My dude turned himself into a 90s character and then defends the look!

@punkfacexo6066

Жыл бұрын

In his best Dexter Holland costume

@anthonysmith3415

Жыл бұрын

Wait what's wrong with Susan Storm's design? I thought it was great

@bostonrailfan2427

Жыл бұрын

@@anthonysmith3415the boob window…

@bostonrailfan2427

Жыл бұрын

he does look like a 90s eight grader there, and not in a bad way 🤣

@bostonrailfan2427

Жыл бұрын

@@punkfacexo6066needs a simple t-shirt and cargo pants and he’s nailing it

The great thing about the Azrael Batman suit is that it was literally designed to show people in the 90s how bad a 90s redesign of Batman would be. It was the creative team avoiding having to do that by doing it haha

@Monkey_Boy9602

Жыл бұрын

It was a wee bit more than that. At the time, Image was a big deal simply because of their over the top and bloody violence. Without the authorization of the Comics Code Authority, they could go as far as they wanted, and inevitably there were comparisons to Marvel and DC as being "for kids". DC answered this by giving us what is essentially Batman as an Image character in Azrael. (Take note of the exaggerated muscles and multiple pouches. These were a staple of early Image artists!) They were basically asking, "Is this really the Batman you want?" From the response, nope. Most people didn't!

@Edlin261

Жыл бұрын

There was a lot of stuff like that. Lobo was also creators saying "Oh, is this what you want, an ultra violent moron with chains everywhere, fart" and then audience said: "Yes, actually", and the creators were sad as creators always are when the present their worst idea to ppl that can force them to use that idea. I like Lobo personally, but I do feel for the creators.

@Monkey_Boy9602

Жыл бұрын

@@Edlin261 They made him a tough guy bounty hunter with hilariously violent stories that seemed ripped right out of "Heavy Metal". Of course we loved him! 😁

@bostonrailfan2427

Жыл бұрын

Bat,an being meta before it was cool

@DSan-kl2yc

10 ай бұрын

​@@Edlin261 they can take comfort in some of us not liking Lobo. They probably don't mind honestly.

I loved Kyle Rayner and Ben Reillys costumes. the Sensational Spidey costume is my all time favorite actually

@brice6018

Жыл бұрын

I wanted this costume so bad on the ps4 Spider-Man game

@Ilovecomics4

Жыл бұрын

Same

@coatrak1357

10 ай бұрын

​@brice6018 considering it wasn't in the first one I'm sure it will be in 2

@RelativelyBest

7 ай бұрын

@@coatrak1357 Turns out, it isn't. Which is weird. Like, do the people at Insomniac simply not like that design for some reason?

Ben Reilly's design is so good that May Parker used a costume with the same patterns and it also fit her perfectly. Easily one of my favourite spidey designs ever.

@SolidSpadesIsANerd

9 ай бұрын

In the book it's litterally Ben's old suit. There is an extra layer in using his design for her too, as she is the baby MJ miscarried in the clone saga.

How could you forget Danny Ketch Ghost Rider? Even though it's technically a different character, that's Ghost Rider's best look, so much so that both the film adaptations and the mid-2000's relaunch use that look for Johnny Blaze.

@landofthesilverpath5823

10 ай бұрын

Technically, not 90s! Ghost Rider vol 2 debuted in 1989. Believe it or not.

I always appreciate a good Marvel Vs Capcom shout out. Great list. Jim Lee's character designs, though steeped in 90's style, have proven to be timeless and iconic decades later

@rafaelteodoro5687

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! The Jim Lee designs are what I see whenever I picture the X-Men in my mind

I dig your new Ben Rilley haircut Josh lmao

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Haha, thanks! 😁

i was a teenager back when the Robin (tim drake) miniseries launched and that particular story combined with the redesign completely changed how i perceived the sidekick concept also brian bolland covers were A M A Z I N G

Few costumes are as 90s yet timeless as the Jim Lee X'men looks, definitely Cyclops and Storm, but also Psylock, Rogue, and Archangel. So many great looks that are still definitive decades later.

100% agree, 90s costumes were bomb AF especially for X-Men and spiderman

@powerbadpowerbad

Жыл бұрын

AGREED.

Fun thing about the X-Men, as a kid I thought that the tiger stripe look was the '90s Wolverine costume, not realizing that it had been around forever and that they just brought it back. There was a throwaway line in Wolverine #50 that alluded to that, and it blew my young mind.

