Costumes in General : Professional, Cosplay, whatever.

[Gold Rush]

So, this here is an answer to D-Man's question about Spandex and costumes in the "Marvel Universe" thread over in the Cinema section. I had remembered some costumes that were not stunning from research in an earlier thread.

Basically, my purpose was to find "bad examples" of spandex; D-Man brought up the notion of why they do not use it more in Hollywood movies. I've only known about good costumes a bit, but strangely, I found many good to fair examples.

First, come caveats :

*) Maybe this is from a guy's perspective, but generally, if you have a woman with a good enough body, almost any costume can work. Sure, there are bad costumes, but generally, there are "pros" that seem to enjoy dressing up for cons.

*) While this thread may not last long, feel free to put in any costume idea, from new shots of professional costumes, to badly designed ones, to Anime, to Hentai, to off-the-wall stuff, to sexy, etc. It does not have to be comic book related necessariy. It can even be children's costumes.

So, let's begin in the next post :

[Gold Rush]

First of all let's start with this image and a critque:

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/0a926e0128952d65ae1ec4c7858f72214a52bdb7.jpg

Generally, alright. Nightwing does not look too bad. Wouldn't be terrible to see him in a movie. Even Deathstroke looks alright, except for the sequence. I believe he was trying for the layered-scales look and while sequins is cheap/accessible, it may not be for all costumes. He is a bit too shiny.

Now, Aquaman :

http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/f5036ab61d6f9688d0dda5e6ea0cc6805bffa5eb.pjpg

Technically, the scales DO look strange, but hold on. This guy used clear plastic disks over an orange shirt; not sequins. It does give a bit of illusion as to fish scales glistening in the light. So, not too bad an idea. Maybe the camera flash could've shown it off better. Belts and gloves look alright. Tied beard may've been more something he did not want to shave and incorporated it.


Now, here is sorta an example of a "bad" idea, but in this case, it translates well, because the source material has a retro-comedic element. Blue Falcon :

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8020/bf5ed9.jpg

Now, from what I commented above, this costume would work. I hope no one expects a "gritty realistic" remake of Blue Falcon; it should be a "fun" movie, if it ever was made. This costume does have some great quality elements and just enough of "classic spandex cheese" to pull it off nicely.


Onto...Bucky-Cap!

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj151/AlexDrummer360/IMG_2640.jpg

Now, this costume does show it was put/sewn together well, but the elements don't quite come together in a "heroic" fashion, truthfully. I can tell some time and effort was put forth, but it's not just one thing, it's a few things that are wrong. Much of the (shiny) material, the way the fabric crinkles in certain places (like under the arms), and I think the "A" and Chest "Star" should have been rendered in another way. Also, I believe in "working to your body type". I apply it to myself and hope others apply it as well (although I haven't been in any costume for many years!).



Now, a better looking Captain America :

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b99/blackmanta/mycap.jpg

Now, this is definitely a better costume, but it does have it's share of problems. It works well, but perhaps the lower part truly should be in leather and not spandex. I think one of the problems spandex has on guys is "accentuating" certain male elements. This ain't a bad thing, but I think sometimes such things should be done in a tasteful manner. Maybe a Cup? Something that would fit/look well with the costume. Also, I like how he uses the sequins, but it DOES fail in some areas, note the areas connecting his arm to his torso and then the color seperation of white and blue on his arm. The squins really should cover these areas. Still, a very nice costume, but...is it movie worthy?


A Night crawler attempt :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/greenarrowfl/Assorted%20costumes/crawler2.jpg

Now, I need remind you, sometimes photos don't show "everything". From this angle, it does look fairly nice, but again, there are problems with wrinkles; heroes *and villians) shouldn't have too many wrinkles in the wrong places (blast/bless comic book artists). The eyes are also a problem, although I understand why he did it. Good attempt.

