5. The “Plastic Ghost” Suit
The “Plastic Ghost” suit is perhaps the most highly specialised suit on this list, designed specifically to counter the Black Panther’s abilities. An Iron Man suit in the traditional design but constructed from plastic and polymer had been used against Magneto in the past, but another plastic suit – this time covered in reactive, holographic camouflage – was necessary to stop Black Panther’s vibranium claws.
I’ll be honest and admit that the Plastic Ghost earned its spot on this list on its appearance alone. Stark looked not only formidable, but slightly sinister in the get-up, a radical departure from his usual theme.
Eventually, in the pages of Black Panther, both Panther and Ultron found numerous methods of circumventing the camouflage and protection the Plastic Ghost offered, with Ultron even succeeding in sending self-destruct codes to Stark’s heart unit that keeps him alive. Thankfully, with a better trusting Black Panther now, he’s had no need to bring it back out of retirement.
