The Six Styles of Live-Action Superhero Costume And What They Mean [List]
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In all the live action appearances of comic book superheroes there are a handful of costume styles. Here they are and what they mean.
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"Drat. I knew I should have done some pushups this morning" - Captain America Superman (1978) (Christopher Reeve), Captain America (1990) (Matt Salinger) |
Worst: Captain America (1990)
- Bright colors
- Spandex
- Logo
- Cape
- Superman and the Mole Men (1951)
- Batman (1966)
- Wonder Woman(1975)
- Superman (1978)
- Swamp Thing (1982)
- Supergirl (1984)
- Captain America (1990)
- Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman(1993)
- The Fantastic Four (1994)
- The Phantom (1996)
- Spider-Man (2002)
2. Neo-Accurate
This style of costume tries to be accurate in color and style, but uses non traditional fabrics like leather or latex. It doesn't demand the actor to show any muscles, but gives the impression of muscularity like in Batman (1989). While easy on the actor in terms of training, Neo-Accurate costumes are much hotter and less flexible than other costumes. Recent advances in CGI mean the costume can be virtual like in Green Lantern (2011). Its used by comic book movies trying to do an updated take on an established superhero.
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Sure the leather chaffes, but in a good way. X2 (2003) Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, Elektra (2005) Jennifer Garner |
Best: X-Men (2000)
Worst: Elektra (2005)
Costume Checklist
- Dark Colors
- Leather or Latex
- Stylized LogoÂ
Notable Examples
- Batman (1989)
- The Return of Swamp Thing (1989)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
- Flash(1990)
- Batman Returns (1992)
- Barb Wire (1996)
- Batman & Robin (1997)
- X-Men (2000)
- Daredevil (2003)
- Catwoman (2004)
- Fantastic Four (2005)
- Elektra (2005)
- Superman Returns (2006)
- Thor (2011)
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
- Green Lantern (2011)
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Make sure you protect the most important parts of the body. Batman Begins (2005) Christian Bale, Judge Dredd (1995) Sylvester Stallone |
Worst: Judge Dredd (1995)
- Buckles and Straps
- Black or Dark Colors
- Heavy Weapons
Notable Examples
- The Punisher (1989)
- Judge Dredd (1995)
- Tank Girl (1995)
- The Punisher (2004)
- Batman Begins (2005)
- V for Vendetta (2005)Â

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Who would have thought Shaquille O'Neil would be less impressive than Robert Downey Jr.? Iron Man (2008) Robert Downey Jr., Steel (1997) |
Worst: Steel (1997)
Costume Checklist
- Metal
- Armor
- Heavy Weapons
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Halle Berry's costume stretches the definition of "clothing" to the breaking point. Batman Returns(1992) Michelle Pfeiffer, Catwoman (2004) Halle Berry |
Best: Catwoman Batman Returns (1992)
Worst:Â Catwoman (2004)
Costume Checklist
- Over-the Counter clothing
- Over-the Counter items
- No cape
- No logo
6. Casual
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"Sure Wolverine's got the leather jacket, but the fedora is much more fashionable." X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) Hugh Jackman, The Spirit (2008) Gabriel S. Macht |
This style of costume assumes its almost unnecessary. The "Casual" costume is easier for the actor, but can be tough for the audience unless the comic book character has a casual costume like The Spirit. Some superheroes have casual costumes, but very distinctive looks, like the Hulk's purple pants. Sometimes its used as a transition point to an accurate costume like Spider-Man. Its usually reserved for comic book movies that try to be "real world." It's a very effective costume with the right director.
Best: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Worst: The Spirit (2008)
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Worst: The Spirit (2008)
Costume Checklist
- Over-the Counter clothing
- Jeans or slacks
- Jackets or long coats
- No logo
- The Green Hornet (1966)
- The Incredible Hulk(1978)
- The Shadow (1994)
- The Spirit (2008)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Now that you know the most common styles of superhero costumes, here are the most popular and least popular based on box office gross.
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- Marvel's the Avengers (2012)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Spider-Man (2002)
- Iron Man (2008)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
- Batman (1989)
- X Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- Superman Returns (2006)
- Thor (2011)
- Captain America: the First Avenger (2012)
- Steel (1997)
- Barb Wire (1996)
- Tank Girl (1995)
- Punisher: War Zone (2008)
- Supergirl (1984)
- The Phantom (1996)
- The Spirit (2008)
- Electra (2005)
- The Shadow (1994)
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Which costume style is your favorite? Which do you think works the best?Please use the buttons below to tell your friends about this post. Click on the links to follow us for free by Email, RSS and follow us on Twitter @thegeektwins
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Halle Berry in Catwoman was an accident all right.
ReplyDeleteMilitary grade would be safest, but neo-accurate is coolest.
From that list there were a lot of terrible costumes in the 90s. I don't really have a favorite; it depends on the character.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are Spider-Man (either version) and Green Lantern, which also happen to be among first favorite superheroes. Their looks are timeless to me. Michael Keaton's Batman is also a favorite, even with the famously immobile head. It gives him a classic look.
ReplyDeleteI should have asked, would you consider the Scarlet Knight's armor to be military grade? Very old school military grade maybe. The Sewer Rat's costume would definitely be homemade though.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is Superman. I like Christopher Reeves Superman because he epitomizes the fight of good against evil. That determined look of steel has become one with the superman costume. Hes become a legendary symbol of hope for hopeless humans everywhere, lol. It doesn't matter the costume has aged over time because I believe in Superman.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much down with all of them, actually,
ReplyDeleteOh man, I forgot all about Steel. That was so bad. Speaking of which, the old Flash movie should be the worst on this list as well.
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ReplyDeleteSomehow, Chris Reeves pulled off the most authentic Superman costume possible and made it believable (more impressive than making us believe a man could fly). On everyone else, spandex just looks silly (except on Olivia Newton John in the "Physical" video)
ReplyDeleteReeve had an amazing form He Geek She Geek. It's hard to top that.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there were many changes from its comic incarnation, the uniform Karl Urban wore in Dredd was brilliant IMO.
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