(More)

[Gold Rush]

Now, here is a seeminly very good attempt on Taskmaster below. Although I would have gone with a more 3-d molded skull mask, this works very well. Again, a few concerns if this could work in a movie or even TV show, but it DOES look very good from this angle.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b99/blackmanta/Dragon%20Con%202006/DSC04816.jpg

Union Jack. Now, again, I remind you of camera angles, but this attempt does seem full of "awesome", especially for a "WW2" Silver-Age style of costume. Again, I'd probably use thiker material in some parts.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b99/blackmanta/Dragon%202006%20projects/union1.jpg

Now, here is a good attempt, but I would submit, the camera angle is definitely hiding some things that are bad. Carnage looks menacing enough...but that's head on. Only one direction. Things that bother me in these type of translations is the "pesky nature" of human anatomy. :P In other words, one can see his face/head through Carnage's mouth in a side view. While the costume seems okay (although the lighting is too dark to tell truly) the mask is...a bit unprofessional. I have a problem with the white eyes and mouth/jaw area. Sometimes, efforts do fail. This seems more like something for CGI...or CG-enhanced.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/pollyestergrimm/Photo306.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/pollyestergrimm/Photo303.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/pollyestergrimm/Photo307.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/pollyestergrimm/Photo367.jpg

[Yin]

To be honest if I saw any of these on the big screen I'd walk out. They all look tacky as hell.

[Gold Rush]

A break with some women.

While I do say Women have more leeway, there can be problems.

Take this Rogue, for example.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/greenarrowfl/Assorted%20costumes/RogueA.jpg

Generally, a nice Rogue, but, always it is hard to please everyone. Maybe it is the wind, but I expect...more "bigger" hair. Also, the colors are great, but, like some Hollywood folks complain, having a big bright simple color over widescreen can accentuate the ridiculousness of a costume. I am not saying this costume could not work in a movie, but the camera director would have to know how to shoot it.

Here is a "professional" modeler/cosplayer. These people are enviable but also a bit scary, but, as in most things in life, girls can get away with many things guys cannot. Here is a take on the White Queen: Emma Frost.

http://notthegeeknextdoor.com/costumes/emmafrost/emma02.jpg

Not bad, definitely could work in a movie. Doesn't hurt that the gal also looks nice in body and face. I have noticed in my research, that some people who do costumes will change their face to look more like the character and others may not (or cannot). Every little bit helps.

Contrast her above makeup to he Phoenix pics.

http://notthegeeknextdoor.com/costumes/phoenix/phoenix03.jpg

http://notthegeeknextdoor.com/costumes/darkphoenix/dp002.jpg


Modern Black Canary

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/kneelb4zod84/Black%20Canary/IMG_1892.jpg

Simple costume, really. But women can almost get away with anything. :p

Ms. Marvel. Now, this one uses that "shiny snadex" material, which I believe warms up/keeps body heat in because it does not "breathe" so well. Also, while a great costume to "oggle" at, not sure it would fit well in a serious movie.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/laughmyselfretarded/msmarvel2.jpghttp://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/laughmyselfretarded/msmarvel1.jpg

Supergirl up next. Girl is a bit thin, but it's not a total distraction. I think the boots need a bit more work. And perhaps...the costume needs something "extra", although I can't quite say what it is. More molding? Or more color seperation? (need a yellower yellow?).

http://www.starfirephoenix.net/gallery/main.php/d/1937-1/supergirl3.jpghttp://www.starfirephoenix.net/gallery/main.php/d/1925-2/supergirl1.jpg

Now, here is a costume that I feel, definitely needs to be MORE tight fitting and actually, LESS spandex. Not coverage area, but a material OTHER than spandex.

Dagger of Cloak and Dagger.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/greenarrowfl/Assorted%20costumes/cnd01.jpg

[Gold Rush]

To be honest if I saw any of these on the big screen I'd walk out. They all look tacky as hell.


