Funky Cool Groovy Fashionista Costumes of the 70's
Mar 13, 2019 14:03:38 GMT -5
Roquefort Raider, berkley, and 2 more like this
Post by brutalis on Mar 13, 2019 14:03:38 GMT -5
Okay you funky boys and girls it's time to boogie! Pull out your old high tab collars and platform shoes with bell bottom pants and hang up your disco ball because it's time to groove on what you like and dislike of all the costumes and styles of heroes and villains from the 1970's. We are stepping on out and hitting the clubs with your thoughts and critiques of what is or isn't the high fashion of the greatest age of comic book costuming there ever was. Come on in and join the party!
You may agree or disagree with my judgement about this, but to me the 1970's was the highlight of when comic book costumes were still fun, fresh, exciting and interesting. Most everything before the 70's was rather plain or generic with a few outstanding exceptions. The 1980's and forward haven't been overly kind either as extreme make-over seems to be the inspiration with trying to improve on what came before and usually failing in the attempts for most parts. Bomber Jackets, shoulder pads, knee pads, giant weapons, armor that you would never be able to move in and other current trends do NOT interest me in the least. Take me back to the Paradise City, where the costumes rock and everyone glitters, oooohhhh won't you take me home?
There is a boundless list to choose from and there is lots to discuss. I shall start off with a few of my most favorite costumes/styles which stand the test of time for me.
Falcon and Nighthawk:
These 2 rate very high on my favorites list of all time. Streamlined, heroic looking, colorful and stylish yet functional looking costumes that express not only the character and their powers but you can enjoy them visually month after month. Always exciting to see different artist's interpretations. Great fun to draw and change around and play with on your own, to tweak or designing. These 2 are some of the finest of what I am talking about being great in the 1970's.
Cockrum/Grell on the Legion of Super-Heroes:
This was taking the 70's glam style spandex into futuristic and stunning and sexy designs. If you were a teen finding the LOSH on the spinner rack you were in awe of these spectacular costumes and falling in love with the team members (ok, maybe in love with the bodies the costumes adorned) immediately. All of these newer suits were unique and creative and imaginative and individualistic while maintaining a them and style of costume. I particularly remember and enjoyed Phantom Girl, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Princess Projectra, Timberwolf, Karate Kid and Dawnstar's costumes. Growing up at the time, I drew or came up with variations and designs for most all of the LOSH all coming from and based upon what Dave and Mike started.
Cockrum on Uncanny (New) X-Men:
Talk about imprinting on something. Nothing says 70's and my youth quite like Dave Cockrum designed costumes. And while the LOSH are great, by the time Dave moved on to the X-Men his designs seemed to evolve and improve. Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Thunderbird, Phoenix and Cyclops new visor are some of the most exciting design elements that even current artists return to or try to emulate. These are the costumes I see in my mind every time you say X-Men.
There is so much more to say and talk about. The 70's costumes and styles were and remain stunning reminders of the days of my youth. I can still see Cockrum, Grell, Byrne, Perez, Starlin, Chaykin, and other creators whose designs/creations stunned me with the creativity and styles that were popular back in those glorious days of summer and winter nights spent in comic book reading. What do you remember or what do you think of them now? Toss in your own thoughts and idea's as we all jump aboard the Souuuuuuuuuuuuul Train's closet of 1970's Costumes...
You may agree or disagree with my judgement about this, but to me the 1970's was the highlight of when comic book costumes were still fun, fresh, exciting and interesting. Most everything before the 70's was rather plain or generic with a few outstanding exceptions. The 1980's and forward haven't been overly kind either as extreme make-over seems to be the inspiration with trying to improve on what came before and usually failing in the attempts for most parts. Bomber Jackets, shoulder pads, knee pads, giant weapons, armor that you would never be able to move in and other current trends do NOT interest me in the least. Take me back to the Paradise City, where the costumes rock and everyone glitters, oooohhhh won't you take me home?
There is a boundless list to choose from and there is lots to discuss. I shall start off with a few of my most favorite costumes/styles which stand the test of time for me.
Falcon and Nighthawk:
These 2 rate very high on my favorites list of all time. Streamlined, heroic looking, colorful and stylish yet functional looking costumes that express not only the character and their powers but you can enjoy them visually month after month. Always exciting to see different artist's interpretations. Great fun to draw and change around and play with on your own, to tweak or designing. These 2 are some of the finest of what I am talking about being great in the 1970's.
Cockrum/Grell on the Legion of Super-Heroes:
This was taking the 70's glam style spandex into futuristic and stunning and sexy designs. If you were a teen finding the LOSH on the spinner rack you were in awe of these spectacular costumes and falling in love with the team members (ok, maybe in love with the bodies the costumes adorned) immediately. All of these newer suits were unique and creative and imaginative and individualistic while maintaining a them and style of costume. I particularly remember and enjoyed Phantom Girl, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Princess Projectra, Timberwolf, Karate Kid and Dawnstar's costumes. Growing up at the time, I drew or came up with variations and designs for most all of the LOSH all coming from and based upon what Dave and Mike started.
Cockrum on Uncanny (New) X-Men:
Talk about imprinting on something. Nothing says 70's and my youth quite like Dave Cockrum designed costumes. And while the LOSH are great, by the time Dave moved on to the X-Men his designs seemed to evolve and improve. Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Thunderbird, Phoenix and Cyclops new visor are some of the most exciting design elements that even current artists return to or try to emulate. These are the costumes I see in my mind every time you say X-Men.
There is so much more to say and talk about. The 70's costumes and styles were and remain stunning reminders of the days of my youth. I can still see Cockrum, Grell, Byrne, Perez, Starlin, Chaykin, and other creators whose designs/creations stunned me with the creativity and styles that were popular back in those glorious days of summer and winter nights spent in comic book reading. What do you remember or what do you think of them now? Toss in your own thoughts and idea's as we all jump aboard the Souuuuuuuuuuuuul Train's closet of 1970's Costumes...
