell designs and the Adventure-era designs and the reboot costumes as well. But those costumes were all reflections of their eras, and like-it-or-not those eras (like most of those costumes) are all gone.

Maybe those who prefer the older costumes can take comfort in the fact that at least some of the Legionnaires are still sporting them - Sun Boy, Bouncing Boy, Element Lad, Dream Girl, Star Boy, Tellus, Mon-el, Sensor Girl and Quislet (and maybe even Chameleon Boy and Tyroc) all seem to be wearing un-updated costumes. That's a sizeable chunk.

Oh, of course. Duh!

I WAS under that impression, Jim.
Thank-you for taking the time to let me know better.

Just doin' my job, Ma'am. Isn't it a relief to know that you didn't miss anything after all?

Were the Tuska stories included in the Archives? Waste of paper, imho. I only have Archive #1, which I bought to get the first Legion appearance. I can't afford Adv. #247, but I have all of the other Legion appearances in the original form.

Most of the Legion backup stories in Superboy mentioned (Tuska and Cockrum artwork, and others) are in Archive #10. It also begins the full length S&LSH run, including the DD&BB wedding!

In regard to the uniforms, I like the idea that the adult Legionnaires would want to change their clothes from when they were kids. I don't mind artists experimenting with different uniforms (you may never get the next 'great' one otherwise) as long as the characters remain identifiable visually.

I agree that the new look of Wildfire has taken a step back, and Jacques looks more like a GAP assistant now, but I dig Timber Wolf's beard and classic colors and Dawnstar's outfit is an upgrade for me.

Maybe these can be worked into some story subplots (like trippin' Arathmites on the loose), and how Brainy and Jo and Garth all want to get their hair cut NOT at the place Imra got hers.

I LOVE it when someone else does all the work and I can ~swooooop in and just change (or not) the list to reflect MY pov, if I can find them all!
Thanks!


Andromeda/Laurel Gand - Sprouse
Blok - I've never really liked any of his outfits
Bouncing Boy - Cockrum's wedding outfit, just the jumpsuit without the sash, cape with collar, necklace and high boots
Brainiac 5 - Coipel's look for Brainy
Chameleon (Boy) - DnA's Cham is my favorite, so Coipel
Yera - don't care
Chemical King - Swan, from the adult Legion cover
Colossal Boy - Kitson
Cosmic Boy - Kitson
Dawnstar - Grell's origianl that didn't show everything
Dream Girl - as drawn by Batista and Farmer in Legion #22 03
Duo Damsel/Triad - 1) The wedding outfit with the front and back skirt panels shortened to mid thigh and the white changed to purple 2)Sprouse
Element Lad - Coipel in the hologram with the beard and long hair (Moy or Sprouse design)
Ferro (Boy)- Sprouse as drawn by Batista and Farmer
Gates - with the hood
Gear - as drawn by Batista and Farmer
Invisible Kid (Lyle) - Sprouse's black and white
Invisible kid (Jacques) - Giffen
Karate Kid (Val) - Sprouse as drawn by Batista and Farmer in #22 03
Karate Kid (Myg) - Lightle
Live Wire/Lightning Lad - Sprouse
Light/Ligntning Lass - fan design introduced by Cockrum
Magnetic Kid - Giffen
Matter-Eater Lad - Sprouse
Mon-El/M'Onel/Valor - Giffen in his last battle with the Trapper
Monstress - as drawn by Batista and Farmer
Night Girl - Swan
Phantom Girl/Apparition/Phase - Phase as drawn by Kitson
Princess Projectra - The Naga (no clothes) as drawn by Batista and Farmer in 'Legion' #22 03
Quantum Kid II - Coipel's version
Quislet - never mind
Saturn Girl - as an adult with short hair and the Perez look that I know was designed for the Lightning Saga
Sensor Girl - see Princess Projectra
Shadow Lass/Umbra - Moy's design as drawn by Coipel
Shikari - Coipel with the retracting black armour
Shrinking Violet - Cockrum only the violet colored version, whoever did that
Star Boy/Man - Cockrum but hooded version, who ever did that in JSA?
Sun Boy/Inferno - Sprouse
Superboy - Alex Ross version for the Legion
Supergirl - Alex Ross version for the Legion
Tellus - he's naked (yeah)
Timber Wolf - his Coipel look especially as drawn by Batista and Farmer
Tyroc - Somebody please redesign his costume
Ultra Boy - they're all about the same but I like him with the jacket
White Witch/Jewel/Black Witch - Swan's oufit and Jewel's lavendar hair
Wildfire - Coipel
XS - J.Moy as seen on the cover of Legionnaires #76

I couldn't find all of the exact creators, so sometimes, I went with the artist who drew them the way I liked their look the best.
Sorry if that's confusing or a copout.

