Would it be too much to ask for Superman to go FORWARD - not always "back to the origins"...*sigh*
Today in Crisis on Infinite Reboots superhero costumes redesign madness: DC released the covers for Action Comics #1 and Superman #1. If you thought they left Superman's iconic outfit alone, well, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
So Action Comics Superman wears jeans, work boots, a fucking Superman t-shirt from Hot Topic and a half-cape? Oh my sweet lord. That almost makes Superman Superman and his '90s Jim Lee X-Men leg transplant almost sane. Almost.
Look. You can argue whether Superman is a wonderful character, too powerful to be interesting, an icon, a generic blank slate, whatever. But I don't think anyone can argue that Superman's outfit is the one thing you truly can't change in comics. It is too iconic, too set in pop culture, too perfect, even, to change in the tiniest degree. There's not a lot you can't do in comics. You can bring back Bucky. You can alter Batman's outfit, arguably the other most recognizable costume in comics, to some degree, altering the bat-symbol, using a variety of blues, blacks and grays, messing with the cowl and the boots and what-not. But you cannot, cannot change Superman. You can't even really fuck with the S-emblem, because it always looks wrong. And yet here DC is, putting Supes in not one but two stupid outfits.
Actually, three -- because Justice League Superman has a fucking collar on his costume. That's annoying, but at least it's a small change -- the shit above is horrible. But what the fuck is DC doing putting Superman in three different outfits? What purpose could that possibly serve? It's worth noting that Superboy has two looks, too -- the SuperMac from Always Sunny of Teen Titans, and the more robotic look of Superboy #1 -- which almost makes me think DC has some kind of a plan behind making their superheroes look different in different titles, except this whole goddamned reboot is supposed to be making it easier for folks to get into DC comics, and having what for all the world looks like three different Supermen running around at the same time would be counter-intuitive to that.
Two last things: 1) I'm hearing a lot of fans saying this is some kind of "House of M"-type "alternate reality" event for DC, and everything will go back to normal after a certain timeframe. I don't think so. First of all, DC isn't saying that, only fans. Second, DC isn't calling this thing "an event" like Flashpoint or Identity Crisis or Countdown or anything. They're just starting the fuck over. They may go back to how things were eventually, if sales drop or something, but I'm 100% all this Crisis on Infinite Reboots insanity is intended to be the new status quo. 2) Supergirl has a new outfit, too. It looks weird, but given how awful these two Supermans look, it's extremely hard for me to muster any feelings about Supergirl whatsoever.
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So Action Comics Superman wears jeans, work boots, a fucking Superman t-shirt from Hot Topic and a half-cape? Oh my sweet lord. That almost makes Superman Superman and his '90s Jim Lee X-Men leg transplant almost sane. Almost.
Look. You can argue whether Superman is a wonderful character, too powerful to be interesting, an icon, a generic blank slate, whatever. But I don't think anyone can argue that Superman's outfit is the one thing you truly can't change in comics. It is too iconic, too set in pop culture, too perfect, even, to change in the tiniest degree. There's not a lot you can't do in comics. You can bring back Bucky. You can alter Batman's outfit, arguably the other most recognizable costume in comics, to some degree, altering the bat-symbol, using a variety of blues, blacks and grays, messing with the cowl and the boots and what-not. But you cannot, cannot change Superman. You can't even really fuck with the S-emblem, because it always looks wrong. And yet here DC is, putting Supes in not one but two stupid outfits.
Actually, three -- because Justice League Superman has a fucking collar on his costume. That's annoying, but at least it's a small change -- the shit above is horrible. But what the fuck is DC doing putting Superman in three different outfits? What purpose could that possibly serve? It's worth noting that Superboy has two looks, too -- the SuperMac from Always Sunny of Teen Titans, and the more robotic look of Superboy #1 -- which almost makes me think DC has some kind of a plan behind making their superheroes look different in different titles, except this whole goddamned reboot is supposed to be making it easier for folks to get into DC comics, and having what for all the world looks like three different Supermen running around at the same time would be counter-intuitive to that.
Two last things: 1) I'm hearing a lot of fans saying this is some kind of "House of M"-type "alternate reality" event for DC, and everything will go back to normal after a certain timeframe. I don't think so. First of all, DC isn't saying that, only fans. Second, DC isn't calling this thing "an event" like Flashpoint or Identity Crisis or Countdown or anything. They're just starting the fuck over. They may go back to how things were eventually, if sales drop or something, but I'm 100% all this Crisis on Infinite Reboots insanity is intended to be the new status quo. 2) Supergirl has a new outfit, too. It looks weird, but given how awful these two Supermans look, it's extremely hard for me to muster any feelings about Supergirl whatsoever.
