The Meaning Of Capes...

#1 Posted by feebadger (1279 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

So, some have them and some don't. The Invincibles made fun of them and Spawn practically laid and impossible challenge down.

So, psychologically, sociologically, in fact any -ally reason you want...

Why do some heroes have capes and some don't?

What is the meaning of the cape?

#2 Posted by RazzaTazz (8250 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

@feebadger: Batman's apparently has some hooks in it to help him with climbing in some versions, in the movie version it helps him BASE jump

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#3 Posted by feebadger (1279 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

Practicality. You know, as stupid as this must make me, i never even considered that one! :) My god, i'm embarrassed. I always assumed it was some psychological or aesthetic reason. I know nothing of comic books. I'm so embarrassed... :)

#4 Posted by Blood1991 (8098 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

I assume since Superman wore a cape other characters were given capes in their designs to identify they are superheroes. If you want to get psychological we identify ourselves through costumes "Roleplay" as a certain occupation as does society. So putting on a cape and wearing underwear outside your tights lets the world know they are a superhero as well as remind the hero of who they are.

#5 Edited by CrimsonCake (2611 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

Tradition.

#6 Posted by feebadger (1279 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

@Blood1991: That's the kind of stuff i'm talking about!

#7 Posted by corpsecraft (33 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

Siegel and Shuster's original intention with the underwear outside the tights was to make him look like a circus strongman, although why circus strongmen look like that I don't know. The cape I'm unsure about, but capes usually denote a level of power or importance above people without capes, so perhaps that's the meaning intended. It certainly seems that way with Captain Marvel, whose original costume was supposed to resemble ceremonial military garb, so perhaps that's the meaning behind Superman as well.

#8 Posted by JonSmith (2571 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

I believe Superman started out with a cape to basically keep the blanket he had as a baby with him in his costume.

Yes. Superman saves the world with his blankie.

As for other people in the DC verse, like Batman, his is far more practical. He uses it for gliding, to distract his enemies by sweeping it in their faces, to help him blend with shadows by wrapping it around him, covering the brighter parts of his costume. In some cases, he fireproofs it so he can use it as a shield against large amounts of heat, like when fighting Firefly. Continuing off the distraction aspect, it makes him appear bigger while fighting, with his cape sweeping around, his body vanishes within it, so it's harder to tell where he is to hit.

... I can't think of another hero who really uses a cape in mainstream comics.

In Marvel, you'd be hardpressed to find a person who still uses a cape. It's impractical in most cases. The only one I can think of is the Sentry. And he wears that partially to remind people that he's from an older time, so the cape harkens back to the old days when Superman pretty much defined the good guy stereotype.

... Still blanking on any other hero in DC and Marvel who uses a cape-THOR! Thor has a cape.

Though that's more of a fashion statement of Asgard. A display of formal regality. As a prince, it's a symbol of his stature. Hence why Odin also wears a cape: He's a king.

#9 Posted by Aiden Cross (14772 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

I wish capes would go in fashion in real life ;p

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#10 Posted by evilvegeta74 (3561 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

I'd wear a big black cape.

#11 Posted by KillerZ (1528 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

One good reason is always this

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#12 Posted by BiteMe-Fanboy (6654 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

Shhh. We don't ask that question.

#13 Posted by Billy Batson (54586 posts) - 6 months, 26 days ago - Show Bio

BB

#14 Posted by lykopis (7138 posts) - 6 months, 25 days ago - Show Bio

Well, I still tie the odd blanket/towels/raccoon around my neck and "fly" with my arms stuck out. I am convinced it will catch on, just like how one day, ONE DAY, my spinning round and round will transform me into Wonder Woman's long-lost littlest sister.

(what?)

#15 Posted by jesusdisciple001 (375 posts) - 6 months, 25 days ago - Show Bio

@KillerZ: one what comic is that from?@feebadger: in roman times gnerals and kings wore capes so thor wears a cape to signify royalty batman has been stated superman bcuz he can fly as stated by black lightning in a brave and bold episode most who wear capes show superiority like magneto and some heroes

#16 Posted by KillerZ (1528 posts) - 6 months, 25 days ago - Show Bio
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#17 Posted by jesusdisciple001 (375 posts) - 6 months, 25 days ago - Show Bio

@Billy Batson: where is that from

#18 Edited by xybernauts (856 posts) - 6 months, 25 days ago - Show Bio

I think @jesusdisciple001: is on the right track. I have always theorized that the concept of vigilantes wearing capes originated from the Three Musketeers or dress in general from that particular time period.

The type of capes the Musketeers wore were customary I believe I think it was designed to carry their seal/sigil or whatever of their house or something. The Three musketeers inspired Zorro, which was another popular vigilante. The only difference is his cape had no symbol on it. And from there Zorro inspired other cape wearing heroes like the Shadow. I think it's by this point that the original purpose of the cape became lost. Heroes began wearing capes because, to put it bluntly, they were copying off of other heroes. And so eventually the vigilante Superman gets a cape and the rest is history.

Circus Strongman and Strongwoman

Truthfully, the examples of heroes I use may not be the exact chain of inspiration, but you get the point. Like @jesusdisciple001: said, it was inspired by European dress from the Victorian era and prior ages.

On another note, superhero underwear was inspired by circus strongmen from the early 1900's

#19 Posted by jesusdisciple001 (375 posts) - 6 months, 25 days ago - Show Bio

@xybernauts: tanx

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