@craigjomaia

Жыл бұрын

At least they lost the whiskers drawn on the mask in the original tho.

@CaptainMcKayRandom

Жыл бұрын

@@craigjomaia yeah that went away after his initial fight with Hulk if I’m remembering right. By the time he appeared in Giant Size X-Men he had the mask we all know today

You actually showed my favorite 90s costume in the video. It's Kyle Rayner's Green Lantern look by Darryl Banks. From the asymmetrical black and white suit to the super stylish update of the Green Lantern chest logo (the black and green Yin Yang pattern represents the Darkest Night, Brightest Day of the classic Oath), topped by that slick metal mask (or faceplate, if you want), that's perfection. It really set this apart from Hal and the Corps, and it showed Kyle's creativity as a graphic designer. 10 out of 10.

@DSan-kl2yc

10 ай бұрын

Yea I had a toy of it. It was a bad ass look. Like a good version of what Image might do. Very next gen which fit him.

Aaaahh LOVED this one! Great subject and I _loved_ the chatty vibe. Felt like we were hanging out chatting about 90s comics, which is just lovely, super cosy energy. I hope to see more videos like this!

The only suit here that I never really liked is the Azrael suit, but that just speaks to how bombastic and different they were willing to take designs in the 90s. Great era for revamps!

@DSan-kl2yc

10 ай бұрын

Yea only one I disagree with. Though it doesn't matter since it works with the story. And it wasn't a permanent look.

I LOVE the Ben Reilly Spider-man suit. Only thing I would maybe change is the boots. Not fan of the weird 50/50 split between red and blue. I'm curious about what the suit would would look like if the red part of the boots was angled, covering the feet completely and then running from the upper part of the inner ankle to the outside of the leg rather than just being split evenly between red and blue. Or maybe the red part should just be removed from the boots completely. Anyway, its not enough to ruin the suit for me but just a little detail that always bugged me as a kid.

What a fun video! Who would have known so many iconic looks were created in the 90s, the way ppl talk about 90s comics you would never know lol…but every era has its bad and its good yeah? Shoutout for Iron Man’s modular armor! That look really grew on me as I was reading the first time. The Kaminsky/Hopgood run in general is sorely underrated and doesn’t get talked about enough imho. (But I admit to being a shameless Iron Man fan so I may be a bit biased lol 😅)

Kyle Rayner is actually my personal favorite green lantern. The story line where he becomes a white lantern feels like such justice for his character.

I love the sensational spider man suit for all the reasons you brought up in the video and I'm glad someone is finally giving it the respect it deserves. Probably the best spin on the classic suit without overdesigning it.

This was so cool! What great comics and designs - Breyfogle's storming run on Batman; Modular Armour Iron Man, and the wonderful Tim Drake Robin series (so much better than the dross they vomit out for him now). One of my other favourites was the Grummett version of Superboy - fantastic art, and huge fun. Many thanks for making me smile at the memories, Josh. Stay safe, my friend. :)

I think I love the designs of all the X-men characters from the 90s even the villains

Storm’s outfit is so dope! Super underrated in terms of all time costume designs!

the whole xmen line up in the 90s are so iconic that the all those character eventually end up back in those costumes at least once ever few years in the comics

I loved the Superboy costume from Reign of the Supermen storyline. It's a striking departure from the classic Superman outfit. The same can be said for John Henry Irons' Steel armor. As for Ben Reily's Spider-Man costume, I must admit it looks better on May "Mayday" Parker.

Great vid mate. Always loved the sexier catwoman designs and 90s are definitely my era as well with their over the top designs and edginess. Feels so classic to me

11:58 Cyclopse is literally posing the EXACT same way as that infamous Rob Liefeld Captain America pose.

I really dug this list. Not a bad one of the bunch. Nightwing was my first real ongoing, buying a monthly comic, so that one holds a special place in my heart. Also, I mean, Cyclops, Storm and Iron Man because of MvC and X-Men v. SF.

