For over a decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been praised for reinventing how some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes hit the big screen. If the genre managed to make such a massive impact in Hollywood, a big part of that success comes from this approach (no wonder the blockbuster moment we still remember as Avengers: Endgame happened). The franchise found a winning formula while redefining expectations for superhero movies. However, in the case of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, this approach came with a choice that split fans: the near-total reliance on Tony Stark-designed suits is worth talking about.
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Sure, the suits aren’t bad, and in some ways, it became a symbol of the character’s connection to the MCU. But the truth is, it also limited his development. And when you look at the best suits he’s worn, like the ones in the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home and the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it’s hard to ignore just how big of a misstep that was.
Spider-Man’s Essence Has Been Missing from the Start
In the early years, Spider-Man was more of Stark’s protégé than an independent hero. The “Stark Suit,” first introduced in Captain America: Civil War, gave Peter Parker high-tech gadgets, tracking systems, and even an AI guiding his actions. That was a huge departure from what fans knew from the comics (and even the previous films with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield). And even though it makes sense, this was about making him a hero more “compatible” with the Avengers, the decision robbed the character of the essence of being a kid who learns through trial and error.
This issue became even clearer when the franchise doubled down on technology with the “Iron Spider” in Avengers: Infinity War. Visually, it looked incredible, and many fans liked it. But narratively? There’s no escaping it: it felt almost like a futuristic Spider-Man cosplay of Iron Man. The mechanical arms and metallic look might work in intergalactic battles, but it highlighted how Peter was being written as an extension of Stark. You could try to overlook it, but Peter’s identity was buried under upgrades and external tools that had nothing to do with Spider-Man’s DNA. Instead of being the hero who improvises, he became the kid following instructions from a digital interface.
And that’s where the stark contrast comes in with the final costume in No Way Home. One of Holland’s most defining moments as Spider-Man is when he finally dons a suit he made himself – no help, no AI, no Stark tech signature. The “Final Swing Suit” kept a classic look, but more importantly, it carried huge narrative weight: Peter Parker finally stepping into his role as a full-fledged, independent hero. No mentorship, no shortcuts – just him facing the aftermath of Doctor Strange’s spell and the responsibility of being Spider-Man. That’s why the suit resonated so strongly with fans and set high expectations for what comes next. So when the reveal video of the new Brand New Day suit dropped, it was one of the most talked-about things.
The Suits in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Spider-Man: Brand New Day Are Changing the Hero
The simpler costume at the end of No Way Home hints at what’s coming in Brand New Day, and the movie itself sets up Peter’s journey through grief to emerge as the hero he’s always wanted to be. That’s why the suit is so highly regarded, often cited as one of his best. And with the new sequel set for 2026, it’s clear the goal is to reinforce this evolution. The reveal video dropped, but footage from the on-set recordings gave us an even better look at a blend of nostalgia from the other known versions’ suits (Maguire and Garfield) with unique new details – it’s a design that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time.
Most importantly, it’s a costume completely divorced from Tony Stark. It represents a Peter who builds his identity from scratch, using his own creativity and defining himself through his choices. The bigger issue is that it took years for this to happen. For so long, Peter was portrayed as a training hero, dependent on approval and technology. That made his character arcs feel delayed, and we had to wait three movies to see him in his most authentic version. It’s not exactly a terrible thing, but if you stop to think about it, the reason the new suit is celebrated so much is because it fixed something that shouldn’t have even been an issue in the first place.
In a way, it also hits home for the audience, because part of Spider-Man’s appeal has always been how relatable he is. Sure, Peter’s always been portrayed as a teen dreaming of becoming an Avenger, and that’s relatable – but we’re really talking about a regular kid who messes up, improvises, and learns along the way, without money, without a billionaire mentor, and without access to cutting-edge labs. Turning him into an “Iron Man” strips away what made him special. Instead of being the hero closest to the audience, he became a character dependent on endless resources, losing the distinction that always set him apart from big figures like Captain America or Thor, for example.
The MCU made a huge mistake not by giving Spider-Man technology, but by letting that technology define who he was. Once they finally removed it and gave him control over his own story, the result was immediate: the suits that left the biggest impression were the ones that restored his core essence. Spider-Man doesn’t need holograms, AI, or automated combat modes to be compelling. He just needs to be himself. In the end, what fans always wanted was simply to see him without carrying the weight of being Tony Stark’s extension.
What do you think of Spider-Man’s suits in the MCU so far? Did you like the new Spider-Man costume for Brand New Day? What are your expectations for the hero’s story from here on out? Tell us in the comments!
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