Spider-Man Costumes
Homemade Spiderman Costume Ideas
Spider-Man is one of Marvel Comics greatest success stories. First appearing in 1962, Spider-Man was an invention of Stan Lee who was interested in creating a superhero who would have to deal with the everyday challenges of adolescence as well as the difficulties of being a costumed crime fighter. Ever since Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became Spider-Man, fans have responded with enthusiasm.
Spider-Man is a cultural phenomenon, appearing in comic books, cartoons, movies, coloring books, even recording music and "writing" novels and children's books. Recently, a series of Spider-Man movies has done huge business at the box office, reviving interest in Spider-Man and his villains.
Spider-Man's costume is a big part of his superhero ability. Many of Spider-Man's superpowers come from his run-in with a radioactive spider, but some are germane to Peter Parker. Parker is highly intelligent and has the wherewithal to sew his own Spider-Man costume, complete with automatic web slingers built into the wrists of the suit and the creation of a unique adhesive "web" that he can manipulate into many different shapes.
Spider-Man costumes are very elaborate. Spider-Man has one of the most complex costumes of any superhero. But that doesn't mean you have to go out and buy an expensive Spider-Man suit. Here are some tips for making your own Spider-Man costume at home.
How to Make a Spider-Man Mask at Home
There are two ways to easily make your own Spider-Mask at home.
The first is to use a computer program such as Photoshop to design the Spider-Man mask of your dreams. This requires some skill with a computer and a little artistic ability, but will produce a beautiful mask. Once you've drawn a mask that you're happy with, print the design on a thin and flexible paper (not card stock) and fabric glue the mask to a harder material like poster board or even thin foam treated to make it hard. To attach the mask, punch two holes along the edges of the mask and run a string to hook the mask around the ears and the back of your head.
If you want a nicer looking mask, you can paint a ski mask with fabric paint. Spider-Man's mask is a "pullover" mask, and a ski mask will replicate that effect nicely. The best start for your mask is to buy a red ski mask that matches the red color of your costume. You want a ski mask with holes for both eyes and your mouth. Making the "web" look on your mask is as easy as applying fabric paint in the right pattern.
How to Make Spider-Man Web Shooters at Home
You can make a cool functional web shooter at home just like Spider-Man has. No, you won't be able to bind up your enemies in a glob of Spider Glue, but you will have a working simulacrum of everyone's favorite Spider-Man gadget.
First, cut a length of PVC pipe into three equal pieces about four inches long. Make sure to smooth and bevel the ends of each piece--PVC can be nasty if it isn't sanded down. Spray paint all of these pieces silver. Cut two strips of velcro long enough to fit around your wrist, along with a small fastener piece for each strip. Each piece of silver PVC should also have a couple of "opposing" pieces of velcro to attach them to your wrist. To make the "webbing", lay a long piece of twine over two inch-thick strips of tinfoil. Cover the string with two or three layers of hot glue--the foil is to protect whatever surface you're working on and to make sure the twine doesn't glue itself to the surface. Flip the twine over and cover the other side as well. Now you've got a nice web to use for your Spider-Man costume.
How to Make a Spider-Man Costume at Home
The main part of the Spider-Man costume, the bodysuit and other accessories, is done one of two ways. Either with a long-sleeved shirt and pajamas or an actual all-over Spandex style body suit.
If you're gonna go the pajamas route, just make sure to match all the colors as closely as possible. Buy pajama bottoms and a top that are as tight as possible, otherwise you'll just look like a homeless guy in red and blue pajamas.
If you can afford it, buying a Spandex suit consisting of leggings, a top, briefs, and gloves other accessories will save you lots of time and energy. Just paint the Spandex suit to match your favorite Spider-Man costume. Combine this bodysuit with the web shooters and Spider-Man mask described above and you'll have a very accurate and awesome looking Spider-Man costume for your next costume party.
With a new Spider-Man movie series in the works, you can expect to see a lot more of Spider-Man on Halloween and at costume parties. Early leaks of Spider-Man's new costume indicate that the film's producers are going for a more authentic look. Spider-Man's new costume appears more faithful to the way the suit is shown in the books than any previous film incarnation.
Making Spider-Man's costume at home is no small task, but it will give you a better overall look than wearing the cheap "pajama" style costume you find for sale at costume shops and in stores that sell cheap costumes.