Category: Fashion Nightmares
Last article published: 23 April 2014
This is the 18th post under this label
From Adventure Comics #403 (a reprint actually, the original had one instance of Saturn Girl as a redhead - she really was trying for a new look), fashions submitted by fans for the Legion of 1971. And you'll be surprised to discover were actually adopted by their respective Legionnaires! But ultimately used or not, were they good, or nightmarish?
Saturn Girl: Dave Cockrum did indeed make her adopt this basic look in the comics a couple years later, as of Superboy #193, removing the white trim and giving her long pink gloves, but the little Saturn buckle keeping the "pink bikini" together is unmistakable, and kind of iconic (bravo, K. Haven Metzger of Columbia City, Indiana!).
Duo Damsel: Likewise, Luornu's two-toned bathing suit with cape is only missing the big yellow boots and it's the Cockrum design from the comics. So far, so good.
Phantom Girl: Very groovy with the big medallion, but would you go into battle with that thing? Bathing suits were big with readers, and they were down for the very covered up Tinya to show more skin (like, what's the deal with boot trims, but no boots?). The '70s would provide with strategically-placed holes, but wouldn't betray her head-to-toe aesthetic. This is just okay (and did make a single appearance in Superboy #188 before being immediately abandoned).
Light Lass: They didn't go far enough, and this is just a permutation on her basic look. More blue on the torso and legs, but essentially the same.
Shrinking Violet: I thought it was Dawnstar at first, but of course, she didn't exist yet. Why would Violet, a girl from the planet Imsk, go for Native American garb? The concept of cultural appropriation didn't exist in 1971, I suppose, but it's still a big head-scratcher. And thus, our first NIGHTMARE.
Cosmic Boy: Rokk can't get away from the chest discs (if only he'd used them as metal projectiles in the old days) and that "C" looks like a magnet, maybe. But the red and black does not work for him. Granted, he would go on to wear an infamous corset that showed off his pecs, but at least he didn't look like someone from the THUNDER Agents' second bench. NIGHTMARE.
Karate Kid: Believe it or not, this made it into a story (Superboy #183) just the once, along with Shadow Lass and Projectra, on the same page. Granted, his tan gi isn't particularly exciting, but the attempt at putting his emblem on there, a karate-chopping hand, just doesn't work for me (AND the letter K?!). He's just a floating head on the page. Some of these elements would turn up in later eras, including the Tony Jaa bandaged hands and yes, even the color scheme. But at this point? NIGHTMARE.
Ultra Boy: Madness. Blue with green almost never works. The chest emblem looks more like a "T" than ever now, and is confusing. The belt is much too complicated (or is it a fanny pack?). But the clincher is the dual-cape, flimsy dragon wings that should not be on any costume, ever. NIGHTMARE!
Shadow Lass: This "futuristic fashion" actually looks ancient, like she's a Mesopotamian queen or something. It doesn't really fit the Legion, even if it would soon convert to showing a lot more skin than it did in the Silver Age. Tasmia would go that route soon enough, but wouldn't go THAT far. I guess what doesn't really work on this is the color. Shadow Lass should always be dressed in black. But I wouldn't call it a nightmare.
Princess Projectra: That tank top/sports bra/cape thing looks like it's breaking her back and is ultimately too simple for royalty, especially with that very ordinary skirt. Once again, they've tried to get her emblem on there, but that little crown just makes it feel like she's shilling for a booze label. I say no. NIGHTMARE.
Lightning Lad: A more casual uniform, eh? As in, what if superheroes actually wore pants and dress shoes? He looks like he's the prince of an electric kingdom and if "casual" was what the designer was going for, I'm afraid it looks more formal than anything. Maybe for his wedding day. Bring back the spandex! NIGHTMARE.
Night Girl: Hey, how about some Subs? Shadow Lass would eventually wear something this stringy in the late Reboot era, but it still doesn't look this overtly like lingerie. This is for Cosmic Boy's eyes only! NIGHTMARE (so to speak).
