MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 3 is finally hitting the shelves next week and, now that the full line-up’s been revealed, the next batch of surprises will presumably be found in the alternate costumes that’ll be available for all the characters. You know, like how you can choose between playing as regular Spidey, Iron Spidey or Symbiote Spidey. Since everybody’s talking about Cap now because of that kick-ass Super Bowl spot, I figured it was appropriate to parlay the two discussions together and do a little list of possible alternate costumes for the Sentinel of Liberty. We already know that players can choose approximations of the Red Guardian’s outfit and the Punisher’s patriotic wet suit, but I’m sure there will be plenty additional ones available for download.
Even if you aren’t a fan of the games, come on and participate. While the classic star spangled spandex is indisputably the best, let’s say a costume change was coming to the comics. Out of all the alternates Mr. Steve Rogers has worn in the past, which one would you maniacs want to make a comeback? == TEASER ==
NOMAD
Cap wore this during a period of disillusionment in the 70s where he conscientiously abandoned the Captain America identity after witnessing the American president (a sleeper agent for the Secret Empire) commit suicide. Cap wandered the country as a “man without a country,” a nomad in codename and in quality. Truthfully, it’s a bit garish with the collar buckles and the really low-cut v-neck collar, and the re-design that Rikki Barnes is currently wearing looks a lot better. The cape is also pretty impractical: Cap actually tripping on it once established that pretty effectively.
THE CAPTAIN
Another outfit taken on during a period of conscientious objection when Mr. Rogers abandoned the Captain America identity (this time because the government demanded he serve them blindly.) He wore it for a time as the Captain while John Walker served as the sixth Captain America, and it eventually became yet another hand-me-down for Walker. It's a cool design - - having an undercurrent of political edge that always struck me as what an anarchist parody of Cap would look like - - and it's obvious that the USAgent identity was devised just to give a reason for it come back.
ARMOR
This most surely the most reviled choice on this list. It debuted during the mid-90s and was seen by many fans as a strained attempt to make Cap as edgy as the grim ‘n gritty heroes that dominated that era. The plot behind it was actually pretty well reasoned, though. When the Super Soldier Serum broke down after decades of reaction (with Steve's body basically rejecting the juice) Cap was left nearly crippled. Iron Man then built his buddy an armor to keep him up and kicking and, considering that, it’s actually an odd bit of forshadowing for the Iron Patriot suit Norman Osborn would eventually wear.
EARTH X
Though this was never actually worn in the 616-verse, it’s such a powerful Alex Ross design that I think its inclusion is duel warranted here. Like the Captain costume, this has the rare quality of making some politico-philosophical statements simply through design choice. It's an undoubtedly provocative image to see a hero representing the American dream in such shambles; for him to even be wearing a tattered flag as some kind of tunic. Indeed, this outfit fulfills the Nomad claim better than actual Nomad outfit does.
SUPER-SOLDIER
Yeah, this does look like a uniform a member of G.I. JOE ought to wear and I say… what’s wrong with that? G.I. Joe was actually fashioned off S.H.I.E.L.D. so the lineage of ideas would certainly fit.This is a smartly designed outfit that looks practical enough to be worn in reality while still having the necessary flash a superhero outfit needs. Some fans have been dubious about the prospect of having two Caps running around at once, but I’m totally down for Steve to continue in this role while Bucky serves as Cap. It just seems like a natural evolution for the characters, and this costume reflects that very well.
There are plenty more of Cap's outfits to choose from; not just in the regular Marvel universe, but also in all the worlds scattered across the multi-verse. Which one do you maniacs think deserves the elusive distinction of "best alternate?"
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE . Order them on Amazon here & here . Follow him on Twitter: @tompinchuk
89 Comments