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Post by rberman on Jun 26, 2020 8:24:34 GMT -5
We were discussing in another thread how the giant "A" on Captain America's cowl and the giant "H" on Hawkeye's cowl make sense for reader identification but don't make much sense within the story. We all know that capes look neat but would be a hopeless encumbrance for action. But are there any super-hero costumes that make perfect sense for their characters? Let's limit it to classic costumes, not some 90s re-imagining in black leather with a belt full of pouches.  |
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Post by dbutler69 on Jun 26, 2020 8:31:38 GMT -5
Well, Superman's cape does make sense, since it's indestructible and has come in handy many times. Aside from him (and Supergirl, presumably) though it's true that capes cause more harm than good.
Spider-Man's costume makes sense. It hides his identity perfectly, it allows him to still use his wall crawling abilities, it's sleek and flexible, and if his web shooters are considered part of his costume, their utility is pretty obvious.
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Post by brutalis on Jun 26, 2020 8:38:45 GMT -5
Daredevil and Black Panther come to mind. Simple, classic and instantly recognizable as characters. Would presume the actual costumes are lightweight and formfitting allowing for ease of movement and mobility.
Fantastic Four: re-purposing of what looks like what could be laboratory/hazard suits of some sort for general protection of the entire body except for Ben of course whose rocky exterior is its own natural protection.
Most any Western Hero: bucksins, jeans, hats, boots, gloves, vest, knives, gun belt, Confederate Uniform for a grizzled ex-military bounty hunter. All fairly standard clothing of the times with the addition of masks for going incognito in towns...
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Post by foxley on Jun 26, 2020 8:57:48 GMT -5
The Question: Easy to move in, and fight in. The faceless mask scares the crap out of bad guys. And all he needs do is remove the mask and turn off the gas that changes the colour of his clothes and he is unrecognizable.
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Post by rberman on Jun 26, 2020 9:39:49 GMT -5
Well, Superman's cape does make sense, since it's indestructible and has come in handy many times. Aside from him (and Supergirl, presumably) though it's true that capes cause more harm than good. Spider-Man's costume makes sense. It hides his identity perfectly, it allows him to still use his wall crawling abilities, it's sleek and flexible, and if his web shooters are considered part of his costume, their utility is pretty obvious. The one part of Spider-Man's costume that bugs (ha) me is that he wears gloves and boots, though his powers involve his bare hands and feet. We've previously discussed a similar issue about Daredevil covering his ears. That's been excused as some damping effect because of his super-acute hearing, but many of his adventures involve the need for him to hear extremely quiet things. Batman's costume makes sense for psychological purposes if it's one of the modern body armor versions, but not as much if it's the old spandex. |
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Post by dbutler69 on Jun 26, 2020 9:54:54 GMT -5
Well, Superman's cape does make sense, since it's indestructible and has come in handy many times. Aside from him (and Supergirl, presumably) though it's true that capes cause more harm than good. Spider-Man's costume makes sense. It hides his identity perfectly, it allows him to still use his wall crawling abilities, it's sleek and flexible, and if his web shooters are considered part of his costume, their utility is pretty obvious. The one part of Spider-Man's costume that bugs (ha) me is that he wears gloves and boots, though his powers involve his bare hands and feet. We've previously discussed a similar issue about Daredevil covering his ears. That's been excused as some damping effect because of his super-acute hearing, but many of his adventures involve the need for him to hear extremely quiet things. Batman's costume makes sense for psychological purposes if it's one of the modern body armor versions, but not as much if it's the old spandex. I liked the Tobey McGuire movie version, where he had those things poking out of his fingers (and feet, presumably) when he climbed, so cloth gloves and boots (and Spidey's one of the few superheroes with cloth boots-which was part of my point) allow those thingies to poke through when he needs to climb. |
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Post by rberman on Jun 26, 2020 10:02:18 GMT -5
The one part of Spider-Man's costume that bugs (ha) me is that he wears gloves and boots, though his powers involve his bare hands and feet. I liked the Tobey McGuire movie version, where he had those things poking out of his fingers (and feet, presumably) when he climbed, so cloth gloves and boots (and Spidey's one of the few superheroes with cloth boots-which was part of my point) allow those thingies to poke through when he needs to climb. I guess "fabric thin enough to let my toe hooks penetrate yet sturdy enough that I don't shred it by running all over" is another of the inventions of Peter Parker, boy genius. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2020 10:02:34 GMT -5
Can I bring G.I. Joe into the conversation? You have impractical, unsafe 'uniforms' like this (who'd want to be in a war wearing this?):  But then you have something like this:  For those 'unenlightened souls' who haven't yet embraced G.I. Joe, the one on the left is Storm Shadow (a villain), the one on the right is Snake Eyes (a hero). Snake Eyes' 'uniform' is practical, sleek - and enables him to blend in. His accessories are necessary and not overdone. I don't doubt some artists might have given him armour, 1,000 accessories, etc, etc. I prefer the classic look. |
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Post by brutalis on Jun 26, 2020 10:12:41 GMT -5
Green Arrow. Any of his outfits befit a bowman. The Neal Adams upgrade added arm protectors which made sense. Then Mike Grell's more Robin Hooded attire for a city hunter in the shadows made much sense as well.
