How to design a CUSTOM SUPERHERO COSTUME!!

[@gplgs4640]

On the note about capes and masks: I feel like, when used correctly and sparingly, capes can absolutely boost the look of a hero, despite their practical drawbacks. When it’s a superman-like hero, such as Omni Man from Invincible or Homelander from The Boys, a cape can give a much grander, larger-than-life feeling to their look. There’s no denying that when you look into the sky and see a hero watching from the skies above, a large flowing cape behind them can give another sense of awe and wonder to them that can make a unique costume really iconic. But only if it meshes well with the costume in the first place, or even the theme of the hero. Should you give a speedster like the Flash or a brute like the Hulk a cape? Your best bet is to drop it. But when you strike on a design for a superman-esque character that feels so good but also like it’s missing something…try a cape. It may be the missing piece. Capes in comic books are not about practicality: If practicality was their main focus, they wouldn’t have bombastic costumes to begin with. Capes have always been about character design, and maybe it’s what someone’s design could use. And for masks: Again, if you’re going for a hero more akin to the Man of Steel, you can always consider going the route of an exposed face. The absence of masks on some heroes has, to me, always symbolised a feeling of transparency in them. They have their perks, of course. Practically, they conceal their wearer’s identity. Spiritually, they allow a reader to imagine themselves as that hero. But removing one has its own symbolic meaning. When a masked hero reveals themselves, or a hero never wears one in the first place, it becomes an act of, again, transparency, of no longer hiding the person behind the mask. It evokes a deeper personal connection when you can see the uncovered face of the person in the suit (Which is why I love the scene in TASM where Spider-Man unmasks himself to comfort a child in a falling car). The absence of a mask does remove the ability to tell a story when that reveal is unwanted by the hero, but at the same time, one that never wears one to begin with shows that there is nothing of them to hide. This one’s more of a symbolic choice to make, but it’s all up to the person designing their superhero. This is just how i feel about those two points you made. Also I am so sorry for everyone that clicks on “read more” to see a wall of text swallow their screen. I just had a lot to say on the topic.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

I love your thoughtful examination of these costume elements! You're absolutely right about the capes, there is something inherently super about them - and, like with most of the advice I give, it should always be taken with a grain of salt, because sometimes things that shouldn't work in theory do a great job in practice. Also, I love what you said about masks allowing the reader to imagine themselves as the hero. For me, that's the part about superhero fiction that makes it so compelling to me. I'm always imagining myself as a hero, and like they say in Into The Spider-Verse, anyone can put on that mask and do what's right. That's what makes this genre so awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your insights, Super Friend! Glad to have you with us in the community. :D

[@Bluestudiosecond]

I thing you should make a video on this topic because this is a lot of information

[@JT_500]

JESUS THAT'S ALOT

[@mattpace1026]

There's also the fact that these are stories about people putting on colorful spandex and beating up robots, mutants, and aliens. They were never meant to be taken all that seriously.

[@quixotika3232]

7:34 Invincible touched on this topic once in the comic when they made fun of his shin guards. Your hero is supposed to be invincible and untouchable, the fact that he needs armour just makes him look weak.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Well, SOME heroes are supposed to appear invincible and untouchable. It depends on what angle you want to use for your story. For example, some characters have armor that serves a purpose in the story, like it was bestowed upon them by a supernatural deity like Wonder Woman, or it functions as part of their powerset like Iron Man. And of course there's always the cool factor of armor, like with Thor. I wouldn't say his helmet and chest plate make him look weak at all! (Not that that's necessarily a problem.)

[@Zoie3x8]

11:33 "i think im gonna stick with the whites" i would have gone ahead and made the logo, the gloves, and the underoos blue, just for keeping to the 3-color superhero motif.

[@doriandaykin2747]

The only time I've broken the colour rule is with my character The Lorikeet, an amateur fashion designer/superhero!

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Well, when it comes to fashion, as long as you play it BIG ENOUGH, anything's in style. Confidence, baby! xD Thanks for sharing, Super Friend!

[@tubbbss3064]

You deserve wayyyy more subs it's not much but u got one more now :)

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thank you so much, Super Friend!!! So glad to have you on the team.

[@Rassenomatjutut]

@@SuperheroSaturday And now, you've got one from me, too.

[@acevedosanimations5708]

@@SuperheroSaturday And me

[@amberrogers7653]

@@SuperheroSaturdayanother here!

[@StrangePolitician]

@@SuperheroSaturdayAnd another

[@human_bean62]

Thank you so much i am actually making my own real costume I'm rewatching this again and again. Im horrible at drawing though 😭

[@nextin_dabuilding2908]

Seeing these gives me CHILLS

[@human_bean62]

@@nextin_dabuilding2908 why

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Making costumes is the LITERAL best!! Drawing or designing superheroes is just like anything else, Super Friend: Keep practicing, and keep improving!!!

