10 Memorable Suit Reveals In The MCU

A superhero's suit is often the most iconic, recognisable thing about a character. Success when adapting a hero from page to screen can potentially live or die on the audience's opinion of a suit, making the moment they first see it highly important.

In Ironheart, the new six-episode MCU series following Riri Williams after her adventures in Wakanda, Riri's self-built Iron Man inspired mech-suit is a vital part of the character's story. We'll probably get a few 'suit reveal' moments throughout the series, as Riri makes tweaks and adjustments.

In preparation for this suit-forward series, let's look back at some of the most memorable MCU suit reveal moments that have come before.

1. In a cave with a box of scraps ('Iron Man')

With his regular upgrades and editions of the Iron Man suit over the course of the Infinity Saga, Tony Stark has definitely had the most new suit reveals to date of any MCU character, to the point that a new suit was no longer a big event, as chances are he was already working on the next one. This is why, despite the later Mk Iron Man suits being cleaner, sleeker, and including all the shiniest new tech, it is hard to go past the reveal of Tony's very first Iron Man suit as a significant and memorable moment.

Sharp and rough and cobbled together from scrap metal, Tony uses the suit to escape from the terrorists who capture him in the first Iron Man film. It is not just a new suit that emerges from the cave, but a new Tony Stark, forever changed by his experience.

2. Thor is worthy (Thor)

Technically, we first see Thor's original hero suit near the beginning of the first Thor film, in the scene that is supposed to mark his coronation. However, he is soon stripped of it, along with Mjolnir, by Odin before his banishment.

The return of his suit in the film's final act, aside from being the first time Jane and his Midgardian friends see it, is significant for a different reason. Like Tony in the first Iron Man, this is a 'reveal' of character as much as a suit. A wiser and worthy Thor, as he was always meant to be.

3. The Falcon flies (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

While we learn early in Captain America: The Winter Soldier that Sam Wilson was part of some sort of exclusive flight program, it is not until later that we learn just how exclusive and top secret it was.

Confident that Captain America will not harm him, S.H.I.E.L.D turned HYDRA agent Jasper Sitwell refuses to give up intel, but is left shocked when Cap allows Natasha Romanoff to shove him from the top of a tower. Sitwell is saved by Sam, using the wing-suit Steve and Natasha help him retrieve offscreen, and becomes much more receptive to Cap's questions. The scene is considered an iconic MCU moment.

4. Spidey swings in (Captain America: Civil War)

During the first two phases of the MCU, Marvel Studios was not allowed to use or mention Spider-Man, one of the most beloved Marvel comics heroes, because Spidey's rights had been sold to Sony Pictures. Things changed after Sony's The Amazing Spider-Man 2 underperformed at the box office, prompting Sony to ink a unique and historic deal to share the Spider-Man rights.

Tom Holland was soon cast as the MCU's Spider-Man, slated to appear for the first time in Captain America: Civil War. One of the film's trailers features Spidey swinging into the scene of a battle between the two factions of warring Avengers and snatching Cap's shield, raising the already intense hype for the film considerably higher. This only increased further at the film's release, when it was revealed that this was the first we see of Spider-Man suited up. The moment was everything fans had wished for.

5. It ain't over 'til the Wasp Lady stings (Ant-Man and The Wasp)

In Ant-Man and The Wasp, Scott Lang shows concern when it looks like Hope Van Dyne has been double-crossed by Black Market dealer Sonny Burch. He needn't have worried.

Before Sonny can escape with the important part Hope had intended to purchase, Hope reveals her new Wasp suit, battling a path through Sonny's henchmen. The scene is accompanied by a very fun piece of score, 'It Ain't Over 'Til The Wasp Lady Stings', crafted in a way to blend with the existing Ant-Man theme once Scott and Hope truly become a team in the latter part of the film.

