Classic superhero designs have been much maligned since a throwaway joke in The Incredibles convinced people they’re clever to decry capes as impractical.
This misses the point of superhero costumes: Intimidating enemies to surrender or be less effective once the fighting starts
This misses the point of superhero costumes: Intimidating enemies to surrender or be less effective once the fighting starts
Remember that superheroes embody an ideal, and that ideal typically involves the ability to physically manifest justice through violence.
Violence is a masculine aspect, and traditional masculine fashion is design to portray status and power, and to end battles before they begin
Violence is a masculine aspect, and traditional masculine fashion is design to portray status and power, and to end battles before they begin
Are you likely to want to fight Batman in his tactical armor without his cape? Probably not. But he’s just strong, he’s not exuding fear.
Wrapped in a thick black cape that obscures his hands, his hidden weapons, and that makes him appear three times his size? Horrifying.
Wrapped in a thick black cape that obscures his hands, his hidden weapons, and that makes him appear three times his size? Horrifying.
Remember that Batman dresses as a bat specifically to inspire fear in his enemies. Fear is one of his most potent weapons.
The cape augments this fearful presence in a huge way. His cape IS A WEAPON.
The cape augments this fearful presence in a huge way. His cape IS A WEAPON.
The same is true of Superman. His cape doubles or even triples his body volume, and the bright red color sends a message of DANGER and BLOOD to the human eye. His enemies are already intimidated in the same way a bird puffs up its bright plumage to appear intimidating.
Sure, he’s intimidating even without the cape. But with the cape? His fear level skyrockets, and his enemies may just try to run or surrender instead of resorting to violence.
They’ll also instinctively focus on him as a threat the moment he arrives instead of shooting drab cops
They’ll also instinctively focus on him as a threat the moment he arrives instead of shooting drab cops
This works for female superheroes as well. Instead of a stick-thin blonde model, Power Girl triples her size and presents as an intimidating threat with that red plumage again.
The point of this rant is that capes are awesome when viewed as a useful accessory to augment the hero’s intimidation factor, and the throwaway joke in The Incredibles really could ruin modern superhero design if people take it seriously. There’s a reason we love heroes in capes.