Love the casual and more conversational feel this video had, great work as per usual Josh

Just wondering if James Marsden comes back as Cyclops in Secret Wars with other Fox X-Men actors do you want to see them all in their original black leather costumes from the original X-men trilogy or in Jim Lee inspired X-men costumes

All great picks! I would add the 90s redesign for the Flash, debuting in Flash Vol 2 Issue 50 in 1991. It revamped the Silver Age Flash uniform that Wally West had been honoring into basically what we know the Flash suit to be today. Removing the boot wings but adding the white lenses, larger chest symbol, V shaped belt, and chrome finish, it showed how modernization can come with plenty of restraint.

My top 3 Iron Man armors from the comics: 1. Eroic Age Armor (olny when drawn by JRJR) 2. Modular Armor 3. MK1

Thank you for giving love to the Asriel Batman. That suit is awesome

Really glad I found your channel! Great stuff!

I do love your stuff lately, nostalgic talk or favorite toys you liked. Hope you keep it up man!

Great video, man. Ton of fun. “How many times have we heard that one, Bruce?”

I just really like Azrael Batman

great list and commentary on the suits

Great video. I enjoyed it very much since I was a 90s teen myself.

Definitely looking forward to more videos like these! Love your content.

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I really appreciate it!

I love this video, it's a great informal style that gets across your personality really well

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I really appreciate that!

Great list! Thanks for adding Catwoman's Balent's design :)

First video I've seen of yours. Very impressed, you're a natural

I loved this video! Definitely a fan of the unscripted flow, looking forward to the other ideas you have for this type of video, great content as always!

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I really appreciate it!

I really dug this list! All those costumes are personal favorites of mine as well. Only things are want to say the Ben Reilly costume was designed by Dan Jurgens (Death Of Superman) actually if memory serves and the Az-Bat suit was actually designed by Joe Quesada, because of how well Azreal was received by the public at the time. He did an interview a few years back on the creation of the design. The light in the center of the chest was actually a play/knockoff of Iron Man’s arc reactor. I’m a 90’s era comic kid myself lol

This was good shit, more content like this please!

Pretty cool video, found it enjoyable, love your picks. Been a while since I checked out most 90s superhero costumes, so I can't really name any right now. Also, pretty cool look to your hair, reminds me of Berzerker/Ray Crisp in X-Men: Evolution.

never thougut anyone would make this video, the sensational suit, as well as the modular armor are definitely some of the greatest 90s redesigns, amazing video josh.

Thoughts as watching... Tim Drake -Has a special place in my heart since Tim is my all time favorite fictional character, and Robin II: The Joker's Wild #1 was the first comic book of my collection. Parallax -Was cool at the time, but I never liked using the name for the fear entity. The name was supposed to be symbolic of how Hal's vision was skewed to make him see the world in the wrong way. Catwoman and Nightwing -I always felt that both of these characters were always trying to find a costume that fit and the 90s was the point where they FINALLY hit it. (Though it took much longer for Catwoman then for Nightwing.) Ben Reilly -My favorite Marvel character. I loved the "Scarlet Spider" suit because it looked like something somebody could throw together from scraps they found at a thrift store, in the trash, etc. (One of which was the actual origin for his suit, I belive.) Gave it more of a real world vibe in that it didn't have that "custom-made-by-a-world-class-taylor-for-thousands-of-dollars" look. I also liked both of Ben's suits for having the web shooters on the outside. To be honest, this is the thing that cinched him as my favorite Marvel character. Even as a 5-year old watching "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends", I wondered why the heck such a complex mechanism as Spidey's web-shooters wouldn't result in a huge bulge on the wrists. I am surprised the video didn't mention the later (and longer) use of Ben's Spider-Man costume for his AU MC2 Niece, May Parker. (AKA Spider-Girl) Azrael was an interesting character, and I was always sad that DC just abandoned him. Knightfall was the source of one of my two all time favorite comic book quotes... "Murcielago! Murcielago! ....He has RETURNED!!!" (Bane: Robin ongoing, #10) I too liked the black suit (Though I've always referred to it as the "resurrection suit), but I hate when they try to give it a cape like in the Snyderverse. If you need to make it flashier for film, then maybe have the silver "S" start glowing as it absorbs more power or something. One you didn't mention (that some liked, though it might have been more early 2000s)... The Superman Blue (later red and blue) suit. (AKA Energy Superman) I've always thought that one would have looked better with the blue parts the same, the light blue parts red, and all the surrounding energy Yellow. Made it once with an MS paint edit. Looked a lot better with the classic colors.

