Seeking solace in TAS

[TerryMcGuiness]

I've just read an article on newsarama talking about Marvel and Grant Morrison decostuming superheroes.

Its saddening. I really despise the presumption that costume are lame and something that *need* to be taken away. This to me seems to miss alot of the point of superheroes. But even so, if you prefer heroes in Levis *fine*, then make one up instead of tearing down Spidey.

In the case of the X-Men or the Fantastic Four I can see it, because those are cases where superhero costume work against the idea. Their function is a bit different.

I seek solace in the animated series because there a superhero can be a superhero and they realize that the true advancement comes in things like characterzation and doing expansive style while playing ball with the genre and archetypes rather than viewing tradition as something that deserves to be pissed on and torn down.

I dont need Superman to wear Dockers in order to believe in him and enjoy his adventures. I dont need angst and stubble in order to be able to take a character or concept seriously.

I also dont view escapism as a dirty word.

The work of Paul Dini and Bruce Timm may soon become the last vestage of the granduer, wonder, and nobility that is and should be superheroes.

and for that, I thank them.

Perhaps, a less cynical and dismissive generation will look back at the animated series and realize *why* things like costumes were part of it and why they worked and why you dont need to sacrifice superheroes o the alter of hip in order to make them intelligent or relevant.

[Cosmocat]

Originally posted by TerryMcGuiness
I've just read an article on newsarama talking about Marvel and Grant Morrison decostuming superheroes.

Its saddening. I really despise the presumption that costume are lame and something that *need* to be taken away. This to me seems to miss alot of the point of superheroes. But even so, if you prefer heroes in Levis *fine*, then make one up instead of tearing down Spidey.

In the case of the X-Men or the Fantastic Four I can see it, because those are cases where superhero costume work against the idea. Their function is a bit different.

I seek solace in the animated series because there a superhero can be a superhero and they realize that the true advancement comes in things like characterzation and doing expansive style while playing ball with the genre and archetypes rather than viewing tradition as something that deserves to be pissed on and torn down.

I dont need Superman to wear Dockers in order to believe in him and enjoy his adventures. I dont need angst and stubble in order to be able to take a character or concept seriously.

I also dont view escapism as a dirty word.

The work of Paul Dini and Bruce Timm may soon become the last vestage of the granduer, wonder, and nobility that is and should be superheroes.

and for that, I thank them.

Perhaps, a less cynical and dismissive generation will look back at the animated series and realize *why* things like costumes were part of it and why they worked and why you dont need to sacrifice superheroes o the alter of hip in order to make them intelligent or relevant.

Some heroes don't need costumes, and some do. Those who need secret identities, of course. Those who utilize their costumes to some effect, like Batman, sure, they need them. But some simply don't, like X-Men and the FF, as you've said. To be honest, costumes don't bother me at all. Comics are primarily a dynamic visual medium, and to have characters all garbed in normal clothes all the time would take away some of the visual appeal. In my opinion, anyway. But I also agree that superheroes aren't JUST costumes, as the movie Unbreakable shows.

[doctorcrime]

costumes are always present in the superhero genre. with unbreakable, fantastic four, justice league, x-men, whatever. it is part of what separates them from mere mortals. in the superhero, he is basically all of the good parts of a human exaggerated. this includes what they are wearing. whether it is the flashy red cape of superman or a dirty flannel and leather jacket of wolverine. i applaud morrisson and marvel for their experiment to diversify their characters and break away from the mold of superheroes. however a word of caution. if you take too much away from an icon to the point where they are no longer even recognizable, they can no longer function as an icon. i understand that superheroes sometimes need to be grounded to establish relation with the audience, but that is not really why people read comics or love superheroes. superheroes amaze us because they are the ideal of humanity. they trigger that place inside all of us that wants to be genuinely good and perfect. it is important to relate to the characters, yes. but, if you strip everything from him that makes him a hero, than what is he. nobody wants to see a naked superman.

[Karkull]

I can see what you're saying, but the X-Men have always had costumes that were less iconic than their DC counterparts (Superman, Batman). This is why Marvel got away with changing the team's look every two or three years while more iconic characters such as Spider-Man and Captain America stayed virtually the same. Even Wolverine is no exception to the rule: you could get him with his mask or without, as Wolverine or as Patch.

I really like the X-Men's new leather outfits...they're much more distinct and memorable than the generic Crayola jumpsuits that they wore in the past. Besides, it's a way for Marvel to make the characters look more like they did in the X-Men movie.

[doctorcrime]

i agree, karkull. i really like the new x-men uniforms. they make a lot more sense and do not detract from the characters while unifying them visually. i worry that this trend will catch on, but maybe dc has learned from doing everything to superman from killing him to giving him a mullet, to making him an all blue energy being. if you get it right the first time, why change it? you can still evolve the character without literally destroying him. however, conventions and stereotypes are what keep the everyman thinking superheroes and comic books as kiddie funnybook stuff. i think morrisson has taken the x-men to an interesting place. i think it might be the best interpretation, yet.