The great thing about the Azrael Batman suit is that it was literally designed to show people in the 90s how bad a 90s redesign of Batman would be. It was the creative team avoiding having to do that by doing it haha
It was a wee bit more than that. At the time, Image was a big deal simply because of their over the top and bloody violence. Without the authorization of the Comics Code Authority, they could go as far as they wanted, and inevitably there were comparisons to Marvel and DC as being "for kids". DC answered this by giving us what is essentially Batman as an Image character in Azrael. (Take note of the exaggerated muscles and multiple pouches. These were a staple of early Image artists!) They were basically asking, "Is this really the Batman you want?" From the response, nope. Most people didn't!
There was a lot of stuff like that. Lobo was also creators saying "Oh, is this what you want, an ultra violent moron with chains everywhere, fart" and then audience said: "Yes, actually", and the creators were sad as creators always are when the present their worst idea to ppl that can force them to use that idea. I like Lobo personally, but I do feel for the creators.
@@Edlin261 They made him a tough guy bounty hunter with hilariously violent stories that seemed ripped right out of "Heavy Metal". Of course we loved him! 😁
How could you forget Danny Ketch Ghost Rider? Even though it's technically a different character, that's Ghost Rider's best look, so much so that both the film adaptations and the mid-2000's relaunch use that look for Johnny Blaze.
Ben Reilly's design is so good that May Parker used a costume with the same patterns and it also fit her perfectly. Easily one of my favourite spidey designs ever.
In the book it's litterally Ben's old suit. There is an extra layer in using his design for her too, as she is the baby MJ miscarried in the clone saga.
I always appreciate a good Marvel Vs Capcom shout out. Great list. Jim Lee's character designs, though steeped in 90's style, have proven to be timeless and iconic decades later
i was a teenager back when the Robin (tim drake) miniseries launched and that particular story combined with the redesign completely changed how i perceived the sidekick concept also brian bolland covers were A M A Z I N G
Aaaahh LOVED this one! Great subject and I _loved_ the chatty vibe. Felt like we were hanging out chatting about 90s comics, which is just lovely, super cosy energy. I hope to see more videos like this!
Few costumes are as 90s yet timeless as the Jim Lee X'men looks, definitely Cyclops and Storm, but also Psylock, Rogue, and Archangel. So many great looks that are still definitive decades later.
I LOVE the Ben Reilly Spider-man suit. Only thing I would maybe change is the boots. Not fan of the weird 50/50 split between red and blue. I'm curious about what the suit would would look like if the red part of the boots was angled, covering the feet completely and then running from the upper part of the inner ankle to the outside of the leg rather than just being split evenly between red and blue. Or maybe the red part should just be removed from the boots completely. Anyway, its not enough to ruin the suit for me but just a little detail that always bugged me as a kid.
What a fun video! Who would have known so many iconic looks were created in the 90s, the way ppl talk about 90s comics you would never know lol…but every era has its bad and its good yeah? Shoutout for Iron Man’s modular armor! That look really grew on me as I was reading the first time. The Kaminsky/Hopgood run in general is sorely underrated and doesn’t get talked about enough imho. (But I admit to being a shameless Iron Man fan so I may be a bit biased lol 😅)
Just wondering if James Marsden comes back as Cyclops in Secret Wars with other Fox X-Men actors do you want to see them all in their original black leather costumes from the original X-men trilogy or in Jim Lee inspired X-men costumes
You actually showed my favorite 90s costume in the video. It's Kyle Rayner's Green Lantern look by Darryl Banks. From the asymmetrical black and white suit to the super stylish update of the Green Lantern chest logo (the black and green Yin Yang pattern represents the Darkest Night, Brightest Day of the classic Oath), topped by that slick metal mask (or faceplate, if you want), that's perfection. It really set this apart from Hal and the Corps, and it showed Kyle's creativity as a graphic designer. 10 out of 10.
The only suit here that I never really liked is the Azrael suit, but that just speaks to how bombastic and different they were willing to take designs in the 90s. Great era for revamps!
This was so cool! What great comics and designs - Breyfogle's storming run on Batman; Modular Armour Iron Man, and the wonderful Tim Drake Robin series (so much better than the dross they vomit out for him now). One of my other favourites was the Grummett version of Superboy - fantastic art, and huge fun. Many thanks for making me smile at the memories, Josh. Stay safe, my friend. :)
I love the sensational spider man suit for all the reasons you brought up in the video and I'm glad someone is finally giving it the respect it deserves. Probably the best spin on the classic suit without overdesigning it.
Fun thing about the X-Men, as a kid I thought that the tiger stripe look was the '90s Wolverine costume, not realizing that it had been around forever and that they just brought it back. There was a throwaway line in Wolverine #50 that alluded to that, and it blew my young mind.
@@craigjomaia yeah that went away after his initial fight with Hulk if I’m remembering right. By the time he appeared in Giant Size X-Men he had the mask we all know today
I love the Jim Lee X-Men redesigns, Rogue could've been on the list. Have you thought about a video on the WildC.A.T.s? Or maybe Gen 13? The original Image comics titles were FILLED with 90s style and excesses that looking back from 2024, are probably the BEST art ever put out on a comic (yeah, I forget Byrne and Adams and Kirby on purpose). These days costumes are a disgrace.
I really dug this list. Not a bad one of the bunch. Nightwing was my first real ongoing, buying a monthly comic, so that one holds a special place in my heart. Also, I mean, Cyclops, Storm and Iron Man because of MvC and X-Men v. SF.
Maybe it's because it was my first X-Men story, but I've always been fond of the Age of Apocalypse X-Men designs. AoA Magneto, Nightcrawler with swords, Storm with her short haired black and white look etc. were all bangers, but Sunfire with his full on Human Torch like look is my absolute favourite from that series. Such an upgrade over his regular (and rather bland) original design.
