Translating comic book costumes onto the big screen in live-action isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. Every Avengers movie in the MCU has seemed to add new touches to the outfits of the franchise’s core heroes, leading to many iconic looks over the years. Choosing the best isn’t an easy task, particularly as many of the coolest costumes vary wildly in terms of pure comics accuracy. Even so, here are some of the Avengers’ best MCU looks, ranked by how accurate they are to the comics.
7) Captain America’s Endgame Armor
Image courtesy of Marvel Studios
Avengers: Endgame featured some of the MCU’s best Captain America moments, but also one of his most iconic looks. The suit worn by Steve Rogers in Endgame is very similar to previous MCU iterations of the costume, with the key difference being the pattern on its armor-plated chest. This evokes the scale-like chainmail effect seen on the character’s classic comic book costume, narrowly making it the character’s most comics-accurate appearance across his roles in the MCU’s Avengers movies.
6) Iron Man’s Mark VI Suit
Image courtesy of Marvel Studios
The MCU has featured many Iron Man armors, and, in truth, all of them are incredibly cool. As well as being one of the best-designed heroes in the MCU’s Avengers movies, Iron Man also boasts several comics-accurate suits, such as the Mark VI, which was most prominently featured in 2012’s The Avengers. Its triangular chest piece and classic red-and-gold color scheme match the Mark VI of the comics, making it both one of the most stylish and comics-accurate costumes featured in Avengers movies.
5) Thor’s Avengers Suit
Image courtesy of Marvel Studios
Although Thor isn’t widely known for wearing the best Avengers costumes in the MCU, he has had some underrated looks. The Avengers saw him don a plated suit of armor, complete with circular designs on the chest, scaled full-length sleeves, and a red cape. As well as evoking both the warriors of ancient times and the splendor of Asgard, Thor’s costume in The Avengers is perhaps the most comics-accurate he’s ever looked in the MCU.
4) Ruffalo’s Hulk Redesign
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Though Edward Norton originated the role in the MCU, Mark Ruffalo has made the role his own, starting with his debut in The Avengers. The movie improved upon The Incredible Hulk‘s visual effects, making its Hulk look more realistic than ever. The movie saw Hulk donning classic purple ripped shorts, making it his most comics-accurate look in the MCU to date. While it might not seem overly eye-catching by the franchise’s standards, the novelty of seeing Hulk brought to life with such impressive detail also makes it one of his best representations to date.
3) Iron Man’s Hulkbuster Armor
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The MCU’s Iron Man suits are all exceptionally cool, but the Hulkbuster armor worn by the hero in Avengers: Age of Ultron is perhaps the best in the entire franchise. Reimagining the hero as a mechanized powerhouse capable of taking out Savage Hulk, the Hulkbuster armor isn’t just aesthetically awesome, but comics-accurate, too. It closely follows the design of the armor as shown in the comics, just with a few added details and touches to lend extra realism to the scene.
2) Black Widow’s Tactical Gear
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Of all Black Widow’s appearances in the MCU, her costumes have never been the most eye-catching in comparison to her fellow Avengers. The hero’s focus on stealth and functionality means that she typically wears black bodysuits, which makes her easy to overlook alongside the more colorful ensembles of the MCU’s other characters. The suit she wears in The Avengers is exceptionally comics-accurate, though, with its full-length all-black design, bracers, and belt complete with a small Black Widow motif.
1) Iron Man’s Bleeding Edge Armor
Image courtesy of Marvel Studios
Avengers: Infinity War features some great Iron Man MCU moments, and also perhaps his best look in the franchise. His upgraded armor for the movie isn’t specifically named, but it’s clearly the Bleeding Edge armor from the comics. From the sleek, fitted design to the minor touches of light in key points around the armor, it’s Iron Man’s coolest and most comics-accurate appearance in the MCU. Considering how incredible some of his other suits have been, that’s quite an impressive feat.
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