WHY Do Superheroes Wear Capes (And When Did They Stop)?

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Capes are thought of as part of the archetype for superheroes. So where did that come from? How accurate is the perception? What purpose does a cape serve? That's what this episode digs into.

[@MisterJax]

They stopped because Edna Mode decided to stop designing costumes with them.

[@Parallax-3D]

NO CAPES!!

[@superj7771]

Edna just make it a detachable cape you dumb ****!!! AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

[@user-ut7hh3zb2f]

Capes get you sucked into jet engines. Do not want.

[@superj7771]

Me: You make amazing hero suits. Why can't you make the capes detachable, Edna. Edna: Umm...

[@LordRazer3]

​@@superj7771It's a villain thing. I really wish I could recall WHO it was but there are a few out there that do have detachable capes. There mostly for show boating. Not really relevant but starwars general Grievous and his cloak are an example on how they work

[@josephkolar3443]

Back in the 70s, Captain America became Nomad and his first costume had a cape because “he always wanted to try it out.” He immediately tripped over it during his first fight and promptly ditched it.

[@arghsonofcliff]

Ya he totally missed on the nomad thing. That was the first thing to come to my mind when seeing title.

[@WayneD.Ashford]

@josephkolar3443:Lol...😂

[@The.Crystal.Clods.]

Amazing lmao

[@MrDman21]

Spawn has a ridiculously long cape that he doesn't even need.

[@WayneD.Ashford]

@@MrDman21 ...most of the characters in comics have ridiculously-long capes...it'd be SO funny to just line Superman's cape with Kryptonite

[@MegaJetty1]

I always looked at capes as being a symbol that THAT particular superhero can fly/glide, like Mario in Super Mario World, he picks up a feather but then it turns into a cape that allows him to fly/glide.

[@sevenbark]

I agree - just think about how many kids broke bones after tying a blanket around their neck and jumping off the garage!

[@MegaJetty1]

@@sevenbark 😆😆😆

[@znail4675]

This is kind of ironic as Superman couldn't fly from the start, but still had a cape.

[@kyriss12]

they also signify a character whose either ominous or regal, Spector, magneto, dr doom, Exodus.

[@MegaJetty1]

@@kyriss12 True that.

[@anotherspaceboy]

Neo in The Matrix's trench coat certainly evokes a cape, especially when he flies.

[@jacobstaten2366]

Also a priest's long coat.

[@jamessatter7418]

Dick Grayson is an interesting example of a character who began with a cape as Barman's sidekick Robin, and then drops the cape as Nightwing.

[@ngominh259]

And the suit is beautiful. It feels aerodynamic, futuristic, sleek, and serious. The black bodysuit with a single blue/red bird symbol across the chest gives the character a serious and even inhuman appearance, with the boxer removed to take away the traditional superhero/strongman appearance. The eskrima sticks are the cherry on top. The design is mature, powerful, but still extremely distinct and streamlined. Next to the Batman suit you can immediately tell the power relation between the 2 characters and especially Nightwing's focus on acrobatics.

[@tchitchouan]

i am the nightclub i am the vineyard I AM BARMAN

[@marsupius]

Barman is awesome. World's greatest bar tender.

[@davfree9732]

Everyone knows he dropped the cape for cake.

[@0Aberration]

Ah, you think the bar is your ally? You merely adopted the bar, I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't drink plain water until I was already a man...

[@t7plus]

The word 'escape' is derived from the Latin 'excappa' which literally means to get out of your cloak (or cape). If someone is holding you by your cloak, you 'escape' by undoing it.

[@The.Crystal.Clods.]

That’s a great piece of info🦸

[@T.R.R.Jolkien]

Super cool 😎

[@57snador]

Tal- Liss is the pronunciation.

[@heroineburgh]

@@57snador That's in Ashkenazic Hebrew, or Yiddish. In Sephardic Hebrew (Israeli), it's Talit (Tah-Leet). In Ancient Hebrew, it would have been Talith (Tah-Leeth), like 'Lilith' or 'Judith'. Speaking of which, Chris failed to mention a very interesting Jewish-related cape from Marvel: the Israeli superheroine Sabra!