I loved the Superboy costume from Reign of the Supermen storyline. It's a striking departure from the classic Superman outfit. The same can be said for John Henry Irons' Steel armor. As for Ben Reily's Spider-Man costume, I must admit it looks better on May "Mayday" Parker.
idk if it counts but the Sensational She-hulk costume is a great upgrade for me, since that purple and white leotard She-hulk got her most recognizable looks and stick out of Hulk as something for herself, idk if it counts tho since it is from '89 lol
Hey Dude, EVERYTHING was better in the 90's.. Sure there was that moment when Marvel went weird & glossy with the covers. BUT IT WAS FUN.. For every Cable(Liefield) and Azrael i say look at McFarlan Spiderman or Silvestri WOlverine.. Simple & fire. And then EVERYTHING Jim Lee... 1990's ftw
The only one I wouldn't agree with, it's Azrael Batman. I think it's a bit too much and I like a more classic/simple design for Bats. But really...how did Ben Reilly managed to have two of my favorite Spidey suits?!
I don’t mind that people see it as white. I think it’s fun that it’s open to interpretation. But to say that it was not drawn as black leather by Lee, Portacio, and others is simply incorrect.
I'll go one further. I liked the Clone Saga. It was better than the overrated JMS Spider-Man run or the goofy Saturday morning cartoon run Spencer just did.
A small pet peeve I have with Tim’s original Robin suit is the red trunks, I don’t like them. It makes him look as if he’s wearing a women’s swim suit. If you change the trunks to black it’s actually amazing
no, no. The black costume actually makes sense. Black clothes absorve sunlight while white reflects it, so a black costume is a good choice for a speedy recovery for superman
A lot of people use the Azrael Batman suit as the poster boy for why the 90s sucked. But I loved it. The claws and red eyes along with the helmet were great. Yeah, the pouches around one thigh weren’t entirely necessary, but it was still a great look. I especially enjoy the final version where he ditches the cape for the big wings.
The Midnight Sons comics art is so awesome just pure 90s over the top goodness hey just wondering are there any more panels to plastic videos I'd love to see them if you made them also take care of yourself josh love from Fiji bro
Great vid mate. Always loved the sexier catwoman designs and 90s are definitely my era as well with their over the top designs and edginess. Feels so classic to me
storms 90s costume would never be leather because the highlights are white, and anytime someone has worn leather in comics its always blue or purple. its never white, unless the comic is black and white but men wasn't
the whole xmen line up in the 90s are so iconic that the all those character eventually end up back in those costumes at least once ever few years in the comics
Jim Lee's X-Men redesigns were pretty iconic, to are large degree because they were used for the cartoon. If I could add one more to this list, it would be Rogue's. Lots of heroes were doing the brown bomber jacket over a colorful costume look, but Rogue made it work better than anyone. I also have a soft spot for Rob Liefeld's redesigns for the New Mutants/X-Force. I know, I know! Liefeld's work is considered the epitome of everything wrong with 90s comic art, but I actually liked the new costumes they got after Cable became their mentor. Colorful, but uniform. It felt like a positive change that finally let the New Mutants grow up a bit.
@@josesarango3408yep. Trashing Liefeld is basically a viral internet meme. Yes, I blame the internet. He is a legit artist. His good stuff far outweighs bad feet and Caps chest lol
90s comics get a bad rap from people who NEVER actually read them who've just googled the same 3 Liefeld and Deodato images. Art from Jim Lee, Jae Lee, Silvestri, J Scott Campbell, Michael Turner, Amanda Conner, Potacio, Alam Davis, Larson, Stroman, Bachalo, Paul Ryan and Kubert brothers etc- all absolutely wipe the floor with anything in modern comics.
I agree with most of these. Though I think I'd also place Rogue and Armored Spider-Man, while the latter might've been strictly temporary, it's been a classic in a lot of the video games for a reason I think. It's a bit bulky, but the sleek colors and similar color layout to the Red and Blue keeps in stylish enough. Rogue's 90's look became as definitive as Cyclops' or Storm's as you've mentioned. I wanna say Psylocke as well, but I don't know if the Jim Lee/MVC design was in the 90's or was a late 80's look. Tim's Robin design wasn't just in Batman TAS, but Teen Titans, The Batman and a few others, it's probably the best example of a modern take of a old-school design.
Agree, I'm shocked Rogue wasn't included. It was the first time she finally received a definitive look (had gone thru about a dozen variations in the same amount of years). It's still so good that everytime they try to change/update her look, she always goes back to her 90s costume within a few years. Good Spidey armor mention too!
All great picks! I would add the 90s redesign for the Flash, debuting in Flash Vol 2 Issue 50 in 1991. It revamped the Silver Age Flash uniform that Wally West had been honoring into basically what we know the Flash suit to be today. Removing the boot wings but adding the white lenses, larger chest symbol, V shaped belt, and chrome finish, it showed how modernization can come with plenty of restraint.
The 80s to mid 90s is my absolute favorite period for comics. Say what you will about the over the top nature of 90s heroes, I feel like it was the last period when artists and writers actually took a chance with stuff. Everything now is either a throw back or played safe.
I think the thing that throws me on Storm’s early 90’s look is that it really is solid but many of her older and newer looks(especially the mohawk looks) overshadow it THAT much. I guess I’m hard pressed to think of a look she’s had that ever missed. Nightwing is such a solid choice. The exact opposite of the stereotypical excess of the period.
