Costume manipulation

Costume manipulation, or clothing manipulation, is one of the more obscure yet useful of super-powers. It allows the user to manipulate the fabric of their clothing in such a way so as to summon, alter, or disperse whatever it is they are wearing.

One of the most well-known examples of clothing manipulation came about in the 1980s in a Marvel Comics max-series event Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars. In issue #8 of the series, Peter Parker found a device on an alien planet that allowed him to repair his tattered Spider-Man costume. Instead of replacing the classic red and blue, it instead produced an organic black costume that obeyed his commands. In addition to being able to summon and disperse it at will, the costume also produced its own form of webbing. It was only later that Peter learned that the costume was actually an alien symbiote. This symbiote attempted to bond with him, but was defeated. It later bonded with disgraced reporter Eddie Brock, who took to calling himself Venom.

The Action Lab Comics monster-slayer known as Katie Carva likewise developed a similar ability when she acquired the power of the Vampblades. In fact, she went through several issues rotating between various modes of dress before finally settling on a design that she liked. Invariably, chains always seem to work itself into the mix.

It could be argued that Al Simmons from the Image Comics comic book series Spawn has a version of this power. Spawn's costume manipulation however seems to be localized to the chains that are forever bound to him.

Comics

 * Vampblade 11 - Katie shifts from Ninja attire into Space Knight attire.