richard63 wrote:
Paul Ryan designed the costume. He's said, despite the venomous comments directed at it, it's his most requested commission.


From what I gather, Sue wasn't herself when she took on that costume. She was under the influence of the villainous Malice persona.

I wasn't reading the book at the time. Was that the original intent when she adopted that costume, or just a later retcon to explain it away?

I don't have all the details because that costume caused me to drop the book, but from what I recall she was originally under the influence of Malice when it debuted.  However, even after the Malice storyline had run its course she continued to wear the costume for something like 2-3 years.