Aah, the 90s... the OTT look of Azrael, Stryfe, Adam X/X-Treme, Rob Liefeld's obsession with pouches and muscles upon muscles, and Jim Lee put the X-Men in leather jackets As an 80s kid, punk mohawk Storm was my introduction to the X-Men, and I still think it's her best look
I never knew Nightwings most iconic suit came from the 90s. It’s one of my favourite suits for a superhero ever. Bens outfits are the absolute coolest. I love Bens homemade look with the huge sharp looking eyes and the darker red with the hoodie and all the gadgets. My favourite is the Sensational look. It’s a great redesign and looks absolutely awesome. I don’t know if the Spider-Man armoured suit is from the 90s but I love that aswell. I think the modular Iron Man look is great aswell. Tim’s 90s outfit is the most perfect Robin outfit ever.
I love the Jim Lee X-Men designs, but after starting to pick up some mid-2010s X-Men stuff recently, I really dig Chris Bachelo's red and black Cyclops design. It's right up there with the 90's look for me.
Heyo fellow 90's fan 🙌🙌 If I may, my own guilty pleasure 90's designs: 1) Spidey 2099 2) Daredevil armor 3) Ghost Rider (Mark Texeira) and GR 2099 💪💪 Reflecting back, I guess I was also taken by the artist takes like Bagley for Spidey 2099 and Chris Bachalo for GR 2099. As for the Ghost Rider (Texeira version), I vowed to get a version of that motorcycle when I grew up 😅
Thoughts as watching... Tim Drake -Has a special place in my heart since Tim is my all time favorite fictional character, and Robin II: The Joker's Wild #1 was the first comic book of my collection. Parallax -Was cool at the time, but I never liked using the name for the fear entity. The name was supposed to be symbolic of how Hal's vision was skewed to make him see the world in the wrong way. Catwoman and Nightwing -I always felt that both of these characters were always trying to find a costume that fit and the 90s was the point where they FINALLY hit it. (Though it took much longer for Catwoman then for Nightwing.) Ben Reilly -My favorite Marvel character. I loved the "Scarlet Spider" suit because it looked like something somebody could throw together from scraps they found at a thrift store, in the trash, etc. (One of which was the actual origin for his suit, I belive.) Gave it more of a real world vibe in that it didn't have that "custom-made-by-a-world-class-taylor-for-thousands-of-dollars" look. I also liked both of Ben's suits for having the web shooters on the outside. To be honest, this is the thing that cinched him as my favorite Marvel character. Even as a 5-year old watching "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends", I wondered why the heck such a complex mechanism as Spidey's web-shooters wouldn't result in a huge bulge on the wrists. I am surprised the video didn't mention the later (and longer) use of Ben's Spider-Man costume for his AU MC2 Niece, May Parker. (AKA Spider-Girl) Azrael was an interesting character, and I was always sad that DC just abandoned him. Knightfall was the source of one of my two all time favorite comic book quotes... "Murcielago! Murcielago! ....He has RETURNED!!!" (Bane: Robin ongoing, #10) I too liked the black suit (Though I've always referred to it as the "resurrection suit), but I hate when they try to give it a cape like in the Snyderverse. If you need to make it flashier for film, then maybe have the silver "S" start glowing as it absorbs more power or something. One you didn't mention (that some liked, though it might have been more early 2000s)... The Superman Blue (later red and blue) suit. (AKA Energy Superman) I've always thought that one would have looked better with the blue parts the same, the light blue parts red, and all the surrounding energy Yellow. Made it once with an MS paint edit. Looked a lot better with the classic colors.
Tim Drake Robin: 100% agree. This might be my no.1 for 90’s redesigns actually. Storm: I still prefer her Dave Cockrum costume but this is a close second. Parallax: I don’t agree with what they did to Hal, BUT if you’re gonna make him a villain the suit works. It’s kind of a GL Darth Vader. Catwoman: I like it, close second to the Darwyn Cooke costume for me. But I also dig the golden age dress and cape. Realistic? No. But I’ve never viewed that as the point of superhero costumes. Nightwing: Kinda meh. I think my ideal suit would be this combined with the symbol from the animated series and his Jim Lee haircut. No mullets or ponytails please. Spider-Man (Ben Reilly): Oooh. This is the only alternate Spider-Man costume I truly enjoy even though not everybody can draw it right. It’s a good extension of the classic suit. I can’t help but wish it had been made for Peter to be honest. Iron Man: Nah. I’m all in on the 70’s-80’s classic red and gold. Batman Jean Paul-Valley: It accomplished it’s intended goal but it’s 90’s in a fugly way. Superman black suit: Comic version-It’s a cool design for what it is in the story. Movie version-Needless pallet swap. Cyclops: Yeah I agree with you hear. I still like his John Byrne era costume but this is the suit I tend to think of him wearing. The exposed hair wiping about while he’s firing off his visor works for reasons I can’t explain. It just does.
The Marvel Masterpiece card series solidified a lot of 90's costumes status. My top 10 are Gambit Shatter Star Havoc Archangel Bishop Nightcrawler Pyro Mr Sinister Juggernaut Psylocke Omega Red
90s Nightwing is absolutely iconic, but two big things I think you missed: they cut Dick's long ponytail in a literal fight sequence at the beginning of the ongoing 1996 series where he even comments he was meaning to get a haircut, and imo that hairstyle is much more iconic for the era. Also, the FINGERSTRIPES! SUPER important to the flow of the costume and accenting the color on the minimal look and every time they remove them in more modern suits it makes me very sad. I'm very happy you included him tho, even if his look is a bit opposed to the general ethos and design language of the era :3
Ahh, the 1990s! The decade in which many an artist said to superheroes: "You get a jacket. And you get a jacket! And you! And you! Not you, Batman!" By the way, thanks for including Cyclops' 90s suit. To me, that suit looked like Cyke had become a SHIELD agent and I mean that in a good way.
The fact that the recent Spiderman video game didn't have the Ben Reilly's costume was a bit of a disappointment but I understand that everyone has a favorite variant they want to see in a game. I hope it makes it in in a sequel.
