Cyclops’ comment in “X-Men” about the color of the titular team’s uniforms reflects a different era in comic book movie history. At the time of the film’s release, accuracy in regards to costuming was far from the norm. Marvel productions like “X-Men” and “Daredevil,” as well as DC projects like “Catwoman” and “Batman Begins,” worked hard to avoid going full-on comic book with their wardrobes. Leather or kevlar, muted colors, and even total redesigns were the standard, likely to make some characters more palatable to general audiences, even though die-hard comic fans wanted to see them as they were visualized in print.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and comic-accurate costuming is all the rage. Characters like Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), and Captain America (Anthony Mackie), to name a few, now all don outfits in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that look like they jumped right off the pages of Marvel Comics. Even Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is finally getting a proper yellow and blue costume for “Deadpool and Wolverine,” almost 25 years after he first zipped up his shiny black “X-Men” jumpsuit — and years after another Jackman film teased such a Wolverine costume.
All these years after “X-Men” premiered, comic book adaptations are as mainstream as can be. Studios don’t feel the need to hide the comic book origins of these characters anymore with disappointing superhero movie costumes. The X-Men and others can appear onscreen in the most wild, vibrant outfits possible — now to excitement and applause.
As Season 1 of “X-Men ’97” draws to a close, the Marvel animated hit has previewed a callback that shows just how far superheroes have come on the screen. Read More