[@TheMoonLayingLow]

This is false. "Ex" means "out of" and "cappa" means cape OR hat. So you could say this refers to "out of the hat", like magicians. Basically, etymology is never as clean as you wish it was.

[@geoffreyguestion2843]

Moon Knight's cape forming a crescent and literally enveloping the panel, fusing it with the gutter, has always been one of my favorite visual tropes.

[@zachariahmerry2396]

The current Moon Knight's run (well, I guess given it changed name and reset the number after issue #30 it's "current and previous") way of utilizing Moon Knight's design is particularly effective. They also evoke the whole "I want you to see me" by making it look like he's almost glowing while wearing his white suit in the night. Utterly fantastic comic.

[@jonbrewer297]

I think of that really as a cloak? Great for the "magic and horror" side of comics.

[@evilforestspirit]

i love it when they make his cape massive

[@Rose-yx6jq]

11:56 As Batman once said "Any good superhero cape should have a quick release collar." I'm paraphrasing but my point is there. Many of those deaths could have been prevented with a quick release.

[@user-lf3kr1nq2d]

11:57, was she sucked into the plane's engine? Not sure a quick release would help at that altitude! Unless she has an emergency chute... that could work.

[@Rose-yx6jq]

@@user-lf3kr1nq2d she is flying. The Cape is not what is giving her the ability of flight like super Mario.

[@RonJohn63]

Engineers (back when engineers wore ties) going onto the shop floor, and policemen are mandated to wear clip-on ties.

[@kyriss12]

@@user-lf3kr1nq2d quick release clips on stuff like that isn't a snap you undo with your fingers. They're basically designed with a clasp that breaks apart with a hard tug.

[@HenryLoenwind]

@@user-lf3kr1nq2d Honestly, flying in front of a jet engine when you don't have the flying power to resist the intake and the invulnerability to survive a trip through it is just plain stupid, cape or not. That one would have been sucked in either way.

[@ObsessedCollector]

"Not all super heroes wear capes" takes on a WHOLE NEW meaning now.

[@Jordan-ii4ip]

Yeah, ironically most of them don't.

[@CB-ke7eq]

🤯

[@kuahmelallah]

​@Jordan-ii4ip exactly why i hated the phrase. Most heroes wouldn't touch capes. You'd see cloaks sooner than capes.

[@demonwolf8024]

Not all heroes wear capes, but some villains do.

[@Nixn_From_Da_Hood]

*No capes*

[@LordOfClarkness]

I think Supergirl‘s fake science that says capes help you steering while airborne is my favorite explanation.

[@devforfun5618]

it is a good explanation, that is bad for superman in particular, he basically fly with telekinesis, so the cape would be uselss, but for storm who manipulates wind it is perfect

[@LordOfClarkness]

That telekinesis-thing was a thing for a second, but I don‘t think it‘s considered canon. BUT you‘re definitely right as far as Storm‘s concerned. Haven‘t actually thought of her at all.

[@AaronAbernethy]

@@LordOfClarkness If he's not flying via telekinesis, then what IS keeping him in the air?

[@alysondavy2485]

​@@AaronAbernethyHe's just exhaling really hard.

[@davfree9732]

She should try a rocketeer style helmet.

[@ramboti6402]

One thing Superman used his cape quite often is shielding people with it. As it is from Kryptonian material it is as strong as he is, so when flying fast it prevents the friction, or shields from an explosion etc.

[@bobbuethe1477]

Plus, at least in the Silver/Bronze Ages, Superman's cape had a secret pouch where he stashed his Clark Kent clothes (after super-compressing them so there wouldn't be a bulge).

