Best & Worst Superhero Costumes - Poll Results
Superpowers are nice and all, but just as vital to the superhero mystique is the costume. Can you imagine someone trying to save the world in a sweatshirt and jeans? Wouldn't stand a chance.
With 'Watchmen'adding some slick new additions to the costume department, we asked users to vote on which crimefighters have donned the coolest outfits. Click through to see the poll results after almost one million votes, as we count "down" superhero costumes from coolest to lamest.
Warner Bros.(2) | Paramount | 20th Century Fox
Spider Man (Black Version)
Played by: Tobey Maguire in 'Spider Man 3' (2007)
Sure, the red suit is a classic -- but the black threads Tobey Maguire dons in 'Spider Man 3' are the perfect expression of his transformation into an edgier, angstier, more emo webslinger.
You Said...
Super-cool: 91%
Super-lame: 9%
Sony
Iron Man
Played by: Robert Downey Jr. in 'Iron Man' (2008)
It takes a righteously inventive dude like Tony Stark to fashion a suit of red and gold that gives him the power of flight, fight and might. He has no special abilities at all without it, making it a super costume indeed.
You Said...
Super-cool: 89%
Super-lame: 11%
Paramount
Batman
Played by: Christian Bale in 'Batman Begins' (2005)
Christian Bale's 'Batman Begins'/'Dark Knight' Batsuit strikes the perfect balance of form and function: Not only is it fear-strikingly badass, but it features tons of nifty state-of-the-art gadgets and armor to ensure that the Dark Knight always vanquishes his foes.
You Said...
Super-cool: 87%
Super-lame: 13%
Warner Bros.
Batman
Played by: Michael Keaton in 'Batman' (1989)
Before Christopher Nolan entered the scene, Tim Burton took the Bat a bit darker (no more Bam! Kapow!). We've long thought Michael Keaton's personification in Burton's 1989 flick is under-rated, as is his getup. The neoprene suit made us believe 'Mr. Mom' was a superhero. Talk about Bam! Kapow!
You Said...
Super-cool: 82%
Super-lame: 18%
Everett Collection
Spider-Man
Played by: Tobey Maguire in 'Spider-Man' (2003)
With great power comes great responsibility -- to dress the part of respectable arachnid-bitten good guy. Created by Peter Parker for his aborted career as a pro wrestler, the suit was retooled when Parker decided to use his power for good.
You Said...
Super-cool: 82%
Super-lame: 18%
Sony
Elektra
Played by: Jennifer Garner in 'Elektra' (2005)
Jennifer Garner's Elektra costume does little to hide her identity (or much of anything else) -- nothing like pummeling baddies whilst wearing crimson Victoria's Secret lingerie.
You Said...
Super-cool: 80%
Super-lame: 20%
Doane Gregory, 20th Century Fox
Wolverine
Played by: Hugh Jackman in 'X-Men' (2000)
The X-Men's superpowers are derived from genetic mutations, but there's nothing freaky about the team uniform. Luckily all the good mutants can rock a tight black one-piece -- none more pleasingly than Wolverine.
You Said...
Super-cool: 80%
Super-lame: 20%
20th Century Fox
Silk Spectre II
Played by: Malin Akerman in 'Watchmen' (2009)
The getup Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman) sports while fighting crime in 'Watchmen' looks like something a futuristic stripper would wear -- and we mean that in the best possible way.
You Said...
Super-cool: 77%
Super-lame: 23%
Warner Bros.
Catwoman
Played by: Halle Berry in 'Catwoman' (2004)
Say what you will about the movie (oh, and we do), but Catwoman's costume -- a black distressed leather suit -- is not the reason this franchise didn't fly.
You Said...
Super-cool: 74%
Super-lame: 26%
Warner Bros.