I do generally agree, especially on the big screen. I think my comments may've been more directed politeness, because people did put some time and effort into these, but Hollywood has always considered to fill up the "Big Screen" with details. Why? Well, it's a BIG screen and a big flat textureless area just does not look as appealing as it may on a TV show's smaller TV screen. :)

[Kinetix]

Pretty much the only good girl ones aren't really wearing spandex. Spandex looks tacky and unrealistic. I think movies go with leather/plastic/fabric because it looks better along with just plain being more believable.

[Gold Rush]

Bleh, can't stop atm. Heck, *I* researched all this and picked a good crop. *I* spent the time, so *I* am gonna inflict this on y'all! :p

Partly, I am impressed with the effort on one hand and the other part is being scared of this sorta thing! :chuckle:

Well, if anything, it may show D-Man, at least initially, some spandex may not be a good idea.



Next up : Daredevil

http://a770.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/57/l_cfb20b5a71c950cddeeb0822ac926d11.jpg

Good attempt. Hard to see, but truthfully, I do like the Movie version more than this. Yeah, too much leather in the movie, but it worked and actually, it also made the character more different imo, than "similar" heroes. It gave him a different look. This sticks to the comic.

Another Captain America. At least, I think it's a different guy. This guy seems to have his overlapping sequins problem worked out. The bottom half at least looks better. Nice effort, but not an "Ultimates" Cap by any means. Actually, for a movie, I think Cap needs more pouches. :p Like the army belt he wears.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/63941/Cap3.jpg

Now, the Flash. I pointed it out earlier, but I think this is one of the biggest problems with a full body spandex suit; in the comics, it works. Drawn, it's great. On a big screen or in real life, you are wincing through it. (Or doing as Yin does and walking out of the movie). It is a good effort and one may easily say *very* faithful to the comic, but it looks...to put it nicely, it does not translate well into the real world or a movie screen (or even a TV screen for that matter, given what I said about the old Flash TV show).

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/kneelb4zod84/The%20Flash/IMG_2220.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/kneelb4zod84/The%20Flash/IMG_2230.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/kneelb4zod84/The%20Flash/IMG_2235.jpg

Good poses though. :)

Here is a Batman. I think the "eye-less" thing is actually there, because I have seen other pictures at cons with such a thing. Maybe the material reflects the camera flash eerily? In any event, this is a good costume. It is well built, but it won't work on the Silver Screen.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/millerbat/Sinttulo-4copiar.jpg

[Gold Rush]

Pretty much the only good girl ones aren't really wearing spandex. Spandex looks tacky and unrealistic. I think movies go with leather/plastic/fabric because it looks better along with just plain being more believable.

I also think it is a question of filming better. You have (had) 35 mm film. To have plain textures is almost a sin in filming of a movie. And to have big bright colors as well. I remember reading about discussions of the first Star Trek movie and the film crew mentioning how the Original TV show's colored shirts would not translate well to a big screen. basically, you would have this BIG area of Red or Blue or Yellow to look at with no details. While I think they coulda muted the colors and added details, they went with the "pastel" look of the day. Not a bad look, but a bit dated.

[Gold Rush]

Okay, before I break into my final posting of pics, I am gonna show some "good" attempts that are eye-popping. Been a busy day, so I may not make it to the Green Lantern stuff, but here are two "Wow" examples. Note : These are not in spandex, for the most part (although I bet they have body suits underneath).


First off, Iron Man. Apparently, this guy was working from studio released photos. Many fans tend to do this even before a movie is released, probably to be the "first one" there and a sorta "Wow" factor they can groove on. While I have seen other similar efforts, one was "bad" and the other was "alright". This one is the best.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/11658134/aview/FANMANDE_ARMOR_2.JPG

Lots of effort and planning went into it, too. And I mean "good planning". The "alright" one had a fair amount of planning but the final look was..."fair/alright". I think that is one of the things you need; a vision to see "realistically" what you can build and you need to "polish" that design so it is more detail and crisp lines than anything else.


Next up, an original design on Batman. Or several designs.

