Summary
Captain Americahas a rich history that spans over eighty years in Marvel Comics. Throughout this time, many different writers and artists have brought this character to life, whether it’s Steve Rogers or one of his successors. As a result, the Star-Spangled Avenger has had a wide variety of costumes over the years.
From the classic star-spangled design to modern tactical variations, Cap’s wardrobe has evolved significantly over the decades. Each costume tells its own story, reflecting not only the changing times but also the various challenges and roles the Marvel superhero has taken on throughout their heroic journey.
10Earth X
A Dark Captain For A Darker Timeline
Rather than a miracle, Captain America emerging from the ice in theEarth Xstoryline is a nightmare where all of Earth’s population has become superpowered beings. Steve Rogers is depicted as a survivor trying to stay alivein the apocalyptic world, wearing a toga made from an American flag and the remnants of his uniform for his pants.
The Earth X design makes Captain America look more like a barbarian warrior carrying a shield, and the usual A symbol is now a scar branded into his forehead and face, just to show how much darker and bolder this universe is. It’s most effective thanks to the artwork by famed illustrator Alex Ross, who has worked on many Marvel and DC projects, including Kingdom Come.
9Soldier Supreme
What Happens When Doctor Strange And Captain America Fuse
As a result of the Infinity Stones creating another reality called Warp World, Doctor Strange and Captain America are fused into a new being called Soldier Supreme. The concept is simple, with aspects of both heroes put together, such as the cloak and tunic of Doctor Strange paired up with the cowl, armor, and star-spangled color scheme of Captain America.
The idea of fusing two heroes together is a classic childhood fantasy that has been executed in other franchises, such as DC and Dragon Ball. Marvel delivered on the concept as well with Soldier Supreme, especially with his magic being how he creates the signature shields and insignias.
8Bucky Barnes
The Winter Soldier Carried The Torch With A Fury
Multiple people aside from Steve Rogers have worn the Captain America moniker, including his best friend, Bucky Barnes, who most know as the Winter Soldier. After Steve Rogers died in theCivil Warstoryline, Bucky attempted to carry the torch out of respect, even if he was a morebrutal version of Captain Americathat only lasted temporarily.
The costume Bucky wears as Captain America matches his darker personality, with most of the white and bright blue being replaced with dark blue and black and a metallic finish. The best part of Bucky’s suit is the flag shape on his chest, resembling the old-school shield Steve wielded in his first appearance.
7Classic
Jack Kirby’s Original Design Remains Iconic
From his first appearanceto the comics today, Marvel always reverts to theclassicsuit for Steve Rogers. It’s a simple superhero uniform, but the addition of stars, stripes, and wings on his cowl leads to a signature look that may be old-fashioned, but sometimes that’s all that is needed to make Captain America look iconic.
When the classic look first appeared in 1941, it was designed by Jack Kirby to inspire soldiers and children during World War 2, hence why the red, white, and blue suit is so on the nose. However, over eighty years later, it is still what most people think of when they think of the character, to the point thatmost Captain America video gamesfeature the look.
6Captain Carter
Peggy Has Become A Beloved Marvel Superhero
The multiverse has led to many fun concepts being explored, including an alternate reality where Steve’s greatest love, Peggy Carter, becomes the Star Spangled Avenger.Captain Carteris technically not Captain America, which is reflected in her uniform having a design that blends the classic Captain America look with bits of the British flag included.
One of the most refreshing aspects of Peggy Carter’s design is that she does look like a super soldier. Muscular women rarely get representation in comics, but Captain Carter is one of those rarities, giving her a look that mixes brawn, beauty, and brains in one that fans loved so much that she has since become a popular version of the character in comics and the MCU.
5Secret Empire
A Great Suit Wasted On An Evil Captain America
It is a shame that theSecret Empireversion of Captain America is pure evil because the costume he woreas the leader of Hydraquickly became iconic. It mixes the traditional Captain America design with more militaristic aspects, similar to what would be seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even the scales on his upper torso were given an overhaul.
The darker blue is mixed nicely with the vibrant reds in theSecret Empireuniform. The suit also saw the return of the kite shield, with a whole new blue design with a star. TheSecret Empiredesign appears to be suitable for both a heroic and a villainous interpretation of Captain America simultaneously.
4Sam Wilson
The All-New Captain America Mixes Old And New
Sam Wilson, previously known as Falcon, became the only hero to have an extensive career as Captain America. He is not a super soldier or an enhanced human; he relies solely on his skills, along with a special suit that both protects him and allows him to fly, just like when he was Falcon. The character hasbecome Captain America in the MCU, starring inCaptain America: Brave New World.
The suit that Sam Wilson wears as Captain America is completely different from Bucky’s suit. Sam’s outfit is primarily snow-white and blue and features wing-like patterns, along with the iconic Stars and Stripes. Reflecting his approach, Sam’s suit symbolizes both a tribute to the past and his own unique style as Captain America.
3Ultimate
Steve Rogers Got A Perfect Redesign For The Ultimate Universe
In the early 2000s, Marvel created theUltimateUniverse as an attempt to give new readers an entirely new Marvel canon. Steve Rogers was given a new appearance that maintained the overall expected look of Captain America but added in new details such as military pouches and a bodysuit that added more padding to look less like spandex.
While the Ultimate Universe ended up falling apart thanks to relying too much on shock value and overly edgy writing, most of the designs for characters were praised, updating characters to the modern age. The suit would be directly adapted in theUltimate Avengersanimated films from the early 2000s.
2World War 2
The Ideal Uniform For A Super Soldier
Over the years, Marvel has embraced the idea of showcasing Steve Rogers in a proto-Captain America uniform when he first joinedWorld War 2. He wore a modified bomber jacket, goggles, and a military helmet, all decorated with the scheme of classic Captain America, which made him look more grounded and realistic.
In a way, the costume looks like something a super soldier reallywould wear in World War 2, and fans have grown to love the design so much that Marvel has included it in various video games and animations. It was also somewhat homaged in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1Secret Avenger
The Blue And White Became An Iconic Look For Comics And Movies
Those who loved the S.T.R.I.K.E. suit Steve Rogers wore inCaptain America: The Winter Soldiermight want to look at when he becomes aSecret Avengerin the aptly titled Secret Avengers comics. The all-blue tactical uniform with silver Stars and Stripes makes Steve Rogerslook more like a super spythan a superhero while still looking like Captain America.
In addition to the new design and colors of the suit, the Secret Avenger version of Captain America does not feature his signature cowl. Instead, it portrays Steve Rogers with a more rugged appearance, complete with a five o’clock shadow, to show that he is not trying to be the government’s beloved superhero anymore.