I was gonna put this fun fact on the newer bad 90s design vid, but i like the subject matter so it's going on the "good" one. Fun fact: this era of comic super hero design (most specifically Spawn) was a huge inspiration for Digimon's design ethos! Even as recently as last year we've gotten Digimon decked out in power armor and belts
Loved the X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse music chime, but I’m here to say the Ben Reilly Sensational suit is my all time favourite suit. It’s nice to see people talk about it. I hate the new design, personally. Only because the big logo being off-cantered drives me bananas.
I feel like this is a dude I could vibe with - just about every costume on this list is one I've considered an underrated gem for a while now A few thoughts: Parallax - I love this design by Daryl banks (an underrated 90s artist, I'd say), I think a big part of why Parallax keeps being brought back is just to give artists an excuse to draw this costume because it just looks that bad-ass. I think it should be mentioned that Banks also did something rare by knocking it out of the park with back-to-back costume designs, because the Kyle Rayner GL costume is just as good, IMHO (hence why DC brought it back and made it Kyle's defacto look a few years ago) Sensational Spider-man - loved it when i first saw it, and still my favorite Spider-man costume to this day. There's a reason they gave it to Spider-girl for her series instead of having her wear her dad's threads, because it's that damn good looking a design. Azbats - I moreso love the debut version of this costume (the upgraded versions are still good, but a little overdone I'd say with all the extra bits), and what I don't think it gets enough credit for is the way it blended many of the design elements from the Quesada designed Azrael costume into a costume that still looks like a Batsuit (albeit a hyper 90s, edgey Batsuit). Which I think fits with what the writing team was going for with the storyline beyond "edgey costume for an edgey batman" - multiple points throughout the overall story arc, Valley makes it clear that while he's taking on the Bat mantle, he's going to have be Batman in his own unique way if he's going to succeed, so of course he builds a batsuit/armor that has more similarities with his Azrael armor that he's more used to using Black suit superman - maybe the best design from that storyline, which says a lot considering the story featured 4 other new designs for replacement supermen that were all bangers. Again, there's a reason DC keeps dusting off this design for stories since it initially debuted because it's just such a striking visual for the character. That said, it's still not my favorite 90s superman redesign - people can dump on it all they want, but i love the electric blue containment suit and the powers that came with it (I feel like most people I see ripping on it haven't even read the actual storyline, they just made a snap judgment based on some cover art and jokes other people have made online that they saw, and assume the consensus is that it sucks and if they want to be accepted they have to take some easy dunks on it that they copy-pasta'd from an old chat forum). Cyclops & Storm - Jim Lee is usually pretty weak with costume designs (ie look at literally anything he did after X-Men, 95% of those designs kinda blow), but damn did he knock it out of the park with these iconic looks. And these two aren't even the best designs he did for the x-men - his costume for Rogue is maybe the best look she's ever had and the standout from a batch of standouts (also, shootouts for gambit and psylocke, which came a couple years earlier but are also iconic in their own right).
My dude turned himself into a 90s character and then defends the look!
In his best Dexter Holland costume
Wait what's wrong with Susan Storm's design? I thought it was great
@@anthonysmith3415the boob window…
he does look like a 90s eight grader there, and not in a bad way 🤣
@@punkfacexo6066needs a simple t-shirt and cargo pants and he’s nailing it
The great thing about the Azrael Batman suit is that it was literally designed to show people in the 90s how bad a 90s redesign of Batman would be. It was the creative team avoiding having to do that by doing it haha
It was a wee bit more than that. At the time, Image was a big deal simply because of their over the top and bloody violence. Without the authorization of the Comics Code Authority, they could go as far as they wanted, and inevitably there were comparisons to Marvel and DC as being "for kids". DC answered this by giving us what is essentially Batman as an Image character in Azrael. (Take note of the exaggerated muscles and multiple pouches. These were a staple of early Image artists!) They were basically asking, "Is this really the Batman you want?" From the response, nope. Most people didn't!
There was a lot of stuff like that. Lobo was also creators saying "Oh, is this what you want, an ultra violent moron with chains everywhere, fart" and then audience said: "Yes, actually", and the creators were sad as creators always are when the present their worst idea to ppl that can force them to use that idea.
I like Lobo personally, but I do feel for the creators.
@@Edlin261 They made him a tough guy bounty hunter with hilariously violent stories that seemed ripped right out of "Heavy Metal". Of course we loved him! 😁
Bat,an being meta before it was cool
@@Edlin261 they can take comfort in some of us not liking Lobo.
They probably don't mind honestly.
How could you forget Danny Ketch Ghost Rider? Even though it's technically a different character, that's Ghost Rider's best look, so much so that both the film adaptations and the mid-2000's relaunch use that look for Johnny Blaze.
Technically, not 90s! Ghost Rider vol 2 debuted in 1989. Believe it or not.
I loved Kyle Rayner and Ben Reillys costumes. the Sensational Spidey costume is my all time favorite actually
I wanted this costume so bad on the ps4 Spider-Man game
Same
@brice6018 considering it wasn't in the first one I'm sure it will be in 2
@@coatrak1357 Turns out, it isn't. Which is weird. Like, do the people at Insomniac simply not like that design for some reason?
Ben Reilly's design is so good that May Parker used a costume with the same patterns and it also fit her perfectly. Easily one of my favourite spidey designs ever.
In the book it's litterally Ben's old suit. There is an extra layer in using his design for her too, as she is the baby MJ miscarried in the clone saga.
I dig your new Ben Rilley haircut Josh lmao
Haha, thanks! 😁
I always appreciate a good Marvel Vs Capcom shout out. Great list. Jim Lee's character designs, though steeped in 90's style, have proven to be timeless and iconic decades later
Absolutely! The Jim Lee designs are what I see whenever I picture the X-Men in my mind
i was a teenager back when the Robin (tim drake) miniseries launched and that particular story combined with the redesign completely changed how i perceived the sidekick concept
also brian bolland covers were A M A Z I N G
Aaaahh LOVED this one! Great subject and I _loved_ the chatty vibe. Felt like we were hanging out chatting about 90s comics, which is just lovely, super cosy energy. I hope to see more videos like this!
