# 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:** 2
**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, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/21 "2009-01-29T17:11:51Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > 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) Yeah, but Earth 616 requires fewer keystrokes than “Mainstream Marvel Continuity,” and I was feeling lazy. Besides, my contempt for Quesada is nigh unto my hatred of jelly beans, rottweilers, and Aragorn, so telling me that he’d be annoyed to hear me say that only makes me want to leave him about 100 voice mails doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/22 "2009-01-29T17:13:46Z")
There are surprisingly few blondes around, so John Constantine would be pretty noticeable. Braniac 5 from the Legion of Super Heroes is green so he probably doesn’t count. Jubilee and Gateway (yeah I guess I’m getting old) would stand out, just because of their ethnic background. Longshot has only four fingers on each hand and a mullet. Nick Fury has an eyepatch. Psylocke has to be one of the few purple haired Asian chicks. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/23 "2009-01-29T17:15:09Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Characters like Ben Grimm, who have a distinctive physical appearance rather than a costume, don’t count. Well, by this qualification, doesn’t that exclude Wolverine, or anyone else with a “distinctive physical appearance?” What, for the sake of your question, is the limit of what’s acceptable? I mean, Bishop from the X-Men has a big M tattooed over his eye, is that too much, or no? Rogue has that skunk stripe in her hair. Gambit’s got funky red/black eyes. ---
**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, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/24 "2009-01-29T17:17:40Z")
No fair cheating! Who are [these two](http://www.geocities.com/area51/shadowlands/4733/Luciuspage_graphics/lucius_bruce.jpg)guys? Who’s [this](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4scVb80lVec/SJo6HdevIMI/AAAAAAAAAJs/QVOhP1-6_zs/s400/yearone.jpg)? Who’s [this](http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/marvel_dc/images/thumb/a/aa/Brucewayne.jpg/180px-Brucewayne.jpg)? Who are [these people](http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/05/smart_heroes/image/bruce_wayne_batman.jpg)? [This one](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X2Flh5CSe80/RsJaLjobrNI/AAAAAAAAAjo/xoe3K7z_zWs/s320/bruce%2Bwayne3.jpg) would be easy even without the dialog. Who are these [three fellows](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/lorduberham/Minimate%20Customs/AlfredBruceLex.jpg)? Not really picking on Batsy, it’s just that some discussion about what Bruce Wayne was seen doing in Crisis #7 got me thinking about this. ---
**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, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/25 "2009-01-29T17:18:25Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > Well, by this qualification, doesn’t that exclude Wolverine, or anyone else with a “distinctive physical appearance?” What, for the sake of your question, is the limit of what’s acceptable? I mean, Bishop from the X-Men has a big M tattooed over his eye, is that too much, or no? Rogue has that skunk stripe in her hair. Gambit’s got funky red/black eyes. I took it to mean ‘within the range of real-world human variation, with allowances for artistic interpretation.’ By lets in Wolverine, Bishop, & Rogue, but not Grimm & Brainy (and probably not Gambit.) ---
**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, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/26 "2009-01-29T17:20:06Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > Well, by this qualification, doesn’t that exclude Wolverine, or anyone else with a “distinctive physical appearance?” What, for the sake of your question, is the limit of what’s acceptable? I mean, Bishop from the X-Men has a big M tattooed over his eye, is that too much, or no? Rogue has that skunk stripe in her hair. Gambit’s got funky red/black eyes. Anybody with an obviously non-human appearance doesn’t count. How many other lumpy orange rock guys are there that you could think it might be somebody besides Ben Grimm? ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/27 "2009-01-29T17:23:52Z")
Quesada hates the term 616? I’m going to use it all the time now. (Oh, Quesada, how I hate thee) Well, some characters are based on real people, so that should make them recognizable except when the artist is a total hack: Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) was Gil Kane’s take on Paul Newman, Ultimate Nick Fury is very explicitly Samuel L. Jackson… ---
**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, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/28 "2009-01-29T17:27:33Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Does he have a big chin? [Yes](http://www.majorspoilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/dcjune08/05%20collected/MM_TPB1_solicit.jpg) and [no](http://images.comicbookresources.com/previews/dccomics/metalmen/52_metalmenicon_sm.jpg). (And that’s just the most recent incarnation.) ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/29 "2009-01-29T17:28:28Z")
Hobbes: Is Amazon girl’s super power the ability to squeeze that figure into that suit? Calvin: Nah, they can all do that. All I ask is the opportunity to try and pick out any of the female characters out of costume. > [@Scumpup](#): > > …Drawn in regular clothes,… Dang, you spoiled the whole idea. 🙂 ---
