Skin-Tight Superhero Costumes

[TimTwoFace]

I was just watching some speed-skating on CBC and was thinking...OK, knowing...knowing that the athletes wear skin-tight outfits to be more aerodynamic and not have other things get in the way so they can move as fast as possible.

Why don't superheroes?

Batman is about the only one that fits this mold. Everyone else has something else hangin' out - like hair, for example. Why is it that Batgirl, for example, doesn't tie her hair down - wouldn't that just become a nuissance? Ditto for Nightwing, actually...wouldn't such flowing hair run the possibility of getting in the way?

Just a thought. I don't even know if I used proper grammar there. Ugh. It's been one of those days.

-Tim

[kid_flash]

What are you TALKING about? Not to sound offensive, but nearly every super-hero does wear skin-tight outfits. In fact, Batman's probably the worst in terms of aerodynamicness (inventing words is good for the soul) because he's got such a huge cape.

[The Dark Knight]

I think he was only talking about the Batman characters (Batman, Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin). I have to say that even though it would make sense for Batgirl to tie her hair down, I think she looks better without doing that. My problem with Nightwing isn't so much that the hair would get caught in something, but that he only wears a mask that covers his eyes. Not much of a disguise if you ask me. Then again, I'm just getting a little off topic with that complaint.

[TimTwoFace]

I toldja that I didn't type it out properly.

:-P

What I meant was yeah, I know that the skin-tight suits are used so that the superheroes will be able to fight crime, unencumbered by baggy clothes that could get in the way, weigh them down, get snagged on things, greaten air resistance, and stuff...so, with everyone taping down or tucking things in (or what have you), why do some people (like Batgirl) just let their hair hang out?

You're right, it looks better, but these people aren't supposed to be fashion models - they're superheroes. Shouldn't crime-fighting be the number one item on the agenda?

I'm not badmouthing these people, of course - quite honestly, I could care less. :-) I was just pondering the issue, is all.

-Tim

[RogueMartian]

Can someone name a superhero that doesn't wear a skin tight outfit? Batman, robin, superman, spiderman, the x-men, and every superhero i've seen wears skin tight outfits. Okay, about the hair, batgirl, supergirl, and nightwing would definitely be able to fight better with their hair back, a pony-tail or braid can even be fashionable, so I have no idea why they don't wear one.

But they ALL wear skin tight outfits.

EDIT: As for fighting unencumbered, I have been taking taekwondo for years and the uniform I wear all the time is pretty baggy and loose. It helps keep you cool and it really doesn't get in the way. So technically speaking, the superheroes could wear baggy clothes instead of the skin tight outfits they normally wear.

[kid_flash]

Okay, I see what you were getting at.

The X-Men don't have skin-tight uniforms anymore. They switched with the new creative teams. Well, okay, a few of 'em still do, but most of 'em wear the team jackets.

Green Arrow doesn't do the skin-tight thing.

Some other heroes I'm sure don't, but I just can't think of 'em.

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Originally posted by The Dark Knight
I think he was only talking about the Batman characters (Batman, Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin). I have to say that even though it would make sense for Batgirl to tie her hair down, I think she looks better without doing that. My problem with Nightwing isn't so much that the hair would get caught in something, but that he only wears a mask that covers his eyes. Not much of a disguise if you ask me. Then again, I'm just getting a little off topic with that complaint.


Superman doesn't wear any disguise, and still nobody can guess that he and Clark are the same thing. Nightwing and the whole bat-gang can take off their masks and fight without them. They might as well, it works for Superman.

[Failure]

But Clark wears glasses and Superman doesnt! Big difference there! :p

Actually, it's possible that everyone in Superman's universe is just a complete moron. :rolleyes:

[Watagashi]

Originally posted by Failure
But Clark wears glasses and Superman doesnt! Big difference there! :p

Actually, it's possible that everyone in Superman's universe is just a complete moron. :rolleyes:

This is true. Very true. ;)

[Jedigreedo]

You're overlooking Supergirl who almost wears nothing, and Harley, Poison Ivy and Catwoman who wear skin tight costumes when they don't really have to.

