By Allison Senecal — In the wide-world of superhero comics, I think it’s fairly safe to say it’s been a very thirsty year for artwork. I know I’ve certainly done my best to chronicle that. But as the old saying goes, nothing thirsty can stay (or something like that), and so many of my favorite superheroes have gotten new looks over the past 12 months.

Which is why today I want to take a look at some of the biggest and best superhero makeovers in 2019, both in terms of their new aesthetic and the wider implications these changes have for these endless long-running stories. Enjoy!

Matt Murdock & Sif, the New Guardians of the Bifrost

More an upgrade for Matt and Sif and less an upgrade for the office of the All-Seeing, as I love Heimdall and his recent death in Valkyrie was rough for longtime fans, especially considering his other death on-screen in the MCU. After Heimdall’s battle with the Mangog left him blinded, he was unable to fulfill his duties as Guardian of the Bifrost during the War of the Realms event, so he lent his powers and sword to none other than Matt Murdock, who briefly became the All-Hearing God Without Fear. Daredevil with that cosmic fabric makeover and a sword? Phew, yes, it was as hot as you’d imagine (and you don’t have to because we have pics to remind you) especially thanks to artists Andrea Sorrentino and Russell Dauterman.

Art by Russell Dauterman and Matt Wilson.

More recently, in Jason Aaron’s enormously satisfying Thor finale, Heimdall’s sister Sif took up Hofund (the Bifrost Sword) and stewardship of the Rainbow Bridge, along with her brother’s powers. Considering my only criticism of Aaron’s Thor run was a lack of Sif — and in light of incoming Thor writer Donny Cates stating that she would be a big part of his upcoming run slated for Janauary — this is just pure exciting. Lord knows I love a girl with literally all the stars in her eyes, and as a Sif fan, it’s awesome to see her with an important role in the Marvel Universe going forward.

Lucifer & John Constantine

Look, I love old cheesecake bastard Lucifer, but the new eldritch David Bowie-inspired character design has been an, excuse me, godsend. Morningstar should be quietly malevolent and, when the mood strikes him, genuinely supernaturally terrifying, not simply physically imposing. Whether Lucifer is decked out in his glorious red armor, or wreathed in flames, the Fiumara design sells his fiendish nature, and has allowed for more artistic ingenuity and some truly elegant panels.

John Constantine, on the other hand, has gone back to his old bastard roots, as rude and crude as you please. I’ve missed the “fuck”-a-minute John, dripping with shite jokes and ill-timed one-liners. Now the cherry on top is that we get the pleasure of his running commentary on the current state of Britain. Who knew we needed Constantine raking Brexiteers over the coals? A J.K. Rowling roast next, please.

Art by Aaron Campbell and Jordie Bellaire.

Moira MacTaggert & Mutantkind

Who says you need a redesign when your biggest lifestyle change is that you have defeated the concept of death? Along the way to ensuring mutantkind’s survival, Moira MacTaggert (nee Kinross) underwent her very own personal tune-up, courtesy of Jonathan Hickman. Now no longer a human ally of the X-Men, Moira is a mutant herself, with the power of reincarnation. She is also now a mastermind, who over the course of her ten lives has influenced many of the biggest X-related events.

As for mutants themselves, there’s now a real and largely stable mutant nation on Krakoa. We’ve seen attempts at mutant nation-building before, with Genosha and Utopia, but Krakoa is (mostly) officially internationally recognized and has some real political bullying power thanks to their miracle drug trade. No more need for defensive isolationism and unchecked anti-mutant violence (which, thanks to the resurrection process, there’s now a way to reverse at its worst). I’d say those are some big wins, and ones that I hope last as the status quo for quite a long time.

The Captains Britain

Betsy Braddock has been Captain Britain before, but now it seems she’s keeping the mantle for the foreseeable future. It’s tough to think otherwise, with the X-Men on the rise again and Captain Britain largely stuck as niche content. It’s fairly safe to say this Cap is here to stay. Artist Marcus To has given her a badass redesign, using the classic helmet and matching it with a new practical (and very knightly) armored silhouette. Bonus: her psionic blade now manifests as a longsword.

Her brother, Brian, hasn’t been faring as well mentally and physically, but aesthetically, I think he’s doing just fine. I do wish they’d gone a bit more Goblin Prince with the new look Morgan Le Fay’s curse gave him, but hey, I won’t complain while I’m watching a good rendition of the Monster Boy trope play out. A little dungeon play never hurt nobody.

The Green Lantern Corps

Hal Jordan’s been doing stuff, I guess. John’s a bit player over in the main Justice League title. Kyle has been missing since the short-lived Titans relaunch ended in April. Simon’s been completely radio silent. Guy got to punch Doctor Manhattan. A long time ago.

The only Green Lanterns who matter right now are the ladies. Jessica Cruz has been up to her own fun cosmic adventures in Justice League Odyssey. She’s gained some new powers courtesy of being vaporized by Darkseid and then brought back to life, fused with her power ring. She even made some new space pals, including our favorite talking cat and my favorite surly New God. Truly a glow-up in every way.

Meanwhile, fantasy author extraordinaire N.K. Jemisin and superstar artist Jamal Campbell have been delivering the most stylish Green Lantern ever with Far Sector’s Jo Mullein. I didn’t know I prayed for a Janelle Monáe album cover-inspired look to become the newest member of the Corps, but here we are and she’s fabulous. Initially, I figured Far Sector for a usual 6-issue Young Animal limited series, but we’re in for a full 12 issues of Jo solving a murder mystery, and I couldn’t be happier.

Allison buys books professionally and comics unprofessionally. You can find her chaotic neutral Twitter feed at @maliciousglee.