First up, from Wizard Magazine, an "Ultimates" Batman. Not too bad, but...well, check out the latter pics.

http://www.universaldesigns.ca/custom/Ultimates/new/large/1.jpg


Now, here is a take on Batman. Uses more leather than spandex and is pretty cool. A bit plain. Maybe he needs more lines, could work on a TV screen and translates to comic imagery nicely.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Darktalon/Talonposed.jpg

Note the eyes in these images. When Tim Burton did the first Batman movie (actually even before that) one of the criteria for the "next" actor to play a serious Batman was "Svengali eyes" or "Hypnotic eyes". An actor had to have that. I feel Rudolph Valentino may've had a good chance if he were alive at getting a Batman role. :D

Actually, one of the only "weak" reasons in my book that Michael Keaton got the role because of his make-up on "Beetlejuice". I think any actor could've protrayed such "wild eyes" with that make-up, heck I know *I* could even at the time! Most people like "eyeless" batman in the comics, but it is a mixed bag, especially on the Big Screen. You need to see eyes to see the emotion. Iron Man can get away with it for several reasons (but we were given in-mask close-ups of Downey talking to Jarvis).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Darktalon/newDT-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Darktalon/D-Con-2006/841593.jpg

Not bad, even the little Robin. Although, I'd probably put more accents in. Maybe some more silver outlining some of the ridges or body parts. This costume IS interesting, but it needs some color to break up the black color. Although, even the Batman movies went with this type of style decision; all black.

[TheImperial]

Ms. Marvel = Win

[Gold Rush]

Okay, let's make fun of Green Lantern and ogle the women! :)

Now, Green Lantern is classic spandex. Although many of these efforts I wanted to make fun of, I was impressed that they weren't too terrible. However, some of the designs do need work. Really, I know Hal got an update (compare his "shorts" look in "New Frontier" to his "now" look without green around the groin.

First off, a couple. The outlined abdominal muscles seem fine, but we are viewing it from a distance. These seem painted on and that's a "no-no" in movies. Actually, while such a feature works well, on one hand, it does seem silly to put them in, but on the other hand...I guess it's like I was saying earlier, "Fill in your blank spaces" and "fake" abdominal muscles, even on Bat-suits used in movies, do tend to do this.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/959022872_36f50bcaaf.jpg?v=0

Kudoes for a cute gal! :) (IMO)


Now, while the guys to the far right and left don't really work, the center guys are not too bad, but I also have the same impression I've always known with such a transfer from comic page to real-world. TOO plain in costume.

http://a304.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/74/l_25e0211a2cea7f519432b4d502ab721f.jpg

Here, where Parallax (or is it Kingdom Come Alan Scott?) is working on some areas, he does need help in the lower region. The shiny-stuff works, but it doesn't. Perhaps if they were seperate armor pieces? Guy Gardener also seems okay, but really, he needs more details in the lower section to work on a big screen. Actually, he also needs more up top, too. It is a good costume, but again, an example of real world not matching printed page.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b99/blackmanta/Dragon%20Con%202007/parallaxguy.jpg

Buddy shot of GL and GA. Again, a "good" GL costume, but just too plain in details. Not the guy's fault. The Green Arrow costume at least has some more visual cues to please the eye, but it also "needs more". I'd like to say GA's costume could work on TV, but I do think it "needs more", the boots, for example and the leg tights. A few bits here and there on the upper portion.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/kneelb4zod84/Green%20Lantern/EmeraldAllies3.jpg


Now, HERE is an example of going TOO FAR the other way, not using spandex, but leather. I think this is, again, too plain. I think, for spandex or anything, you need to accenuate. It needs to keep the eye moving to give "Wow" factor. This suit sorta fails in that.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/727257168bd8ca3100e592c457f1e8cd8f1a8c4.jpghttp://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/01415a6cd4a20c5534dab59ba1b118d3a9106e8.jpg http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/30335a296e09d693aefa0efd54aa9cf56c277a1.jpg

A "John Stewart" model

http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/3823604e27895246e31ab00d84e6c753b21c6e4f.pjpg

And another girl GL posing with GL. I don't recall this suit being so shiny in the comics (I am pretty sure she is the "Doctor Rookie" GL in the new comics). Not too bad looking, imo, but have to see her up close. :p

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/kneelb4zod84/Green%20Lantern/WWGreenLanterns.jpg

And for now, that is that! Post your own discoveries.