**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, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/30 "2009-01-29T17:29:24Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > [Yes](http://www.majorspoilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/dcjune08/05%20collected/MM_TPB1_solicit.jpg) and [no](http://images.comicbookresources.com/previews/dccomics/metalmen/52_metalmenicon_sm.jpg). (And that’s just the most recent incarnation.) I see what you mean. He’s still recognizable as not Golden Age Bruce Wayne, though, by his nerdy build and brown hair. Bruce always has that blue-black hair seen only in comics and a more athletic build. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/31 "2009-01-29T17:50:11Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Power Girl? How would you know that she isn’t supposed to be Little Annie Fannie? Lack of nipples. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/32 "2009-01-29T17:57:37Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > No fair cheating! > > Who are [these two](http://www.geocities.com/area51/shadowlands/4733/Luciuspage_graphics/lucius_bruce.jpg)guys? I’ll say…Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox. > [@](#): > > Who’s [this](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4scVb80lVec/SJo6HdevIMI/AAAAAAAAAJs/QVOhP1-6_zs/s400/yearone.jpg)? Bruce Wayne again, but could have easily been Dick Grayson. > [@](#): > > Who’s [this](http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/marvel_dc/images/thumb/a/aa/Brucewayne.jpg/180px-Brucewayne.jpg)? Bruce Wayne again. > [@](#): > > Who are [these people](http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/05/smart_heroes/image/bruce_wayne_batman.jpg)? Bruce, The Huntress, and don’t know the other two. > [@](#): > > [This one](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X2Flh5CSe80/RsJaLjobrNI/AAAAAAAAAjo/xoe3K7z_zWs/s320/bruce%2Bwayne3.jpg) would be easy even without the dialog. Bruce and Commissioner Gordon. > [@](#): > > Who are these [three fellows](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/lorduberham/Minimate%20Customs/AlfredBruceLex.jpg)? Alfred, Bruce, and I accidentally saw the third one was Luthor, but I wouldn’t have gotten it. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/33 "2009-01-29T18:01:26Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > My god, man, do you realize the numberless boob jokes you are about to be deluged with? :eek: How many boobs does she _have_? ---
**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, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/34 "2009-01-29T18:09:30Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > :eek: How many boobs does she _have_? Even her boobs have boobs! ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/35 "2009-01-29T18:09:48Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Power Girl? How would you know that she isn’t supposed to be Little Annie Fannie? Muscles. Peeg has a distinctly muscular build that most other heroines don’t have. Spidey… mebbe. Superman, no question. Captain America. If drawn right, Steve Rogers is unmistakable. Posture, mostly. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/36 "2009-01-29T18:11:43Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > How has no one said Wolverine yet? I was wondering why that wasn’t in the OP. ---
**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:** [January 29, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/37 "2009-01-29T18:11:54Z")
Wolverine’s height is irrelevant; it’s his dumbass haircut that gives him away. (Yes he’s sometimes gone without it, but that’s like 1% of his appearances) Storm - not too many young black ladies with white hair. Hal Jordan - just by virtue of having brown Blago-styled hair in the DCU. Omni Man - Rocking 'stache. Sabertooth - fangs. Bruce Banner - flop sweat. ---
**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, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/38 "2009-01-29T18:15:06Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > I was wondering why that wasn’t in the OP. Mostly because I was never that much of a Marvel reader. Also, at the time I was an active reader/collector, Wolverine was a peripheral character in a goofy yellow outfit. He didn’t take on his current importance for Marvel or fans until years later. So, I just didn’t think of him. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/39 "2009-01-29T18:21:37Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Bruce Banner - flop sweat. Don’t forget those purple trou. 😃 ---
**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, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561/40 "2009-01-29T19:03:17Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Power Girl? How would you know that she isn’t supposed to be Little Annie Fannie? Because I’m reading a DC comic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-superheroes-are-immediately-recognizable-out-of-costume/483561.md?page=3)