It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's the Superman Costume Thread! - Part 2

[craigaat]

Other than keeping the "iconic look" as many of you call it, there's no need for Superman to ever wear underpants over his suit. There are plenty of other stylistics options to break up the all blue suit, but trunks are just silly. I loved the original Superman movie when I was a kid, but I grew up. You can't translate everything from page to film - It just doesn't work.

 

[Super Kal]

actually, i believe one can translate what we see in the comic book to film successfully... look at the first three Spider-Man films... Donner suit aside, and raised webbing and organic web shooters aside, the suit itself is a very faithful rendition of the comic book suit.

it can work. the problem is, in my opinion, some people are too lazy to make it work

 

[Dr.]

actually, i believe one can translate what we see in the comic book to film successfully... look at the first three Spider-Man films... Donner suit aside, and raised webbing and organic web shooters aside, the suit itself is a very faithful rendition of the comic book suit.

it can work. the problem is, in my opinion, some people are too lazy to make it work

You could make the case that Lee/Ditko conceived the Spidey costume as a kind of “reaction” to Supes’. The bodysuit and colors were the same; but the superfluous trunks and cape were ditched (and a full facemask beats a pair of glasses, hands down). As such, the Spidey costume was (arguably) better designed to begin with - so there were fewer issues that a modern movie had to “fix.”

 

[Super Kal]

either way, it's not impossible to make a faithful rendition of the classic Superman suit. it's been done before, it can be done again

 

[Dr.]

either way, it's not impossible to make a faithful rendition of the classic Superman suit. it's been done before, it can be done again

Well, the best facsimile of the “blue ink” bodysuit that appears in the comics would probably be a plain/fine fabric leotard. So, yes - not impossible and it has been done before. But the question is, would such a facsimile work and be visually impressive in a modern, live action context? Imo, the effort towards scrupulous “accuracy” ends up looking banal and cheap - which isn’t the (idealized) impression one gets from a comic book image of Superman. I think MOS did right by interpreting - rather than imitating - the costume.

 

[Super Kal]

Well, the best facsimile of the “blue ink” bodysuit that appears in the comics would probably be a plain/fine fabric leotard. So, yes - not impossible and it has been done before. But the question is, would such a facsimile work and be visually impressive in a modern, live action context? Imo, the effort towards scrupulous “accuracy” ends up looking banal and cheap - which isn’t the (idealized) impression one gets from a comic book image of Superman. I think MOS did right by interpreting - rather than imitating - the costume.

you assume that it has to be a fine fabric leotard... it doesnt have to be a leotard to remain faithful to the classic design. there are new fabrics, new materials, and new cloth designs that can be used to recreate the classic design. Just because Richard Donner used a leotard material does not mean t has to be used today.

the problem here is that those like you who dont like the classic design have a few presuppositions in your mind about what materials can be used. in your mind, it's "oh, it's gotta be polyester" or "oh, it's gotta be a blue leotard and spandex"... to be honest, i have yet to see any person, who would prefer the classic design, want to see those materials used again

Richard Donner used what he used because that is what he had available in that time period. now, granted i'm not savvy on cloths and fabrics (not my forte of knowledge), but to say only leotards and spandex can be used is not only ignorant to say (since you know other materials can be used), but also a bit of a straw man argument, since you're misrepresenting my position.

absolutely, the material Donner used was a bit cheap... but that was then; this is now. Newer materials can be used, and be more effective than the Donner suit was... and still hold faithful to the classic design

 

[zman]

I would deal with it, but I'd really dislike that idea. Why would his suit do that? What purpose would it serve on Krypton if they are powerless there?

the idea is interesting but then it would be a huge advantage for his opponents that could tell, by looking at the shield, if he's «fully charged» or not.

 

[Kal-El.9859]

the idea is interesting but then it would be a huge advantage for his opponents that could tell, by looking at the shield, if he's «fully charged» or not.

yep...exactly, and that's why I'd hate it if his shield acted as a "battery indicator". The idea may be interesting but it's a stupid idea....no offense to anyone here who may like that idea, but that would be one HUGE mistake and that would not sit well with me at all

 

[Dr.]

you assume that it has to be a fine fabric leotard... it doesnt have to be a leotard to remain faithful to the classic design. there are new fabrics, new materials, and new cloth designs that can be used to recreate the classic design...

...to be honest, i have yet to see any person, who would prefer the classic design, want to see those [old] materials used again.

...absolutely, the material Donner used was a bit cheap... but that was then; this is now. Newer materials can be used, and be more effective than the Donner suit was... and still hold faithful to the classic design

I’ve run into a few vocal critics of the MOS suit. And their complaints aren’t restricted to the lack of trunks; they dislike the conspicuous texture (the “scales” or “chainmail”). Furthermore, they say (as you have) that the classic suit would work just fine - it just needs “updated materials.” But what is meant by “updated materials” is never specified. Presumably, they’re talking about something that is visually distinguishable and impressive. (A modern fabric that’s (e.g.) more comfortable for the actor to wear but which looks exactly like the old school, plain leotard wouldn’t count as an “update.”)

I would suggest that there is no fabric that - simultaneously - looks like the featureless “blue ink” of the comics but which isn’t a plain leotard. I would suggest that “chainmail” (or similar and equally conspicuous detailing) is the only “updated materials” possible. (Granted, there are more radical options like leather or bulky armor. But assuming a (traditional) form-fitting bodysuit motif, there aren’t a great variety of choices.) Tasked with modernizing the Superman costume without fundamentally changing it, MOS took the only available route.

 

[gkokujin]

the idea is interesting but then it would be a huge advantage for his opponents that could tell, by looking at the shield, if he's «fully charged» or not.

yep...exactly, and that's why I'd hate it if his shield acted as a "battery indicator". The idea may be interesting but it's a stupid idea....no offense to anyone here who may like that idea, but that would be one HUGE mistake and that would not sit well with me at all

 

[Kal-El.9859]

yeah, no battery indicator shield....nooooo

 

[Stephen Harmon]

Other than keeping the "iconic look" as many of you call it, there's no need for Superman to ever wear underpants over his suit. There are plenty of other stylistics options to break up the all blue suit, but trunks are just silly. I loved the original Superman movie when I was a kid, but I grew up. You can't translate everything from page to film - It just doesn't work.

He wore the trunks for almost 75 years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Who is that?

 

[titansupes]

Who is that?

A version of Ultraman.

 

[Stephen Harmon]

A version of Ultraman.

Thanks.

 

[Super Kal]

I would suggest that there is no fabric that - simultaneously - looks like the featureless “blue ink” of the comics but which isn’t a plain leotard.

and i never once said nor implied that it has to look like "blue ink" in order to be faithful to the classic design.

and as far as texture goes... no, im not fond of the texture design that they're using for this suit, however i can live with it- i did like the texture design that was used for the blue suit of Superman Returns... as comparing this to the suit of Superman Returns, while the slight differences they chose to make for that suit, you change those slight differences, plus the color choice, it's probably would of been the best made Superman suit we could of ever had...

now, that side- and as i said before, the classic suit can be done successfully. the problem is not whether or not one can do it, or even if the studio executives let you or not. the problem lies in making it work... it's been proven that it can work. anything else is either personal interpretation or laziness

 

[sf2]

yeah, no battery indicator shield....nooooo

you never know...

and if it is really in, the MOS suit lover will say that it is very cool and u r so old fashion and can't accept new thing. better diss the shield way if it is without any function.

 

[Greeneyes]

you never know...

and if it is really in, the MOS suit lover will say that it is very cool and u r so old fashion and can't accept new thing. better diss the shield way if it is without any function.

Yeah,all us Superman fans who like the MOS suit think like this

 

[hopefuldreamer]

He wore the trunks for almost 75 years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Totally depends on what you define as the old design being 'broke'... I mean, he was declining in popularity, and the percentage of people who thought the underwear was 'stupid' has most definitely been increasing for decades.

I didn't think they were stupid, but I wouldn't say there was absolutely no issue that required fixing. Kinda seems like sticking your head in the sand to me.

 

[Super Kal]

his decline was not solely because of his trunks... the problem came from bad writing.

 

[Ultra Nolanite]

He wore the trunks for almost 75 years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It's been broke though. People at that time were just too stupid to realize.

 

[Super Kal]

It's been broke though. People at that time were just too stupid to realize.

oh, so all supporters of the classic design are now stupid?

 

[Ultra Nolanite]

Well that was a bit harsh perhaps and they're not exactly stupid.

But they are whatever one would call a person who wishes to see a grown man wearing red underpants over a blue leotard.

 

[Kal-El.9859]

you never know...

and if it is really in, the MOS suit lover will say that it is very cool and u r so old fashion and can't accept new thing. better diss the shield way if it is without any function.

I love the Man of Steel suit and I certainly will NOT think that is cool at all....nope, sure won't

 

[Stephen Harmon]

It's been broke though. People at that time were just too stupid to realize.

For 75 years?

Well that was a bit harsh perhaps and they're not exactly stupid.

But they are whatever one would call a person who wishes to see a grown man wearing red underpants over a blue leotard.

And the blue leotard itself doesn't look ridiculous? And the red cape and the red boots?

Totally depends on what you define as the old design being 'broke'... I mean, he was declining in popularity, and the percentage of people who thought the underwear was 'stupid' has most definitely been increasing for decades.

I didn't think they were stupid, but I wouldn't say there was absolutely no issue that required fixing. Kinda seems like sticking your head in the sand to me.

Superman's whole outfit is inherently ridiculous. To say that the trunks look silly, or the cape is too bright, or whatever, is just nonsensical. Ya wanna stop Superman looking silly? Take the whole goddamn suit off and put him in plain civilian clothes. The fact is that suit has been Superman's iconic image for the last 75 years. And artists and filmmakers should just stop ****ing around with it and leave it alone.

 

[Greeneyes]

For 75 years?
And the blue leotard itself doesn't look ridiculous? And the red cape and the red boots?

Superman's whole outfit is inherently ridiculous. To say that the trunks look silly, or the cape is too bright, or whatever, is just nonsensical. Ya wanna stop Superman looking silly? Take the whole goddamn suit off and put him in plain civilian clothes. The fact is that suit has been Superman's iconic image for the last 75 years. And artists and filmmakers should just stop ****ing around with it and leave it alone.

The costume has changed with every decade right from the start and will continue to do so. Which design are you saying is the 75 year old one that has to remain the same and be unchanged?