The Most Iconic Superhero Costumes in MCU Phase 1

Captain America's 1940s War Costume

One of the most iconic superhero costumes from the early Marvel Cinematic Universe is Captain America's 1940s War Costume in the film Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). When Steve Rogers first becomes Captain America, he is disappointed to find himself doing USO shows in a bright blue outfit instead of fighting on the front lines. However, that outfit helped contribute to one of his best looks when he slapped a leather jacket and some motorcycle goggles over it. In fact, most of Cap's outfits in Captain America: The First Avenger are pretty iconic, including his padded suit with the red straps that he wears later in the film. They all feel authentically old while also capturing his iconic look.

Chris Evans' Captain America and Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes as soldiers in WWII in Captain America The First Avenger

Iron Man's Mark 1 Armor

Iron Man's Mark 1 armor is the first superhero costume in the MCU, and it is still one of the best. While not quite as sleek as the eventual red and gold design from later in the film, it was exciting to see such a perfect recreation of Tony's first armor from his comic book origin. It's hard to believe Tony built something so functional in a cave, with a box of scraps - but selling this convincingly is a cornerstone of the first Iron Man movie.

The full Iron Man Mark 1 suit in Iron Man

Rhodey's Original War Machine Armor

Rhodey's Original War Machine Armor from Iron Man 2 (2010) is a standout among the early MCU costumes. The armor didn't disappoint. Its extra bulk, minigun, and red eyes both set it apart from Tony's armor and made it look very intimidating, while not straying too far from the other Stark suits. Though it functionally wasn't the best thanks to faulty Hammer tech, it still looked great and was one of the best parts of a somewhat divisive movie.

Rhodey appears at the Stark Expo in the War Machine armor

Sif's Battle Armor

In the comics, Sif was a character who was often given very little to wear, especially for a warrior. That meant it was very nice to see her clad in proper battle armor in Thor (2011). Her costume has some gaps in the armor that allow her to move more flexibly, and she also has unique pauldrons and chest plates that are visually interesting but without looking too impractical. Sif's costume, like the other Asgardians', also does a good job of being believably from another world.

Sif on Asgard in her battle armor in Thor

Iron Man's Suitcase Armor

Some of Iron Man's best costumes are the ones that are also innovative. The first of these to appear in the MCU was the suitcase armor that Tony used when Whiplash confronted him on the racetrack in Iron Man 2 (2010). Not only was the design unique, with the large silver spine, but it was also fun to see how each part of the suitcase reformed into the suit as Tony put it on. Iron Man 2 may get a bad rap as a movie, but it definitely made some good decisions in the costume department.

Iron Man 2 Suitcase Suit in front of yachts in Monaco

Black Widow's Avengers Suit

Black Widow's Avengers Suit in The Avengers (2012) is a perfect translation of her comic book outfit to the big screen. The subtle line work on the suit helps give it a little more visual flair, as opposed to just being a flat black suit. Additionally, small touches like Black Widow's wrist accessories and red belt with the hourglass symbol help her look more like her comic book counterpart.

Black Widow in The Avengers as an explosion goes off behind her.

Thor's Avengers Armor

Thor's Avengers Armor in the first Avengers film really added visually to the sense that Thor was from another world. This helped keep each hero visually distinct and accentuate what made Thor unique. The costume also does a great job of riding the line between cool and goofy, making it both a great look but also understandably the target of Tony's ridicule early on.

Thor with Mjolnir from Avengers preparing to strike Hulk

Nick Fury's Classic Attire

Nick Fury's Classic Attire in Iron Man 2 (2010) makes him easy to pick out of a crowd with his long black coat and matching eye patch. He has as much style as possible while still looking like a convincing comic book super spy. It helps that the version of the character the design was taken from was actually created with Samuel Jackson in mind.

Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury looking up at Tony in Iron-Man 2

Captain America's Avengers Suit

Captain America's Avengers Suit in The Avengers (2012) was a vibrant and exciting addition to the MCU costumes. The bright colors really popped, and he stood out perfectly in the iconic group shot in the middle of New York. It was great to see that Marvel was prepared to embrace such a vibrant color palette in such a major flagship movie, instead of toning it down out of embarrassment of the source material. This suit signaled to fans that Marvel was all in on comic book accuracy.

Captain America (Chris Evans) in his first modern suit in The Avengers

Iron Man's Mark VII Suit

Of all the red and gold Iron Man suits in Phase 1, his Mark VII suit from The Avengers (2012) is easily the most iconic in the MCU. It's very similar to the design of the first movie, but it is a little more angular in some places, and the additional gold highlights on the chest and legs really help make it look just slightly better. It's also a little bulkier than some of the new suits, which helps it feel a little more real than some of the later designs.

Iron Man in his suit of armor in The Avengers