Stan Lee, Superhero Costumes & Marvel: A Surprising History

The Marvel Universe, created by the legendary Stan Lee, changed the landscape of comic books forever! But even Stan Lee couldn't defy all the rules, and there's one fan-favorite thing that never really got changed!

Marvel's Rebellion

In the early 1960s, Stan Lee and his team shook up the comic world. They gave us superheroes who were more relatable. They were flawed, fought amongst themselves, and even had trouble paying bills! It was a new approach, a break from older comics, where superheroes seemed to be a little more, well...boring.

One of Lee's early ideas? Superheroes shouldn't have costumes. Let's get rid of those crazy outfits! In a 1968 interview with Ted White (later reprinted in 1995 by The Comics Journal), Lee talks about trying this with the Fantastic Four.

Also Read: Stan Lee's Last Cameo: A Farewell to a Marvel Icon

The Costume Controversy

The Fantastic Four in Marvel Comics with the cover of 1962's Fantastic Four #3 Image

Turns out, Lee learned a valuable lesson the hard way: fans love superhero costumes! In the early days, the Fantastic Four actually appeared in street clothes. The reaction was that some fans loved their relatable side and that really connected! Lee admitted this wasn't always something he worried about. However, he learned pretty quickly, that there's nothing more exciting for some fans than a good old costume!

Also Read: Marvel's New Warriors Three: Captain America, Thor, and Spider-Man Team Up!

Why Costumes Matter

Superhero costumes have been around forever, as far back as Superman’s debut! That bright outfit became a signature and became an archetype that others copied. Later, Batman introduced a darker style, with his dark costume. Now you could add other styles!

A big jump in costumes happened with the Silver Age of comics in the mid-1950s, thanks to The Flash, Green Lantern, and others who showed up in brilliant colors! These costumes continued this powerful visual, carrying into the Silver Age!

Also Read: Stan Lee's Love for the Campy Batman TV Show - A Look Back

Fantastic Four's Turnaround

The Fantastic Four by Alex Ross, showing the team standing together. Image

Even Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, while creating the iconic Fantastic Four in 1961, got the memo eventually! While initially going without costumes (as if it would revolutionize comic books!) The Fantastic Four eventually were back in those blue and white jumpsuits by issue #3. They even gave a clever explanation: these suits were made of special “unstable molecules”, allowing them to withstand the team’s unique powers!

Also Read: Nightwing's New Costume Highlights Not Batman's but Superman's Legacy.

Marvel's Later Attempts

While other Marvel heroes—like The Hulk—would sometimes go without full costumes. Most would wear colorful gear in their early appearances. This would continue even with imprints like the New Universe from 1986 (which ended up flopping). The big takeaway is that a hero in a great suit helps their character gain popularity.

Costumes Here to Stay

Bright, flashy outfits haven't just become important over time for characters who want more fans. What these crazy superhero costumes created is more than just cool graphics and imagery! They’re a major part of these characters and their storytelling, and even new comic imprints like Valiant and Image knew this! Even today’s heroes rock amazing, distinctive looks!

Why are superhero costumes such a hit? While there are plenty of theories—maybe it's because we love to fantasize about power—one thing is for sure: even Stan Lee, one of the biggest names to create this, realized their importance. Even with wanting to do a lot of amazing twists! Fans never wanted a hero without a suit!