The Superman Suit Debate

The Superman Suit Debate

The users here at CBM are very passionate about comics and how they are portrayed in movies/television. With all the buzz surrounding the upcoming DC announcement (that may or may not be related to Man of Steel) I thought it might be a good time to get people's opinion on the man of steel's costume. What follows is my own personal opinion.

Editorial Opinion
By jadams07 - May 25, 2011 12:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman
Source: ComicBookMovie.com

I remember I was five years old the first time that I saw Superman. Oddly enough it was in the Max Fleischer cartoon shorts (I say odd because I just turned 22 this year and those things are ancient). I loved those Cartoons they were amazing and at the time I didn't even notice that he wasn't flying. I was just mesmerized by this Character who went around doing so many amazingly "super things". The thing that caught my eye though was the Costume. The cape, the "S", all those colors almost brightly taunting the criminals (as if to say here I am and here I come because you can not do anything about it).

I quickly began to mimic this man down to the letter. I put on the cape, (a bath towel with a safety pin) the "S", (a blue shirt with paper taped to it) blue sweatpants (long johns if I remember correctly) and of course the underwear (which was underwear but sometimes red shorts). I could fly, (jump from one couch to the other) bend steel, (brake cardboard) rip trees out of the ground, (the little baby ones) and anything else my "super" imagination would allow me to do.

Needless to say I was hooked and because of Superman I began to find out more about heroes, i.e. Batman, Green Lantern, Spider-man, Captain America etc. Over the years as a superman Fan I have see many forms of Superman on Screen. From Superman I-IV, the Superboy TV show, Superman TAS, Lois and Clark, Superman Returns, Legion of Superheroes,and Smallville the Man of Steel has seen his ups and downs.

A lot of fans on here are ready for there to be a serious treatment of Superman. I count myself as one of the many who want to see Him in the full range of situations that require him to be "Superman". We don't want the stalker Superman. We don't need to humanize him anymore. We need to see the side of Superman that people rarely see. The god that is walking amongst us.

So many of the Films almost have it right. He is good. He is caring. He is full of compassion. He is humble. He can save a bus full of kids. He can stop that earthquake. His only struggle isn't making a deadline or getting a date with Lois (or anyone). Everyday he has to keep himself in check. He can't get too angry slamming a door because he might collapse the building he is in. He can't fly too fast or too low because he could shatter all the windows in the city. Can't punch this criminal too hard, don't want to shatter all the bones in his body.

Many times in life when something is going wrong we are quick to find scapegoats. Basketball team is losing? Fire the coach. Film series starts off on a sour note? Fire the director. Reboot, Retool, Redo. Unfortunately in the case of reboots sometimes the good can go away with the bad.

I believe in the case of superman Man of Steel people are projecting a lot of frustration onto this movie because of what the last five have done to us collectively as fans. This is not to say I am against change (I am all for it) but I think that it needs to happen by degrees. I have enjoyed, in some way, every single incarnation of Superman I have seen. I hold onto the good and try to forget the bad. I believe that if Bryan Singer had been able to throw in one good 15-20 minute fist fight for Routh at the end of returns, we would have seen a sequel instead of a reboot.

Earlier I mentioned how I mimicked Superman in my youth. It was fun and I'll always cherish those memories. I was able to do that though because I was young, innocent, and painfully unaware of how silly I looked. But isn't that the point?
Isn't it because we want to escape from our day to day routines that we entertain ourselves? Superman allows us to see the best in ourselves because he is the best human.Doesn't the fact that so many people know who Superman is and love him mean attest to that fact?

So getting down to the nitty gritty here. My firm belief is this film is going to be "financially" successful" they need to stick with the iconic suit..at first. What could be more satisfying as a fan than to see the Man of steel's suit expand and change during the plot of the Next three movies. I am more than ok with change but I think they need to do what Marvel is doing with Cap and have a several suits that they utilize. This way the guys and gals like us who follow supes will be satisfied and the audience at large will be able to connect with this new set of movies.

Please Tell me how you feel in the comment box. If you just want a complete 180 on the Man of Steel tell me about lets. Lets hear what both sides has to say. Maybe some of you are more middle of the road on this. Look for or make your own version of what you would like for the suit to be. Anyways, lets have some fun with this while we wait for more updates to hit soon.

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Jefferys
Jefferys - 5/26/2011, 4:50 AM
Nice little editorial. I don't blame your Superman in youth, we've all had that stage

FIRST!
TMNTDude
TMNTDude - 5/26/2011, 8:28 AM
The suit doesnt have to change, but there HAS TO BE REASON HE WEARS IT! A guy growing up in todays world would not wear the Superman suit unless there was an attachment or meaning behind. That has to be established.
BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 5/26/2011, 9:00 AM
Nice work. You make a good point about scapegoating. I would like to see the suit stay basically the same. The thing that I think gets in the way of Superman significantly changing his suit over a series of movies is that his suit is purely for show. Cap, Batman, Iron Man, their suits all serve some function so it makes sense to constantly improve. I could see them doing slight changes like Tobey McGuire's Spider-man suit though.
SKOne
SKOne - 5/26/2011, 10:12 AM
The suit needs to change, it can stay basically the same, just lose the trunks, give the tights some texture, and change the belt to red.

I think with the 100 or so hours of live action footage over the years of the suit, the classic suit has been paid more than enough respect. I honestly really want to see something different, I'd be okay if they can make the classic suit look and feel more functional. I would just rather they change it.

I used to think Tim Burton's Superman suit looked stupid, but now I think it might look cool if someone other than Nicolas Cage was wearing it. The suit isn't what defines him as Superman, it's his complete focus on good and constant desire to improve. I also really liked the Red bike jacket and black Superman suit on Smallville.
TheLight
TheLight - 5/26/2011, 10:26 AM
Overall, I would like for the suit to remain primarly the same. But with minor changes done to the motif of the blue body suit. Give it something that can be made on Earth but stylish. I like the yellow outline of the shield from Earth One. If they could do something like that, just tweak the suit a bit. The trunks could stay, because lets face it Superman is the only one that could ever pull off red trunks. And give back the yellow "S" on the cape. A mix of Earth One and the original designs. Again I don't want to see "The Blur". Give us Supes in his glory, not in someone else.



cuteness1943
cuteness1943 - 5/26/2011, 10:27 AM
I have a vision for the new costume for the 'Man of Steel'. How about black instead of yellow. The red and blue stays. The shape of 's' must look like Tim burton's superman or make it cool and edgy just make sure that it looks like an alien. I think we all sick and tired for seeing the same costume from george reeves to dean cain with same color. Try the new superman movie in the modern setting with 1940's color costume with the alien looking 's'.
Hellsing
Hellsing - 5/26/2011, 10:46 AM
I don't mind the classic costume but changing it up a bit wouldn't hurt make it look a bit more alien.
naterator
naterator - 5/26/2011, 10:47 AM
Superman is the highest standard to all superheroes.....and because of this he needs to maintain his iconic costume. Lighter or darker shades are ok,,,,but design wise should stay the same. Trunks STAY! its what makes him different than every other super hero out there that has deviated off course. i dont want to see lack of the trunks and i dont want to see a turtle neck on the man of steel. i dont want to see a short cape but a long one. i dont want to see a spiderman textured superman suit but a smooth sleek one as he has always had. i want to see the emblem on his cape rather than the lack thereof. i want to see the "s" curl on his forehead from time to time instead of just abandoning the style. i want to see the boots and NOT knee high boots. i dont wanna see anything that could resemble pads on his outfit. he is Superman. it needs to look natural and not like BOOSTER GOLD. in fine....i dont want to see anything that resembles BURTONS attempt on Superman.
naterator
naterator - 5/26/2011, 11:02 AM
the only time that the suit should see some changes is if and when they decide to make a trilogy out of the KINGDOM COME novel. this way if we see change at least there is a symbolically good reason for it. if you dont know why he changed his costume to this then you should read the book or series. A trilogy made from KINGDOM COME would certainly be a darker PG-13 sort of film franchise.

Owlman88
Owlman88 - 5/26/2011, 12:10 PM
There are 2 sides of the coin, first we must get that the costume is an icon of the pop culture for more than 70 years, people recognize it, children want to wear it and the world loves it; but the other thing is that we must be clear that it´s precisely the time it was created that causes a little problem, the culture and the ideals from the 30´s are totally different than our days´ so its quite silly to have a man-god wearing tights and red underwear while trying to impose justice/fear to the bad guys.

The thing is, change or not, NO director for live appearances will satisfy each and everyone of the crew who goes and watch his film so there´s no need for the directors to worry too much about the costume just try to think about a good reason why a man-god needs to wear red underwear and no one recognizes his alter-ego.

P.S. I always wondered why Sups always took too much more damage than the suit specially in the animated appearances, maybe that is a good reason, I leave it to Snyder´s and Nolan´s consideration
LordHuck
LordHuck - 5/26/2011, 2:06 PM
Photobucket

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I wouldn’t even mind seeing this for the 1st 2/3 s of the film before he makes a the real suit.

Photobucket
luckylu
luckylu - 5/26/2011, 2:25 PM
@lordhuck-lmao those are horrible
JM4Superman
JM4Superman - 5/26/2011, 2:28 PM


Don't [frick] with the basics
jadams07
jadams07 - 5/26/2011, 2:37 PM
great posts so far! I guess my whole point is that as long as any change is well thought out and translates well I am ok with it. There are plenty of horrible stories with him in the iconic suit (my fave btw) and plenty of good ones without it. As long as we get a good superman story I don't care at this point.
jadams07
jadams07 - 5/26/2011, 2:40 PM
@JM4SUPERMAN I love that suit you posted its just different enough but a classy throwback is that from year one? Also am I the only one who sat through the first 15 minutes or so of Thor and thought about Superman? With him being so powerful and flying around with the red cape it made me angry that we haven't gotten anything close to that for superman. Thor achieved in twenty minutes what Superman will hopefully accomplish in the reboot.
JM4Superman
JM4Superman - 5/26/2011, 5:53 PM
@jadams07 It's from Superman Earth One and i hope Snyder does use the classic costume or the earth one costume
TheOneCush
TheOneCush - 5/26/2011, 7:31 PM
I really like the earth one suit. If you have read it it explains the suit very well. Martha makes it from the Kryptonian cloth that came with him to earth. She had to unthread it because nothing would cut it and no dye would change the colors. Also he didn't want to wear it.
TheOneCush
TheOneCush - 5/26/2011, 7:38 PM
Also the S can not be raised on his chest, this is stupid he wouldn't be able to hide it under a plain shirt and tie. What does everyone think of the portrayal is he Clark being Superman or Superman being Clark.
JM4Superman
JM4Superman - 5/26/2011, 7:51 PM
@TheOneCush Clark being Superman
JM4Superman
JM4Superman - 5/26/2011, 7:51 PM
@TheOneCush Clark being Superman
OmegaBlack13
OmegaBlack13 - 5/26/2011, 10:00 PM
@LordHuck: I love that first design, but the 7th is my favorite! Although it could use a yellow belt maybe

I'd like to see a few changes to the suit, like maybe textures on the suit (I never liked the idea that Martha Kent made the suit), darker colors, and a higher collaar couldn't hurt. Also, the trunks could stand to be removed, but the belt would need to be kept. But removing them isn't completely needed.

But could somebody explain to me whats new about the Earth One suit? Cuz aside from the minor changes to the boots and the shield border, I dont really see any.
Bartman87
Bartman87 - 5/26/2011, 10:11 PM
Keep the original suit the comics have kept it and look at Superman: Earth One he dons the same suit that has been in all the years before reluctantly but he puts it on. I don't mind change but to change something just because well it's hard to explain why a grown man would do that, well guess what dressing up like a Bat or in tights is a hard thing to explain.
Jolt17
Jolt17 - 5/26/2011, 10:11 PM
Nothing's broken...don't EVER change Supes suit!

Little modification yes, but no to the whole design.
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 5/26/2011, 10:34 PM
People never learn. If you mess with Superman's iconic look, then you lose part (not all so don't crucify me please) of the whole Superman experience and you walk out of the theater unhappy. Singer did it and everyone hated it. Please refer to Naterator's post. He spelled it out perfectly.
ComicKnowledge
ComicKnowledge - 5/26/2011, 11:33 PM
I don't think the suit needs a change...it's the villains. I want to see someone besides Lex Luthor as the main villain. I thought in Superman Returns they should have had Braniac follow Supes back to earth and challenge him. Scenes of Superman going against out of control machines and finally a robot form of Braniac. Maybe end with a shot of Doomsday strapped to a meteor headed for earth setting up a sequel. Instead Lex makes an Island out of kryptonite and Superman shoves it in space then visits HIS KID..?????
mastarockafella
mastarockafella - 5/27/2011, 12:34 AM
Changing the suit is like changing the American flag.
Mrmoviemaker09
Mrmoviemaker09 - 5/27/2011, 3:55 AM
@theonecush superman being clark
kyawsawaung
kyawsawaung - 5/27/2011, 5:45 AM
I like to see the Superman return's costume in the man of steel and John William's superman theme.
TheLight
TheLight - 5/27/2011, 9:14 AM
@Froggy

You got a good point. Lex needs an upgrade as well. He needs to show that he doesn't just talk smack but can deliver it too. He doesn't need to look thick like Superman, but at least as a trim athletic build. And let's see some green eyes. That being said, lets see some red hair for Jimmy!
valeriesghost
valeriesghost - 5/29/2011, 1:44 PM
^^its from the DC Universe Online trailer. It's epic...

here ya go.

Braindeadmoment
Braindeadmoment - 5/29/2011, 4:55 PM
this is apparently a man of steel leak....i think it looks good :) i personally want the costume to change cause i think in 2011 we gotta face it, pants over tights looks pretty gay....if ya can accept batmans drastic costume change why cant superman be given a revamp, but i would still b happy with this if it happened

valeriesghost
valeriesghost - 5/29/2011, 8:55 PM
NP@ Doctor Who
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