# Why did superheroes often have capes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 12, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847 "2010-12-12T02:56:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/21 "2010-12-13T07:33:47Z")
I seem to recall a passage in Jules Feiffer’s (sp?) _THe Great Comic-Book Heroes_ discussing a period of several years in the late 40’s or so where superheroes did not have capes. The obvious exceptions were, of course, Batman (the cape-as-wings motif) and Superman. This came about due to DC’s suit against Fawcett for SHAZAM/Captain Marvel supposedly being a rip-off of Superman. Evidently, all the comic book publishers were afraid DC would go after any superhero with a cape, so all the capes got dropped. This was, of course, before my time. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Ura-Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/51bf81/32.png) [@Ura-Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ura-Maru)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/22 "2010-12-13T22:47:11Z")
Capes were very popular in the 60’s, but have been dropping out of fashion ever since. I haven’t read comics consistently for quite a few years, but as of the early 90’s, only a few of the old, iconic characters still had them. And a few third-string villains whose character designs no one ever bothered to update. Dr. Doom, Thor and Dr. Strange are the only significant characters I can think of that still had them in the Marvel universe. (Moon Knight is not significant) They were a bit more popular over at DC, but DC had more legacy characters. They’ve largely been replaced by the long coat, which can do the ‘blowing dramatically’ thing, and the ‘provide a flat background to show off the hero’s silhouette’ bit while still passing for normal clothes. And are apparently immune to being sucked into jet engines, because no one ever makes that joke about them. ‘He tripped on his cape!’ jokes have been an old gag since AT LEAST the late 70’s/early 80’s. (Happened to Captain America, of all people!) I was less than impressed at this presented as high cleverness in the mid 2000’s. But then, I was less than impressed by the whole movie, so I might just be being cranky. For the record: I didn’t think it was BAD, but I never understood it’s vast popularity. Well, the pro-bullying message was kinda bad, but I don’t think that was intentional . . . – Skirts are subject to the same risks, but amazingly, people seem able to wear them without tripping over them or getting them caught in doors. From this evidence, one must assume that your average woman or male cross-dresser is significantly more agile than the majority of super-heroes. Perhaps some kind of draft is in order. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/23 "2010-12-14T06:22:29Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > the chicks dig them. Beat me to it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/24 "2010-12-14T13:50:16Z")
It would be a useful tool to elicit a range of familiarities, all the way from a matador to Linus van Pelt. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/25 "2010-12-14T14:02:42Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > which, of course, is emphasized in an underpants-over-tights outfit. I believe it was originally shorts over tights and its purpose was to prevent displays of package as seen at the ballet. ---
**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:** [December 14, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/26 "2010-12-14T15:11:07Z")
Velcro. Seriously, is this new? Quick release latches. Shear-strength gauge latches. It’s not like it’s hard to design a cape that comes off easily. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/27 "2010-12-14T15:29:43Z")
> [@SuperNelson](#): > > I think I remember Batman using his cape for combative effect. Sometimes it just made him look bigger and scarier than he really was, and sometimes it helped him avoid gunfire by making it harder for the shooter to figure out which part of the big billowing shape to aim for. This may be the later revisions, like “The Dark Knight,” and “Year One.” Batman’s [cape](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape) is so long that it’s really a [cloak](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloak). I always assumed he wore it from the start to help himself loom more mysteriously when appearing behind a criminal. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/28 "2010-12-14T15:47:39Z")
> [@Ura-Maru](#): > > Skirts are subject to the same risks, but amazingly, people seem able to wear them without tripping over them or getting them caught in doors. From this evidence, one must assume that your average woman or male cross-dresser is significantly more agile than the majority of super-heroes. > > Perhaps some kind of draft is in order. I concur that, as far as skirts are concerned, [a draft is in order](http://www.mynews.in/image_gallery.php?cat=S72&iid=78727). ---
**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 14, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/29 "2010-12-14T19:04:38Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Also, it lets the circus strongman’s musculature stay cloaked, so he doesn’t need to start flexing until the moment he throws back that cape to reveal his physique – which, of course, is emphasized in an underpants-over-tights outfit. IIRC, that’s where Superman’s creators got the look, as useful shorthand for This Guy Is Really Strong; cue assorted knockoffs. I agree. The outfit was lifted from circus strongmen. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/30 "2010-12-14T19:12:59Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Velcro. Seriously, is this new? Quick release latches. Shear-strength gauge latches. It’s not like it’s hard to design a cape that comes off easily. [Batwoman](http://www.comicvine.com/batwoman/29-9052/)’s costume is explicitly designed with a breakaway cape. Also, that pretty flowing hair? A wig. Same reasoning. She also ditched the high heeled boots that were part of her original costume (revealed to have been originally designed by her father). ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/31 "2010-12-14T22:08:15Z")
I swear I read somewhere that another benefit of capes was it made it obvious to a comic reader that a character was flying by drawing the cape flapping. ---