[@pian-0g445]

Capes are interesting because in comic form (and other 2D visual novels etc.), they help portray motion and a feeling of energy in a drawing. So, despite capes not being any more common in anime/manga than in comics, what you do see often is lots of long pieces of clothing that replicate this feeling. One recent example, Deku in the latest arcs of My Hero Academia has a yellow scarf from one of his mentor, and almost acts like a cape in the way and illustrates his momentum and movement.

[@RighteousBrother]

It always feels good wearing a cape, I wish they'd come into fashion

[@Canoby]

NGL one Halloween while I was working at an art school I went to work in a Batsuit; the cape was oddly empowering

[@ngominh259]

I think in fall and winter capes can look extremely cool. If not a full cape then a half-cape like Ezio's in Assassin's Creed, or a hip-length poncho. Capes are cool and functional. I wish superheroes would start using them not just as shields but functional clothing items for storage of items and gadgets, with actual pockets.

[@epiphoney]

Just go to karaoke.

[@alysondavy2485]

I would say this is such a nerd thing to think but I'm the one watching a comic book channel so who am I to judge.

[@jpotter2086]

Be the change you want to see .... start wearing a cape! I have a couple full-length coats, I wear them when it's cold, have done so for 30yrs.

[@mikethetowns]

Meta Man, express elevator! Dynaguy, snag on takeoff! Splashdown, sucked into a vortex! NO CAPES!

[@GuiltlessGear]

Thunderhead was not the brightest bulb-

[@axelwulf6220]

I'm still trying to figure how getting sucked into a vortex was the cape's doing...

[@mf--]

I suspect Pixar did that so they would not have to animate them with capes

[@axelwulf6220]

@@mf-- Well, capes are a bit of hassle Remember the bloopers for Monsters Inc., and the many steps of animation for Sully's fur?

[@timepilotcluefinder94]

​@@axelwulf6220 not if you're Kryptonian, Martian, Atlantean or Amazonian at a ceremony or some ghost of vengeance or some kids with magic or a stranger of some kind.

[@Pilgrim98]

Capes were used while fighting during the middle ages and renaissance. They didn't get tangled, the secret is they have to be quite short detachable at a moment's notice. They could even be wrapped around one's arm to form a different level of protection

[@jacobstaten2366]

They were often a lot shorter, covered the shoulders (making them easier to manipulate than Superman's beach towel), and had weights that made them easier to be swept out of the way.

[@SIPEROTH]

@@jacobstaten2366 Superman is the kind of hero that can wear a cape with no real issue because his so powerful that a cape can't really be a liability. He can't get tangle and get shot like the hero descripted in the video etc. Also Superman is the epitome of a human like God so seeing that big red cape flowing as he flies or lands down is to maximise his presence as an all powerful being. People just seeing from afar that big red cape know they are saved etc.

[@jacobstaten2366]

@@SIPEROTH that's fair. I also think Spawn gets a pass since it can move out of the way and even change size. Although there have been times with Superman where the cape has been used against him.

[@achimdemus-holzhaeuser1233]

@@jacobstaten2366 But can you imagine Superman getting stuck in a revolving door ?

[@jacobstaten2366]

@@achimdemus-holzhaeuser1233 he would have to be going through with some urgency forward to even happen. I would imagine that the door it would be broken or he would simply rip it free. Batman on the other hand would have to gather his cape up while approaching the door.

[@nehukybis]

There's a more obvious and direct origin. Scaramouche, from the Rafael Sabatini novel. He's a direct influence on Zorro and Batman. He disguised his identity by wearing the costume of the commedia dell'arte character. The traditional Scaramouche character wore a cape. Also, a lot of military uniforms retained capes after they were no longer in vogue in the civilian world. They were a practical accessory, but they also conveyed a dashing appearance that was good for morale and recruitment. A lot of the early superheroes tried to capture that WW1 martial vibe. The Italian Carabinieri *still* wear them.

