# Are there any comic book heroes or villains who've never altered their costume **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 7, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385 "2012-06-07T14:21:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/101 "2012-06-11T13:39:54Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > The same artist decided to draw the same effect differently. Yes, he did. And it’s a change in the appearance, contrary to **Zebra’s** assertion that it had not changed. That it was changed by the same artist within a year is significant. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/102 "2012-06-11T13:59:14Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > He had the alien symbiote costume for a while. The design of the classic black and red changed around at some point as well, I think, then changed back. Red & Black (with blue highlights, ala Superman’s hair) is sometimes Red & Blue and he keeps losing and regaining his web-pits (BRING BACK WEBPITS!\*). Also, the eyes keep changing dramatically. When it’s say, Todd McFarlane, his eyeholes changed from eye-sized white holes to giant “commas” that go from forehead to mid-cheek. \*Funny line from JJJ: “Those aren’t web-pits! He just doesn’t shower! Have you _smelled_ that menace?!” ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/103 "2012-06-11T15:21:56Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Yes, he did. And it’s a change in the appearance, contrary to **Zebra’s** assertion that it had not changed. That it was changed by the same artist within a year is significant. Aren’t you the guy who, just a page or two ago, was maintaining that drawing the Silver Surfer with trunks wasn’t a costume change? But now, how The Torch’s flames are drawn is? Frankly, your criteria, or lack of them, for what constitutes a change baffles me. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/104 "2012-06-11T15:34:11Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > Hal’s costume has changed some, mostly the amount of green that is below the belt line. enough that it looks like an altered super suit. At first, Hal’s sleeves were black all around, making the green part of his shirt look like a vest. Later, the black was restricted to his armpits and the sides of his torso. > [@Daddypants](#): > > No, the Big Red Cheese has had at least two slightly different costumes. The original had a flap with buttons on the chest. The term you’re looking for is “double-breasted.” ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/105 "2012-06-11T15:52:23Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Not true. In FF#! Johnny Storm looked completely different – like a vaguely human-shaped flame, rather than the parallel-lines-covering-his-body firebrand – than he did only a dozen or so issues later. It was so striking a difference that , when they reproduced the first few pages of FF#1 in their first Annual in 1963 they felt compelled to redraw the Human Torch for it. They didn’t redraw The Thing, even though his appearance had changed from a sloppy rock-like Kirby Monster to “guy covered in pieces of broken flowerpots”. > > And, of course, his appearance has altered as new artists depicted him, especially in recent years. > > As for the _original_ Human Torch, his appearance on the cover of the first issue of Marvel Tales is different from his appearance inside (an on subsequent covers), and he looked even more different when Marvel revived him in FF ANNual #4. And his flame-off costume changed quite a bit over the years. I think that its ok to draw Ben Grimm like that, as the change in look is all part of thing lore. When there was a she-thing (who was called ‘Ms Marvel’ for some reason), she also started out with the sloppy rock look, but eventually started to develop the chunks of rock look that Ben Grimm has. Ben commented at the time that this was normal for Things as the same thing happened to him. He was slowly turning into a pineapple at the time, so it seems that Things get rockier as time goes on. [http://www.fantastic-four.nl/shethingrs.gif](http://www.fantastic-four.nl/shethingrs.gif) Ben reverted back to his normal look again soon after. In other words, the more things change, the more they stay the same ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/106 "2012-06-11T16:05:32Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Aren’t you the guy who, just a page or two ago, was maintaining that drawing the Silver Surfer with trunks wasn’t a costume change? But now, how The Torch’s flames are drawn is? Frankly, your criteria, or lack of them, for what constitutes a change baffles me. Look at post #99. And vastky different flames are different from a line that might or might not be trunks ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/107 "2012-06-11T16:34:41Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Yes, he did. And it’s a change in the appearance, contrary to **Zebra’s** assertion that it had not changed. That it was changed by the same artist within a year is significant. More of question than an assertion. Zebra, not a comic book geek. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/108 "2012-06-11T17:09:39Z")
A lot of the cosmics seem pretty static. I was guessing Thanos was a lock, but in addition to getting beefier, his costume was given some definite tweaks after his first appearance. Early Thanos [http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/thanos2.jpg](http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/thanos2.jpg) Standard Thanos [![](http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/individuals/t_1d/thanos.gif) ](http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/individuals/t_1d/thanos.gif) Getting pants has to be a HUGE upgrade for a fictional character. I imagine they call it the Porky Pig Hurdle. Look at that second picture and tell me he’s not saying, “Check out these pants. I totally have pants.” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/109 "2012-06-11T17:36:09Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > How about if they’re the same artist? Jack Kirby drew them both. > > And I don’t think it’s because he wanted to hide Naughty Bits from the CCA. I have to agree with the people saying that’s not a costume change: in both pictures, he’s “Guy on fire.” How Kirby thought a guy on fire should look changed, but what he’s trying to represent didn’t. He looks different to us, but he’s clearly not supposed to look different to, say, Reed Richards - which is emphasized by the fact that they went back and re-drew him for the annual. When Thanos got his pants, they didn’t go back and draw new pants on him when they issued re-prints. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/110 "2012-06-12T00:04:48Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I’m sorry? > 😕 > [@BMalion](#): > > Thank you, **Chronos** , I have never heard of Spider-Man 2099. No need to be sorry, if I seemed harsh to you it wasn’t intended as such, I was just trying to point out we were talking about different characters, Chronos did word it better than me, I suppose. > [@drastic\_quench](#): > > A lot of the cosmics seem pretty static. I was guessing Thanos was a lock, but in addition to getting beefier, his costume was given some definite tweaks after his first appearance. > > Early Thanos > [http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/thanos2.jpg](http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/thanos2.jpg) > > Standard Thanos > [http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/individuals/t\_1d/thanos.gif](http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/individuals/t_1d/thanos.gif) > > Getting pants has to be a HUGE upgrade for a fictional character. I imagine they call it the Porky Pig Hurdle. Look at that second picture and tell me he’s not saying, “Check out these pants. I totally have pants.” To me he’s saying “giggity giggity giggity” ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/111 "2012-06-12T01:01:50Z")
Kang the Conqueror’s outfit has stayed remarkably consistent (a version of him wore a cape for a while) considering how random and un-futuristic it is. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/112 "2012-06-12T01:31:34Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > No need to be sorry, if I seemed harsh to you it wasn’t intended as such … You misunderstand. When someone says “I’m sorry\*\*?\*\*” with a question mark, that’s not an apology. It indicates confusion, and requests clarification. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/113 "2012-06-12T02:19:42Z")
> [@B.Serum](#): > > Kang the Conqueror’s outfit has stayed remarkably consistent (a version of him wore a cape for a while) considering how random and un-futuristic it is. I once saw a great quote from writer Kurt Busiek that said something to the effect of, ‘we decided rather than a redesign, Kang would come from a place/time where purple hip boots and a green jerkin WERE the most badass things to wear.’ ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/114 "2012-06-12T09:40:51Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > As for the _original_ Human Torch, his appearance on the cover of the first issue of Marvel Tales is different from his appearance inside (an on subsequent covers), and he looked even more different when Marvel revived him in FF ANNual #4. And his flame-off costume changed quite a bit over the years. I’ve heard (but can’t verify) that the original Torch’s costume and flame were blue in his first appearance, owing to a coloring error. But his red union suit w. footies, red trunks, and that weird collar with a disc on the front have remained pretty constant. I could be misremembering this, but wasn’t the revived Torch in FF Annual #4 actually Toro? ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/115 "2012-06-12T17:55:38Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > DC’s Captain Marvel. For most of his original run the costume went without substantial change. But check out [how he first appeared](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Whiz2.JPG). His tunic had a front flap, similar to a movie doorman of the time. It’s interesting how little differnt the costume was otherwise. Maybe the lightning bolt was a little thinner. But that hardly counts, IMO. Hm. I just noticed that Alex Ross seems to like [URmL=“[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Captainmarvel.JPG](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Captainmarvel.JPG)”]the old look. [_ **Golllllly!** _](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomer_Pyle#Character) * * * ETA: Wasn’t MM’s young alien companion [Zook](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zook_(comics)), completlely naked? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/116 "2012-06-12T18:30:30Z")
> [@Trans Fat Og](#): > > His tunic had a front flap, similar to a movie doorman of the time. See Post No. 104, it’s a “double-breasted” jacket, which was a popular feature of many uniforms, particularly police and military uniforms, not just those of doormen at movie theaters. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/117 "2012-06-12T18:36:55Z")
Doctor Doom’s costume has stayed very consistent over the years. Edit: beaten to the punch by days, by Bosda. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/118 "2012-06-12T18:52:22Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > Ben reverted back to his normal look again soon after. In other words, the more things change, the more they stay the same That was fantastic. Line of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385/119 "2012-06-15T07:09:07Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > You misunderstand. When someone says “I’m sorry\*\*?\*\*” with a question mark, that’s not an apology. It indicates confusion, and requests clarification. I’m sorry; [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-comic-book-heroes-or-villains-whove-never-altered-their-costume/624385.md?page=5)