To add on to this thread, a superhero's cloak has other significant properties:
Bulk, surface area, and volume.
These create certain advantages and disadvantages, which a canny caped crusader will be aware of.
/1
Bulk, surface area, and volume.
These create certain advantages and disadvantages, which a canny caped crusader will be aware of.
/1
Such a large cape produces a large amount of drag.
The air will resist his movements, especially if the cape is allowed to billow around him.
This is how Batman glides from place to place: his cape generates drag, slowing him down significantly. /2
The air will resist his movements, especially if the cape is allowed to billow around him.
This is how Batman glides from place to place: his cape generates drag, slowing him down significantly. /2
But the cape will also slow down a hero when performing quick, explosive movements. Running, jumping, fighting.
This is a Bad Thing.
Worse, the cape can be used against the hero. /3
This is a Bad Thing.
Worse, the cape can be used against the hero. /3
A veteran street fighter can grab the cape and wrap it around the hero's arms and body. This smothers his movements, preventing him from reacting. The bad guy can then throw him down and stomp him to a pulp.
This is a Very Bad Thing.
/4
This is a Very Bad Thing.
/4
But the hero can weaponise his cape too.
When preparing for combat, he can wrap it around himself to hide his hands. He can draw a tool or chamber his hands or otherwise prepare for a pre-emptive attack without being spotted.
/5
When preparing for combat, he can wrap it around himself to hide his hands. He can draw a tool or chamber his hands or otherwise prepare for a pre-emptive attack without being spotted.
/5
He can whip the cape into an enemy's face as a distraction.
As the bad guy rears back, the hero goes in with a gut punch or low kick.
He can also dramatically flare his cape in one direction, drawing away his enemy's gaze, then move in another direction to flank him.
/6
As the bad guy rears back, the hero goes in with a gut punch or low kick.
He can also dramatically flare his cape in one direction, drawing away his enemy's gaze, then move in another direction to flank him.
/6
If the cape is removable, he has more options.
He can wrap it around his arm as a shield.
He can smother an enemy's limbs.
He can throw the cloak over the enemy's head to blind him, then finish him.
(This is an adaptation of historic cloak and dagger fighting) /7
He can wrap it around his arm as a shield.
He can smother an enemy's limbs.
He can throw the cloak over the enemy's head to blind him, then finish him.
(This is an adaptation of historic cloak and dagger fighting) /7
Given all this, how will a caped crusader fight?
He stalks his enemies from the shadows. He lets them see a huge, intimidating figure who vanishes into the night and reappears at will.
He swoops down, takes out an enemy, and disappears again. /8
He stalks his enemies from the shadows. He lets them see a huge, intimidating figure who vanishes into the night and reappears at will.
He swoops down, takes out an enemy, and disappears again. /8
He is a guerrilla fighter. He cannot stay around for a slugfest or he risks the enemy using his cape against him.
He is swift, silent, elusive and decisive. Nobody sees him. Only the effects of his actions.
He is a ninja. /9
He is swift, silent, elusive and decisive. Nobody sees him. Only the effects of his actions.
He is a ninja. /9
If forced into a stand-up fight, the cloak is a vital part of his strategy.
He will fight around the flanks and edges of a group of enemies, keeping his back to the wall, never letting anyone close enough to grab the cloak.
/10
He will fight around the flanks and edges of a group of enemies, keeping his back to the wall, never letting anyone close enough to grab the cloak.
/10
He uses the cape to dazzle, deceive and distract.
They see a fluttering black shadow, they think he's over there, but their fists and feet and knives find only fabric and air.
And the Dark Knight punches them from an unexpected angle. Or deploys a tool to end the fight.
/11
They see a fluttering black shadow, they think he's over there, but their fists and feet and knives find only fabric and air.
And the Dark Knight punches them from an unexpected angle. Or deploys a tool to end the fight.
/11
So what's the point of this thread?
If you design superheroes (like I do!) think about how their costume and design elements will influence their behaviour and tactics, and how their enemies will react to them.
And this has been Superhero Action Scenes 201 from #PulpRev.
/end
If you design superheroes (like I do!) think about how their costume and design elements will influence their behaviour and tactics, and how their enemies will react to them.
And this has been Superhero Action Scenes 201 from #PulpRev.
/end
