Some Thoughts on Super Costumes
Jul. 19th, 2011 03:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stickmakerThere's been a huge amount of discussion about costumes online lately, due to DC's "reboot." Now they've taken away Wonder Woman's new pants. Fen (old-style plural of fan) are ranting.
This isn't about that, specifically. It's about whether someone should wear a costume and, if so, what should guide the design. Someone who is designing a costume - a fictional character or the artist and writer relating his adventures - need to ask some questions. The first is: What purpose does the costume have?
So, what *is* the function of a super costume? I can think of four offhand, with likely more. Not all of the functions would apply to every person.
The most important is to quickly and clearly identify the character. Second, it should preserve the secret identity, if there is one. Third, provide protection where needed. Fourth, carry whatever equipment might be needed.
A fifth possible reason could be to make a statement. (Batman strikes fear into the hearts of criminals. Captain America represents the US. The Spirit is just a guy who fights crime and likes his privacy. Many others are simply exhibitionists, flaunting their incredible physiques.)
It should perform all of these functions without impeding movement or outraging public morals. (The last part being optional for villains or anti-heroes.)
Now, how many modern costumes actually do any of this?
There are a few. Interestingly, most were either created in the Golden Age (which had its share and more of silly costumes) or are in the spirit of those characters. (The Question comes to mind.) The Captain America identity was created as a figurehead, a morale booster. His costume immediately identifies him, conceals his identity, provides protection (besides the shield, his shirt is modern scale armor), and allows the carry of important equipment. It also very definitely makes a statement.
Wonder Woman has been put in semi-Greek warrior outfits on occasion. However, the Amazons have been a separate culture for millennia. They would have developed their own styles. The traditional culottes or even the swimsuit identifies her, doesn't do much to conceal her secret identity, provides protection only through the bracelets, allows limited carry of equipment and makes a statement.
Superman is from another world, but grew up on Earth. His outfit has sometimes been described as being like a circus performer's. (Wouldn't it be interesting if canon included him being impressed as a child by a heroic circus strongman?) His costume immediately identifies him, doesn't do much to protect his identity, doesn't provide protection but definitely makes a statement.
Would a costume work in the real world? Possibly. Especially if the wearer actually had powers. However, a practical real world costume would more closely resemble a jogging outfit or martial arts uniform. (Something several comics have explored.) Maybe even a police riot suit. Or SCA gear.
Given a world with a history of costumed adventurers, colorful costumes would presumably be more acceptable. However, unless they were very far from reality, many of those shown in comics wouldn't be practical. *Enooooormous* billowing capes being an example. Unless the person has a power which allows them to control all that fabric, such accessories just wouldn't work.
So, thoughts?
This isn't about that, specifically. It's about whether someone should wear a costume and, if so, what should guide the design. Someone who is designing a costume - a fictional character or the artist and writer relating his adventures - need to ask some questions. The first is: What purpose does the costume have?
So, what *is* the function of a super costume? I can think of four offhand, with likely more. Not all of the functions would apply to every person.
The most important is to quickly and clearly identify the character. Second, it should preserve the secret identity, if there is one. Third, provide protection where needed. Fourth, carry whatever equipment might be needed.
A fifth possible reason could be to make a statement. (Batman strikes fear into the hearts of criminals. Captain America represents the US. The Spirit is just a guy who fights crime and likes his privacy. Many others are simply exhibitionists, flaunting their incredible physiques.)
It should perform all of these functions without impeding movement or outraging public morals. (The last part being optional for villains or anti-heroes.)
Now, how many modern costumes actually do any of this?
There are a few. Interestingly, most were either created in the Golden Age (which had its share and more of silly costumes) or are in the spirit of those characters. (The Question comes to mind.) The Captain America identity was created as a figurehead, a morale booster. His costume immediately identifies him, conceals his identity, provides protection (besides the shield, his shirt is modern scale armor), and allows the carry of important equipment. It also very definitely makes a statement.
Wonder Woman has been put in semi-Greek warrior outfits on occasion. However, the Amazons have been a separate culture for millennia. They would have developed their own styles. The traditional culottes or even the swimsuit identifies her, doesn't do much to conceal her secret identity, provides protection only through the bracelets, allows limited carry of equipment and makes a statement.
Superman is from another world, but grew up on Earth. His outfit has sometimes been described as being like a circus performer's. (Wouldn't it be interesting if canon included him being impressed as a child by a heroic circus strongman?) His costume immediately identifies him, doesn't do much to protect his identity, doesn't provide protection but definitely makes a statement.
Would a costume work in the real world? Possibly. Especially if the wearer actually had powers. However, a practical real world costume would more closely resemble a jogging outfit or martial arts uniform. (Something several comics have explored.) Maybe even a police riot suit. Or SCA gear.
Given a world with a history of costumed adventurers, colorful costumes would presumably be more acceptable. However, unless they were very far from reality, many of those shown in comics wouldn't be practical. *Enooooormous* billowing capes being an example. Unless the person has a power which allows them to control all that fabric, such accessories just wouldn't work.
So, thoughts?