[@DarthBoardBVE]

The other reason why capes are so associated with superheroes is that contemporary people don't wear them. As a result, for generations, the most common place people would encounter capes was in superhero media. So it's not that the majority of superheroes wear capes (clearly they don't); it's that capes are accepted fashion for superheroes but not (generally) for people in the real world. Combine that with the ubiquity of Superman and Batman, and capes are seen as superhero attire.

[@metawarp7446]

Well put. It really reminds me of stereotypes for real groups :o I guess capes are a "superhero stereotype"

[@badaboum2]

Exactly, because our minds like to work in categories, we tend to pick up on what's most different from what we're used to as a defining trait, even if it's not an overwhelmingly common trait for that category.

[@DanielAppleton-lr9eq]

@@badaboum2 Royalty & nobility in Europe wore cloaks, which is sort of the same thing.

[@JONNYSORENSEN_AU]

The common thread for pretty much anything cape related. ​@@DanielAppleton-lr9eq 😅

[@giantbonsai8950]

Rule of thumb: flying = cape. Not flying = no cape.

[@TheFreeBass]

Not really, but I'd reverse & rephrase the generalization to fit better: cape = more likely to fly/ no cape = more likely to be afoot. I do agree that it would be a rule of thumb, as I don't recall Mr Sinister ever flying for example, or Dr Strange (more of a levitator than a flier). And there are too many non-caped fliers to bother listing so the rule of thumb barely applies to them.

[@caldw615]

Batman and Saitama can't fly.

[@AmyCherryLMAO]

​@@caldw615and invincible can

[@jmurray1110]

Batman glides in a way to mimic flight but yes saitama doesn’t

[@YUSUKE488]

Saitama can with a fart ​@@caldw615

[@choczynski]

If you limit the pool to only new superheroes that are: prominent enough to have their own stand-alone series, not affiliated with existing heroes, not homages to existing heroes, and/or not deconstruction of existing heroes, then you're left with a vanishingly small pool of characters.

[@rajK29_]

3:17 this reminds me of Superman Smashes the Klan book, where we see a circus performer, a strongman in fact, tell Clark that a colorful costume is what helped him attract people, who were previously scared of his incredible strength.

[@185Keith]

Magneto, great cape! I can't imagine the character without it.

[@ajdynon]

I was going to comment about Magneto not getting mentioned (yeah, he was originally a villain, but he's switched to being a good guy from time to time).

[@michaelolivero1626]

From what I remember, Magneto's cape is either laced with or made of metal fiber that he can manipulate with his magnetism, making it a functional accessory

[@Petrico94]

Also Jewish, sees himself as a savior and maybe moral figure wanting to draw all other mutants to his cuase, X-Men are a bit toned down from other superheroes but manipulating all metal around him is pretty overpowered. I say it fits.

[@dacksonflux]

Yes

[@kyriss12]

both him and exodus wear capes that make them seem more regal. Kinda like how dr doom, and mr sinister wear capes with a more ominous appearance.

[@Sigmaairav]

Japan's oldest superhero and folk icon is Golden Bat, an invincible hero who has a golden skull for a face and cackles incessantly in the face of evil while thwarting it

[@metawarp7446]

You forgot to mention he has a red cape (and a swashbuckler outfit). I wonder what influenced the creators to adopt that appearance? I'd guess it was Western books depicting adventures of... well swashbucklers and knights/princes. (maybe also silent films?) Japan was greatly interested in European culture, so it seems fitting. Also... before Superman Japan's paper theaters had "Prince of Gamma": an orphaned alien prince from another planet who protects Tokyo and even the Earth from a variety of perils. He wears a costume consisting of a tight blue bodysuit with a chest insignia, yellow cape and a headdress shaped like a bird. He could fly, was invulnerable, and had super-strength. He even had a secret identity, disguised as a poor street urchin. (source: Fandom)

[@jonathanathor117]

Haven't heard of golden bat in a long time.

[@projekttaku1]

@@metawarp7446 Which fandom did you find that on? I'm curious to learn more. I always knew about Gladiator's heavy influence on Superman but never about Prince of Gamma.