Reader Comments (54)
Rich at 5:02AM on Mar 6th 2009
Let's see... four Batman costumes and only one Superman costume. I'll admit the Chris Reeve Superman costume was likely the best incarnation of the iconic suit...the plastic monstrosity that Brian Singer made Brandon Routh wear the last time out was probably the worst. Still the story did say "movie history" which would/should include Kirk Alyn's costume in the two 1940's Superman serials and of course George Reeves outfit in the movie house released Superman and The Mole Men, precursor to the TV series of the 50s. Reeves actually had a black and white costume and a color costume so there's an extra there on the TV show and the shows were recut for theatrical release as well.
george at 8:24PM on Mar 7th 2009
She is HOT!!!!!!!!!!
tmechanic at 8:39PM on Mar 7th 2009
Did the writer of this article even watch any of these movies?
hellbob at 8:47PM on Mar 7th 2009
Hey What about Mystique (Romaine) from the X-men movies - she has the best outfit - and probably the smallest one too!,
Bill Hawkins at 8:52PM on Mar 7th 2009
No Lynda Carter as Womder Woman? She set the standard aaginst which all other female superheroes are measured. In a Hollywood filled with short, skinny actresses, who can project an image of power to match the tall and curvy Amazon Princess? True, she did not do a movie version, but there is supposedly a Wonder Woman film in the works. Who can play that role in the shadown of Lynda Carter's defining portrayal?
Sara at 9:15PM on Mar 7th 2009
Batman's Costume that Christian Baile wore was awsome!!!
Kira at 9:01PM on Mar 7th 2009
I agree... did the write even watch these movies?? Spider Man (Black Version)... are you serious?
twowheeldad at 9:25PM on Mar 7th 2009
Yes wonder woman started itr all
Bopco at 9:10PM on Mar 7th 2009
Brass Yanos most goodus outfit
wahine at 9:12PM on Mar 7th 2009
Where is Wonder Woman.....how could we forget about her???
Bopco at 9:11PM on Mar 7th 2009
Brass Yanos is most goodus outfit
Mike at 9:32PM on Mar 7th 2009
Frozone is the best; followed by Steel and the Superman/Supergirl suits
Rocketeer is the worst; followed by all the Watchmen costumes, which are uniformly bad.
Gitmosexual at 9:44PM on Mar 7th 2009
What about Doctor Manhattan and why no vote for before and after a superhero's suit is inevitably torn to shreds in a battle or when it fails to contain all of their 'awesomeness'?
Jay at 9:53PM on Mar 7th 2009
You forgot Michele Fifer's cat woman she was hot
Mr. Edaw at 9:52PM on Mar 7th 2009
Bill, you answered your own question about why no Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman...There has been no Wonder Woman movie, so there is no costume to vote on.
But the real burning question is, Where is Howard the Duck? I figured he'd score about 99% on super-lame...LOL.
REANBEAN6 at 11:28PM on Mar 7th 2009
SEXY YES, SHE MADE THAT ALFIT WORK AND LOOKED INCREDEIBLE.
SO ONE COULD HAVE DONE THAT PICTURE BETTER THEN J.G. LINDA CARTER LOOK LIKE CARTOON YES.... BUT JENNIFER NOT ONLY LOOKED GREAT SEXY ETC, BUT SHE MOVED LIKE A TRUE WARRIOR AND MADE YOU BELIEVE SHE WAS ELECTRA JENNIFER GARNER IS A AMAZING ACTRESS. JUST CHECK OUT THE SCENE WHEN SHE JUMPS OUT OF THE WINDOW AND LANDS..... NO OTHER FILM I HAVE EVER SEEM CAPTURES BEAUTY AT THAT MOMENT.
SEXY YES.
Tammy at 10:02PM on Mar 7th 2009
Jennifer all the way she was great and sexy. Also a hell of a actor with need more woman super HERO.
Tammy at 10:07PM on Mar 7th 2009
Michele was great to.
isis rose at 10:08PM on Mar 7th 2009
NANANANA BATMAN!
Celandine at 10:09PM on Mar 7th 2009
Batman's costume was great, and it was even better in The Dark Knight. Jennifer Garner's in Elektra, however, was kind of silly in my opinion. First of all, it's red. Who can possibly miss you when you're wearing red? You're a dead shot! Second, it's too open. She's got too much skin exposed. That makes it easy to get cut or stabbed. Female heroes should be dressed sexy, but smart. Tight's okay, but a lady should never wear anything that can be easily yanked at, or anything that reveals too much flesh; it leaves her body open and vulnerable.