Chlorophyll Kid: A very rare instance of getting to see Ral's hair (Who's Who says it's green, he only really went capless in the 5YL era and was blond there), he stole Ultra Boy's old belt and sprayed it green, and in fact, there's just way too much green here. The different shades just look ugly, though he's almost like vegetable to Beast Boy's animal. NIGHTMARE.
Saturn Girl Take 2: Wow, I really like this jacket! It's a bit "crew of a spaceship", but it's a nice, casual design, with a cut that accentuates her figure without being lascivious. From time to time, the Legion has adopted team jackets, but this is more flattering.
We end on a good note, but out of 14 looks, 8 were nightmare. Not a great average, 1971 fans! ;-)
Last article published: 23 April 2014
This is the 18th post under this label
Duo Damsel: Likewise, Luornu's two-toned bathing suit with cape is only missing the big yellow boots and it's the Cockrum design from the comics. So far, so good.
Phantom Girl: Very groovy with the big medallion, but would you go into battle with that thing? Bathing suits were big with readers, and they were down for the very covered up Tinya to show more skin (like, what's the deal with boot trims, but no boots?). The '70s would provide with strategically-placed holes, but wouldn't betray her head-to-toe aesthetic. This is just okay (and did make a single appearance in Superboy #188 before being immediately abandoned).
Light Lass: They didn't go far enough, and this is just a permutation on her basic look. More blue on the torso and legs, but essentially the same.
Shrinking Violet: I thought it was Dawnstar at first, but of course, she didn't exist yet. Why would Violet, a girl from the planet Imsk, go for Native American garb? The concept of cultural appropriation didn't exist in 1971, I suppose, but it's still a big head-scratcher. And thus, our first NIGHTMARE.
Karate Kid: Believe it or not, this made it into a story (Superboy #183) just the once, along with Shadow Lass and Projectra, on the same page. Granted, his tan gi isn't particularly exciting, but the attempt at putting his emblem on there, a karate-chopping hand, just doesn't work for me (AND the letter K?!). He's just a floating head on the page. Some of these elements would turn up in later eras, including the Tony Jaa bandaged hands and yes, even the color scheme. But at this point? NIGHTMARE.
Ultra Boy: Madness. Blue with green almost never works. The chest emblem looks more like a "T" than ever now, and is confusing. The belt is much too complicated (or is it a fanny pack?). But the clincher is the dual-cape, flimsy dragon wings that should not be on any costume, ever. NIGHTMARE!
Shadow Lass: This "futuristic fashion" actually looks ancient, like she's a Mesopotamian queen or something. It doesn't really fit the Legion, even if it would soon convert to showing a lot more skin than it did in the Silver Age. Tasmia would go that route soon enough, but wouldn't go THAT far. I guess what doesn't really work on this is the color. Shadow Lass should always be dressed in black. But I wouldn't call it a nightmare.
Princess Projectra: That tank top/sports bra/cape thing looks like it's breaking her back and is ultimately too simple for royalty, especially with that very ordinary skirt. Once again, they've tried to get her emblem on there, but that little crown just makes it feel like she's shilling for a booze label. I say no. NIGHTMARE.
Lightning Lad: A more casual uniform, eh? As in, what if superheroes actually wore pants and dress shoes? He looks like he's the prince of an electric kingdom and if "casual" was what the designer was going for, I'm afraid it looks more formal than anything. Maybe for his wedding day. Bring back the spandex! NIGHTMARE.
Chlorophyll Kid: A very rare instance of getting to see Ral's hair (Who's Who says it's green, he only really went capless in the 5YL era and was blond there), he stole Ultra Boy's old belt and sprayed it green, and in fact, there's just way too much green here. The different shades just look ugly, though he's almost like vegetable to Beast Boy's animal. NIGHTMARE.
Saturn Girl Take 2: Wow, I really like this jacket! It's a bit "crew of a spaceship", but it's a nice, casual design, with a cut that accentuates her figure without being lascivious. From time to time, the Legion has adopted team jackets, but this is more flattering.
We end on a good note, but out of 14 looks, 8 were nightmare. Not a great average, 1971 fans! ;-)
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