[RogueMartian]

LOL, maybe they are not so much morons as they are blind as cave fish.

[Watagashi]

Actually, I really don't get why they wear skin-tight costumes at all. I mean, you would almost expect them to wear a combo of cool-looking REAL clothes for a costume. Besides, skin-tights just look completely unconfortable.

[Stardust]

Originally posted by Failure
But Clark wears glasses and Superman doesnt! Big difference there! :p

Actually, it's possible that everyone in Superman's universe is just a complete moron. :rolleyes:

actually it can make quite a difference, becuase my friend wore contacts for the longest time and when she put on glasses, her teachers couldn't recognize her. it hadn't happened to me, but i thought that was funny. :)


EDIT: As for fighting unencumbered, I have been taking taekwondo for years and the uniform I wear all the time is pretty baggy and loose. It helps keep you cool and it really doesn't get in the way. So technically speaking, the superheroes could wear baggy clothes instead of the skin tight outfits they normally wear.

all martial art forms wear loose, baggy clothing. but you're in a studio training for the event you might have to use your practice in real life. IMO i think it's sorta different, practicing in a studio versus crime fighting. i mean, ninjas in movies don't wear loose clothing; it's still kinda close to the skin, not like my Taekwondo uniform.

i suppose, if you're a superhero running around the streets getting a bad guy, you wouldn't want the baggy clothing getting in the way. i don't really go around chasing bad guys with guns, so i can't really say whether baggy is just as preferable as skin-tight clothing. :p

[kid_flash]

I think the major reason for skin-tight suits is for versatility. The best example is the Flash, whose suit is made from the Speed Force so he doesn't even feel it grab anywhere. The same goes for Green Lantern, whose costume is created from his ring (or his mental binding to the ring, whatever makes ya happy).

Deep thought: Batman wears flat chest armor. So how do his chest muscles buldge when he's in his skin-tight suit?

[Mattashell]

Originally posted by Failure
But Clark wears glasses and Superman doesnt! Big difference there! :p

Actually, it's possible that everyone in Superman's universe is just a complete moron. :rolleyes:

Everyone knows he's Superman. They just play along, because they don't want to spoil his fun!

[The_NewCatwoman]

Originally posted by RogueMartian
Can someone name a superhero that doesn't wear a skin tight outfit?

The sons of Batman- The Dark Knight Returns

[bfmusashi]

Let's all think back to Dick Grayson's first Robin costume, a girly-boy kinda Robin Hood thing that had him wearing scaley underwear, a red vest, a bright yellow cape and collar, and funky pointed shoes.

That wasn't skin tight.

[Mattashell]

Originally posted by bfmusashi
Let's all think back to Dick Grayson's first Robin costume, a girly-boy kinda Robin Hood thing that had him wearing scaley underwear, a red vest, a bright yellow cape and collar, and funky pointed shoes.

That wasn't skin tight.

Did anyone else see the "Man Man & Boy Boy" episode of Ripping Friends?

"Please Man Man, don't make me fight those thugs!"
"Please Man Man, don't role me in fish scales!"

LOL

[Barb Gordon]

Actually, in the comics, when Nighty's hair was quite long, he did have it pulled back in a very tight ponytail. When it was cut off, not of his own free will at first, he didn't really need to pull it back anymore because it wasn't so long. And Barb's hair was kinda pulled back, I mean, it wasn't in her eyes or anything. The top of her head is covered by the cowl, and the hair only comes through a hole in the back, so it is slightly confined.

Barb^-^

[Nightflower]

Originally posted by Barb Gordon
Actually, in the comics, when Nighty's hair was quite long, he did have it pulled back in a very tight ponytail. When it was cut off, not of his own free will at first, he didn't really need to pull it back anymore because it wasn't so long. And Barb's hair was kinda pulled back, I mean, it wasn't in her eyes or anything. The top of her head is covered by the cowl, and the hair only comes through a hole in the back, so it is slightly confined.

