Best Captain America Costumes In The Comics

Summary

• Captain America’s costume evolved through different eras, reflecting the changing times and roles.
• Alternate versions like Soldier Supreme and Captain Carter put unique spins on the classic design.
• The Secret Empire costume was iconic but tainted by the character’s evil portrayal.

Captain America has a rich history that spans over eighty years in Marvel Comics. Throughout this time, many different writers and artists have brought this character to life, whether it’s Steve Rogers or one of his successors. As a result, the Star-Spangled Avenger has had a wide variety of costumes over the years.

From the classic star-spangled design to modern tactical variations, Cap’s wardrobe has evolved significantly over the decades. Each costume tells its own story, reflecting not only the changing times but also the various challenges and roles the Marvel superhero has taken on throughout their heroic journey.

10

Earth X

A Dark Captain For A Darker Timeline

• First Appearance: Earth X
• Creator: Alex Ross

Rather than a miracle, Captain America emerging from the ice in the Earth X storyline is a nightmare where all of Earth’s population has become superpowered beings. Steve Rogers is depicted as a survivor trying to stay alive in the apocalyptic world, wearing a toga made from an American flag and the remnants of his uniform for his pants.

The Earth X design makes Captain America look more like a barbarian warrior carrying a shield, and the usual A symbol is now a scar branded into his forehead and face, just to show how much darker and bolder this universe is. It’s most effective thanks to the artwork by famed illustrator Alex Ross, who has worked on many Marvel and DC projects, including Kingdom Come.

9

Soldier Supreme

What Happens When Doctor Strange And Captain America Fuse

• First Appearance:
• Creator:

As a result of the Infinity Stones creating another reality called Warp World, Doctor Strange and Captain America are fused into a new being called Soldier Supreme. The concept is simple, with aspects of both heroes put together, such as the cloak and tunic of Doctor Strange paired up with the cowl, armor, and star-spangled color scheme of Captain America.

The idea of fusing two heroes together is a classic childhood fantasy that has been executed in other franchises, such as DC and Dragon Ball. Marvel delivered on the concept as well with Soldier Supreme, especially with his magic being how he creates the signature shields and insignias.

8

Bucky Barnes

The Winter Soldier Carried The Torch With A Fury

• First Appearance: Captain America Vol. 5 #34
• Creator: Steve Epting

Multiple people aside from Steve Rogers have worn the Captain America moniker, including his best friend, Bucky Barnes, who most know as the Winter Soldier. After Steve Rogers died in the Civil War storyline, Bucky attempted to carry the torch out of respect, even if he was a more brutal version of Captain America that only lasted temporarily.

The costume Bucky wears as Captain America matches his darker personality, with most of the white and bright blue being replaced with dark blue and black and a metallic finish. The best part of Bucky’s suit is the flag shape on his chest, resembling the old-school shield Steve wielded in his first appearance.

7

Classic

Jack Kirby’s Original Design Remains Iconic

• First Appearance: Captain America Comics #1
• Creator: Jack Kirby

From his first appearance to the comics today, Marvel always reverts to the classic suit for Steve Rogers. It’s a simple superhero uniform, but the addition of stars, stripes, and wings on his cowl leads to a signature look that may be old-fashioned, but sometimes that’s all that is needed to make Captain America look iconic.

When the classic look first appeared in 1941, it was designed by Jack Kirby to inspire soldiers and children during World War 2, hence why the red, white, and blue suit is so on the nose. However, over eighty years later, it is still what most people think of when they think of the character, to the point that most Captain America video games feature the look.

6

Captain Carter

Peggy Has Become A Beloved Marvel Superhero

• First Appearance: Captain Carter #1
• Creator: Marika Cresta

The multiverse has led to many fun concepts being explored, including an alternate reality where Steve’s greatest love, Peggy Carter, becomes the Star Spangled Avenger. Captain Carter is technically not Captain America, which is reflected in her uniform having a design that blends the classic Captain America look with bits of the British flag included.

One of the most refreshing aspects of Peggy Carter’s design is that she does look like a super soldier. Muscular women rarely get representation in comics, but Captain Carter is one of those rarities, giving her a look that mixes brawn, beauty, and brains in one that fans loved so much that she has since become a popular version of the character in comics and the MCU.

5

Secret Empire

A Great Suit Wasted On An Evil Captain America

• First Appearance: Captain America: Steve Rogers #16
• Creator: Kevin Libranda, Yıldıray Çınar, Jon Malin

It is a shame that the Secret Empire version of Captain America is pure evil because the costume he wore as the leader of Hydra quickly became iconic. It mixes the traditional Captain America design with more militaristic aspects, similar to what would be seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even the scales on his upper torso were given an overhaul.

The darker blue is mixed nicely with the vibrant reds in the Secret Empire uniform. The suit also saw the return of the kite shield, with a whole new blue design with a star. The Secret Empire design appears to be suitable for both a heroic and a villainous interpretation of Captain America simultaneously.

4

Sam Wilson

The All-New Captain America Mixes Old And New

• First Appearance: All-New Captain America #1
• Creator: Stuart Immonen

Sam Wilson, previously known as Falcon, became the only hero to have an extensive career as Captain America. He is not a super soldier or an enhanced human; he relies solely on his skills, along with a special suit that both protects him and allows him to fly, just like when he was Falcon. The character has become Captain America in the MCU, starring in Captain America: Brave New World.

The suit that Sam Wilson wears as Captain America is completely different from Bucky’s suit. Sam’s outfit is primarily snow-white and blue and features wing-like patterns, along with the iconic Stars and Stripes. Reflecting his approach, Sam’s suit symbolizes both a tribute to the past and his own unique style as Captain America.

3

Ultimate

Steve Rogers Got A Perfect Redesign For The Ultimate Universe

• First Appearance: The Ultimates #1
• Creator: Bryan Hitch

In the early 2000s, Marvel created the Ultimate Universe as an attempt to give new readers an entirely new Marvel canon. Steve Rogers was given a new appearance that maintained the overall expected look of Captain America but added in new details such as military pouches and a bodysuit that added more padding to look less like spandex.

While the Ultimate Universe ended up falling apart thanks to relying too much on shock value and overly edgy writing, most of the designs for characters were praised, updating characters to the modern age. The suit would be directly adapted in the Ultimate Avengers animated films from the early 2000s.

2

World War 2

The Ideal Uniform For A Super Soldier

• First Appearance: The Ultimates #1
• Creator: Bryan Hitch

Over the years, Marvel has embraced the idea of showcasing Steve Rogers in a proto-Captain America uniform when he first joined World War 2. He wore a modified bomber jacket, goggles, and a military helmet, all decorated with the scheme of classic Captain America, which made him look more grounded and realistic.

In a way, the costume looks like something a super soldier really would wear in World War 2, and fans have grown to love the design so much that Marvel has included it in various video games and animations. It was also somewhat homaged in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

1

Secret Avenger

The Blue And White Became An Iconic Look For Comics And Movies

• First Appearance: Secret Avengers #1
• Creator: Mike Deodato

Those who loved the S.T.R.I.K.E. suit Steve Rogers wore in Captain America: The Winter Soldier might want to look at when he becomes a Secret Avenger in the aptly titled Secret Avengers comics. The all-blue tactical uniform with silver Stars and Stripes makes Steve Rogers look more like a super spy than a superhero while still looking like Captain America.

In addition to the new design and colors of the suit, the Secret Avenger version of Captain America does not feature his signature cowl. Instead, it portrays Steve Rogers with a more rugged appearance, complete with a five o’clock shadow, to show that he is not trying to be the government’s beloved superhero anymore.