Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jan 24, 2025 | 5 comments

 A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE: One comics’ coolest outfits…

The one thing I miss now that Sam Wilson is Captain America is his classic, Bronze Age red-and-white outfit designed in 1971 by the late, great John Romita, who was born 95 years ago, on Jan. 24, 1930.

It was, hands down, one of the greatest looks of the era and made for a seriously groovy Mego figure:

Boy, I hope we’re getting a re-release from the new Mego.

Anyway, since it’s Jazzy John’s birthday — and since Captain America: Brave New World is coming in just a few weeks — how about a look at his original Falcon revamp, which I found on the Heritage Auctions website:

It sold Feb 23, 2018 for $3,824, including buyer’s premium.

Dig the official description:

John Romita Sr. — The Falcon New Costume Design Original Art (c. 1971). The original design piece for the Falcon’s new duds is enough to make any Marvel fan face front. It is an undisputable bit of Mighty Marvel History! This original art design is almost exact as to how the costume appeared on Page 15 of issue #144. Created in mixed media on paper taped to matting board, there is some discolored production tape in places with whiteout art corrections over the top. Of note, the detailed graphite inset of the falconer’s glove, with retractable swingline claw. The matted image area measures 9.25″ x 13″. The paper is wrinkled, with a minor stain on the right, and the noted discolored tape. “Johnny Romita” is handwritten on the back of the board. At first we couldn’t decide whether this represented the artist’s signature, but luckily we had the opportunity to consult Mr. Romita himself, who told us “the autograph probably is mine but not sure I ever signed ‘Johnny’ again.” In Very Good condition.

There was also this, which sold Jun 17, 2021, for $4,320:

John Romita Sr. — The Falcon New Costume Design Original Art (c. 1971). This great look at the Falcon’s new duds (his second costume) is enough to make any Marvel fan face front. And the art is by the man who designed this new costume! This original art design is almost exactly how the costume appeared on Page 15 of Issue #144 (the mask and waist were slightly different). And this image is very similar to the Falcon image that appears next to the cover logo of Captain America #145-153 (and then in reversed form for another 40 or so issues). Created in ink and watercolor over graphite on Bristol board with an image area of 4.5″ x 7.5″. There is an acetate overlay taped on the top edge. Signed by Romita Sr. in the lower right. In Excellent condition.

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The outfit first appeared in September 1971’s Captain America #144:

Gray Morrow art, Gary Friedrich script

I always preferred this look to Gene Colan’s 1969 original…

… but it really took off when Sal Buscema added wings in 1973:

Buscema pencils, Vince Colletta inks, Mike Friedrich writer, Steve Englehart plotter

Damn, he looked cool.

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MORE

— When THE FALCON First Took Up CAPTAIN AMERICA’s Shield. Click here.

— How MEGO’s FALCON Led Me to Become a Professional Comics Artist. Click here.