# Friendliest Superhero Costumes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 2, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782 "2012-12-02T20:09:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782/1 "2012-12-02T20:09:14Z")
Sticking to the comics, some in-story consideration is often paid to a superheroes look and the impression it makes. Writers have retroactively explained Superman’s lack of a mask as an asset to help people feel at ease with a inhumanely powerful sentinel. In New Frontier, Darwyn Cooke writes that Batman changed from his long-eared animalistic 1939 look to his Dick Sprang-era look after his 1939 costume made a kid freeze up, saying something like, I want to frighten criminals - not terrify children. And even in the newest Spider-Man flick, an unknown Spidey has to remove his mask to assure a kid that he’s “just a guy.” So, ignoring their deeds and dispositions which they became known for over time (friendly neighborhood reputations), which ones look the friendliest? ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782/2 "2012-12-02T20:24:32Z")
[Boss Smiley.](http://www.comiqueando.com.ar/img/articulo/large/5_209_03.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782/3 "2012-12-02T20:24:42Z")
Captain America! Unless you’re a Nazi. Wonder Woman. If male. Mrs Incredible. From behind. The list goes _on and on!_ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782/4 "2012-12-02T20:39:55Z")
[Judge Dredd.](http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/6/67397/2188707-15_super.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782/5 "2012-12-03T02:10:13Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > In New Frontier, Darwyn Cooke writes that Batman changed from his long-eared animalistic 1939 look to his Dick Sprang-era look after his 1939 costume made a kid freeze up, saying something like, I want to frighten criminals - not terrify children. Speaking of which, consider the [Challengers Of The Unknown](http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120606202028/marvel_dc/images/c/cd/Challengers_BTBATB_002.png): reassuring and kid-friendly authority figures decked out in matching lavender uniforms, each complete with a badge-like emblem and white gloves. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782/6 "2012-12-03T02:17:29Z")
The [Spirit](http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2008/12/340x_BestOfTheSpiritTP.jpg) - a nice suit and hat with a small mask. Of course, [Fantomas](http://www.fantomas-lives.com/fantomas.jpg) wore essentially the same costume and he was a villain. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782/7 "2012-12-03T02:28:41Z")
The Fantastic Four. Zatanna. Green Arrow, before he grew the beard. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendliest-superhero-costumes/642782/8 "2012-12-03T03:17:24Z")
Phantom Lady? 😉