100% agree, 90s costumes were bomb AF especially for X-Men and spiderman
AGREED.
I just really like Azrael Batman
Few costumes are as 90s yet timeless as the Jim Lee X'men looks, definitely Cyclops and Storm, but also Psylock, Rogue, and Archangel. So many great looks that are still definitive decades later.
I LOVE the Ben Reilly Spider-man suit. Only thing I would maybe change is the boots. Not fan of the weird 50/50 split between red and blue. I'm curious about what the suit would would look like if the red part of the boots was angled, covering the feet completely and then running from the upper part of the inner ankle to the outside of the leg rather than just being split evenly between red and blue. Or maybe the red part should just be removed from the boots completely. Anyway, its not enough to ruin the suit for me but just a little detail that always bugged me as a kid.
What a fun video! Who would have known so many iconic looks were created in the 90s, the way ppl talk about 90s comics you would never know lol…but every era has its bad and its good yeah?
Shoutout for Iron Man’s modular armor! That look really grew on me as I was reading the first time. The Kaminsky/Hopgood run in general is sorely underrated and doesn’t get talked about enough imho. (But I admit to being a shameless Iron Man fan so I may be a bit biased lol 😅)
Just wondering if James Marsden comes back as Cyclops in Secret Wars with other Fox X-Men actors do you want to see them all in their original black leather costumes from the original X-men trilogy or in Jim Lee inspired X-men costumes
You actually showed my favorite 90s costume in the video. It's Kyle Rayner's Green Lantern look by Darryl Banks. From the asymmetrical black and white suit to the super stylish update of the Green Lantern chest logo (the black and green Yin Yang pattern represents the Darkest Night, Brightest Day of the classic Oath), topped by that slick metal mask (or faceplate, if you want), that's perfection. It really set this apart from Hal and the Corps, and it showed Kyle's creativity as a graphic designer. 10 out of 10.
Yea I had a toy of it. It was a bad ass look. Like a good version of what Image might do. Very next gen which fit him.
The only suit here that I never really liked is the Azrael suit, but that just speaks to how bombastic and different they were willing to take designs in the 90s. Great era for revamps!
Yea only one I disagree with. Though it doesn't matter since it works with the story. And it wasn't a permanent look.
This was so cool! What great comics and designs - Breyfogle's storming run on Batman; Modular Armour Iron Man, and the wonderful Tim Drake Robin series (so much better than the dross they vomit out for him now). One of my other favourites was the Grummett version of Superboy - fantastic art, and huge fun.
Many thanks for making me smile at the memories, Josh. Stay safe, my friend. :)
I think I love the designs of all the X-men characters from the 90s even the villains
I love the sensational spider man suit for all the reasons you brought up in the video and I'm glad someone is finally giving it the respect it deserves. Probably the best spin on the classic suit without overdesigning it.
Fun thing about the X-Men, as a kid I thought that the tiger stripe look was the '90s Wolverine costume, not realizing that it had been around forever and that they just brought it back. There was a throwaway line in Wolverine #50 that alluded to that, and it blew my young mind.
At least they lost the whiskers drawn on the mask in the original tho.
@@craigjomaia yeah that went away after his initial fight with Hulk if I’m remembering right. By the time he appeared in Giant Size X-Men he had the mask we all know today
I enjoyed 90s comics far more than new millennium comics... 2000s were miserable, and 2010s is just overly-SJW rubbish.
I love the Jim Lee X-Men redesigns, Rogue could've been on the list. Have you thought about a video on the WildC.A.T.s? Or maybe Gen 13? The original Image comics titles were FILLED with 90s style and excesses that looking back from 2024, are probably the BEST art ever put out on a comic (yeah, I forget Byrne and Adams and Kirby on purpose). These days costumes are a disgrace.
I really dug this list. Not a bad one of the bunch. Nightwing was my first real ongoing, buying a monthly comic, so that one holds a special place in my heart. Also, I mean, Cyclops, Storm and Iron Man because of MvC and X-Men v. SF.
My top 3 Iron Man armors from the comics:
1. Eroic Age Armor (olny when drawn by JRJR)
2. Modular Armor
3. MK1
Kyle Rayner is actually my personal favorite green lantern. The story line where he becomes a white lantern feels like such justice for his character.
I agree with most of your list, except for Azrael Batman. I would have Kyle Rayner's suit, instead.
Dude looks like a young Dexter Holland from Offspring.
Maybe it's because it was my first X-Men story, but I've always been fond of the Age of Apocalypse X-Men designs. AoA Magneto, Nightcrawler with swords, Storm with her short haired black and white look etc. were all bangers, but Sunfire with his full on Human Torch like look is my absolute favourite from that series. Such an upgrade over his regular (and rather bland) original design.
I loved the Superboy costume from Reign of the Supermen storyline. It's a striking departure from the classic Superman outfit. The same can be said for John Henry Irons' Steel armor.
As for Ben Reily's Spider-Man costume, I must admit it looks better on May "Mayday" Parker.
I love Tim drake robin costume it’s really awesome and badass.
0:20 I want to see that suit in the next Thor movie if there is one I bet Chris Hemsworth could pull that off
Cyclops is the deserved number one. His body condom look from before was horrid.
The 90s xmen was so damn cool. I wish i grew up duri g that time so i could experience it in real time
I like invisible woman's boob window costume.
great list and commentary on the suits
idk if it counts but the Sensational She-hulk costume is a great upgrade for me, since that purple and white leotard She-hulk got her most recognizable looks and stick out of Hulk as something for herself, idk if it counts tho since it is from '89 lol
Hey Dude, EVERYTHING was better in the 90's..
