superheroes are super, it sounds stupid but think about it. super basically means better than normal, so whether they have powers or not all crimefighters are superheroes, this is the reason i use most often when arguing with friends about whether batman is a superhero.
perfect bodies are more appealing than standard bodies, every part of a superhero exudes 'superness' so its only fair that they all have bodies like models. people are complaining about female costumes but stop and think, if it weren't for underwear batman, superman, the flash, green lantern, spider-man (need i go on?) they would all be showing their junk. a woman's is just that bit more obvious, even without the spandex.
spandex is lightweight and very difficult to grab a hold of, baggy clothes would forever be getting pulled by criminals or caught on barbed wire leaving the hero/heroine stranded and open to attack. the ability to cope with a cape only comes with superior training, and some may claim they are superfluous and dangerous (edna mode) but they can be extremely useful when utilised efficiently.
female's without superstrength (black canary, huntress, batgirl etc.) will not be as strong as a man in the same position, even after years of training, and if they still wish to blend in with the crowd when in their civilian identities they can't walk around inconspicuously if they look like a female-body builder.
as for those heroines with superstrength, any advantage over an opponent is welcome, most criminals will be male, if they don't act because they are distracted by a cracking rack or because they underestimate a woman it makes the heroines life easier. for a male equivalent look at dick grayson's robin, y-fronts and pixie boots, he didn't need an advantage but if it takes less energy to dispatch a villain it can only be a good thing, more efficient crimefighting.
at the end of the day comic books are a form of entertainment, and if people are entertained watching 'normal' people strolling around they should watch the travesty that is Big Brother. but i hate to be the bearer of bad news, 'normal' for both america and the u.k. is overweight. fact. if you want fat superheroes stop reading comic books.
rant over, keep the sexy outfits, they are an advantage, stop complaining. the characters are not weaker because they show flesh, its just another route writers can take to get a laugh. as can be seen at the link below (image from superman/batman : public enemies).
http://welltuncares.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/power-girl-2.gif
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