For me, Spider-Man has the best costume designs ever, if only for the mere fact every incarnation covers his entire body. Think about it, Peter Parker is already a big nerd. You’re only going to look nerdier wearing a goofy spandex super-hero costume. Yet, Peter was smart enough at the age of fifteen to think if he’s going to dress up, his outfit should not allow one bit of his identity to show. Why? Because he was tired of being called a nerd, duh. With great power comes great responsibility and all that jazz, but in the end of the day Peter is more concerned about keeping his identity secret so Flash Thompson stops bulling him in front of Mary-Jane. It’s not going to help get the girl if Thompson infers it’s Parker in those dorky tights. Consequently, you don’t see his mouth, or his eyes. You can’t tell if he’s black or white. Spider-Man’s completely incognito, with the exception of his corny one-liners. That’s what makes a good outfit. Also, I doesn’t hurt that even if he’s wearing one of the bad Spider-Man costumes, his is still generally cooler looking than any other super-hero in the lot.

Case in point, look at the Scarlet Spider’s costume. It’s the mid 90s. Everyone has pouches and belts. The trench coat had become the new cape. Most every character in Marvel is looking ridiculously roided out. Spider-Clone Ben Riley fell pray to this, but somehow it just seems less obnoxious than anyone else. Even with utility belt and the hoodie with the off-center spider symbol, it was still a basic variation of the iconic Spider-Man costume. That and the metal Spider-suit (also 90s) was about as bad as Peter’s fashion sense every got, and it wasn’t that bad. No wonder he’s married to a super-model. The rest of his Spider-Duds are really awesome.

There is no denying the Steve Ditko designed classic Spider-Man suit is an iconic look, even with webbed armpits (I bet Lady Gaga would rock that look). When they introduced the black Spider-outfit or the Iron Spider-Suit however, Spidey still looked great. I’m telling you, it’s because every outfit sticks to the principle of keeping him completely masked. Even his Fantastic Four Spider-Man outfit with the paper-bag over his head sticks to that simply rule criteria, and with a damn grocery bag over his head he looks cooler than Mr. Fantastic ever looked.

Spider-Man was a really easy choice. If I had to pick a second favorite costume, I think it would be the original Havok outfit. I know it looks like he has an ornament for a head, but I just think he looks cool, kinda like a Mega Man mini-boss. I don’t think I can justify the costumes coolness any further, so I’m going to stop here. Havok rules!

-Jon

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