Sure there was that moment when Marvel went weird & glossy with the covers.
BUT IT WAS FUN..
For every Cable(Liefield) and Azrael i say look at McFarlan Spiderman or Silvestri WOlverine..
Simple & fire. And then EVERYTHING Jim Lee...
1990's ftw
Surprised the Wally West flash redesign isn’t on here the white eyes and the pointed belt have become just as iconic as the original suit
Don't know why, I've always liked the 90's Daredevil "Armor" suit. Just needs small tweaks. Also Blue Superman
IMO Storm’s 90s uniform is white or silver. Black leather always had blue highlights.
The only one I wouldn't agree with, it's Azrael Batman. I think it's a bit too much and I like a more classic/simple design for Bats.
But really...how did Ben Reilly managed to have two of my favorite Spidey suits?!
Storm’s costume is almost always portrayed as silver or white. It’s not even drawn like black leather
I don’t mind that people see it as white. I think it’s fun that it’s open to interpretation. But to say that it was not drawn as black leather by Lee, Portacio, and others is simply incorrect.
I'll go one further. I liked the Clone Saga. It was better than the overrated JMS Spider-Man run or the goofy Saturday morning cartoon run Spencer just did.
11:58 Cyclopse is literally posing the EXACT same way as that infamous Rob Liefeld Captain America pose.
A small pet peeve I have with Tim’s original Robin suit is the red trunks, I don’t like them. It makes him look as if he’s wearing a women’s swim suit. If you change the trunks to black it’s actually amazing
no, no. The black costume actually makes sense. Black clothes absorve sunlight while white reflects it, so a black costume is a good choice for a speedy recovery for superman
A lot of people use the Azrael Batman suit as the poster boy for why the 90s sucked. But I loved it. The claws and red eyes along with the helmet were great. Yeah, the pouches around one thigh weren’t entirely necessary, but it was still a great look. I especially enjoy the final version where he ditches the cape for the big wings.
What do you mean good actually? The costumes are great. You shouldn't just assume other people think they're bad
The Midnight Sons comics art is so awesome just pure 90s over the top goodness hey just wondering are there any more panels to plastic videos I'd love to see them if you made them also take care of yourself josh love from Fiji bro
Yeah, there will be more. I'm just mixing things up a bit. Thanks, I appreciate it!
Speaking of which, Blade should have been on this list. NOBODY remembers Blade as the pre nineties version.
Great vid mate. Always loved the sexier catwoman designs and 90s are definitely my era as well with their over the top designs and edginess. Feels so classic to me
Thank you for giving love to the Asriel Batman. That suit is awesome
storms 90s costume would never be leather because the highlights are white, and anytime someone has worn leather in comics its always blue or purple. its never white, unless the comic is black and white but men wasn't
Great video, man. Ton of fun.
“How many times have we heard that one, Bruce?”
the whole xmen line up in the 90s are so iconic that the all those character eventually end up back in those costumes at least once ever few years in the comics
2:52 it's blue and black anyone who sees gold and white has something wrong with their eyes and brains lol
I will never forgive them for giving nightwing a pony tail but the costume is good
90s costumes are still leagues above modern comic designs.
True.
Good list. I'd add Kyle Rayner and electric blue supes too!
Storm’s outfit is so dope! Super underrated in terms of all time costume designs!
any 90s comic design is far better than the garbage from the last decade
Jim Lee's X-Men redesigns were pretty iconic, to are large degree because they were used for the cartoon. If I could add one more to this list, it would be Rogue's. Lots of heroes were doing the brown bomber jacket over a colorful costume look, but Rogue made it work better than anyone.
I also have a soft spot for Rob Liefeld's redesigns for the New Mutants/X-Force. I know, I know! Liefeld's work is considered the epitome of everything wrong with 90s comic art, but I actually liked the new costumes they got after Cable became their mentor. Colorful, but uniform. It felt like a positive change that finally let the New Mutants grow up a bit.
Liefeld is unfairly and stupidly underrated by snobby "nerds". He did a great job with the New Mutants and X-Force
@@josesarango3408yep. Trashing Liefeld is basically a viral internet meme. Yes, I blame the internet. He is a legit artist. His good stuff far outweighs bad feet and Caps chest lol
I like Azrael's original suit (the medieval hockey goalie). To me, it's just a fantastic look.
Leave Sue Storms boob window suit alone
She fiiiiine
Maybe not 90s excess, but the Marvel Knights Black Panther costume with the cape and gold collar bits is a personal favourite.
90’s Spidey was a pretty sweet design 👍
Has anyone told you you look like a blonde rob beckett?
Excellent video, moré like this ones
0:13 best superman and superboy imo
I actually like Hair Metal Thor's costume. Sure it's ridiculous but it looks cool. Why? Because 90s.
I want to see a live action version of the modular Iron Man suit
Rogue’s outfit is also timeless!!!!
90s comics get a bad rap from people who NEVER actually read them who've just googled the same 3 Liefeld and Deodato images. Art from Jim Lee, Jae Lee, Silvestri, J Scott Campbell, Michael Turner, Amanda Conner, Potacio, Alam Davis, Larson, Stroman, Bachalo, Paul Ryan and Kubert brothers etc- all absolutely wipe the floor with anything in modern comics.
I agree with this 100%
Modular armor Iron Man is underrated.
I agree with most of these. Though I think I'd also place Rogue and Armored Spider-Man, while the latter might've been strictly temporary, it's been a classic in a lot of the video games for a reason I think. It's a bit bulky, but the sleek colors and similar color layout to the Red and Blue keeps in stylish enough. Rogue's 90's look became as definitive as Cyclops' or Storm's as you've mentioned. I wanna say Psylocke as well, but I don't know if the Jim Lee/MVC design was in the 90's or was a late 80's look.
