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That assortment points up one of the ways comics have gone off track in recent years. Despite the differing artistic styles, a good argument could be made that the first six figures all represent the same guy. Then we come to the seventh, and suddenly he's shorter, beefier, more tousled of hair -- and generally a different guy.

The last two images at least represent something of a return to model, tho the "life jacket" costume just makes him look pregnant.

Call me crazy, but I always prefer the X-Men in civies - I guess this was caused by my love for the cover of MTU #4!

That assortment points up one of the ways comics have gone off track in recent years. Despite the differing artistic styles, a good argument could be made that the first six figures all represent the same guy. Then we come to the seventh, and suddenly he's shorter, beefier, more tousled of hair -- and generally a different guy.

It's not someone you would nickname "Slim", that's for sure.

The last two images at least represent something of a return to model, tho the "life jacket" costume just makes him look pregnant.

I have a soft spot Quitely's "life jacket" version.  It looks functional without being a body suit and can house pockets without looking obviously like a tight suit with a massive wallet.  I really don't understand the skintights with belt pockets thing because if you think about it they are just glorified fanny packs -- fanny packs ceased to be 'in' about twenty years ago.  My only quibble with this design is that the 'X' motif is a little overdone; just the belt buckle is enough.

I think the best overall uniform/costume for Scott is a variation on the Kirby school uniform -- which is really what #2 is.  There is no reason why a modern artist can't use #2 and tweak it in subtle ways that makes it look modern yet still evocative of the original.

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The "secret origin" of the X-Men in civvies lay in their book having become a reprint. I was told editorial had decided it would be "confusing" for readers if the team were suddenly back in their school uniforms in this story. This decision was apparently not passed along to whoever chose the art for the logo set-up!!

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When I started on X-MEN I wanted to get Scott back to his more slender form, but was told no, he must "look like a leader!" A rather sad example of Marvel already having forgotten its own identity.