# You're a super-hero. Do you wear a super-suit? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 12, 2006, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370 "2006-09-12T03:18:45Z")\ **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:** [September 12, 2006, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/21 "2006-09-12T13:22:29Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] Your information is about 20 years out of date (unless of course there’s been yet another retcon that I don’t know about). Clark wasn’t born “Kal-El of Krypton.” He was born on Earth and raised from day one by the Kents. Clark Kent is his identity. [/QUOTE] I was writing elliptically to avoid using “Superman” or “Clark Kent” in that sentence, **Otto** , and in fact I was referring to the Byrne relaunch, which presented the Superman-Clark identity pretty much as I described it. That said, there has been a retcon you’ve missed: the Mark Waid-penned, let’s-worship-at-the-altar-of-smallville Birthright, in which Our Favorite Kryptonian was, in fact, born on the doomed planet in question. I believe that’s the currently accepted continuity (though I myself prefer the Byrne version). ---
**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:** [September 12, 2006, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/22 "2006-09-12T13:27:41Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] And you’re 6’2"- oh **Lobelia** , I think I cyber-love you. I was gonna chime in and say - if it meets the following criteria: - does the suit enhance my ability to be super? [/quote] As I’ve described the situation, no. You’re basically superman; the suit does nothing your biology doesn’t, except maybe morph into a giant trampoline to protect the townsfolk from avalanches. > [@](#): > > - Would I need to protect my identify - for reasons other posters have mentioned - and would this outfit help me do that? Although I gotta believe that with today’s CSI forensic tech, it would take, oh, 2 seconds for folks to track a masked superhero down… No to that as well. I was really assuming you had no secret identity; remember, you’ve already used your powers to become richer than Croesus and to bang every fair damsel from Jodie Foster on down. > [@](#): > > - can it help me make money and/or extend the reach of my powers in some other way - e.g., branding, etc. - so I can have that much more influence? > - can it help me, you know, bag babes? Cuz everybody knows chicks dig the whole “grown man in shiny underwear out in public” thing You’ve already made your billions finding Atlantis or whatever; you’ve become a hero for reasons of, oh, self-actualization. Boredom. Altruism, even. > [@](#): > > If it met those criteria, I would’ve been in. But with Lobelia’s description, I think I would humbly assume the role of macho, but non-super support / love interest…it’s a burden, but someone’s gotta do it. 😃😃 Non super-love interest? You’ve noticed that, except for Lois Lane & Mary Jane Watson, such persons tend to get killed fairly quickly, right? Or turn evil. Or turn evil and THEN get killed. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/23 "2006-09-12T13:56:08Z")
Ah - clarification; the demon of we creative thinkers. Okay - based on that, no super-suit, per se - maybe a standard outfit or series of outfits that conform to certain criteria - kinda like the White Stripes can wear anything that is colored Red, White and Black… And as for a dying non-super love interest, my (completely fantasy - heck I don’t even know the woman) **Lobelia** would _never_ put me in harm’s way, right my dear? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/24 "2006-09-12T13:56:28Z")
[QUOTE=DMark] A codpiece that could hold 5 pounds of beef. Sterling silver, knee high boots, with a matching silver helmet with wings. No other clothes. [/QUOTE] And me standing off to the side ogling. I can’t imagine that I’d wear a superhero suit. I don’t have the body for it at all. Maybe I’d spend a lot of money on jeans, since I made myself a trillionaire according to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/25 "2006-09-12T14:13:49Z")
Oh yeah. Something black and slinky…low-cut with kick ass boots…I would \*stalk \* those villians! Catwoman is my heroine… ---