Barb^-^

Oi? That sounds like there's a story behind that. Who cut off his hair and why?
Actually, I really don't get why they wear skin-tight costumes at all. I mean, you would almost expect them to wear a combo of cool-looking REAL clothes for a costume. Besides, skin-tights just look completely unconfortable.

Especially for guys, I guess... :eek:

But I think skintight costumes are there more out of tradition and aesthetic reasons than because they're actually useful.

[FLIPMODE]

Im pretty sure Batman's chest armor is designed to fill out the suit.

And I've only seen, this chest plate in one episode. In the comic books, he's not wearing one plate chest armor his whole suit is made out of ultra thin micro-weaved bullet proof nomex.
So all the muscles that bulge out, are still all his.


Hell boy, does'nt have a skin tight suit.

What allways bothered me was, (Not so much with Nightwing, because he looks cool :cool: ), but WHY OH WHY, does'nt Robin, wear a full mask?? He's a kid for crying out loud. And WHY OH WHY, in 2002, does he not have a FULL length sleeves??

Only recently did they start putting, full sleeved thermal suits UNDER his costume, is snowy issues, that you can visually see is covering his arms. But ever since he's gotten his own, but, it could be 20 below zero, and this kid is atop a roof, without anything covering his ears, or face.

And in Fire, issues, he would EASILY get his hair burnt off.
This is the dumbest part. Tim Drakes suit is totaly fire proof....BUT WHAT ABOUT HIS FACE AND ARMS!!?? :rolleyes: Duh, they were so worried about keeping the original Robin image that they ignored the obvious. And Batman allready lost ONE dumb kid, trying to play Dick Grayson, would'nt Bruce want Tim, to be Fully protected?

[The Game]

I have to say that even though it would make sense for Batgirl to tie her hair down, I think she looks better without doing that.

Because she doesn't look as pretty with it pulled back. :p

I think the whole idea of a skintight costume is for easy movment, tradition (superheroes have always had tight costumes) and to show of their bodies. I mean- most superheroes I know are in peak physical condition, and either they (or their animators :rolleyes: ) want to see they flaunt it. I mean, Batman is ripped, and Batgirl has a cute butt- maybe they want to show it off. :D

[adoptedBatpuppy]

I don't know about the rest of Bat-gang, but Robin(Tim Drake) is the most vulnerable. I'm not talking only about the suit. He's pretty young too.

[MattL.]

Superhero costumes are a important part of the genre. Not some silly thing for people who hate the Silver Age to just dimiss.

Its an artistic abstraction that utilizes the human form in convey a sense of power and nobility as well as a kind of primal symbolism. The same can be said of how the human form is portrayed in superhero stories as well.

Would they work in the real world? Maybe not, but thats not the freaking point!!! Gamma radiation wouldn't turn you into a green rampagin beast either!

The art of costume design is something that attracted me to superhero comics in the first place. Spider-Mans costume, Gil Kanes design for Green Lantern, the Flash, and yes you can ***** about trunks all you want to but Supermans costume rocks!

Please dont degenerate this board into a bunch of whiny "superheroes should wear real clothes" type trash. I got so sick of that stuff from a select handful of pompus idiots on the DC boards that I couldn't stand to listen to these so-called "fans" anymore. :(

Its fantasy folks. Thats the fun of it! Thats the beauty of it! A sweet combination of the healthiest hint of power fantasy, the spirit of adventure and the superhuman expression of the noble aspirations of mankind.

(and just so you don't think I'm being too rigid, I'll add that I enjoy Smallville. However, Clark better damn well get the cape and boots if they ever do a Metropolis show)

Maybe I'm just agressively different or old school or something, but I dont view superheroes as science fiction or mouthpeices for sociopolitical fiction. I view them as fantasy or more accurately when you take in Kirbys work Science Fantasy.

