Summary
Captain Americahas one of the most iconic outfits in the annals of superhero history. While many superheroes have a red, white, and blue patriotic American color scheme, Steve Rogers' particular combination is the definitive version. This summer, however, this classic hero is revisiting an era he was previously iced out of: disco culture.
The 1970s were a unique era for pop culture, marked by the rise of disco music, flashy fashion, and a general vibe of exuberance. This retro delight (or fashion disaster depending on your perspective) is part ofMarvel’s campaign of Dazzling Disco variant covers, celebrating the mutant Dazzler’s new solo series by Jason Loo and Rafael Loureiro.
Across 21 variant covers, Marvel artists will depict the universe’s greatest heroes staying alive on the dance floor in unbuttoned collars, tight pants, and wide lapels. Dazzler was created in the late 1970s as a joint venture between Marvel and Casablanca Records, a label that dealt with a lot of disco artists. The deal fell through, however, but rather than let their work go to waste (especially since Dazzler had already been teased in other Marvel books), Marvel published Dazzler’s first solo series in 1981. She’s mostly been a team player ever since, but as theX-Men begin their new ‘From the Ashes’ era, she’s once again a solo star.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight #8
September 11
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Captain America Gets His Own Dazzler Suit
Steve Rogers Gets a Second Chance at Disco
As shown in his “catch-up notebook” inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier, Steve Rogers has been curious about disco for a while. Now, he actually gets to live it. Elizabeth Torque’s groovy art gives Steve a wide, open collar to show off his pecs, and adds the perfect accents by star-spangling his pants. It seems he may have also bedazzled his shield, better to reflect Dazzler’s light attacks. However, given the overall blue tone of his outfit, there’s one classic hero whodidlive through the 1970s that his new look evokes - Nightwing.
After Dick Grayson retired from being Batman’s sidekick Robin, he debuted a new alter ego in 1984: Nightwing. His high-tech suit was optimized for mobility, drawing on Dick’s experience not only with the Dark Knight, but as an acrobat with the circus. With a low-cut top, lighter colors, and a wide lapel,George Pérez’s design was meant to remind readers of Nightwing’s time with the Flying Graysons. However, given the time of its debut, it brought another theme to mind: disco. Nightwing’s perfectly coiffed hair and sex-symbol status didn’t do much to dissuade this association, and the costume isremembered today as Nightwing’s disco suit.
The new look suits Steve, and given the nature of the Marvel Universe, fans may see it again. Reality warping, time travel and shapeshifters mean any look is possible, and popular variant cover looks have a habit of returning. Maybe if he makes an appearance inDazzler’s new solo series, he’ll bring this outfit out of the closet for an adventure with her, fitting in at the roller rink or dance floor. After all, even a symbol of heroism likeCaptain Americaisn’t immune to the allure of disco fever.