[@heroineburgh]

@@metawarp7446 I think when Chris mentioned things like royalty and Zorro, he forgot to go back a bit farther and delve into the era of both romantic and swashbuckling novels like Three Musketeers, Ivanhoe, Robin Hood, Dracula, and others, down to Sherlock Holmes and Phantom of the Opera. Plenty of capes all over the place!

[@timepilotcluefinder94]

​​@@heroineburgh Robin Hood...doesn't that guy Speedily inspire some Arrow? 😂

[@elaguajdo]

For an artist, capes have two practical uses, one mainly covered here: To convey movement, and another is an artist's trick: So you don't have to draw as much background. A nice, flowing (most of the time comically, no pun intended, large) cape takes little time to draw. A city block however? So ... capes. ;)

[@dennisanderson3895]

The circus origin is so spot on. You look at the early Superman and he clearly looks to be a caped circus strongman with belted boxers rather than "hugging" spandex briefs on the outside. ( :-D ) Marvel's original Ghost Rider, the cowboy vigilant schoolteacher, utilized a cloak coated on the outside with the same phosphorous as the rest his pure white attire but the inside of that cloak was velvet black so when he flipped the cape in wrapping it about, it would seem - in open darkness with NO artificial light - there was merely his glowing spectral head floating. So, points for that detail. But mostly, capes simply are a hassle.

[@MDHaughton]

Before watching the video, my take is that drapery add a lot of dynamics to art. Take a stationary pose of a character looking over the edge of a rooftop without a cape. Now add a cape blowing in the wind. Instant life breathed onto the page.

[@KairuHakubi]

Also, and this is something you won't hear people bring up often, classically-trained comic artists? They are really very few-trick ponies. They know how to draw nude muscular figures and flowing cloth, that's _it._ That's why superheroes never have anything but shrink-wrapped costumes, even if they're meant to have something underneath like Spider-Man's belt and web shooters. They ground out the skills to draw muscles and THAT IS IT. It's also why comic characters who are meant to look sort of mutatey are usually much more human-looking than they should be (Beast's first two forms, Sauron, etc) or poorly and inconsistently drawn (Beast's later form/s). You notice most classic artists draw Kurt Wagner in totally normal stances most of the time, ignoring his unusual feet, and they have a real bad habit of forgetting to draw tails, the list just goes on.

[@ninjaeagleart]

Oh that makes a lot of sense lmao. I guess that’s why my favorite OCs to draw have long coats/skirts/capes

[@joshua2814]

The circus connection makes sense to me.

[@metawarp7446]

I wonder if stories about heroic princes and knights were common, and did they wear capes in them? That would absolutely make people associate capes with heroes too Japanese super heroes Golden Bat and Prince of Gamma predate Superman and also wear capes :o

[@Marveryn]

there actually one more reason for cape he did not mention is that fact auto were not yet in everyone home so a lot of people had to walk to work or ride a bus. so on that means a lot of time outdoors where it can rain. to keep dried people use cape and trenchcoat over their normal wear which was typically suits. That also why people use to wear hats daily. As people started to be able to afford cars there was less need to carry a cape or a trench coat around. which is around the time people started to see supe without caps becoming more of the norm. So one reason for the cap is fashion.

[@SEB1991SEB]

Especially since Superman’s main power at the time was probably his superhuman strength, just like the circus strongmen.

[@ChrisMattern-oh6wx]

@@SEB1991SEB And his whole costume was in fact based off of circus strongman attire: the skintight bodysuit, the bright colors, the trunks. It's only today after 95 years of superheroes following after Superman that this outfit evokes superheroes instead of its origins.