Liking costumes that span the whole of the Legion's existance is hard work.
I'm tired.

The Archives are only a waste if your original issues weren't all stolen from where they were stored!
sigh

And yes, all of Cockrum's issues are in Archive #10!

To be completely honest, Phantom Girl in bell bottoms and pigtails is definitely a look from another era. Lightning Lad's costume, however, is a very classic design that holds up today -- much like Spiderman's costume, Phoenix's (another Cockrum classic) or Daredevil's just to name a few.

Here are the costumes that I think hold up (for various reasons):

Silver Age/Bronze Age Ultra Boy -- much like Superboy's/Superman's costme -- it just says Ultra Boy. Tweak it if you must with some goofy brown leather, but the swimsuit-style Frank seemed to be going with doesn't suit Jo.

Lightning Lad -- very streamlined and classic. Heck, Benes stole the design for Black Lightning.

Mon-El -- see Ultra Boy. Quasi-military look with no frills. The starfield added in the 90s to Mo'Nel (groan) was better left to...

Star Boy -- great use of a starfield and simple design -- white boots and gloves. No cape, white pants or giant star logo necessary.

Timber Wolf -- Either the Cockrum or Lightle version, please. Manpul's wasn't bad -- but the bare feet thing seemed a bit over the top. I just want the Cockrum hair and face back. He didn't have to style it that way -- it was the way it grew.

These are the costumes that could use some minor modificatons:

Cockrum Shrinking Violet -- I liked the violet color in the 80s. The 70s hairdo needs updated -- otherwise, perfect. The styless mini skirt she's wearing now cries (I didn't put any thought into designing this drab outfit).

Cockrum Colossal Boy -- The bucaneer boots have long since fallen out of favor. The vest with the point shoulders can go, but everything else is pretty good. I like the topless "hood", but others may disagree.

Giffen Duo Damsel -- very simple, yet effective use of the orange and purple. I didn't like the outfit she wore at the end of L3W -- looked like something out of the Silver Age.

Kitson Light Lass -- better use of the arrow than 70s Element Lad (a uniform I dug in the 70s). No idea why Manapul changed it, but it was cool. I think it could be updated to replace the arrow mofit with a bolt motif and viola!

These are costumes that definitely are dated:

Cockrum Wildfire. LOVED it in the 70s. The boots and bubble helmet are a bit weird in the Millenium. Keep the color scheme and insignai, change the helmet. The clear plastic casing is not something Drake would wear -- as he doesn't want a constant reminder that he's no longer human.

Cockrum Phantom Girl -- Her look was so sexy in the 70s, but very anachronistic in this day and age. Both Kitson's and Manapul's designs were okay. I liked the Phase outfit from the 90s, but it could probably use an update as well. Frank's version didn't bother me, but it looked a bit like the fan-submitted outfit with the pearls from the early 70s. Okay, but not great. I'd like to see someone totally reinvent her costume -- maybe something more flowing.

Cockrum/Grell Karate Kid. I liked Manapuls update.

Princess Projectra/Sensor Girl. Loved the 70s costume back then. None of her costumes are okay as is. I thought Kitson's was boring, and the Sensor Girl outfit is too busy.


And these are the Gary Frank uniforms that have to go:

Lightning Lad
Shrinking Violet
Timber Wolf
Colossal Boy -- too militaristic for the Legion.
Shadow Lass
Wildfire (actually a cool design -- just not approp for the character)
Ultra Boy (just unnecessary -- and not an improvement).

As for Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy -- I can live with the costumes (though neither are great), but both they and Garth need to change hairstyles.

And there are some costumes I liked that still work today, but I don't mind updates.

Dream Girl -- either Cockrum or Adam Hughes (from the end of the preboot Legionnaires). Haven't really like any of her outfits since.

Sun Boy -- either classic Silver Age or Adam Hughes preboot Legionnaires -- with the yellow vertical strip topped with flame.

I was asking if the Tuska-drawn stories were reprinted. That's what I considered a waste of paper, not the Archives themselves.

Oh!

See... you went on your high-horse ... mmm-hmmm.