[@human_bean62]

@@SuperheroSaturday ok thanks :)

[@benmiller2554]

Same here

[@N.W.ANR1FAN]

the capes are usualy conected to the shoulders on the suit

[@JiffydaRhino]

Currently trying to design a speedster costume. Got the color scheme i wanna use just can't figure out how to design it

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Ah, the conundrum of design... Some quick free extra advice: Try something random, and then make it better! xD Keep creating, Super Friend!

[@bringtolife2586]

Your video helped me thx

[@RealRelatable1]

The video starts at 1:35

[@DoodlezWithIris]

Thank you

[@spiderboy2734]

It give me many idea for creative my hero.thank you so much!

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thank you! I’m glad to have helped!!!

[@clarechaddon2545]

I am so happy you mentioned that the revealing costumes are just stupid. They have been driving me crazy for forever!

[@SuperheroSaturday]

It's probably one of my biggest pet peeves of the whole genre... and it's going to take us creators a LONG time to reverse that tide. But it's worth it. :) Thanks for commisserating, Super Friend!

[@James-zr8vi]

I think it's actually super situational. Like, spandex is not protective at all it the first place, so there's not really a difference between wearing spandex and wearing nothing, but then why would heroes wear spandex? Well, most of them are usually invulnerable (like Superman or Power Girl) or at least have enhanced durablity (like Spider-Man or Captain America) The issue for me comes when a non superpowered or low superpowered character is wearing spandex or revealing costumes. Black Widow or Black Canary can fall into this trap depending on the artist (though Black Widow makes a lick more sense with the whole "seductress spy" shtick, but even then she should have at least something else for in battle.)

[@Nighthowlerschannel]

So far I'm trying to make a superhero universe and so far came up with a few themes but struggling with the designs. - A surgeon that wants to be a superhero but doesn't have any powers so she dresses up like one to help others in need. - A nobody turned millionaire who is a friend of the surgeon and has Technopathy, but never wanted to be a hero - A daredevil-like hero with explosion powers - A speedster who uses limiters to prevent herself from moving too fast she's afraid of vanishing from existence - And a k-pop designed mute Aquaman and Superman combined, with super strength, durability, able to swim across the globe as quickly as Superman would fly, and can command ocean life through telepathy.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Wow those are some really interesting characters, Super Friend! I love that you thought through their relationships with their powers and the hero life. And the k-pop inspired Aquaman/Superman character sounds so fun! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@Nighthowlerschannel]

@@SuperheroSaturday thank you so much!

[@SuperheroSaturday]

@Mexican Ceramic xD comic vine fanboys are so silly lol!

[@creighton.rhodes]

My superpower has healing abilities, which gives him force fields

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Ooh, fun combination! That would be a great superhero to have on a team. Thanks for sharing, Super Friend!!

[@MAC_Productions]

I like your character a lot and I’m saying this as a white male. I like it because there aren’t enough female super heroine, and there is not enough black superheroes, and that’s a reason why I like this.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thank you for saying something, Super Friend! I always try to support and create superheroes who come from a variety of backgrounds. There are plenty of amazing, wonderful voices out there waiting to be added to the pantheon of heroes.

[@skeletalwither]

Came back to the video after getting stuck on designing my own superhero costume for a character of mine but I'm still having a little trouble figuring it out. My character is based on the element of Silver, and she can turn her skin into this highly reflective surface that can easily manipulate light to do a multitude of things. (Some examples include concentrating light to make a hot beam like a laser or creating a bright light to blind her enemies. I'm still thinking of other techniques she could use, but you get the idea.) However, I don't know how to strike a balance between leaving enough skin for her powers to be useable and not leaving her too bare for the costume to be revealing. Do you have any advice?

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Interesting concept! I love the power idea! But you're right, it does pose a bit of an issue... You could always go the route of developing an in-universe material that works with her powers. (Think The Incredibles with Edna and her Incredi-Suits.) That way, she can turn the material "silver" like her skin (or even semi-transparent or light permeable) when she needs to use her powers, but when it's not active, it goes back to her default colored costume. And it could provide as much coverage as you want! Otherwise, I recommend something small but not too small, like a tunic or something with short sleeves. That way, she'll still have plenty of skin available to use her powers (like maybe using her hands to create those lasers or blinding lights) but she's still appropriate. Hope that helps, Super Friend!

