With the team's movie future uncertain, there's never been a better time for the upcoming Marvel’s Avengers video game, allowing fans to actually fight as Earth's Mightiest Heroes. But from the game's first reveal, fans had complaints about the Avengers' game designs. So much so, news that the game had been delayed sparked rumors that the developers may be changing the Avengers' character models.
The truth will only be revealed when the game arrives, but considering how well Ms. Marvel's role was kept secret, anything is possible. But how do the actual designs compare to the comics -- the true source material for the game? With all the complaints, it’s only fair to compare these designs to their original comic book counterparts.
Hulk stands somewhat apart from the group, since -- despite Stan Lee’s original plan for the the Hulk to be grey -- an inking issue meant his big, green from became iconic through the following decades. The developers are still paying homage to the comics by including Grey Hulk's alternate skin as his 'Joe Fix-it' persona. But for the other heroes, what comic designs are behind their new video game looks?
Thor
Of the bunch, Thor probably remains closest to his original comic interpretation. It seems the character is meant to lean more heavily into the Ultimate interpretation based on the beard and lack of helmet (in fact all of the characters seem to lean towards this version of their design), however his alternate Viking skin includes his infamous wing-eared headpiece as well as plays tribute to his nordic roots by including animal fur around his shoulders.
Captain America
Like Thor, Captain America looks very much like his Ultimate version. Ditching the traditional Jack Kirby design (the best design) in favor of a more militaristic look, this outfit makes sense in a game that attempts to make these characters feel “real.” Despite the lack of wings by his ears and feather like plating on his chest, this interpretation isn’t too shabby. His outfit here feels more tactical and practical than his original costume, looking as if each part has a specific purpose. While still lacking wings on the head, his alternate skin, known as his "secret empire" skin, leans far more towards his modern comic self. It features a slick, skin tight headpiece rather than the more helmet like headpiece of the default game costume, and even features tile like material across his chest reminiscent of the classic layering in his Kirby outfit. It isn't an exact replica of his in-comic secret empire outfit, but it is pretty close.
Iron Man
Iron man is another hard comparison to make as his armor is always being upgraded and advanced, in fact, of all the characters, he’s the one that can most easily get away with a costume change due to this fact. His armor here is very different from his Mark I, but as that’s to be expected it makes more sense to compare him to his more modern comic interpretations. The faceplate features a nice amount of gold in contrast to the majority of the armor, and a more squared off/triangular arc reactor, reminiscent of the Extremis armor mixed with the MCU’s Mark XLVI from Captain America: Civil War. Like the other characters, Iron Man has alternate skins, but of all the characters, he has the most revealed outfits. His original sin alternate looks very close to his original sin comic armor, featuring a sweet black and gold paint job finished off with red lighting. His prototype armor looks very similar to the Mark II, essentially a grey, more simplistic version of his typical armor. The most interesting skin is probably the least expected, and also unnamed, as it just features Tony rocking the boots from the armor, a prototype repulsor on his arm, and a standard flight helmet on his head. This leads one to believe that part of the game will probably put the players in the role of Tony while he is still first conceiving and building his armor.
Ms. Marvel
The character of Ms. Marvel has changed quite a bit over the years, going from a blonde-haired white woman to the modern interpretation as a muslim girl, so it is a bit unfair to compare her to her very first comic costume. No longer do we see Ms. Marvel in an outfit you might call a sexy halloween version of Captain Marvel’s, and has landed herself a much more reserved, and unique outfit. The game is definitely sticking with the newer version, which is of no surprise, especially with the upcoming Disney+ series around the corner. The interesting thing about Ms. Marvel is that the game has actually shown us two interpretations. While the official flyer above features her in a costume that looks very much like a modernization of her traditional outfit, the gameplay footage seen in the trailer shows her in street clothes, rocking her logo across her chest as a graphic tee. Since the game seems to follow her origins, it does make sense that the game would feature her at first in a more civilian get up, eventually receiving her outfit as she teams up with the avengers.
Black Widow
Of all the Marvel characters, Black Widow may be the one that is least seen in her original garb. Her original outfit featured a mask, but while her face is more covered than usual, the rest of her isn’t. She originally featured a tight onesie, a small cape, and fishnets (to look like spider webs?). Now we all know her as her later interpretation, featuring a full body suit, zipper down the front chest, with tactical bracelets and belt. Aside from her face, Black Widow looks heavily inspired by her MCU version. While most characters' alternate skins are huge changes, black widows two suits are almost identical. Her default suit seems to differ slightly in material, with a more shiny black latex look, featuring gold accessories, while her alternate suit has less shiny, more leather look, a few extra outlines on the suit itself, and features black accessories.
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Don’t like the game designs? Don’t fret! Square Enix has already announced two alternate skin packs besides those mentioned above, one of which being the Legacy Costume DLC which unlocks costumes much closer to their original comic counterparts, and the second being a slick white and gold. The white and gold suits may play a role in the story as it seems each character has a matching outfit, and has been titled the Starboost Armor when it comes to Iron Man, creating suspicions that the game make take the team into space.
Marvel's Avengers releases for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia on September 4, 2020.