# Why did superheroes often have capes?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847>\
**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:** 6\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/41 "2010-12-15T17:12:03Z")

</div>

Have to post it - Edna holds forth: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2YhxXn7NY&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2YhxXn7NY&feature=related)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 15, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/42 "2010-12-15T17:12:59Z")

</div>

Tengu:

> [@](#):
>
> Batwoman is Kate Kane, a former Marine cadet (discharged for being gay a couple years before the present); her father is a Marine Colonel

I’m pretty sure they’re Army, not Marines. Wasn’t it West Point she got kicked out of?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 21, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/43 "2010-12-21T14:46:49Z")

</div>

> [@cmkeller](#):
>
> I’m pretty sure they’re Army, not Marines. Wasn’t it West Point she got kicked out of?

Yes, you’re right. I’m not familiar enough with the US military, clearly.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/44 "2010-12-21T14:56:00Z")

</div>

> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> Because Superman had a cape.

Yep, Superman had a cape (in imitation of circus performers, as others have mentioned), and then that set the precedent for others to follow.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/45 "2010-12-21T22:18:52Z")

</div>

BEcause they wouldn’t listen to Edna Mode.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847/46 "2010-12-21T22:23:32Z")

</div>

Capes are a good substitute when the toilet paper runs out.

Superheroes respond to any emergency. 😉

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-superheroes-often-have-capes/563847.md?page=2)