**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:** [September 12, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/26 "2006-09-12T14:21:06Z")
I would hide my Super-abilities, & do my good away from cameras, lest the Powers-That-Be™ would not try to exploit me for their own ends. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/27 "2006-09-12T16:36:44Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] Ah - clarification; the demon of we creative thinkers. Okay - based on that, no super-suit, per se - maybe a standard outfit or series of outfits that conform to certain criteria - kinda like the White Stripes can wear anything that is colored Red, White and Black… And as for a dying non-super love interest, my (completely fantasy - heck I don’t even know the woman) **Lobelia** would _never_ put me in harm’s way, right my dear? 😃 [/QUOTE] I’m sure Gwen thought the same of Peter. And Alex of Kyle. Et cetera. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/28 "2006-09-12T16:54:50Z")
[QUOTE=Skald the Rhymer] I was writing elliptically to avoid using “Superman” or “Clark Kent” in that sentence, **Otto** , and in fact I was referring to the Byrne relaunch, which presented the Superman-Clark identity pretty much as I described it. [/QUOTE] Not to continue this particular hijack, but you’ve got the Byrne relaunch pretty much exactly backward. Byrne’s Clark grew up completely ignorant of his extra-terrestrial origins. He wasn’t “Kal-El of Krypton” in Byrne’s conception. He didn’t adopt the Kent identity so he wouldn’t have to be Superman all the time. Anyway, as for my own costume choice, it would depend on whether I got a super-physique to go with my super powers. If I looked like Superman I’d wear stuff that showed off the physique, and vary the outfit way more than the Wasp ever did. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/29 "2006-09-12T16:59:53Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] Not to continue this particular hijack, but you’ve got the Byrne relaunch pretty much exactly backward. Byrne’s Clark grew up completely ignorant of his extra-terrestrial origins. He wasn’t “Kal-El of Krypton” in Byrne’s conception. [/quote] I know that. Which part of "I was writing elliptically to avoid using the ‘Superman’ or ‘Clark Kent’ in that sentence was unclear? I know that in the Byrne revamp, Clark is the true identity and Superman is the disguise; that was my point. Kal-El doesn’t want to be a super-hero the way that Batman does; he feels obliged to be one and adopts another identity so he doesn’t have to do it all the time. The second identity I spoke of him adopting is Superman. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/30 "2006-09-12T18:23:20Z")
An unpowered exoskeleton would be good. All the super villans would think my strength and speed came from the exoskeleton, and so try and destroy it/steal it, which would do them no good at all. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/31 "2006-09-12T18:39:28Z")
[QUOTE=Skald the Rhymer] I’m sure Gwen thought the same of Peter. And Alex of Kyle. Et cetera. [/QUOTE] Listen, Fanboy - of course you are correct! 😃 You fail to recognize that I have stepped out of the conceit of the thread and was attempting to cyber-flirt with a woman I don’t know, who doesn’t know me, and with whom I can not (and would not) do anything with IRL, being happily married and all!! In other words - Dude, don’t blow my flow - I’m workin’ it, here! :smack: 😃 (boy, am I glad I am out of circulation - this on-line stuff only makes it harder!) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/32 "2006-09-12T18:45:29Z")
[QUOTE=Skald the Rhymer] I know that. Which part of "I was writing elliptically to avoid using the ‘Superman’ or ‘Clark Kent’ in that sentence was unclear? [/QUOTE] It must be the part where you mention Superman in the OP and then talk more about Clark Kent, Superman and Kal-El in subsequent posts. ---
**Author:** ![mrklutz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/33 "2006-09-12T19:40:45Z")
I think I’d go for an outfit something like the Shadow had. I’d want to blend in when I’m working, not stand out. Granted, it would need updating, but I like the principle and the man had style. Of course, if **Lobelia** and **LunaV** were around, I suspect I’d quickly become known as Easily Distracted Man. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/34 "2006-09-12T20:07:22Z")
