10 Best Live-Action Supervillain Suits
5. Scarlet Witch – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
It’s probably odd to see an Avenger on this list, but for Doctor Strange’s 2022 sequel, Wanda played the part of the villain – and she looked incredible while she did it.
A retooled version of the ‘WandaVision’ suit, designer Graham Churchyard reflects Wanda’s corruption by the Darkhold by adding black mould to the costume. This carries over to her fingers, which are now completely stained black, indicating an evil presence within.
In this film, the costume fully embraces the mystical and ominous aspects of the Scarlet Witch. It consists of dark reds evoking blood and rage. Her intricately detailed armored bodice strikes a balance between elegance and raw power. Unlike her earlier appearances, where her costume was more subdued, this version fully embraces her sorceress identity. It also highlights Wanda’s progression across the MCU and how she is no longer the unsure hero she once was – she has become something far more dangerous and complex.
Her headpiece, an angular crown that sits atop her forehead, solidifies her identity as the Scarlet Witch by serving as a visual nod to her comic book counterpart and those early Jack Kirby designs. The headpiece is crafted in a sharp, sleek style, giving her an air of authority and a devil-like silhouette.
4. Magneto – X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Magneto, one of the best characters in comics, has been fortunate to have two brilliant actors portray them in live-action across the X-Men franchise. Both Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender brought so much to the role that it is impossible to choose a favourite. But when it comes to their attire, Fassbender’s costume in X-Men: Days of Future Past takes the cake.
Fassbender’s previous costume from the final scene of X-Men: First Class was a nice moment for fans, but it looked awkward and almost like it didn’t fit. The Days of Future Past version is a huge improvement. It is clearly fitted to Fassbender’s physique. The deep red stays true to Magneto’s classic color palette and looks so intimidating as he floats in the air while moving the baseball stadium.
Then there is Magneto’s cape, which adds a regal and commanding presence. It flows gracefully, giving Fassbender’s Magneto an almost king-like appearance. His role as a mutant leader is as pronounced as ever, simply from having the right cape. The helmet has a more modern, streamlined appearance too, shedding some of the bulkiness from earlier films while retaining its unmistakable signature shape. Unfortunately the suit doesn’t ever return and is replaced by the horrible Apocalypse version – just another reason why Days of Future Past is one of the best X-Men movies.
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3. Black Manta – Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
Comic book fans knew they were on to a winner when one of the first looks at Black Manta’s redesigned costume looked exactly like an Alex Ross painting. In fact, this might be the most comics-accurate suit on this list, showing that respecting the source material does pay off.
Richard Sale improves on the first film’s design by giving this version a less bulky design. This new streamlined armor is mostly black, with subtle metallic accents. The suit is built for underwater combat, allowing Black Manta to move swiftly in the ocean. It also reinforces his image as a fearsome and relentless hunter, as the design evokes the look of a predatory sea creature.
Black Manta’s helmet also gets an upgrade with a sleeker and more polished design, while still retaining the exaggerated, bug-like eyes. The glowing red eyes immediately give him an imposing evilness, playing into the horror stories of what lurks at the bottom of the ocean. With Black Manta, the DCEU ended with one great looking villain.
Amazing picks!