20 of the Worst Superhero Costumes

Image via Marvel Comics

Some superhero costumes are iconic and even beautiful. Others, well, don’t quite fit the bill. Follow along for 20 of the worst superhero costumes ever.

When you think of superheroes, you naturally think of their costumes. It’s necessarily a big part of their image, given that they’re based in visual mediums like comics and film.

The right costume can be striking, memorable, and even iconic. I only need to say the word “Superman”, and you’re instantly thinking of a black-haired, muscle-bound man flying around in a blue and red jumpsuit. Of course, regardless of what Edna Mode thinks, Superman also sports a classic red cape (not to mention the classic red undies).

Alas, however, costumes don’t also get it quite so right something. Whether the sartorial disaster in question is on a new superhero, or it’s sported by a legacy character, it can still metaphorically stink up the place.

It should go without saying, but just to cover my comics-loving behind: none of these critiques are meant necessarily to critique the character themselves. After all, it’s not Power Girl’s fault that she’s been stuck with such a terrible costume for so long. My ire, instead, is directed towards whoever decided that a chest window was a good idea.

Though female superheroes and comics women in general are finally getting some level of respect and recognition, they still have to face off against a sexist and, at times, even misogynistic history. What else can you call it when Starfire’s costume has the surface area of five band-aids? Or that fact that Wonder Woman is forced to go through several iterations of a costume that are, at heart, just different sets of underwear?

Of course, it’s not as if men are exempt from the bad costume plague. Even big-time, a-lister heroes such as Superman and Batman have run afoul of the fashion police many fine times. They, too, are arguably victims of sexism in comics, especially during the muscle craze of the 1990s. You’ll see what I’m talking about, at any rate.

Whether or not you agree with the social commentary, chances are you’ll concur with these costumes’ spots on this list. Buckle in and prepare yourself for some of the worst superhero costumes in comics history.