Remembering Classic DC Superhero Men’s Costumes

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By Esteban Cepero

Nothing can be more awesome than the costume of a classic and well known superhero. Especially when it comes down to DC superheroes! In my opinion, DC dominates when it comes down to iconic superhero costumes. You can’t deny that their superhero’s costumes are simply the most popular in pop culture. DC has an array of old classic superheroes dating all the way back to of course, 1938. Not only these icons, but DC superhero costumes have made it an extremely long way down the years. You have Batman’s costume, Superman’s costume, the Flash’s costume, Wonder Woman’s costume, I mean, the list goes on and on! These costumes have been known for the longest and have had many different adaptations in not only comics but also in Hollywood films and T.V. shows. Today, Superman and Batman don’t both wear their underwear outside of their pants anymore. Even though it would be pretty hysterical to see Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill rock such a look! With all of that put on the table, let’s go back to when these DC superheroes were young and in their very first old classic costumes! 

Green Lantern

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The Green Lantern’s costume was completely different when he made his debut in the early forties. Actually, even the character was different! Green Lantern wasn’t always the pilot Hal Jordan, it was actually a man known as Alan Scott. Alan Scott’s origin as the Green Lantern is barely similar to today’s Green Lantern. Instead of having a sci-fi origin, it was a bit more mystical. The power ring is actually just a magical ring that’s charged by a green lantern. Alan Scott uses his ring to create anything in order to fight crime. All of this mystical power stuff clearly shows in his costume design, as Alan Scott is portrayed as looking similar to a magician. It’s mainly all in the cape. 

Green Arrow

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The Green Arrow’s first costume always stuck to that classic green, but instead of complimenting it with different darker shades of green, it was mixed with red. It was immensely obvious that Green Arrow was inspired by the legend Robin Hood, who was also a skilled archer. The costume design is simply similar in such an uncanny way to the many adaptations of Robin Hood. It was many years later when Green Lantern’s costume was redesigned into a full green costume. 

The Flash

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Similar to Green Lantern, The Flash wasn’t always Barry Allen. When he first appeared in 1940, the first Flash was a man named Jay Garrick. Garrick gained his superhuman speed after a laboratory accident. He later decided to obtain the alias of the ‘Flash’ and use his abilities to fight crime and stop vigilantes. His first costume design will always be remembered as one of the most classic forties superhero costumes. He rocked the lightning bolt on his shirt with the gold winged helmet on his head.

Aquaman

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While Aquaman’s origin has altered while going into the silver age of comics, his costume has always stayed the exact same! Golden age Aquaman was a guy who’s father was a deep sea explorer and discovered the lost city of Atlantis. Aquaman’s father taught him how to adapt to life underwater and be able to communicate with fish. Aquaman soon thrived in the sea and used the waters to fight criminals on the sea! Aquaman’s costume has had a few modern touches to it in later comics and has actually had a completely different adaptation with Jason Momoa portraying him in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League.

Batman

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Bruce Wayne, The Batman! Right next to Superman, Batman is one of the most classic superheroes ever created with the most powerful origin story written in comics. Batman’s origin is a story that could never be changed and never was, the Caped Crusader used his traumatic upbringing to inspire in fighting crime in Gotham city. Batman’s costume was designed a lot more dramatically to fit his name. Throughout the ages, many adaptations have been drawn up in both comics and in live action T.V. series and films for Batman’s costume. Originally, Batman wore his underwear outside of his pants which is the most traditional superhero costume concepts, now it’s on the inside with the costume being altered to help him in bringing down criminals.

Superman

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The greatest superhero to be created, Clark Kent, Superman! Superman is by far the most recognizable superhero in the entire world. Also, the oldest recorded superhero to be created, making his debut all the way in 1938, in the series of Action Comics. Action Comics No.1 is said to be retailed at over millions of dollars, the rarest comic of all time! With Superman being such an icon, his costume and classic origin contributed greatly to this. Clark Kent is of course an alien that crash landed on Earth from the dying planet Krypton. He was then discovered by the Kents and adopted to become a man from the state of Kansas. As he later figured out his originality and super powers, Clark used his powers to bring about the greater good as Superman! While Superman’s costume has had a numerous amount of variations, it has always stayed in the same format: an “S” on the chest, blue suit, and a red cape. Superman will always be an absolute legend!