(Though sometimes experiments like are fun as an exception to the rule like Alex Ross's Peace on Earth)

Being bombastic and over the top and colorful is part of the point. When I say that alot of peoples first gut reaction is to think that I'm advocating the 60's camp Batman or Superfreinds approach to super heroes and thats not true at all.

I think guys like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby really had the right idea. The Dini/Timm or Timm and co. aniamted series strike the perfect balance and are able to do thoughtful themes and still tell superhero stories.

The shows willingness to do fun and action while throwing aside alot of the post 1986 grim pretenious comics is why for me the TAS *is* the modern DCU.

[Stupendous Man]

May I recommend for any who may have missed the series when it was on the stands , the new Starman Trades DC is releasing.

Starman was always a cool superhero to me because he
represented what would really happen if a ordinary schlub like you or me actually became involved in the world of superheroics.

No spandex for Jack Knight .. his superhero costume was
Jeans , Doc Martin boots .. whatever shirt he was wearing that day .. and a leather jacket with his insignia on it.

Cool.

Also .. the Spirit fought crime in a blue business suit.

[adoptedBatpuppy]

You need to look at things from realistic point of view, at least a little of ot. :rolleyes:

[MattL.]

and exactly who is that rolleyes directed towards?

"need to look at things from a realistic point of view" sure, fair enough I guess, but I also think that some people (including fanboys and modern comic writers) could stand to look at things from a fantastic point of view as well.

and if you cant rationalize anything outside the parameters of 3D photorealism you might want to rethink your tastes.

I think somewhere along the way we've forgotten what this is about.

I mean if we were really to adhere to the laws of ridgid reality then none of the characters would have powers or fantastic weapons at all and we'd just be watching the adventures of average joes going to work and the grocery store. In Batmans case we'd just be seeing the eternal punking of Ski-Mask Guy. There are already plenty of shows based on the mundane lives of everyday people, theres also the 6:00 oclock news and your own lives if you want stark uncompromising realism.

Am I saying that superhero costumes should only be of the old school style? Certainally not. But you'll pardon me if I dont want say GL, Flash, Spidey, Batman or Superman etc. trading in their costumes for freakin Gap fashions.

Fantasy and escapism are not bad ideas or dirty words and neither is artistic abstraction (see previous post).

Is it goofy, sure maybe a little. But hey, so are those ultra wide Jnco pants! :p

Now I just want to say that none of this is a slam on the actual topic itself, because after all they guy was just saying why dont superheroes wear their hair pulled back like skaters or something. I just know the direction topics like this usually head in and its usually when all the anti-costume rabble come out of the closet.

Heh, and as for Superman? Ya know why it works? Because nobody has any reason to believe Superman even has a secret identity so nobodys looking for it.

To quote Kyle Rayner from a recent JLA comic where Batman and Superman revealed their identities to the rest of the team "H..he doesn't wear a mask. I ....*never* thought he had a *day job*!"

[Maxie Zeus]

Maybe I just haven't paid attention, but I haven't noticed a large contingent of people here arguing that "costumes look dumb." I'm not sure I see the need to try to refute them before they show up, and anyway the quickest way to incite them, I suspect, would be to try to refute them beforehand.

Anyway, back on topic: I'll offer the useless confession that I like different interpretations of superheroes. That means I like 'em in costume, and I also like 'em in plainclothes. Different styles for different stories, and each perfectly legitimate and enjoyable in their own way.

[The Game]

Maybe I just haven't paid attention, but I haven't noticed a large contingent of people here arguing that "costumes look dumb."

Allow me to state for the record that costumes kick ass. :D

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Oh, I think everybody knows Superman's identity, especially Lois, Jimmy, and others who know him pretty well. They just afraid to come up and say " By the way your Clark Kent the mild-mannered reporter" I think Superman will get mad, at everybody calling him by his real name.

[MattL.]

thegame8866: "Allow me to state for the record that costumes kick ass."


Testify!! :D