The Midnight Sons comics art is so awesome just pure 90s over the top goodness hey just wondering are there any more panels to plastic videos I'd love to see them if you made them also take care of yourself josh love from Fiji bro

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, there will be more. I'm just mixing things up a bit. Thanks, I appreciate it!

@craigjomaia

Жыл бұрын

Speaking of which, Blade should have been on this list. NOBODY remembers Blade as the pre nineties version.

I like Azrael's original suit (the medieval hockey goalie). To me, it's just a fantastic look.

Jim Lee's X-Men redesigns were pretty iconic, to are large degree because they were used for the cartoon. If I could add one more to this list, it would be Rogue's. Lots of heroes were doing the brown bomber jacket over a colorful costume look, but Rogue made it work better than anyone. I also have a soft spot for Rob Liefeld's redesigns for the New Mutants/X-Force. I know, I know! Liefeld's work is considered the epitome of everything wrong with 90s comic art, but I actually liked the new costumes they got after Cable became their mentor. Colorful, but uniform. It felt like a positive change that finally let the New Mutants grow up a bit.

@josesarango3408

9 ай бұрын

Liefeld is unfairly and stupidly underrated by snobby "nerds". He did a great job with the New Mutants and X-Force

@RamManNo1

7 ай бұрын

@@josesarango3408yep. Trashing Liefeld is basically a viral internet meme. Yes, I blame the internet. He is a legit artist. His good stuff far outweighs bad feet and Caps chest lol

I never knew Nightwings most iconic suit came from the 90s. It’s one of my favourite suits for a superhero ever. Bens outfits are the absolute coolest. I love Bens homemade look with the huge sharp looking eyes and the darker red with the hoodie and all the gadgets. My favourite is the Sensational look. It’s a great redesign and looks absolutely awesome. I don’t know if the Spider-Man armoured suit is from the 90s but I love that aswell. I think the modular Iron Man look is great aswell. Tim’s 90s outfit is the most perfect Robin outfit ever.

@Ilovecomics4

Жыл бұрын

I also enjoy Connors 90s Superboy outfit with the jacket and Superman’s black suit. It’s a simple and great design.

I agree with most of these. Though I think I'd also place Rogue and Armored Spider-Man, while the latter might've been strictly temporary, it's been a classic in a lot of the video games for a reason I think. It's a bit bulky, but the sleek colors and similar color layout to the Red and Blue keeps in stylish enough. Rogue's 90's look became as definitive as Cyclops' or Storm's as you've mentioned. I wanna say Psylocke as well, but I don't know if the Jim Lee/MVC design was in the 90's or was a late 80's look. Tim's Robin design wasn't just in Batman TAS, but Teen Titans, The Batman and a few others, it's probably the best example of a modern take of a old-school design.

@jonathanhagenbuch1018

9 ай бұрын

Agree, I'm shocked Rogue wasn't included. It was the first time she finally received a definitive look (had gone thru about a dozen variations in the same amount of years). It's still so good that everytime they try to change/update her look, she always goes back to her 90s costume within a few years. Good Spidey armor mention too!

Surprised the Wally West flash redesign isn’t on here the white eyes and the pointed belt have become just as iconic as the original suit

Maybe not 90s excess, but the Marvel Knights Black Panther costume with the cape and gold collar bits is a personal favourite.

idk if it counts but the Sensational She-hulk costume is a great upgrade for me, since that purple and white leotard She-hulk got her most recognizable looks and stick out of Hulk as something for herself, idk if it counts tho since it is from '89 lol

Aah, the 90s... the OTT look of Azrael, Stryfe, Adam X/X-Treme, Rob Liefeld's obsession with pouches and muscles upon muscles, and Jim Lee put the X-Men in leather jackets As an 80s kid, punk mohawk Storm was my introduction to the X-Men, and I still think it's her best look

Maybe it's because it was my first X-Men story, but I've always been fond of the Age of Apocalypse X-Men designs. AoA Magneto, Nightcrawler with swords, Storm with her short haired black and white look etc. were all bangers, but Sunfire with his full on Human Torch like look is my absolute favourite from that series. Such an upgrade over his regular (and rather bland) original design.

