Marvel has officially announced the framing of the 2022 Hellfire Gala, confirming earlier promises it would become a regular event. It is, however, significantly scaled back on a publishing front this year. Instead of a multi-issue crossover event, as we got last year, this year’s Gala is a single one-shot. That certainly hasn’t stopped Marvel from having fun! The outfit reveals for 2022 have begun, and here at WWAC, we’ve got opinions. With Marvel unveiling brand new character design sheets by Russell Dauterman, let’s talk about the expanded attendee list!
Black Widow:
Kayleigh Hearn: Deceptively simple, but I like this design the more I look at it. The intricacy of the red lace pattern is a nice contrast to the solid black bodysuit, and Natasha looks ready to move at the first sign of a supervillain playing party crasher.
Wendy Browne: I like the look as an actual combat suit, but it now confuses me. There is no theme for the Hellfire Gala, but last year, there was at least some sense that this was about how mutants don’t wear human clothes, resulting in outfits that could go from gala to galaxy-saving in a flash, as we see with Jean Grey’s new regular costume. It seems weird that the flatscans are now showing up in outfits that meet similar criteria … so is this really about Dauterman creating a fashion design portfolio that he hopes will make it into the mainstream? (I’m okay with that.)
Kat: Agreed, Wendy, Black Widow is a character I would expect to see in a more traditional gown for a gala, not a combat-ready bodysuit and an impractical visor. I like the look! But it seems like maybe the worst of both worlds if it came to an actual throwdown at the ball.
Doctor Doom:
Kayleigh: Good god-emperor, Doom did not come to play. This is show-stopping. This is everything I love about the Hellfire Gala as a new annual event — dramatic and ostentatious and pure gold. There was no way that Victor von Doom would to let anyone outshine him, and this is THE look of the Gala for me. This is art.
Wendy: This is a stunning look that deserves to have all spotlights zone in on him the moment he walks in. This is the gala standard every attendee should be aspiring to but will, of course, fail to reach.
Kat: Love this, reminds me of Lizzo’s Thom Browne ensemble for the Met Gala, regal and lush and GOLD. I am loving those boots, the formal face, everything.
Gambit:
Kat: Love this — alluring but just slutty enough to give it a little Gambit sleaze (complimentary). Those gloves? I’m fanning myself.
Kayleigh: Someone had to come to the Hellfire Gala tits-out, and thank god it was Gambit. Love the color, love the hip cut-outs. 10/10, no notes. Make him wear ass-less chaps next year.
Wendy: This is the finest of fine.
Havok:
Kat: I love a good moto jacket, and I really like these pants! Gloves are aces, but he needs a reflector on his back to truly be visible while biking at night.
Kayleigh: This is another Hellfire Gala look that feels like a not-so-stealth costume redesign. And why not? It’s sharp! The double belts with the X-insignia are a nice touch; the tailoring of the black motorcycle jacket is a clever amalgamation of two classic looks: his Silver Age black costume and his X-Factor era jacket.
Wendy: As far as a gala goes, this is boring. As far as a costume redesign that I assume we’ll see it in books shortly after? Excellent. Special love for the circular embellishments at the neckline.
Iceman:
Kat: This feels a lot more “in-character” for Bobby Drake than last year’s lewk, because to me, he isn’t a total masc4masc lunkhead, but he does have a comfort zone, and this is squarely in that — without being boring or dull.
Kayleigh: You know those male celebrities who show up at the Met Gala in basic black suits, and everyone on Twitter drags them for missing the assignment? That’s Iceman. Bobby’s little smirk feels very fitting; since his outfit is an extension of his body’s ice, is he technically naked?
Wendy: I suspect at least one of the Frost siblings told him he wasn’t permitted to finish this look with flip flops.
Magik:
Kat: Sorry Mr. Dauterman, but the makeup doesn’t translate particularly well here from what it would look like in real life, even with the detail it just doesn’t work for me. I like the shapes of the actual outfit, especially the hip juts, but overall, I’m not bowled over by this. Good, but not great!
Kayleigh: I would call this a shoot if not for Magik already wearing a devil-themed design (also with giant horns!) at last year’s Gala. I want some irony here, like Illyana wearing anything from the Met Gala’s Heavenly Bodies red carpet. Tell me Illyana wouldn’t get a kick out of teleporting into the Gala in a giant pope hat.
Wendy: I feel about this look as I did about Rachel Summers’ look last year. I like the lines and various design elements — particularly the hoofed footwear, but I am not feeling the callback to the good ol’ days. Or at least, if that is the desire, then I’d rather the callback be much bigger in its conceptualization. More points and poof. Less bodysuit.
She-Hulk:
Kat: I love this, but it’s more ready-to-wear than haute couture, right? Maybe a summer collection? This feels like a fun breezy outfit except for the gloves, and while it’s very flattering and cool I don’t know that it feels right for a Gala. Sorry, this is my constant criticism!!
Kayleigh: This is red carpet-worthy, but not quite Hellfire Gala worthy if that makes sense. I can see Shulkie wearing this at the premiere of Dazzler the Movie II: Krakoa Boogaloo, but it doesn’t push the envelope far enough for the Gala. I love the pearl belt with the SH initials, Russell Dauterman has such a wonderful eye for detail.
Wendy: The gloves are a nice touch with the simplicity of white pumps but agreed, that this is not a Hellfire Gala look. This is for a sunny daytime event with an ocean background.
Spider-Man:
Kat: I don’t know y’all, this is just a cool Spider-Man look but is it as funny as him in just a tux and a mask? I’m really into the shoes portion of this but this look is more “Spider-Man Event Costume” than couture?
Kayleigh: Jumbo Carnation designs all the X-Men’s Gala looks, but who made this for poor Peter Parker? All I can picture is Spider-Man freaking out all night because Eminem spilled his Marvel Girl Martini on him and he can’t afford the dry-cleaning bill. The glowing web sneakers are a nice touch — this will make a cool skin for the Spider-Man PS4 game.
Wendy: What they said, but I would rather see it on Miles.
