DC Comics, but not all superheroes are created equal.

Some of the most iconic superheroes have received major makeovers when they jumped off the printed

page.

Here’s how DC superheroes should really look.

Superman

There is no shortage of angry fans' gripes about the DC Extended Universe version of

Superman...but his appearance probably isn't one of them.

Though it's not an exact replica of the comics character's usual threads, Henry Cavill's

physical appearance for the role isn't one of the DC Extended Universe's problems.

Unless, that is, you really like red underpants.

One of the most prominent distinctions of the new Kal-El costume is the fact that, like

everything else about the modern take, it's much darker.

Whereas the Superman of old donned bright blue tights with bright red accents and a

cape, the new suit is somewhere in the deep denim family.

With a scaly texture woven throughout, Superman's super-suit appears much rougher than the leotards

of Krypton's past.

And, of course, it's not hard to miss the fact that Cavill's costume also ditches the

thick belt and outer britches featured in the drawings.

It makes sense, too...Superman's original outer-underpants design was based on that

of circus strongmen of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

That's not really a thing anymore, so it’s probably okay to drop the underoos...they

finally have in the comics, too.

Batman

In 2016's super-punch-fest, Dawn of Justice, Ben Affleck's Batman was most obviously inspired

by the Caped Crusader's journey in the 1986 comic miniseries The Dark Knight Returns.

In the four-part Frank Miller epic, an older Bruce returns from retirement to combat rampant

violence that has taken over Gotham City and dukes it out with Superman along the way.

His costume, too, is clearly inspired by the series.

The slate gray color, shorter "ears" on the cowl, and the size and shape of the bat-emblem,

is pretty much a direct mirror of Miller's vision, and the surest giveaway for the Batfleck's

true inspiration.

Well, that, and the fact that he basically said it in an interview.

"Zack was heavily influenced by that, I think everyone's heavily influenced by that, that's

the seminal work.

So, I don't think there's any of these that have been made that haven't drawn from that

book, because it's so good."

Wonder Woman

Lynda Carter's version of Wonder Woman from the '70s TV show established a very literal

rendition of the iconic DC character.

But when Gal Gadot re-introduced Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, she

did it in an updated outfit.

Instead of the red, yellow, and blue primary color scheme she typically wears in the comics,

she dons metallic body armor that fits in nicely beside the new, grittier versions of

Batman and Superman.

Based on that and what she's worn in footage from 2017's Wonder Woman feature, it seems

that the amazing Amazon's classic outfit has been translated nearly perfectly to the big

screen.

Aquaman

While other superheroes have a long history of on-screen adaptations, Aquaman has only

appeared on television a handful of times...and all of them favored his usual orange and green

style.

Instead, actor Jason Momoa seems to borrow more from Aquaman’s later, more grizzled

look, wearing a costume that highlights his incredible brawn.

It's basically Poseidon meets Khal Drogo.

And that's awesome.

Still, this version of Aquaman will always be closest to our hearts.

(weird Aquaman sounds)

"Oh, hello old chum."

Green Arrow

Green Arrow's costume on television has gone through some tweaks, but none have quite lined

up with the Emerald Archer's longtime look from the comics.

While the original is a not-so-subtle tribute to Robin Hood, Stephen Amell looks far darker

and more leathery in the new suit.

Additionally, for Arrow's first season, Ollie didn't even bother wearing anything to cover

his face, opting instead for black greasepaint.

Eventually he wised up and went with a mask, while keeping the practical and modernized

hood to go with the show's urban setting.

The Flash

What happens when you have a TV show about a superhero, but you want to include the same

character in your movies without impacting either one?

You end up with Grant Gustin and Ezra Miller both playing a dude named Barry Allen, the

Flash, the fastest man alive.

Well, the fastest fictional man alive, at least.

The costume from the CW's TV series is mostly faithful to the comic book original, but it's

a deeper shade of red and has some unique style choices: there's the lightning bolt

seams in the headpiece that reflects his New 52 comic counterpart, the fact that his boots

are red instead of the signature yellow, and the the lightning trimmings from his waist

and forearms have been reduced and removed, respectively.

"I'm the Flash"

"The who now?"

Ezra Miller's movie Flash is even more distinct, looking almost like he’s wearing armor.

The inspiration for Miller's movie Flash, it seems, is the character's look in the Injustice

video game series.

In fact, Gustin has declared himself a fan of the new Flash aesthetic, calling it "sick"

and adding that he's "glad it's really different" and takes a different approach than the TV

show's "street, vintage feel."

Hopefully one day they'll actually meet, and we'll get a true "Flash of Two Worlds" style

crossover.

Nerds can dream, can't they?

Kid Flash

Kid Flash's costume got a few alterations in The Flash TV series, too.

The costume worn by TV's Wally West has a mustardy hue rather than a primary yellow,

and sewn-in gloves, as opposed to the separate pieces in the comics.

Meanwhile, his belt is thicker and distinct, with a deeper shade of red.

Of course, one of the most significant and interesting changes is that this version of

Kid Flash is African-American, a new spin on a character who for years in the comics

was white.

Because comics are endlessly confusing, there is a comic book version of Kid Flash who reflects

this new interpretation...but no matter who you think of as Wally West, that's still a

pretty darn accurate costume.

The Atom

While there are some nods to the old comics rendition of the Atom, the character's on-screen

adaptation seems to have included a full-on molecular transformation from his original

appearance.

Brandon Routh's outfit incorporates pieces of Atom's upgrade from DC Comics' New 52 reboot,

like his exosuit and armored helmet in place of his mask.

Andy Poon, the concept artist who created the new costume, wrote that the decision to

replace the character's signature spandex suit was for practical reasons, but he still

"tried to emulate the feel of the traditional blue and red pattern as much as possible while

keeping it more on the grounded sci-fi armor."

Martian Manhunter

The Manhunter from Mars, alternately known as J'onn J'onzz, has been through a lot of

changes over his many eras of fictional existence, and his live-action adaptation in TV's Supergirl

adds to the character's evolutionary history.

On the show, David Harewood's makeup-enhanced look for Martian Manhunter draws from bits

and pieces of his comic past—the shape of his head mirrors the New 52 style, while his

cross-shaped red chest design seems like more of a nod to the style he's rocked for years.

Meanwhile, the shape of his eyes and the spherical orbs on his costume are callbacks to the Martian's

2006 standalone miniseries, while the costume itself seems like a militarized version of

what the character was drawn with in the cartoon Justice League: Doom.

Even so, the Martian's TV version stands on its own.

Supergirl

If you're a superhero, chances are good you've gone through a few significant costume changes

here and there.

And that's more true for Supergirl than most.

So when Warner Brothers decided to bring the Girl of Steel to the small screen, they had

plenty of outfits to choose from—which showrunners poked fun at during the show's pilot episode:

"I'm not flying around saving people in this thing.

I wouldn't wear this to the beach.

Where's my cape?"

"Cape's are lame!"

Fortunately, good sense prevailed and Melissa Benoist's Supergirl wears what's probably

the character's best version of the outfit.

Even with the textured fabric that's become a staple of live-action superheroics, the

Supergirl costume has all the most important elements, from the bold blue top to the bright

red boots, skirt, and cape.

It's indisputable: Supergirl's definitely the best-dressed hero on television.

"Nice to meet you by the way."

"Nice to meet you too!"

"I really like your outfit."

"I like your glasses."

"Thanks!"

Wish we could say the same thing for the Red Tornado.

Yikes.

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