For that matter, Hawkeye's original purple with pouches/pockets designed into his outfit for carrying more arrowheads resembled a more historical looking archer's outfit while the purple shouts out his carny roots.
Always liked Stingray's original outfit. Stylish while functional as he designed it specifically for enhancing/increasing his underwater marine biology aspects.
Hercule's original Grecian styled tunic reflects perfectly the mythology and heritage of the hero while announcing this is a guy who doesn't have to worry about much affecting him and that he is a "fighter/wrestler/hand to hand" tough as can be Demi-god.
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Jun 26, 2020 11:00:32 GMT -5
The Sub-Mariner's costume makes perfect sense: swimming trunks. What more would he need?
(However, I confess that I do like the shark-scale suit, despite its impractical wings under the arms. It just looks good.)
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Post by rberman on Jun 26, 2020 11:04:58 GMT -5
The Sub-Mariner's costume makes perfect sense: swimming trunks. What more would he need? (However, I confess that I do like the shark-scale suit, despite its impractical wings under the arms. It just looks good.) Even more reasonable: No trunks.  |
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Post by brutalis on Jun 26, 2020 11:24:43 GMT -5
Can I bring G.I. Joe into the conversation? See, I don't consider the Joe's or Cobra as costumes. They are realistically speaking, military uniforms. Though they did get more colorful and fanciful and creative as more figures were crafted. I much preferred the earliest all green with armor and specifics to their roles look. |
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Post by MDG on Jun 26, 2020 11:32:09 GMT -5
Green Arrow. Any of his outfits befit a bowman. The Neal Adams upgrade added arm protectors which made sense. Then Mike Grell's more Robin Hooded attire for a city hunter in the shadows made much sense as well. The hood never made sense to me--cuts off peripheral vision and makes it hard to turn your head fast and still see what's behind you.
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Post by rberman on Jun 26, 2020 11:32:58 GMT -5
Can I bring G.I. Joe into the conversation? See, I don't consider the Joe's or Cobra as costumes. They are realistically speaking, military uniforms. Though they did get more colorful and fanciful and creative as more figures were crafted. I much preferred the earliest all green with armor and specifics to their roles look. G.I. Joe tried to have their cake and eat it too since they were trying to be realistic while staying on-model with the toys. So most people get fatigues with gear, but Scarlet wears a leotard and tights because girl, and Snake-eyes wears black because ninja.  |
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Post by tartanphantom on Jun 26, 2020 11:37:32 GMT -5
Deadman's costume is rather pointless, don't you think? I mean, I understand it was what he was wearing when he was killed, but I don't think very many people take a change of clothes into the afterlife.
But, I suppose he needs one just to keep his book out of the "adult section". No one really cares to see a naked ghost walking around...
I suppose the most practical costume is the Hulk's shredded purple pants. All I can say is that Bruce Banner was either big Prince fan, or bought those same purple pants by the gross.
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