[@Quinn_writes_stuff_5942]

I have an original hero who is known as Solar Falcon who has Vitiligo and a hearing aid, he's the vigilante of my original hero team called The Legends Of The Eternal Horizon, or, LOTEH for short.

[@somerandomguy9752]

Thanks

[@emanueljordan5265]

I love this

[@jtswafford]

Thank you I'm liking and subscribing

[@SahidulIslam-pv2jx]

Thanks to your books, I can make a superhero of my choice

[@Joe-km5ou]

My guy can channel the power of stars and make it into any thing ex. Sun swords, star lasers, etc.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Ooh, that is really interesting!!! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that before. Really cool!

[@Joe-km5ou]

@@SuperheroSaturday Thanks! Sorry for replying 5 months after you did

[@lennox.c4314]

imma be a hero now

[@SuperheroSaturday]

DO IT!!!! BE A HERO, SUPER FRIEND!!!!

[@lennox.c4314]

@@SuperheroSaturday thank you

[@wriththing9489]

where I can show my superhero when I'm done?

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thank you so much for participating! (Still working on that, lol.) Try liking us on Facebook at facebook.com/thefearlessnine and share an image on our fan page!

[@titaniumtv5102]

Soooo helpful thank you😃

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Soooo happy to help, Super Friend! :D Thanks for watching.

[@phantomgodxx5171]

I pick silver for the main and blue is the secondary

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Nice, Super Friend! Silver is a great main color-and not very common, which is cool. And blue is always a great color with that!

[@phantomgodxx5171]

@@SuperheroSaturday his name is silver lightning

[@SuperheroSaturday]

@@phantomgodxx5171 Beautiful! Makes perfect sense.

[@Cristian_that_artist]

wearing full clothing or amor isn't really necessary. especially if the hero is already somewhat invulnurable. When it comes to fighting the enemy wont be able to grapple on to the clothes.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

That's a fair point to consider, Super Friend. Especially with a bulky or cumbersome costume, a character might be at high risk for a grappling attack. Thanks for sharing!

[@sunnydsyoutube]

Yeah but the thing about the capes as most of these heroes are invincible but the video is awesome. Also the background music take over your voice

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Lol true, being invincible does help. And yes, my video editing skills have thankfully gotten a lot better since this video... 😅

[@sethcoberley1212]

So cool I’m a die heart Incredibles fan been sense I was a baby and my fav is dash and he speed but I went with a slim body with like a kid flash type suite but his power is forming lazer blades on his hands and can teliport

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Ooh, interesting combination! Definitely haven't seen that before. Happy creating, Super Friend!

[@supremexemperor5761]

Good video what is the website name?

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thanks so much, Super Friend! It's FearlessNine.com. :D

[@supremexemperor5761]

@@SuperheroSaturday hi mam I am asking abt the website in which you have created superhero suit?

[@darlalathan6143]

Cool! Just what I was thinking!

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thank you, Super Friend! Great minds think alike. ;)

[@rohitaparajuli3489]

Thanks👍😊

[@C14RANN]

love this. subbed!

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Aww, thank you, Super Friend! Glad to have you on the team.

[@dragon-id5uj]

lol, my character's called "the leopardmoth", so the point about leopard print xtra applies

[@SuperheroSaturday]

DUDE, that's rough! (But cool character idea!) You can do it, Super Friend!

[@maryduarte3248]

I would like to see how can you make your own the flash outfit i know there is so many different outfits for the tv show cw 11 not sure if you if you already have a flash video

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Unfortunately, I don't really make costumes that you can wear. I can hardly thread a needle, much less sew. But I'm thinking of doing more digital designs in the future, and Flash would be a great character to take on. Thanks for the suggestion, Super Friend!

[@comicfan1324]

I would have to disagree about the capes. Yes, realistically it may not be very practical unless you incorporated into your fighting style. but from a design standpoint, the Keith is meant to help draw attention to the hero by making them look bigger and more intimidating or noble, depending on how they go about making the Cape

[@JessicaMeza-dt2ye]

This helped a lot thank you soooo much 😁😁😆😆😆😄😄😄😃😃😀😀😀👍👍

[@versichie22]

Thank you this is so helpful I really appreciate it 😊

[@SilverSin]

And another sub right now.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thanks so much, Super Friend!! Welcome to the team.

[@atilanoiiiamores4742]

costumes are best when concealed under normal street clothes, but what about those with armor?

[@SuperheroSaturday]

That's an excellent question, Super Friend. Different characters have employed different strategies for this. Some use collapsible nanotechnology, others pack their super suit in a carrying case of some kind, and still others board their armor suits like they would a vehicle (example: Iron Man). That would actually be a good discussion for a video, too. Thanks for the comment!!

