# How many superheroes are immediately recognizable out of costume? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 29, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561 "2009-01-29T15:52:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/1 "2009-01-29T15:52:16Z")
What I’m getting at here is that superheroes are typically drawn by many different artists over the years and we recognize them mainly from their costumes. For example, no matter who draws Batman in costume, he’s immediately recognizable as Batman because of the distinctive mask and cape. Bruce Wayne is another matter. Take a panel of Bruce Wayne (with no dialog to give clues) out of context and most people will not recognize who the character is supposed to be. Clark Kent is one possiblity for recognition. The glasses are a dead giveaway. Characters like Ben Grimm, who have a distinctive physical appearance rather than a costume, don’t count. Out of context and w/o the wheelchair who can tell Luthor and Professor X apart? Can anybody give an example, other than Kent, of superheroes who you would recognize in their “civilian” form no matter who drew him? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/2 "2009-01-29T15:55:18Z")
Green Arrow. It’s been mentioned in a couple comics that \*everyone \*recognizes him, with or without the mask. He was dumbfounded. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/3 "2009-01-29T15:57:35Z")
The Fantastic Four don’t wear masks (neither does the Elongated Man), so they should be recognizable. Since Reed Richards is something of a celebrity, he, at least should be recognized in public. Johnny Storm could go incognito as long as he isn’t flaming. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/4 "2009-01-29T15:59:50Z")
A lot of the X-Men don’t wear masks. None of them do in the movies. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/5 "2009-01-29T16:00:40Z")
I’m asking about identification by readers rather than identification by other characters. Golden Age Bruce Wayne, in retrospect, was fairly recognizable because of the Bob Kane’s distinctive style. He was also frequently shown smoking a pipe. So, big chin + pipe + black hair = pretty good chance this is Bruce Wayne. Green Arrow, though, does stand a good chance of reader recognition no matter who draws him. A DC reader who spots a blond guy with a goatee in a panel might logically say “I bet that’s Ollie Queen!” no matter who drew the panel. A generically handsome guy with dark hair? Unless the artist also drew Batman comics and you recognized his style, you wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that you were looking at Bruce Wayne. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/6 "2009-01-29T16:24:48Z")
Ah, interesting distinction. I’ll go with Scott Summers - not a lot of guys out there with red glasses. Ororo - black woman with long flowing shock-white hair. I’m guessing someone like the Martian Manhunter wouldn’t work… Tony Stark, if not just for the goatee. Hmm…I’m having trouble coming up with more DC names. Marvel definitely made physically unique characters. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/7 "2009-01-29T16:40:00Z")
I’m pretty sure I could pick Power Girl out of a crowd.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/8 "2009-01-29T16:40:38Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > I’m pretty sure I could pick Power Girl out of a crowd.😃 Out of uniform? I don’t think I could. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/9 "2009-01-29T16:40:40Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > The Fantastic Four don’t wear masks (neither does the Elongated Man), so they should be recognizable. Since Reed Richards is something of a celebrity, he, at least should be recognized in public. Johnny Storm could go incognito as long as he isn’t flaming. I disagree about Johnny. He’s the biggest publicity hound of the three; I’m sure he volunteers for any opportunity to talk to the press. Sue is probably the least recognizable, as, despite her hotness, she’s probably pretty publicity shy. (Though I don’t doubt there are endless web sites with faked nude pictures of her. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/10 "2009-01-29T16:41:00Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Johnny Storm could go incognito as long as he isn’t flaming. I’d make a tasteless joke about “low-hanging fruit”, but that would just to more and more tasteless jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/11 "2009-01-29T16:41:40Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Out of uniform? I don’t think I could. My god, man, do you realize the numberless boob jokes you are about to be deluged with? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/12 "2009-01-29T16:50:46Z")
How has no one said Wolverine yet? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/13 "2009-01-29T16:54:23Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > How has no one said Wolverine yet? Well, obviously because we’re stupid. Earth-616 Wolverine is definitely recognizable. The Ultimate version may be less so, as he’s less distinctive in height and build. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/14 "2009-01-29T16:55:22Z")
Please remember I’m asking about reader recognition, not recognition by other characters. Drawn in regular clothes, would any of the Fantastic Four save Ben Grimm be recognizable _to you_ no matter who drew them? Wolverine, because of his distinctive facial hair, is a character that readers would recognize in an out of context panel where he is in normal clothing. Power Girl? How would you know that she isn’t supposed to be Little Annie Fannie? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/15 "2009-01-29T16:59:22Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Please remember I’m asking about reader recognition, not recognition by other characters. Drawn in regular clothes, would any of the Fantastic Four save Ben Grimm be recognizable _to you_ no matter who drew them? Reed, for sure, because of his less-than-heroic build and gray temples. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/16 "2009-01-29T17:00:13Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Power Girl? How would you know that she isn’t supposed to be Little Annie Fannie? I’ll be in my bunk. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/17 "2009-01-29T17:04:05Z")
Kingpin is distinctive enough without just being outright grotesque that most readers familiar with the character would, I think, figure that the big fat-looking bald guy in the background of a panel is Kingpin. The guy who was the orginal Green Goblin had a pretty distinctive hairline, IIRC. Odds are readers would recognize the character from that. It does seem that Marvel has more characters who have a distinctive look out of costume. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/18 "2009-01-29T17:05:38Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Golden Age Bruce Wayne, in retrospect, was fairly recognizable because of the Bob Kane’s distinctive style. He was also frequently shown smoking a pipe. So, big chin + pipe + black hair = pretty good chance this is Bruce Wayne. If I see a DCU guy in civvies smoking a pipe, I’m liable to peg him as Doc Magnus. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/19 "2009-01-29T17:06:39Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > If I see a DCU guy in civvies smoking a pipe, I’m liable to peg him as Doc Magnus. Does he have a big chin? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/20 "2009-01-29T17:07:13Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Earth-616 Wolverine is definitely recognizable. The Ultimate version may be less so Huh? Earth-six-what? I’ve been reading Marvel comics literally since I was capable of reading and I’ve never heard this term. I could tell from context what it meant and it immediately struck me the wrong way, and after looking it up, the brass at Marvel agrees: [Earth-616](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-616) > [@](#): > > Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort have each stated their dislike for the term Earth 616. > > “ I can tell you for sure that those of us actually working on the books virtually never use the term — and I kind of wince inside whenever I hear somebody use it. It just sounds so stupid to my ear, and so counter to the kind of mindset we try to foster in regard to the stories we create and the thinking we try to employ. ” > — Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort > “ I never use it, I hate the term pure and simple and agree with Tom’s assessment of it. I can’t remember ever hearing it in the office and only really see it used online for the most part. I think the term really came into vogue when the Ultimate Universe came into prominence, but in my world, the language and distinctions are simple, there is the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe. Anything other than that reeks of all that DC Earth 1, Earth 2, Earth Prime stuff . . . ” > — Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561.md?page=2)