**Author:** ![Ura-Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/51bf81/32.png) [@Ura-Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ura-Maru)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/32 "2010-12-14T22:27:00Z")
Ok, that came out a bit meaner than I’d intended. Sorry, I was a little sleep deprived. And full of bitterness and self-loathing, but mostly sleep deprived. By way of apology, check out the sheer awesomeness of [Dr. Strange’s cape](http://lvls.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/doctor_strange.jpg). Just LOOK at that thing. It’s the superhero version of a giant, beplumed pimp hat. – The cape is the equivalent of the bow tie. If you’re a superhero, of course. If not, it’s somewhat worse. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/33 "2010-12-14T23:23:45Z")
> [@Ura-Maru](#): > > Skirts are subject to the same risks, but amazingly, people seem able to wear them without tripping over them or getting them caught in doors. From this evidence, one must assume that your average woman or male cross-dresser is significantly more agile than the majority of super-heroes. Skirts tend to be more conforming than the standard cape/cloak. A cape can billow out behind much more easily than a skirt that encircles and is closed in front. Though yes, skirts can be a source of trip hazard. I have seen women wearing long skirts that reach to the floor have trouble walking - like nearly taking a header down stairs because the heel of their shoe caught on the fabric. My sister wore a hoop skirt for the first time on her wedding gown, only to discover in the process the difficulty navigating steps in the chapel because of a lack of visibility. > [@Tengu](#): > > [Batwoman](http://www.comicvine.com/batwoman/29-9052/)’s costume is explicitly designed with a breakaway cape. > > Also, that pretty flowing hair? A wig. Same reasoning. I would also imagine that serves as a bit of costume camoflage (a wig doesn’t necessarily look like your own hair - see Hit Girl in _Kick Ass_. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/34 "2010-12-14T23:30:56Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > I would also imagine that serves as a bit of costume camoflage (a wig doesn’t necessarily look like your own hair - see Hit Girl in _Kick Ass_. It did in the TV series, which was honestly the first time I’d heard that it was a wig. IT always surprises me how a different hair cut, let alone hair color, can make someone look completely different. Sure, if you actually look carefully, you can tell, but it seems that it’s pretty easy to throw off at least my automatic facial detection. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/35 "2010-12-14T23:44:21Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > I would also imagine that serves as a bit of costume camoflage (a wig doesn’t necessarily look like your own hair - see Hit Girl in _Kick Ass_. That’s probably part of the in-character reason she decided on the wig, instead of just wearing her hair short and leaving it at that. (Both in and out, continuity of image is likely the big reason. Well, no ‘likely’ for out of character - that’s obviously the reason.) She IS a red-head, but her [real hair is a completely different style](http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/File:Batwoman_Vol_1_0_Variant_Virgin.jpg). > [@BigT](#): > > It did in the TV series, which was honestly the first time I’d heard that it was a wig. Bat_girl_ and Bat_woman_ are two different characters. Batgirl was Barbara Gordon, the niece, and adoptive daughter of Commissioner Jim Gordon (just his daughter in all the TV versions); a librarian, and currently known as Oracle (the current Batgirl is Stephanie Brown, FKA Robin, FKA Spoiler). Batwoman is Kate Kane, a former Marine cadet (discharged for being gay a couple years before the present); her father is a Marine Colonel, her step-mother is moneyed. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/36 "2010-12-15T00:13:36Z")
They wear capes/cloaks because they all secretly want to be [lawyers fighting for truth and justice](http://stluciastar.com/content/archives/7153). > [@](#): > > They emerged from the Cathedral side of the High Court in Castries, black robes flowing in the wind and umbrellas tight in hand, leader at the forefront, silent as they made rounds on the compound. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/37 "2010-12-15T00:47:05Z")
> [@Ura-Maru](#): > > Ok, that came out a bit meaner than I’d intended. Sorry, I was a little sleep deprived. And full of bitterness and self-loathing, but mostly sleep deprived. > > By way of apology, check out the sheer awesomeness of [Dr. Strange’s cape](http://lvls.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/doctor_strange.jpg). Just LOOK at that thing. It’s the superhero version of a giant, beplumed pimp hat. > > – > The cape is the equivalent of the bow tie. If you’re a superhero, of course. If not, it’s somewhat worse. What about bow ties? Bow ties are cool. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/38 "2010-12-15T04:17:06Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > What about bow ties? Bow ties are cool. Post/username\* combo FTW \*Or, at least, the first two letters. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/39 "2010-12-15T12:46:36Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Post/username\* combo FTW > \*Or, at least, the first two letters. I don’t get it. But I haven’t paid any attention to that British show since the gentleman with the long scarf was on it. So I have no context for the comparison. Honestly. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/40 "2010-12-15T13:00:44Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > What about bow ties? Bow ties are cool. As are fezzes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847.md?page=3)