Quicksilver is a fictional superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. His real name is Pietro Maximoff, and he is the twin brother of the Scarlet Witch. Quicksilver first appeared in X-Men #4 in March 1964.
Quicksilver’s most well-known ability is his superhuman speed. He can run, think, and move extremely fast. His super speed allows him to defy gravity and run up walls or across water. So what color is Quicksilver typically depicted as wearing given his super fast abilities?
Quicksilver’s Costume Colors
For most of his history, Quicksilver has worn a predominately light blue costume with various secondary colors such as white, silver, grey or yellow.
When Quicksilver first appeared in 1964, his costume was depicted as having light blue pants and a yellow upper body with lightning bolt patterns on it. His boots and belt were also yellow.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, his costume shifted to being more blue and white. He wore a light blue unitard with white gloves, boots and belt. The lightning bolt patterns were changed to solid white lightning-shaped lines on his torso and thighs.
From the late 1980s through the 2000s, Quicksilver’s costumes have remained fairly consistent with the blue and white color scheme. Variations have included:
- Light blue unitard with silver lines/patterns
- Blue pants and white top
- Blue leggings, white boots and silver upper body
Some consistent design elements through these decades include:
- Blue as the primary color
- White/silver accents for detailing
- Lightning bolt patterns symbolizing speed
In the 2010s and contemporary comics, Quicksilver’s costumes continue to use blue and white, sometimes with metallic accents. Recent costumes have included:
- A light blue bodysuit with silver lines and a white lightning bolt on chest
- Blue pants and thigh-high boots with white accents on a silver/metallic blue top
- A solid blue unitard with white gloves, belt, and boots
Quicksilver’s Costume in Films
Quicksilver has also appeared in several X-Men and Marvel films portrayed by different actors. His costumes in these live-action films have adapted the comic book colors in different ways:
| Film | Year | Actor | Costume Colors |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-Men: Days of Future Past | 2014 | Evan Peters | Silver and black with goggles |
| Avengers: Age of Ultron | 2015 | Aaron Taylor-Johnson | Grey/silver top & pants with blue accents |
| X-Men: Apocalypse | 2016 | Evan Peters | Mostly light blue with silver accents and goggles |
| Dark Phoenix | 2019 | Evan Peters | Dark navy blue & black with red & silver accents |
As the table shows, Quicksilver’s costumes in the films have varied more than in the comics and animated shows. While colors like silver, grey, and blue have been featured as nods to his typical comic book colors, the film costumes have taken more creative license.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) version played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson is probably the most divergent, featuring mostly grey and silver with just some blue accents. However, the X-Men film version portrayed by Evan Peters has gotten closer to Quicksilver’s classic comics colors in later movies.
Quicksilver’s Powers Related to His Costume Colors
So why is Quicksilver’s costume predominately light blue in the comics? The blue is likely intended to symbolize his power of speed.
The cool tones of blues relate Quicksilver to movement and flowing motion. Light and bright blues evoke images of the sky, wind, and air – all things associated with fast freedom of movement. Silver and white serve as accents to the blue, representing a metallic sleekness and evoking images of speed, sleek cars, and lightning.
Grey or darker costume colors like those seen in some of the films portray a grittier, more grounded take on Quicksilver and his powers. But the comics favor lighter blue tones to depict his super speed in an energized, kinetic manner. The blue therefore becomes associated with the kinetic energy and constant motion of Quicksilver’s unique high-speed abilities.
Quicksilver’s Full Costume Design Symbolism
Beyond just the color scheme, other aspects of Quicksilver’s costume design visually communicate his speed abilities:
- Lightning bolts patterns/accents showing electricity and speed
- Streamlined design with minimal details or accessories
- Windblown hair depicting motion
- Goggles/headgear that give a sense of aerodynamics
Small details like the windswept hair, goggles, and well-fitted costume create a visual sense of sleek speed and constant motion even when Quicksilver is standing still. The lightning bolts add power and electricity to his abilities.
Some additional symbolic meanings to parts of Quicksilver’s costume include:
| Costume Element | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blue Color | Freedom, flow, kinetic energy |
| White Accents | Purity, focus |
| Metallic Accents | Sleekness, smoothness |
| Lightning Bolts | Electricity, speed, power |
| Goggles/Headgear | Aerodynamics, motion |
So in summary, the light blue color of Quicksilver’s costume relates intrinsically to the nature of his super speed powers and the sense of energy and constant motion they invoke. When paired with design elements like lightning bolts, wind effects, and sleek metallic textures, his blue costume creates an instantly recognizable symbol of speed.
Quicksilver’s Civilian Clothing Colors
When not in costume as a superhero, Quicksilver also often wears more normal civilian clothes. What colors does he tend to wear when not in uniform?
In civilian clothes, Quicksilver still tends to wear shades of blues, grays, and whites fairly often. For example:
- Light blue jeans or pants paired with white or grey shirts
- A blue zip-up jacket over a white undershirt and jeans
- A dark grey peacoat with a light blue scarf
He may also sometimes wear darker colors like black, browns, or dark reds, but paler cooler tones seem to be his preference. These colors complement his pale hair and skin tone, while still reflecting shades of his Quicksilver blue costume.
While not always intentional, sticking to colors in the blue, silver, grey and white color families helps reinforce Quicksilver’s icy persona. Even when not in superhero costume, his civilian clothing choices subtly relate back to his alter ego’s signature speed abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Quicksilver’s primary costume colors in the comics and related media have consistently been some variation of blue, white or silver, with blue being the predominant tone. These cool colored tones symbolically represent his power set of superspeed, evoking kinetic motion and flowing movement.
When combined with design elements like lightning bolts, aerodynamic headgear, and wind effects in his hair, Quicksilver’s icy blue costumes powerfully visualize his high-speed abilities and nature even when he is standing still. So in essence, the answer to the question “What color is Quicksilver?” is first and foremost blue – a vibrant color of kinetic energy that has become intrinsically linked to Quicksilver’s identity and powers.