[Kinetix]

Also all this spandex highlights just how out of shape a lot of these cosplayers are.

[Krypto]

Indeed.
Important thing to note: If you're overweight, don't cosplay a character who isn't. It just doesn't work.

[Tarkenchi]

Cough. I agree with the two above me.

http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/aaBlog/2004/media/04-21_TronCostumeByJayMaynard.jpg

[Charon]

Wow, that guy has some serious cameltoe.

I once saw a guy wearing a Spider-Man outfit at a con, made out of spandex. It was absolutely perfect and looked entirely real. Its probably the only superhero cosplay costume I have ever seen that I felt fully worked.

[Yin]

Cough. I agree with the two above me.

http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/aaBlog/2004/media/04-21_TronCostumeByJayMaynard.jpg

LMMFAO @ 6:04 AM

[8 Ball]

Cough. I agree with the two above me.

http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/aaBlog/2004/media/04-21_TronCostumeByJayMaynard.jpg


Wow...I finally get to use the phrase "Too much damned Moose knuckle" on these boards :p.

[Plasma Wisp]

The problem is, is that in a comic, when it's flat, the color doesn't seem to matter, but when you're in 3D and using real world lighting (Sorry Yin, but computer graphics can go only do far.)

[My work is blocking half of them, so take it what you will.]

[Meltman]

Can we stop quoting Mr. Dresses-To-The-Left please?

[Nerfed]

The problem with spandex IRL vs spandex in comics is that one is all form-fitting and highlights musculature and makes characters look super heroic in proportion and definition even when the characters are just "average." Comic book spandex looks painted on because they don't often deal with finer details like seams. Power Girl is a good example of change in this regard... lately, her costume has been given more lines so it doesn't looke like a single piece of fabric stretched over her.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j255/fairygrl_2006/powergirl.jpg

Here's a couple older examples of her costume. There's way too much definition of her chest showing through that fabric and spandex does not look that way in real life.
http://welltuncares.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/sweet-power-girl.gif http://supergirl.astraldream.net/covers/power%20girl%201.jpg

And this is just an awful style that emphasizes the "painted on" look that everyone associates with comic book spandex.
http://tn3-1.deviantart.com/fs8/300W/i/2005/281/4/6/PowerGirl___In_apology_by_boobtastic.jpg

Here are a few good Power Girl costumes... and note that the line going from the top of the chest goes down to the abdomen area in a much smoother line
http://www.actionopolis.com/media/blogs/a/2007_nycc/DSC00691.jpg

http://www.lastkisscomics.com/BlogForum/PowerGirl.jpg

http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/power.jpg


And, for the sake of comparison... this is how it looks when spandex IS painted on.
http://www.urbanmythproductions.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/PowerGirl2.jpg http://superherouniverse.com/art/data/505/Power_Girl.jpg

[Nerfed]

Whoops, got lost in all the pics and forgot to make a point.


Anyhow, my point is that a thin layer of spandex doesn't work because it looks very flimsy and impractical. It needs depth and detail to make it work. Spider-man's costume was a great example of what works because they gave it a couple layers of texture. The raised webbing pattern, for one... and the mesh-like pattern on the cloth itself:

http://www.moviecritic.com.au/userimages/user624_1173050012.jpg

But then, Spider-man's costume was professionally made for a major motion picture with a huge budget. Most of the costumes we're seeing in this thread are amateur cosplayers who put a lot of personal time, effort, and money into their love of cosplay, but its still just an amatuer effort which is then worn by (usually) an average person who isn't necessarily of super hero proportions... and then photographed under whatever lighting happens to be available and usually not touched up afterward.