Tim's Robin design wasn't just in Batman TAS, but Teen Titans, The Batman and a few others, it's probably the best example of a modern take of a old-school design.
Agree, I'm shocked Rogue wasn't included. It was the first time she finally received a definitive look (had gone thru about a dozen variations in the same amount of years). It's still so good that everytime they try to change/update her look, she always goes back to her 90s costume within a few years. Good Spidey armor mention too!
These 90s designs are what got me into wanting to read comics
I would have liked your take on Wolverine. Cool video as usual.
Thanks! Wolvie had some real stinkers in the 90s. If I ever do a worst costumes list, he'll be on there for sure!
@@PanelstoPixels I really like the brown suit that John Byrne started using but over the years his original yellow/blue outfit has grown on me.
No 90’s Rogue? Shame!
All great picks! I would add the 90s redesign for the Flash, debuting in Flash Vol 2 Issue 50 in 1991. It revamped the Silver Age Flash uniform that Wally West had been honoring into basically what we know the Flash suit to be today. Removing the boot wings but adding the white lenses, larger chest symbol, V shaped belt, and chrome finish, it showed how modernization can come with plenty of restraint.
Great list! Thanks for adding Catwoman's Balent's design :)
I liked the boob window lol
The 80s to mid 90s is my absolute favorite period for comics. Say what you will about the over the top nature of 90s heroes, I feel like it was the last period when artists and writers actually took a chance with stuff. Everything now is either a throw back or played safe.
I agree with this 100%
I think the thing that throws me on Storm’s early 90’s look is that it really is solid but many of her older and newer looks(especially the mohawk looks) overshadow it THAT much. I guess I’m hard pressed to think of a look she’s had that ever missed.
Nightwing is such a solid choice. The exact opposite of the stereotypical excess of the period.
100% Cyclops # 1 cause 90s lol.
Ben Spidey and Modular Armor are also massive stand outs for me.
Solid list. Fun Video bud.
Aah, the 90s... the OTT look of Azrael, Stryfe, Adam X/X-Treme, Rob Liefeld's obsession with pouches and muscles upon muscles, and Jim Lee put the X-Men in leather jackets
As an 80s kid, punk mohawk Storm was my introduction to the X-Men, and I still think it's her best look
I think Spidey 2099 was my favorite 90s costume. Rogue's was pretty awesome as well.
Awesome video as always, brought back a lot of memories, Thor and Sue's redesigns were so awful
Both of Ben Reillys suits, Scarlet Spider and Spider-man, are great. In fact, his Spidey suit is hands down my favourite of all time.
I never knew Nightwings most iconic suit came from the 90s. It’s one of my favourite suits for a superhero ever.
Bens outfits are the absolute coolest. I love Bens homemade look with the huge sharp looking eyes and the darker red with the hoodie and all the gadgets. My favourite is the Sensational look. It’s a great redesign and looks absolutely awesome.
I don’t know if the Spider-Man armoured suit is from the 90s but I love that aswell.
I think the modular Iron Man look is great aswell.
Tim’s 90s outfit is the most perfect Robin outfit ever.
I also enjoy Connors 90s Superboy outfit with the jacket and Superman’s black suit. It’s a simple and great design.
I love the Jim Lee X-Men designs, but after starting to pick up some mid-2010s X-Men stuff recently, I really dig Chris Bachelo's red and black Cyclops design. It's right up there with the 90's look for me.
Heyo fellow 90's fan 🙌🙌
If I may, my own guilty pleasure 90's designs:
1) Spidey 2099
2) Daredevil armor
3) Ghost Rider (Mark Texeira) and GR 2099 💪💪
Reflecting back, I guess I was also taken by the artist takes like Bagley for Spidey 2099 and Chris Bachalo for GR 2099.
As for the Ghost Rider (Texeira version), I vowed to get a version of that motorcycle when I grew up 😅
Thoughts as watching...
Tim Drake
-Has a special place in my heart since Tim is my all time favorite fictional character, and Robin II: The Joker's Wild #1 was the first comic book of my collection.
Parallax
-Was cool at the time, but I never liked using the name for the fear entity. The name was supposed to be symbolic of how Hal's vision was skewed to make him see the world in the wrong way.
Catwoman and Nightwing
-I always felt that both of these characters were always trying to find a costume that fit and the 90s was the point where they FINALLY hit it.
(Though it took much longer for Catwoman then for Nightwing.)
Ben Reilly
-My favorite Marvel character. I loved the "Scarlet Spider" suit because it looked like something somebody could throw together from scraps they found at a thrift store, in the trash, etc. (One of which was the actual origin for his suit, I belive.) Gave it more of a real world vibe in that it didn't have that "custom-made-by-a-world-class-taylor-for-thousands-of-dollars" look.
I also liked both of Ben's suits for having the web shooters on the outside. To be honest, this is the thing that cinched him as my favorite Marvel character. Even as a 5-year old watching "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends", I wondered why the heck such a complex mechanism as Spidey's web-shooters wouldn't result in a huge bulge on the wrists.
I am surprised the video didn't mention the later (and longer) use of Ben's Spider-Man costume for his AU MC2 Niece, May Parker. (AKA Spider-Girl)
Azrael was an interesting character, and I was always sad that DC just abandoned him.
Knightfall was the source of one of my two all time favorite comic book quotes...
"Murcielago! Murcielago! ....He has RETURNED!!!" (Bane: Robin ongoing, #10)
I too liked the black suit (Though I've always referred to it as the "resurrection suit), but I hate when they try to give it a cape like in the Snyderverse. If you need to make it flashier for film, then maybe have the silver "S" start glowing as it absorbs more power or something.
One you didn't mention (that some liked, though it might have been more early 2000s)...
