The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), based on the Marvel Comics, has recently faced scrutiny for various reasons, including dissatisfaction among fans regarding the quality of stories, rushed production, and subpar visual effects. The overuse of CGI in costume design has especially disappointed fans. This critique has been directed towards multiple projects in the MCU, such as the Spider-Man: No Way Home suits worn by Tom Holland and the new Captain America design for Sam Wilson in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Nevertheless, there are instances where the MCU has excelled in costume design, notably in the Disney+ series Moon Knight.
In the season finale of Moon Knight, one of the hero's alter egos, Jake Lockley, appears and hints at more stories to come. In the comics, fans have praised Lockley's Moon Knight suit, which showcases appealing visuals through its coloring, simplification (without excessive simplicity), and layering. This heightened audience interest in the character. The suit worn by Jake Lockley as Moon Knight demonstrates Marvel's capability to create well-designed costumes, both in the comics and within the MCU. However, consistency in costume design must be prioritized in the future to ensure that both heroes and villains look their best.
What Does Jake Lockley's Moon Knight Suit Look Like?
Jake Lockley's Moon Knight suit is distinct from other heroes in both comics and the live-action cinematic universe. Throughout the comics, Lockley's suit has undergone various iterations, but the most notable one emerged in 2014 in Moon Knight #2. In this particular issue, Lockley donned a Moon Knight suit with a darker color scheme, presenting a more serious version of the character. This alteration added an additional layer of threat, brutality, and violence to the hero.
Interestingly, Lockley's suit in the comics bears a resemblance to Marc Spector's Moon Knight suit in the Disney+ TV series. Both feature a hooded top, mummy-like wrappings covering most of the body, and the iconic symbol displayed prominently on the chest. The primary distinction lies in the color of the robes, as Lockley's are predominantly black except for the hood, cape, and select wrappings on the arms and legs.
As mentioned previously, Jake Lockley made a brief appearance in the season one finale of Moon Knight, but he was without a suit. When discussing his portrayal, the show's costume designer expressed the belief that Jake Lockley's Moon Knight attire would be reminiscent of the dark black costume featured in the comics. Considering the successful costume design in the first season, it is highly likely that future narratives featuring Jake Lockley and Moon Knight will feature a similarly high-quality suit as seen in the comics.
What Are The Criticisms of Marvel's Costume Design?
Critiques of Marvel's costume designs primarily target its live-action films and television adaptations. Many fans find the superhero suits of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be excessively intricate and complicated. One notable example is the Mr. Fantastic suit worn by John Krasinski in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This particular suit features thick black lines on the chest and sides, which many viewers find visually unappealing. In stark contrast, the suit design for Jake Lockley's Moon Knight character, as well as the suits in the show's first season, are refreshingly simplistic while still conveying a narrative of their own.
Tom Holland's Spider-Man suits have faced criticism as well, with some noting the peculiarly placed black lines on the sides. It appears that the intention behind these lines was to introduce texture and depth to the suit, but unfortunately, they give the impression of multiple elements on a single hero. Furthermore, the MCU Spider-Man's suit is entirely created using CGI, and while these effects can be advantageous, many viewers believe that Marvel should employ practical effects more frequently. This approach would help cultivate a sense of grounded realism that both audiences and fans would appreciate.
What Other Marvel Looks Live Up To Jake Lockley's Moon Knight Suit?
The suit worn by Tom Holland's Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home's final scenes is a prime example of a Marvel suit that successfully embodies the design potential of Jake Lockley's Moon Knight suit. Much like Lockley's Moon Knight suit, the design of this suit in the third film of the trilogy possesses a simplicity that the others lacked. It does away with unnecessary designs such as the black lines, striking a balance between being simple and not too simplistic.
The Marvel suits could greatly benefit from drawing more inspiration from the Jake Lockley Moon Knight suit. It achieves a remarkable balance in numerous aspects, resulting in a visually captivating design that enhances the hero with additional depth and intricacy. Let's hope that when the character makes an appearance in the TV show, the onscreen rendition will do justice to the remarkable portrayal found within the comics.