[@Himmyjewett]

Or magic

[@MactGamer]

Good

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thanks :D

[@coreyclark20]

Love this

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thank you, Super Friend! Glad to hear you're enjoying the content. :D

[@usernotanymoreavalibleplsg1846]

I would like a japanese style like a guys with a blue and green haori and a mask with a straw hat with flip flops and just long pants

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Drawing on culture for a costume can be a very fun, powerful way to give your character a distinct style! Nice thinking, Super Friend!

[@kingamvs6358]

I wish i had found this tutorial years ago for my red knight character. don't really see super hero costume designs

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Well, better late than never haha! I love superhero costume designs, and I wanted to share some of my design process with my fellow Super Friends. Thanks for watching!!!

[@kingamvs6358]

@@SuperheroSaturday anytime, i love watching art tutorial videos i draw my self so. it goes hand and hand.

[@acegaming4664]

Yep

[@noname-prt2]

YOU DESERVE MORE SUBSCRIBERS!!!!!

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thank you so much, Super Friend!!! Keep up the hype, share with your fellow heroes, and those numbers will keep on rising!

[@noname-prt2]

:) ur welcome

[@gl1ms3.34]

im making a hero named Windy rn and i want to make a costume for her but i dont know what to have and use : - [

[@SuperheroSaturday]

The creative struggle is real, Super Friend. I love your superhero name, though, so you're already on the right track!! I suggest finding other heroes with similar powers, backgrounds, and styles to yours and seeing what you like or don't like about their costumes. That's a great way to spark inspiration. Good luck!!!

[@atilanoiiiamores4742]

a full face mask with hard parts to protect the head/temple and chin

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Yes, that's a great idea! Especially since that's where people seem to get punched a lot. xD Thanks for sharing, Super Friend!

[@Dikoalam636]

You deserve more subs *Boop* Subscribed

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Why thank you, Super Friend!!! Welcome to the team.

[@maryduarte3248]

Hi my son is a big fan of superman he wants to find out how to make his own christopher reeve classic film superman outfit and relstic and close to his and Dean Cain superman to thanks for sharing your video

[@SuperheroSaturday]

I absolutely love Dean Cain as Superman!!! The show is a little cheesy and campy in retrospect, but it's very true to the character in my opinion. Although I'm not good at textile arts AT ALL. I don't know how actual costume designers manage that haha. Good luck to you and your son, Super Friend!!!

[@corbindoesthings1795]

any name ideas for a pancake themed hero?

[@SuperheroSaturday]

LOVE the concept. Interesting namin challenge, though.... My gut says Short Stack, or even just Stack. Maybe Super Syrup and the Stacks for a hero with a couple of sidekicks or a team?

[@AngieMerazmendoza-mk5xq]

Iam new to your channel iam a arist and can you do a video on how to come up with superhero names your videos are fun to watch

[@Himmyjewett]

I think this really is meant for street heroes, people on the level of Clark or anyone with John in their name doesn't need to worry about armor or capes

[@americangirlfamily2852]

“NO CAaPEs!!!”- Edna

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Iconic.

[@annaewrites]

What art program is this?

[@SuperheroSaturday]

This program is called Sketchable. It's a free drawing program from Microsoft that works with my Surface Pro tablet. I don't actually use it anymore, but it's great in a pinch for drawing on a screen!

[@Rassenomatjutut]

Could you please make superhero vehicle and H.Q tutorials? 😇🙏 Btw, I'm a fan of Batman, Spider-Man and Power Rangers.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

OH MY GOODNESS, I LOVE BOTH OF THOSE IDEAS. I'm adding those to the list right now!!!! Thanks so much for the suggestion, Super Friend!

[@themeeme4132]

I finally made my old suit 😎😎

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Congrats, Super Friend!!!!

[@keralamachanzz]

Hey iam from india., kerala. Nice vedio 💯

[@TXCSymbiont]

U wanna do a iron man like armor

[@idongesitusen5764]

NO CAPES -Edna Mode

[@josteinhenrique2779]

Stasis looks great

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thank you!!!! I definitely enjoyed playing with that character design. :D

[@yousefhssni]

BTW Staesis is in No Way Home JK

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Took me way too long to find the JK... xD Thanks for the lols, Super Friend!