[QUOTE=t-bonham@scc.net] \The whole ‘secret identity’ bit seems pointless. (Obviously, it’s used to make the stories seem more personal, and hook the readers more. But logically, there doesn’t seem to be any reason for it.) Can anybody explain why a ‘secret identity’? \ [/QUOTE] > [@The Incredibles](#): > > Elastigirl: Of course I have a secret identity. Can you see me in this at the supermarket? Come on. Who’d want to go shopping as Elastigirl, y’know what I mean? > > Frozone: Superladies, they’re always trying to tell you their secret identity. Think it’ll strengthen the relationship or something like that. I said, ‘‘Girl, I don’t want to know about your mild-mannered alter ego.’’ or anything like that. I mean, you tell me you’re a Super-Mega-Ultra-Lightning-Babe, that’s all right with me. I’m good. I’m good. > > Mr. Incredible: No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved, you know? For a little bit. I feel like the maid. ‘‘I just cleaned up this mess. Can we keep it clean for ten minutes?’’ > > Interviewer: I could get to that point. > > Mr. Incredible: ‘‘Please?’’ > > Interviewer: Wait, no, don’t get up. We’re not finished. > > Mr. Incredible: Sometimes l think I’d just like the simple life, you know? Relax a little and raise a family. So, even superheros presumably want to relax. Plus, they often seem to be at odds with law enforcement (Batman, The Shadow), the public (the X-Men, Mr. Incredible), and of course, their enemies. Clark Kent could go to the library and do some research but Superman, not so much. Also, many superheros seem to be psychologically conflicted or tortured by their super identities; escaping into their mild-mannered ego may be a way of disconnecting from their sociopathic impulses when they’re not immediately engaged in fighting crime. As for the supersuit, depending on your powers/capabilities you might very well need one. If your powers consist of something like pyrokinesis, you’re probably going to want clothing that doesn’t catch fire and burn up every time you throw a flameball. If you’re capable of becoming invisible, you’ll want your suit to be invisible, too, lest you have to run around getting a chill. And Batman needs his suit for protection and to carry his gear. If I were going to be a superhero (sans any kind of clothes-destroying powers) I’d go for something like [this](http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0372183/Ss/0372183/5593_D051_00042R_rgb.jpg), or if I wanted to be stylish, [this](http://outnow.ch/Media/Img/1994/Shadow/dvd-film.ws/03?w=720&h=405). I’m just not big on the whole bright colors and adoring masses thing. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/35 "2006-09-12T20:08:58Z")
I’d like to tear off my constricting suit and tie in the nearest phone booth and emerge wearing a black Chiffon dress with bead and sequin trim, satin and lace bustier with matching G-string, fishnet thigh high stockings, 5” rhinestone studded pumps, a platinum beehive wig and look for trouble wherever I can find it. It’s funny, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always felt like a super-hero trapped in a mere mortal’s body. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/36 "2006-09-12T21:47:22Z")
[QUOTE=Leaper] “Where… is… my… super… suit?!?” [/QUOTE] _WHY_ do you want to know? Ahem - I would wear a super suit. I haven’t sorted out the specifics, but it would have WonderWoman style super bracelets for SURE! And boots I think. I’m very pro boot. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/37 "2006-09-12T22:04:39Z")
I would dress like my City of Villains [character](http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9677/jinxxjezebelrk7.jpg). _Hell_, yeah. That is one smooth outfit. I might even go with the cat on the shoulder thing she’s got going on, there, though it might be hard to see in that pic. That outfit is _so_ me-as-a-superhero. Minus the elf ears, though. That’s just cheesy. 😃 ---
**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:** [September 12, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/38 "2006-09-12T22:20:29Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] It must be the part where you mention Superman in the OP and then talk more about Clark Kent, Superman and Kal-El in subsequent posts. [/QUOTE] I think i shall drop this rope. Yep, the rope is dropped. Instead I shall work on making things up to **Wordman** by sending him the secret to seducing **Lobelia.** It’s Bag End, of course. And spoons. Lots & lots of silver spoons. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/39 "2006-09-12T22:25:17Z")
My boots would be military style combat boots. My pants would be black BDU pants. My shirt, a loose fitting BDU top, also black. Until I lost the gut, then it would be a black T-shirt. I would have a small Logo on the breast of the t-shirt, or on the sleeve of the BDU top. A metallic looking “B”, with a dragon behind it. I would start by taking over Mexico. In essence, though I would have nothing but the great good in mind, I would probably be classed as a super-villain. I’m ok with that. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2006, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370/40 "2006-09-12T23:03:09Z")
I would wear a uniform like the Blackhawks 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-super-hero-do-you-wear-a-super-suit/372370.md?page=3)