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156 comments
Dear god, that design on the right is horrendous. The trunks are part of Superman's costume, and the people who make fun of it are idiots. Look at old-school strongmen or acrobats, which Superman is based on, and you'll see they often wear underwear over their tights, too. You can't wear underwear under tights because they show through and can damage the tights, so the briefs help provide comfort and conceal junks in case the costume rips. Without them, Superman's big Kryptonian junk is hanging out, concealed from the world by only tights, all the time (and the people that think this is less gay than the trunks need to punch themselves). And if the costume rips while he's fighting, or lifting something, or stretching? "Flash! Oh-oh!"And look at the art! If I didn't know who Superman was, I'd think he was going to throw the Daily Planet into the fire, not stop it from falling. He looks like he's screaming at the reader, and his eyes are glowing bright red even though he's not using laser vision - one of Superman's biggest traits is his protectiveness, and laser vision, being a strictly offensive power, is meant to be sort of like his dark side. When Superman pulls out laser vision, it means he's pissed and he's probably going to try and burn your face off. It's not how you introduce one of the most moral and righteous characters in all of comics to your new readership!Finally, it's just filled with loads of extraneous details, mostly relating to the weird patterns on the arms and boots. Part of what makes Superman's costume work is simplicity, and extraneous details don't work for him. It actually looks more like the outfits of Ultraman or Eradicator, which is a bad sign, because they were both psychotic murderers!I love George Perez, and all, but seriously. This is your reader-friendly jump-on-point, your return to simplicity and iconography? Then why the hell are you changing the most iconic, famous costume in comics?
Man, why are people so down on the reboot. Do people not understand that they're keeping the most important and world shattering arcs intact? Frankly with the names attached to the big ones (detective comics, actions comics....etc), I don't see how people can get upset....it's exciting! I was very very skeptical about this and then i read this......http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dcnu-... (article is awesome for those who are worried about the reboot; at least it put me at ease). Granted, they will have to work hard to keep something like "Killing Joke" in the mythos (which they said , they will), when Barbara Gordon is set to be F-ing BATGIRL! Wheel chair grapple hook FTW!
You can TOO change Superman and should have years ago. The underwear on the outside look has always looked ridiculous, even when we're kids most of us thought so. Everyone I know thinks they should've lost the red speedos long ago. You've become like the Trekkie nitjobs who boyvott any trek idea that even hints at evolving the product, or the Gee-Wun asshats who refuse to accept any Autobot born later than 1984. Lighten the hell up dude, he's FICTIONAL. The world will not spin off it's axis if Superman gets a tiny makeover.
Lol @ Superman's costume should never be changed. His costume has been changing ever since his debut back in 1939.
This must have something to do with the impending Superman copyright debacle, where some aspects of the character will revert to the Siegel & Shuster estates and other aspects of Superman, mostly the aspects that were introduced after DC bought the character, remain with DC/WB.
Okay.
I tried.
I try not ot care too much about what's in comics because I didnt' want to be ThAT girl that's ranting about nerdy things to people who don't really care. It's comics, I tell myself.
If i don't like it. I don't have to read it.
that being said....
fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck
Didn't they have to change the costume because of the partial rights going back to the creators?
No, the costume that the creators have partial right to has little in common with the current outfit. For an idea of what the original creators DO have partial rights to, you can read Action 1 online at http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug.... The Superman story is only the first 15 pages or so, and the only really critical part of the mythos that's covered in it is the Clark Kent secret identity. Lois Lane, the Kents, Smallville, the Daily Planet, Perry White, Krypton and the other key parts that alarmists always claim are included in the rights are nowhere to be seen.
Really TR??
You're going to shit the bed about this? Superman's costume has changed many times since 1938. Black "S", Long trunks, short trunks, short boots, high boots, no cape, small cape, BIG cape... so stop your whining. I normally come to TR to get some nerd laughs and because "wow, Topless Robot gets it!" but this time your getting whiny prematurely. Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Thor, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America (both Bucky and Steve) all have had reboots and new threads. Why NOT Superman? I like the new look with no speedo. (I would like to see no belt either, just blue all the way down to the boots but 'meh'.) It looks good and NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET. So calm down and get a cookie and wait until you read it. DC is still going strong! At least DC is still universal and not "america only"
I love when people write stuff without doing there homework. The reason DC is changing the costume is because they no longer own the rights to the classic one. In fact you wont be seeing Lois Lane again either DC/Warners no longer owns the rights to that name. Before writing a post do your homework so you don't look like a clown.From Ric The Real Stoogewww.dailystooge.comGET YOUR FACT RIGHT OR FOREVER LOOK LIKE A CLOWN
Ironic statement there, Ric, since the classic costume is nothing like the current one, and Lois Lane isn't in Action Comics #1, which is all the Siegels and Schusters have the rights to. A character named Lois is, Lois Lane IS NOT.
