10 Amazing Costume Designs From Mediocre Films
2. Asgardians And Dark Elves - Thor: The Dark World
Considered one of the MCU's worst films, The Dark World was all the more tragic for its potential, with its visuals and costume design far superior than most Marvel films overall.
Stepping up from the fantasy/sci-fi marriage of the Asgard established in the first Thor film, the cultural differences between worlds like Asgard and Vanaheim, and the hidden world of the Dark Elves. This film had the best possible incarnation of the Asgardians's outfits, especially Loki's, and even took the time to design the distinguished helmet of the ancient Asgardian leader Bor, and how it differed from the helms Odin, Thor, and Loki bear.
Most striking, however, were the Dark Elves, with their terrifying, soulless looking masks, and their leaders's distinguished, otherworldly appearance that married Tolkien-esque high fantasy elements and sci-fi alien designs.
It was a shame the film had so many missteps both in and after production, because this is by far Marvel's best concept work, and might have broadened their half mystic, half cosmic world if done right. Wendy Patridge, who did equally fantastic work on films like Hellboy, deserves lauding for expanding on the Nine Realms in such a beautiful, evocative way.