Unlike some others, Hope didn't need to prove herself a hero. She'd already done most of the work before ever laying eyes on her suit. What she needed was a moment to shine, and in this scene, she got it.

6. The birth of the Scarlet Witch (WandaVision)

Due to rights issues when the character first entered the MCU ten years ago in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wanda Maximoff could not be referred to by her usual comic book codename, the Scarlet Witch. Her most recognisable comic book outfits at the time were also deemed impractical for live action, so she was given a different look for the movies.

Both of these things were no longer an issue by 2021, when Wanda took centre stage in the MCU's first TV miniseries, WandaVision. After beating Agatha Harkness at her own game in the series finale, cancelling out Agatha's magic by casting Runes around the Westview boundary, Wanda obtains enough energy to complete her transformation into the Scarlet Witch. This includes a brand new suit complete with comic accurate headdress, leaving no doubt as to which character she is. Definitely up there with the MCU's best suit-reveal moments.

7. "You wore it!" (Hawkeye)

For most of his MCU appearances, Clint Barton, probably due to his previous status as a mostly undercover agent/assassin, doesn't wear an obvious super suit, instead settling for more subtle tactical gear. However, in the Hawkeye series, Clint's number one fan/hopeful new partner tries to convince Clint of the value of increasing his fanbase with an at least slightly more distinctive suit.

Kate has the suit made for Clint at around the midpoint of the series, but he does not wear it until the series finale. This is a significant moment, as Clint's acceptance of the suit is symbolically equivalent to his fully accepting Kate as his new partner.

8. The Black Panther lives (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

Actor Chadwick Boseman's tragic death before production on a Black Panther sequel could begin obviously resulted in some necessary detours from Marvel Studios' original plans. Prior to the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, it was uncertain who would be the next Black Panther, as the trailers left the matter ambiguous. Upon watching, it soon became clear that King T'Challa's younger sister, Princess Shuri, was destined to succede him in the role, but it still takes her most of the film to get there.

After finally synthesizing the Heart-shaped Herb, Shuri takes it and gains the power of the Black Panther. Donning a suit of her very own, Shuri crashes a meeting of Wakandan Tribe Leaders, revealing and proving herself as the new Black Panther. It is a rare uplifting moment in a film sometimes bogged down in it's darker themes.

9. The Mighty Thor (Thor: Love and Thunder)

Having chosen not to return for Thor: Ragnarok after disagreeing with some of the behind the scenes decisions on Thor: The Dark World, many fans thought we had seen the last of Natalie Portman as Jane Foster in the MCU. So, it came as a surprise when it was revealed that Portman was returning for the fourth film, Thor: Love and Thunder, taking up a restored Mjolnir in a take on the comics 'Mighty Thor' storyline.

During a pit stop in New Asgard while investigating a string of God murders, Thor is drawn into the efforts to protect his people's new home from an attack by Gorr the God Butcher. Initially delighted when he discovers Mjolnir back in one piece, he is shocked upon trying to call the hammer to him, only to have it return to his ex-girlfriend, Jane, donning a near perfect comic-accurate suit as The Mighty Thor. While reception to Love and Thunder as a whole was mixed, few could deny that this moment was immediately iconic.

10. The full Wolverine (Deadpool and Wolverine)

Marvel fans everywhere were already excited by set photos, trailers, and posters confirming that Hugh Jackman would be wearing a comic-accurate yellow Wolverine suit for his big return in Deadpool and Wolverine. However, the final film brought an added surprise.

As the film approaches its climax, with our two unlikely heroes about to battle the Deadpool Corps, Logan dons the iconic Woverine cowl to complete his suit. The yellow suit is not just one of Wolverine's most iconic comic looks, but also his main design from the cult-classic X-Men: The Animated Series, and its recent sequel, X-Men '97.

For many a fanboy, fangirl, and 90s kid, seeing this suit in live-action was a dream come true.

Hopefully Ironheart and future MCU entries will continue to deliver these iconic moments.