Oi, Rob, you sound like some of the Transformer fans that have been blowing their horns over Mirage not being blue in the new movie. Let's look here... on the left, I see a Superman wearing something that you could actually wear to this sort of work in real life - as opposed to spandex or latex rubber - which, while odd for a comic, is oddly titillating to the part of me that always scorned comics for exactly that sort of reason. And on the right, honestly, I see a Superman outfit close enough to the usual that I didn't see what you were saying was so different at first. I had to compare it side-by-side with an older Superman shot to see it. Even then, I mostly noticed that he was no longer wearing red underwear on the outside of his costume. Uhh, cue bitching?
I'm pretty sure that no costume in comics is sacred, no matter how "entrenched in pop culture" it is. Honestly, the wardrobe changes are probably going to be the least of DC's problems with this whole reboot/overhaul thing, anyway.
Just a quibble, Rob. You wrote that "Second, DC isn't calling this thing "an event" like Flashpoint or Identity Crisis orCountdown or anything" - it's part of the Flashpoint event. They've said it's part of the Flashpoint event. It's fallout from the Flashpoint event. Pay more attention next time?
When most of these "52 new" titles have gone the way of the dodo due to bad sales over the coming 2 years, everything will gradually revert back to some semblance of normality (whatever that is).
Think the pic on the left is just casual wear. That "cape" is probably just a red towel. Doubt anyone's giving him a costume akin to Superboy's casual duds.
it's possible that they're doing multiple universes, it's also possible these books are set at different periods.
IIsn't the iconic outfit one of the things that DC can lose when the rights revert? Maybe they are testing a couple new ideas in preparation.
Only the Action Comics 1 suit, which looks absolutely nothing like the current suit. Actually, the ONLY major thing they lose is the name "Clark Kent" when the rights revert. Nothing of the Superman mythos is in Action 1: Lois Lane is only identified as Lois in Action 1, Krypton isn't called by name, The newspaper is the Daily Star, not the Daily Planet, Very little is actually lost, check it out for yourself. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug...
Wait, you think a blue shirt with a Superman logo can only be bought at a Hot Topic? C'mon Rob, give the world a little credit.
He cuts down trees, wears high heelsSuspenders and a braHe wish he was a girlieJust like his dear papa
The more I look at this reboot, the more I wonder if I should simply give up on DC (and Marvel since they're creatively bankrupt.)
Trophies. He uses the miniaturization tech that made the Bottled City of Kandor to shrink his defeated foes, then he shoves them in the pouches for play time.
Or, you know, make Bizarro and Lex and Brainiac have a threesome and then writing about it before posting it on the internet. >:3
Two weeks ago when this news hit, just asking around at my local comic shop an astounding 14 people stated they dropped the DC books from there grab bag. Last week it was up to 27 according to the store owner...I wonder what it will be this week?
i'm so tired of people complaining about what DC is doing to breathe new life into a very stale medium. its horrible right now as a long time comic reader/collector that i have to put up with the crap that's come out this last decade. news flash: not everyone likes 'summer blockbusters' that do nothing and waste money and only make people stop collecting.
comics aren't pokemon and you don't have to catch them all.
also, different appearences have been explained as Action Comic's first arc is an origin and the early years. superboy, well, i don't know, but i also don't care. i'm excited about this new direction. in fact, i'll be increasing my total DC books collected in a month. and since i live no where near any decent comic shops, i will also be getting them digitally.
What purpose could they possibly serve? Well, why ELSE did they start this whole bullshit nonsense, Rob? The answer is simple: SELL. MORE. COMICS. DC could give a rat's ass about continuity. Hell, they could care less about their character's status as an acceptable icon in pop culture. The only thing they care about is making money, in any and all stupidest possible sense of the words, and their business plan seems to just be running along just fine with that. All the way straight to hell.
Thank Evil Flying Jesus I don't follow DC comics anymore. Otherwise, I would be joining the chorus of a million angry nerds for having DC shove a metaphorical iron rod up their collective asses.
Wait, who was that guy from Project Runway who did the superhero costume reviews before. Can we get him back? I want to hear him go on a tear about Harley!
I think he's still up on Newsrama, isn't he? Loved those columns, it was so interesting seeing all the tiny permutations in a character's lifespan.
I'd actually like the one on the left without the S and the cape. He's supposed to have grown up around farms in the midwest, that's probably just his casual wear.
Seeing as how Grant Morrison has stated he's wanted to write Superman in the same fashion as when the character was first created (back when he was a social crusader who threw people through walls), The outfit on the Action Covers cover may be more symbolic than an actual costume.
Also, the continuity will go back to normal eventually. Not only is this too gimmicky to last, but when sales start to dwindle they'll just do another "Crisis" and reboot everything back, keeping what worked. Trust me dude, this is not permanent. It can't be with that idiot Geoff Johns at the helm.
