Costume Maketh the Villain P. 3

By Shrey Sankalp

Hiya reader, it’s good to have you back.

Remember how we’ve been constantly talking about how important superhero costumes are and how there are some costumes that are more iconic than others and stuff?

Yeah, I just got a call from the Worldwide Association of Comic Book Villains and boy, they are not happy how I’ve completely ignored them.

I know better than to get my name down on their ‘naughty list’, so I figured I’d put in a few words about them too.

After all, it’s not like they don’t know how to dress, is it?

The need to look as sharp as their nemeses aside, villains have their reasons for dressing like they do.

Image Source: Pinterest

Take Bane for example – in the comic book, his costume is engineered in a specific way to provide him a dose of his strength granting serum ‘Venom’ when the moment calls for it, while his movie counterpart needs his mask to deliver the anaesthetic that keeps him from being crippled with pain from his injuries.

Image Source: Pinterest

Other villains like Black Mask and Deathstroke have similar reasons for their costumes, Black Mask’s mask is fused with his face (comics are weird) while Deathstroke’s mask offers protection to his, which is missing an eye.

These examples are rather utilitarian, but one of the most obvious reasons that villains have a costume is to protect their identity – makes sense, doesn’t it? 

I don’t suppose any criminal wanted for multiple felonies would be all too happy to expose his face for all to see.

Even so, a vast majority of villains eschew a costume, but it’s usually down to their powers – Doctor Octopus would still be recognizable with a mask on (unless he can hide those arms), Sandman couldn’t come up with a costume if his life depended on it and a villain like Kilgrave who can control minds to get what he wants gets by just fine with his exquisite suits.

Of course, these are all rather elaborate reasons for characters whose costumes were designed with the sole objective of looking cool in mind, but there’s one more reason that I think will garner universal approval:

Fear.

I’ve already talked about how superheroes utilize the insignias that adorn their costumes as a beacon of hope (or in Batman’s case, a literal call sign), and the same logic extends to villains too.

Allow me to explain:

When you see the Bat-Signal in the sky, you know Batman’s coming and soon, everything will be alright. 

Image Source: batman.wikia.com

When you see Scarecrow’s mask, you’re afraid of what’s going to happen next – not bad for a man whose costume includes dressing up like a, well, scarecrow, is it?

Image Source: villains.wikia.com

While villains like Red Skull don’t exactly need a costume to instill fear in your mind, his appearance has indeed become a symbol for villainy and cruelty, much like the Joker has become the poster child for insanity, whether it’s the Mark Hamill iteration (personal favorite!), the earth-shattering Heath Ledger version, or the awfully well-suited Jack Nicholson version.

Image Source: comicvine.gamespot.com / Pinterest

Plus whatever Jared Leto’s tattooed emo grunge-rocker creature is trying to be.

Of course, PhD theses aside, the fact remains that certain costumes are more impactful than others, and I’m sure you’re eager to her my thoughts on those costumes.

I won’t keep you waiting like last time, here’s a list of the most iconic villain costumes to close out our discussion!

5. Green Goblin

Image Source: screenrant.com

Spider-Man is perhaps the most gifted hero in the villains department, and when you factor in how his main nemesis is also one of the best dressed across all iterations, you can’t resist an evil smile.

4. Loki

Image Source: Marvel.com

Now Loki’s costume is something else – it exists to purely reinforce Loki’s love for class and his smooth charm. Does it get the job done? You bet!

3. Magneto

Image Source: marvel.wikia.com

Magneto may not be a traditional villain, but his helmet sure is the crown jewel of any villain’s costume. You know it as you see it.

2. Kilgrave

Image Source: marvel.wikia.com

Aside from a penchant for purple, he could be anyone, which makes him all the more terrifying.

1. The Joker

Image Source: DC Comics

Bonkers, creepy and instantly recognizable, he is the complete package.

Enough said.