Excellent video, moré like this ones

Great list and whole heartedly agree being a kid of the 90s myself. And it was true, Azrael Batman and Black Suit Superman were among my favorites for them. And for me, the king of them all was Ben Reilly Spider-Man. Both Hoodie and Sensational suits. The Hoodie is dope because it was very original, something anyone can put together and the pure red underneath was cool. But Sensational was the best for me because I loved the slight blue and red ratio difference on the suit, web shooters on the outside, and truly loved the giant spider logo because to me it was like an all black logo version of the Symbiot spider suit.

A lot of people use the Azrael Batman suit as the poster boy for why the 90s sucked. But I loved it. The claws and red eyes along with the helmet were great. Yeah, the pouches around one thigh weren’t entirely necessary, but it was still a great look. I especially enjoy the final version where he ditches the cape for the big wings.

that was an awesome video! 90's comics are so cool

Loved the video! 💕 Can't believe you didn't put any of Spawn's costume updates on here though

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Spawn could get his own Top 10 list, to be honest. In fact, I might just do that.

@AceTheBatHound99

Жыл бұрын

@@PanelstoPixels Nice! Gotta love Image comics...!

I love the Jim Lee X-Men designs, but after starting to pick up some mid-2010s X-Men stuff recently, I really dig Chris Bachelo's red and black Cyclops design. It's right up there with the 90's look for me.

These 90s designs are what got me into wanting to read comics

There was a real elegance to the way that the Batman writers handled the development of the Azrael costume, as well. For the most part, the changes didn't occur all at once (although the big shift obviously happened in Batman #500); Jean-Paul Valley started out wearing the OG Batman costume, only to begin changing it bit by bit--and the more his Order of Demas brainwashing began to take over, the more he'd change the costume, until by the end it resembled a vaguely bat-shaped Azrael costume more than anything else. It's as if the writers were trying to say that Jean-Paul Valley could never really be the Batman. Just brilliantly done.

A small pet peeve I have with Tim’s original Robin suit is the red trunks, I don’t like them. It makes him look as if he’s wearing a women’s swim suit. If you change the trunks to black it’s actually amazing

Storm’s costume is almost always portrayed as silver or white. It’s not even drawn like black leather

@PanelstoPixels

10 ай бұрын

I don’t mind that people see it as white. I think it’s fun that it’s open to interpretation. But to say that it was not drawn as black leather by Lee, Portacio, and others is simply incorrect.

This was a fun video!

@PanelstoPixels

10 ай бұрын

Thanks!

I love Tim drake robin costume it’s really awesome and badass.

Don't know why, I've always liked the 90's Daredevil "Armor" suit. Just needs small tweaks. Also Blue Superman

I want to see a live action version of the modular Iron Man suit

Man you gotta a video with your takes on Onslaught, for me that was the peak 90s event

Very cool 90's redesign on yourself. That Dexter Holland hair cut is rockin.

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Haha, thanks. Much appreciated.

I agree with most of your list, except for Azrael Batman. I would have Kyle Rayner's suit, instead.

I think the thing that throws me on Storm’s early 90’s look is that it really is solid but many of her older and newer looks(especially the mohawk looks) overshadow it THAT much. I guess I’m hard pressed to think of a look she’s had that ever missed. Nightwing is such a solid choice. The exact opposite of the stereotypical excess of the period.

Rogue’s outfit is also timeless!!!!

Nightwing is my number 1, he's my favourite character and got two redesigns, both better than the previous and both are my favourite look for the character. Cyclops is my second favourite character and I have to agree, but I think a couple previous attires had that "half-sock" style mask, but I really like the Casady redesign in the 2000's as well. I personally would have said Rogue over Storm and thrown Gambit in as well as these are the definitive looks for me. Also, Kyle Rayner definitely has one of my favourite designs of all time.

I LOVE the Storm picture at the 2:34 mark! Who drew it, & where can i get a poster-sized print of it?!! I gotta get this on my office wall, stat! Wow!

Just bumped into your channel today. Been watching them one after another on auto play. Good stuff.

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jay! I appreciate you checking out my other videos. Glad you like 'em!

I will never forgive them for giving nightwing a pony tail but the costume is good

You might want to check out Catwoman's costume upgrade in the Batman '89 comic books (based on the script for Tim Burton's third Batman movie that was never made). It is basically just her black Batman Returns costume with the white stitches, but the bottom part is now replaced by Balent's purpe tights and black thigh-high boots with a copper '60s "disc belt" like the one she wears in the BTAS cartoon. It pays homage to three iconic Catwomen looks and looks amazing. It has become my favorite look already.