In films, you have professionally made costumes tailored to actors who usually somewhat fit the part, professional quality filming under just right lighting, and then the final product is heavily edited and digital effects may be added to enhance the overall appearance. Could spandex work in film? Abso-frickin'-lutely. No one gives it a chance when they see pics of cosplayers, though, thinking the appearance looks silly in real life... but movies are not real life. Close, but still one step removed.

[Dynamo-Man]

Well, if anything, it may show D-Man, at least initially, some spandex may not be a good idea.
I believe my initial point was that spandex, in general doesn't work on film. And that's why Iron Man looked so good, as his costume was closer to the original source, because it wasn't spandex.

That being said, spandex just doesn't look good, period. Not IRL.

[Nerfed]

That being said, spandex just doesn't look good, period. Not IRL.
Movies, despite being live action rather than animation, are not IRL.

[bpphantom]

But then, Spider-man's costume was professionally made for a major motion picture with a huge budget.

Nuh-uh! I remember it. He made it himself using the knowledge he learned in home-ec :D

[Dynamo-Man]

Movies, despite being live action rather than animation, are not IRL.
In the context of a live person versus a drawing, yes they are "real life." Don't be nitpicky. :P

The Spider-Man costume, and other successful ones, are not true spandex (the stuff used for bicycle shorts). They are made from a non-glossy stretchable material. Cosplayers use Spandex because it's cheaper. The better looking costumes use something else.

[Nerfed]

And they should give that something else more of a chance rather than falling back on basic black, non-super-heroic looking leather like the X-men movies. That's all I'm sayin'.

[bpphantom]

The better looking costumes use something else.

Mercury soaked vinyl?

[Dynamo-Man]

And they should give that something else more of a chance rather than falling back on basic black, non-super-heroic looking leather like the X-men movies. That's all I'm sayin'.
I totally agree. Imagine that! :D

[Nerfed]

I totally agree. Imagine that! :D

Too weird. I'm gonna go get drunk now. :chuckle:

[Gold Rush]

I totally agree. Imagine that! :D

Tha's cool. At first, you point at each other's faults....

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/crfields/Spiderman%20III/IMGP1873.jpg


And now, you dance! :lol:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/crfields/Spiderman%20III/IMGP1957.jpg

[Plasma Wisp]

After reviewing all the pictures. I think Gold made some valid points.

Spandex on men and junk needs to be uniformly done. A thicker material is always good.

My own assumption is that sometimes, plain white is too bright. The Taskmaster one is a good example. His white is too stark on the black, but you don't notice it until it's in real life.

Of course, the White Queen and Power Girl are good examples of white done right.

[Gaia]

White spandex dance leotards = hell! My tap teacher ordered my group white leotards "guaranteed" not to be too see through. 40 women ended up having to raid the local dance supply store for skin toned leotards to go underneath.

And on a night when the three classes were billed as the finale of the recital, the auditorium had a room temperature of at least 75, hot lights on the stage and several teams of dancers having to wait 2 hours to perform so they spent those hours staying warmed up by practicing can you say costume malfunction? We came close to it. Thank goodness for dark pants, suspenders, and neckties to distract from the sweat wicking up the front.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/kid_atomic1/Random%20Stuff/P1010075.jpg

I still have the leotards. Seriously considering once I get back into some semblance of a shape to actually take it and make a Power Girl costume. :) After all I went as Supergirl last Halloween.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/kid_atomic1/Museum%20of%20Horrors%2007/PA310092.jpg

And Goldrush is right. Lighting plays a big part of pictures. So does body type. I look at this picture and go "Number one reason to keep up with the exercise." I personally hate that particular picture. But its only one of the two I feel I can show people. :lol: I will tell you I'm cinched into that outfit fairly tight. In fact one of the pieces of metal stays by the time the picture was taken had broken out of where it was sewn and was digging into my left hip. But my kids wanted mommy to play superhero with them so I agreed to suffer for them. :lol: