Most Impractical Superhero Costumes

Emma Frost reads minds. She can end you if she chooses. Marvel churned out a top antihero; Frost rarely changed her costume outside of January Jones's live-action version in X-Men: First Class.X-Men: First Class.

Some of Emma Frost's costumes look like underwear with a cape or underwear with fur. Her wardrobe shows she feels vulnerable, which makes her dangerous.

Iron Fist's costume has one big problem, besides the collar. The yellow highlighting his striking limbs is tactically stupid. His hands glow, but he should not wear bright yellow slippers while hunting villains.

That collar blocks his view in both peripheral sights! Foe can grab it. You are the Immortal Iron Fist, Guardian of whatever, but that does not make you all-powerful.

A gem from Marv Wolfman and George Perez's run.New Teen TitansStarfire's costume supports how she uses her powers—absorbing ultraviolet radiation—but it offers no combat protection.

In fights, Starfire acts as a ranged fighter, using energy blasts to avoid close-quarters hits. Starfire lacks invulnerability; ranged attacks remain a threat, so some armor is welcome for the Princess of Tamaran.

Huntress has worn some great, tactical costumes, copying Batgirl and Catwoman. Some costumes, however, look plain weird. The pairing of panties and thigh-high boots took first place. This Huntress costume looks like a strange mix of Hawkeye and Starfire. The boots sit eight inches from being pants.

The exposed skin gives this vigilante hero no tactical edge, but that does not make her less deadly.

The 1990s ruined character design across every title. Proportions, shading, and colors made it hard to see the story. Elektra was one of those examples. Frank Miller brought the character to life in his run starting in 1981.DaredevilFifteen years later, in 1996, Elektra should have gotten a wardrobe update. She needed darker colors and a face covering to look more like an assassin. That did not happen.

Elektra's bright red stealth outfit offers movement, not stealth. If a world-class assassin hunts you, seeing Elektra in that costume means you are likely dead.

Carol Danvers became Captain Marvel. Before that, she was Ms. Marvel, a sidekick and all-around fighter for the original Kree hero. Ms. Marvel's costume dates to the late '60s. Cher was the first woman to show her belly button on TV for this look.

Ms. Marvel's physical stamina, endurance, and precognitive ability offset her costume's lack of coverage or armor. Her costume held a flight device. That extra fabric probably weighed her down.

Martian Manhunter's look blends Hawkman and Superman. A harness, bulging muscles, and briefs matching a needless cape—the whole thing makes no sense. J'onn J'onzz is a shapeshifter who phases through objects and does many other Martian things.

The worst part? This clothing choice required learning from other superheroes. DC property Martians are all unclothed; this shows pure impracticality.andbad taste.

Power Girl is a clone of Supergirl. Artists made a big change designing her costume when she appeared in 1978. Writers often use meta approaches, having characters ask Power Girl about her costume choices. Crimson Fox asked about it in "Justice League Europe".Justice League Europe#37. She answered: "... shows what I am: female, healthy. If men want to degrade themselves by staring, that's their problem; I will not apologize for it."

"The first time I made this costume, I wanted to have a symbol, like you," she said when Superman asked her in "JSA: Classified".JSA: Classified#2."I just... I couldn’t think of anything. I thought eventually, I’d figure it out. And close the hole. But I haven’t."

Power Girl accepts impracticality because of her powers and levels. Exposed fabric edges could cause massive rips and destroy many costumes beyond the Justice League budget.

William Moulton Marston and HG Peter designed Wonder Woman's uniform in 1941, when she first appeared in "All Star Comics".All Star Comics#8. During WWII, Wonder Woman's costume used 1940s pin-up fashions. This design subverted expectations, promoting suffrage and women's liberation while serving the male gaze.

Harvard professor Jill Lepore'sThe Secret History of Wonder WomanThe history and psychology behind the character's creation are extensive; this read is totally worth it. But let's discuss those sandals.

They are ridiculous.

They are not as bad as some of Wonder Woman's other costumes.Marston and Peter took away one visually distinct part of her uniform: her boots. Some of Wonder Woman's other costumes followed this.Marston and Peter took away one visually distinct part of her uniform: her boots. The boots appeared in 1942 when.Sensation Comics #1 released; the sandals first appeared on the cover of Wonder Woman.#1 launched; the sandals first appeared on the cover ofWonder Woman#39 in 1949. These shoes stayed her main footwear until the 1965 release ofWonder Woman#157 shows her original boots returning.

Nightwing is a fan favorite, making him hard to criticize... but seriously.The Judas ContractThis is a step down, despite the character growth, which includes advice from Superman.

Moon Knight has undergone major restyling over forty years. Bright white has always been part of his costume, which makes no sense for someone in his job. The reflectivity and the visibility of his blood make wearing that cowl a bad idea for anyone.young Burt Reynolds) is far too much.

Hawkeye's mask is bad, though not as bad as some 1970s costumes. The extra fabric on his face messes with the Arching Avenger's vision, and Clint always bumped it while shooting an arrow.

Aesthetically, the mask looks like a purple and blue Red Skull with a bow and arrow, but it gives Clint a furrowed brow, making him hard to take seriously.

Hawkman's costume fails on practicality. Hawkman's harness offers little to no upper body protection; it seems built only to chafe his shoulders and ribs.

His headpiece protects against physical harm and hides his identity, yet the tight, bright green pants hurt him. His super strength and Nth Metal Morningstar do not care about fashion.

After critics called it a Batman copy, Moon Knight lacks the World's Greatest Detective's skill at blending into night and shadows.

Moon Knight changed his look over forty years, but bright white always stayed in his costume. This seems wrong for his job. The reflectivity and visibility of his bleeding will cause trouble for anyone wearing that cowl.

Some costumes are iconic. Black Canary and Zatanna's outfits are examples. Fans still struggle to accept their heroines doing roundhouse kicks in fishnets.Zatanna's kind of makes sense. She uses magic, fights mid-to-long range, and is not a full-time Justice League member.Black Canary joined both the Justice Society of America and the Justice League early on.Black Canary keeps busy in the Justice League.Recent Black Canary versions, especially those on the CW, swapped fishnets for tactical gear. Zatanna's outfits remain firm, even though they offer little protection for the spell-slinger.The Justice SocietyShe keeps busy with the Justice Society of America and the Justice League.

Recent Black Canary versions on the CW swapped fishnets for tactical gear. Zatanna's outfits stay the same. They offer zero protection for the spell-slinger.

Black Knight's armor has received less attention than other Marvel characters.In a 1997 issue of Heroes for Hire, the Lady of the Lake added enchantments to the costume, increasing durability and reducing its weight. Black Knight's costume still hinders movement. Change the arm-hole trash can to a mythril shirt, like other magical swordsmen, for better mobility.Black Knight is an odd choice among the Avengers. Dane Whitman's costume uses family armor and identity. This costume matches Thor's armor, but Black Knight lacks real power. He excels at swordsmanship and mounted combat. He has no strength or endurance to manage the heavy plate armor's mobility issues.

Black Knight's armor has received less attention than other characters in the Marvel universe over its publishing history.Black Knight's armor has received less attention than other characters in the Marvel universe.A 1997 issue of Heroes for Hire showed this.A 1997 issue of Heroes for Hire showed this.The Lady of the Lake added enchantments to increase durability and reduce weight. Black Knight's costume remains physically awkward. For movement, ditch the arm-hole trash can and use a mythril shirt like other magical swordsmen.