This is absolutely great and yeah I agree with most of these!

The 90s xmen was so damn cool. I wish i grew up duri g that time so i could experience it in real time

Dude! You communnicate very well. I'm suscribing right now!

Good list. I'd add Kyle Rayner and electric blue supes too!

90’s Spidey was a pretty sweet design 👍

90s Nightwing is absolutely iconic, but two big things I think you missed: they cut Dick's long ponytail in a literal fight sequence at the beginning of the ongoing 1996 series where he even comments he was meaning to get a haircut, and imo that hairstyle is much more iconic for the era. Also, the FINGERSTRIPES! SUPER important to the flow of the costume and accenting the color on the minimal look and every time they remove them in more modern suits it makes me very sad. I'm very happy you included him tho, even if his look is a bit opposed to the general ethos and design language of the era :3

0:20 I want to see that suit in the next Thor movie if there is one I bet Chris Hemsworth could pull that off

Azbats was legit 👊🏼 just wish they didn't play his character so safe in the brief stint while he had complete control. So many more ideas could've been done. I'd love to see an ongoing outlaw series focused on Azbats.

This was really fun! There was actually an answer to what colour Storm's costume was, beyond the cartoon. All of the toys produced with her wearing that outfit are white in colour (so it can't just be dismissed as a one-off misinterpretation), across multiple toy companies (and even the Harvey's fast food promos!).

@PanelstoPixels

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! That's a good point and I hate to "well, actually" you but there have been many figures depicting it as black. The first ever Marvel Legends Storm went with black. And back in the 90s, when the suit was still new, Toy Biz did versions in black, white, and metallic silver (although these were more based on the Outback costume). I still think the cartoon popularised white and most figures after that point reflect that.

@MakopoweredGaming

Жыл бұрын

@@PanelstoPixels Nah, it's a good call. I only ever remember the white versions, so it's good to know that those variations are out there. I do find it fascinating that the Marvel Legends figure you mention came with a comic featuring her first costume, and a Marvel VS card (geez, remember that game?!) with her contemporary 2004 costume, so they don't really give a proper frame of reference for what they were trying to do. I agree - it is absolutely her Jim Lee outfit; it would just be nice if they had, well, included the Jim lee illustration for context.

@craigjomaia

Жыл бұрын

@@PanelstoPixels Storm is nothing if not fashionable, perhaps she had them in each of those colors. Black for the covert stuff, white for better PR by looking more angelic and silver for just looking plain damn regal and powerful.

I love the Jim Lee X-Men redesigns, Rogue could've been on the list. Have you thought about a video on the WildC.A.T.s? Or maybe Gen 13? The original Image comics titles were FILLED with 90s style and excesses that looking back from 2024, are probably the BEST art ever put out on a comic (yeah, I forget Byrne and Adams and Kirby on purpose). These days costumes are a disgrace.

The green trousers actually snuck earlier in an elseworlds comic. But honestly, it could've been a miscolor as it was still the fairy boots trunks costume but with green leggings.

I really enjoyed the video, my favorite costume redesign of the 90's has to be: Psylocke. Great content, thanks

Dude looks like a young Dexter Holland from Offspring.

Fun video!

As an 8 year old, Tim Drake in that 90s Robin outfit was the bees knees

What makes Ironman unique is that he is supposed to change look on a regular basis, since he always upgrades his armors. In a sense Ironman is more similar to a super-robot from japanese anime than to a regular superhero. With Ironman we have a separation between the suit, wich is basically a mech, and Tony himself, wich is the pilot. And each new suit/brings new abilities to the table. And the relationship between Tony Stark and James Rhodes reminds me a lot of the relationship between Koji Kabuto and Tetsuya Tsurugi in the Mazinger franchise. Both Jim and Tetsuya are combat professionals and definetly better pilots for their respective mechs, but always end up treated like secondary characters.

I am surprised you mentioned Ben's suit and DIDN'T mention the design was essentially reused on Peter's daughter's Mayday in her solo series. It's even canonly his old suit.

All of these except for Azbat and Superman are certified hood classics

Somebody might have mentioned it already but I didn't mind the DD armor outfit from the early '99's