[@yousefhssni]

Omg she actually replied😨

[@doda508]

a costume is not supposed to be completely realistic or practical it's a symbol, it's about being iconic or attractive.comics aren't supposed to be real life and neither are there costumes.wonder womans look is iconic and characters like wonder woman and power girl dont need to wear armor they are durable.batman or captain America dont go around in body armor all the time there costumes arnt ment to be a complete accurate representation of the real world.look at characters like Wolverines hes built like a bodybuilder and is shredded. and his costume reveals every muscle and striation.they dont explain it but he looks that way because it looks cool 1,its heroic, and he looks like the ideal person or what we think of when w think of a "super" person

[@savageboiduh3175]

Who? Asked.😐

[@Red19654]

SAVAGEBOI DUH he was just giving tips on how to make a great hero be more grateful

[@savageboiduh3175]

@@Red19654 read my comment again.

[@Red19654]

SAVAGEBOI DUH oh

[@SuperheroSaturday]

That's a fair point. I might make a video in the future addressing this topic. Definitely a good one to discuss!

[@user-ho1kj7hv6y]

Im making hero named: HYPER-MAN

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Awesome cryptonym, Super Friend! Happy creating!

[@trooper288]

waht website is that

[@SuperheroSaturday]

My website? It's FearlessNine.com, and it has all my books and original superheroes on it. The drawing program? It's called Sketchable, and it's one of Microsoft's standard free tools to draw with the Surface Pro tablet. I don't use it anymore, but it's good in a pinch. Hope that helps, Super Friend!

[@trooper288]

@@SuperheroSaturday omg tysm

[@acegaming4664]

And you got one more sub 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Thanks so much for joining the team, Super Friend!!! So glad you're on board! :D :D :D

[@stormstevens1590]

"No capes" - Wise words. "Full body costume, no skin" - Wiser words. Just don't look at Dick Grayson in his panties, literally traipsing around the most dangerous city at night with nothing but a leotard, gloves and a cape. ...this is why Batman claims to work alone. He simply can't stand telling anyone he has a partner, admitting he beats up criminals with...that shameless chaotic little munchkin, Robin.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

xD "Shameless chaotic little munchkin" is probably one of the most hilariously accurate descriptions of Robin I've ever heard. Thanks for sharing those wise words, Super Friend!

[@Bluestudiosecond]

I followed the steps but I was making a villain but it was still vary helpful

[@SuperheroSaturday]

I'm glad it was helpful! Also, GREAT IDEA FOR A VIDEO!!! I'm writing that down. Hopefully I'll have that video for you soon, Super Friend!!

[@Gamerstrats1987]

Metal man needs a costume. Colors: 1st: silver 2nd: green

[@SuperheroSaturday]

I like the silver and green combo for a man with metal! Keep creating, Super Friend! :D

[@sharksuperiority9736]

I agree with most of the tips in this, the colour thing is a bit weird, colour theory is used in art for a reason, but thats a more subjective thing. My only real complaint is with the idea that a suit has to cover the entire body. For plenty of characters it works fine, but it doesn’t really leave room for superpowers . Plenty of powers rely on at least some revealed skin to function, like if your skin can produce something (Ie: fire, poison, spikes, etc). And if you can shapeshift, then the suit would either massively restrict your movement, or rip if you tried to alter your body underneath it. I generally give exposed skin in areas where its needed for a character, so forearms for characters that produce substances from their skin (or lower legs if that fits their fighting style), or in specific areas for shapeshifters (characters who can alter their arms will need exposed arms, characters who can manifest wings would need slits in their back, etc) You could always write in an excuse as to why your suit can either let your power flow through it without being obstructed (Ie: Human Torch), or how it can stretch massively so it can move with your body (Ie: Mr. Fantastic or Elastigirl). But i personally find my method simpler, and less reliant tropey nonsense science Ultimately design will always be a matter of opinion, but I figured I’d share my thoughts.

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Yes, thank you for sharing your thoughts!!! And excellent points. I like the idea of past the elbow / below the knee for characters whose powers either manifest or emanate from those areas. My main problem is that in the past, creators have used this as an excuse to create overly-revealing or hyper-sexualized costumes... and I'd rather keep that nonsense out of crime-fighting whenever possible. But there are certainly times when some accomodations can be made with great success! (And, depending on the power, in ways that make more sense than "the costume just magically works for them" lol.) Thanks again for sharing!!!

[@akuminlajamir6786]

I designing a super hero named Ninja man

[@SuperheroSaturday]

I like it! Sounds like a fun hero to work with. Thanks for sharing, Super Friend!!!

[@primary9156]

I have a design

[@SuperheroSaturday]

Excellent, Super Friend!!! Keep on creating!!!!

[@JimmyRaven-v5x]

wasgud

[@Evbot1337]

The colors are disgusting

[@SuperheroSaturday]

The colors were randomized, Super Friend, that's why they're all over the place. I don't think I'd pick those together if I had a choice. xD

[@doda508]

wtf is this