The Superman Blue (later red and blue) suit. (AKA Energy Superman)
I've always thought that one would have looked better with the blue parts the same, the light blue parts red, and all the surrounding energy Yellow.
Made it once with an MS paint edit. Looked a lot better with the classic colors.
Tim Drake Robin: 100% agree. This might be my no.1 for 90’s redesigns actually.
Storm: I still prefer her Dave Cockrum costume but this is a close second.
Parallax: I don’t agree with what they did to Hal, BUT if you’re gonna make him a villain the suit works. It’s kind of a GL Darth Vader.
Catwoman: I like it, close second to the Darwyn Cooke costume for me. But I also dig the golden age dress and cape. Realistic? No. But I’ve never viewed that as the point of superhero costumes.
Nightwing: Kinda meh. I think my ideal suit would be this combined with the symbol from the animated series and his Jim Lee haircut. No mullets or ponytails please.
Spider-Man (Ben Reilly): Oooh. This is the only alternate Spider-Man costume I truly enjoy even though not everybody can draw it right. It’s a good extension of the classic suit. I can’t help but wish it had been made for Peter to be honest.
Iron Man: Nah. I’m all in on the 70’s-80’s classic red and gold.
Batman Jean Paul-Valley: It accomplished it’s intended goal but it’s 90’s in a fugly way.
Superman black suit: Comic version-It’s a cool design for what it is in the story. Movie version-Needless pallet swap.
Cyclops: Yeah I agree with you hear. I still like his John Byrne era costume but this is the suit I tend to think of him wearing. The exposed hair wiping about while he’s firing off his visor works for reasons I can’t explain. It just does.
The Marvel Masterpiece card series solidified a lot of 90's costumes status. My top 10 are
Gambit
Shatter Star
Havoc
Archangel
Bishop
Nightcrawler
Pyro
Mr Sinister
Juggernaut
Psylocke
Omega Red
90s Nightwing is absolutely iconic, but two big things I think you missed: they cut Dick's long ponytail in a literal fight sequence at the beginning of the ongoing 1996 series where he even comments he was meaning to get a haircut, and imo that hairstyle is much more iconic for the era. Also, the FINGERSTRIPES! SUPER important to the flow of the costume and accenting the color on the minimal look and every time they remove them in more modern suits it makes me very sad. I'm very happy you included him tho, even if his look is a bit opposed to the general ethos and design language of the era :3
Ahh, the 1990s! The decade in which many an artist said to superheroes: "You get a jacket. And you get a jacket! And you! And you! Not you, Batman!"
By the way, thanks for including Cyclops' 90s suit. To me, that suit looked like Cyke had become a SHIELD agent and I mean that in a good way.
The fact that the recent Spiderman video game didn't have the Ben Reilly's costume was a bit of a disappointment but I understand that everyone has a favorite variant they want to see in a game. I hope it makes it in in a sequel.
I was gonna put this fun fact on the newer bad 90s design vid, but i like the subject matter so it's going on the "good" one.
Fun fact: this era of comic super hero design (most specifically Spawn) was a huge inspiration for Digimon's design ethos! Even as recently as last year we've gotten Digimon decked out in power armor and belts
Loved the X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse music chime, but I’m here to say the Ben Reilly Sensational suit is my all time favourite suit.
It’s nice to see people talk about it. I hate the new design, personally. Only because the big logo being off-cantered drives me bananas.
I feel like this is a dude I could vibe with - just about every costume on this list is one I've considered an underrated gem for a while now
A few thoughts:
Parallax - I love this design by Daryl banks (an underrated 90s artist, I'd say), I think a big part of why Parallax keeps being brought back is just to give artists an excuse to draw this costume because it just looks that bad-ass. I think it should be mentioned that Banks also did something rare by knocking it out of the park with back-to-back costume designs, because the Kyle Rayner GL costume is just as good, IMHO (hence why DC brought it back and made it Kyle's defacto look a few years ago)
Sensational Spider-man - loved it when i first saw it, and still my favorite Spider-man costume to this day. There's a reason they gave it to Spider-girl for her series instead of having her wear her dad's threads, because it's that damn good looking a design.
Azbats - I moreso love the debut version of this costume (the upgraded versions are still good, but a little overdone I'd say with all the extra bits), and what I don't think it gets enough credit for is the way it blended many of the design elements from the Quesada designed Azrael costume into a costume that still looks like a Batsuit (albeit a hyper 90s, edgey Batsuit). Which I think fits with what the writing team was going for with the storyline beyond "edgey costume for an edgey batman" - multiple points throughout the overall story arc, Valley makes it clear that while he's taking on the Bat mantle, he's going to have be Batman in his own unique way if he's going to succeed, so of course he builds a batsuit/armor that has more similarities with his Azrael armor that he's more used to using
Black suit superman - maybe the best design from that storyline, which says a lot considering the story featured 4 other new designs for replacement supermen that were all bangers. Again, there's a reason DC keeps dusting off this design for stories since it initially debuted because it's just such a striking visual for the character. That said, it's still not my favorite 90s superman redesign - people can dump on it all they want, but i love the electric blue containment suit and the powers that came with it (I feel like most people I see ripping on it haven't even read the actual storyline, they just made a snap judgment based on some cover art and jokes other people have made online that they saw, and assume the consensus is that it sucks and if they want to be accepted they have to take some easy dunks on it that they copy-pasta'd from an old chat forum).
Cyclops & Storm - Jim Lee is usually pretty weak with costume designs (ie look at literally anything he did after X-Men, 95% of those designs kinda blow), but damn did he knock it out of the park with these iconic looks. And these two aren't even the best designs he did for the x-men - his costume for Rogue is maybe the best look she's ever had and the standout from a batch of standouts (also, shootouts for gambit and psylocke, which came a couple years earlier but are also iconic in their own right).