[@willadeefriesland5107]

A couple more historical points. When travelers, who wore capes, entered an area that usually didn't have visitors, they fostered the archetype of the mysterious stranger, an unknown quality. Superman had the introductory blurb, "...strange visitor from another planet...". While Batman’s cape, evocative of bat wings that were often used in paintings of demons and devils, was meant to strike fear in the hearts of evi doers. Rather like the Shadow. Also, thank you for the Edna reference, hearing it was Incredible...🙂

[@seaofcolour7431]

The surcoat, also known as a super tunica, was a cloak worn by knights over their armor when riding into battle. Medieval knights were protected by their steel armor (hence "man of steel") and the "caped crusaders" was a popular nick name for Batman and Robin.

[@orinanime]

I love that you differentiated, and singled out Bob Kane with - "Siegel and Schuster created Superman" vs "Bob Kane credited with creating Batman". Small, but appreciated distinction.

[@miked5814]

It should be Kane and Finger the same way as it's Siegel and Schuster.

[@orinanime]

@@miked5814 it should just be Finger if there were any justice. But Finger and Kane. Finger contributed more to the character and mythology. His name should come first.

[@miked5814]

@@orinanime I won't argue with that but I do give Bob Kane credit for being the guy with his foot in the door and at least coming up with a general idea (sh!tty as the original idea was). I can give him credit for that but honestly it should at least be Bill's name first.

[@alysondavy2485]

​@@orinanimeCredits should be in alphabetical order, that's why Billy comes up first.

[@orinanime]

@@alysondavy2485 nah. They don't have to be. And they aren't always. It's generally whichever order flows better linguistically and/or phonetically. Also, percentage of contribution should be the primary consideration.

[@belgiumcomics2537]

Interesting topic. My favorite part of a superhero costume is not the cape. Its the chest emblem.

[@alysondavy2485]

Power Girl's is my favorite

[@MegaManXPoweredUp]

My favorite superhero doesn't have a chest emblem, but an alternate version of him does.

[@belgiumcomics2537]

@@MegaManXPoweredUp Interesting.

[@davidmarrero9608]

The Chest emblems usually severed a purpose of a sort of target for villains and crooks to figure on. Superman chest logo is yellow and red and Batman's using yellow with black makes people want to shoot at it as well it's typically reinforced so bullets can't break it. Same for Punisher which is why he haves a bright white skull on his chest it attracts criminals to fire there. I like the explanation in the PS4 Spider-Man game that you read through Doc Ock's notes on why he made the logo white on Peters suit that it's a science to it being people's brain's have a slower reaction time looking at bright colors that stand out which draws people's eyes there first which also makes criminals hard to force on a specific area of the suit of the hero hence why they wouldn't hurt the hero so quickly. Which makes sense since brighter colors that compliment each other is what draws people which is why typically heroes where bright contrast colors and villains typically have muted dark colors like green and purple or chaotic colors like joker being 5 colors mixed being purple, green, orange, white, and red

[@MegaManXPoweredUp]

@@davidmarrero9608 PS4 Spider-Man's chest emblem is also armored, as Otto said that the segments of the suit that are red have greater protection, and the white parts are the most heavily armored.

[@jonathangwilliams6825]

I like the explanation given in My Hero Academia: it's so they can use it as a blanket if somebody needs comforting / keeping warm.

[@achimdemus-holzhaeuser1233]

that makes Linus a Superhero :)

[@Pegwarmers]

Great episode as always! My friend did a paper in college about how Superman's cape was unusual because it didn't go over his shoulders like typical capes before that.

[@Assimandeli]

About time we bring capes back to style

[@skarloey1214]

Agreed

[@maatcrook6910]

I want more capes I’m my wardrobe!

[@jacobstaten2366]

In comics or real life? They're like hoods; neat looking, but not super practical.

[@skarloey1214]

@@jacobstaten2366 It's not about practicality; it's about style.

[@jacobstaten2366]

@@skarloey1214 same with hoods. You could easily wear a hat with ear flaps and pull your collar up for the same effect without losing peripheral vision or having to fiddle with it constantly, but it doesn't look as cool.

[@PS-it1dm]

I remember when Dollar Bill died because of his cape got stuck during robbery. No capes after that incident.

[@mattiasbrunzell8957]

You talk as if this is something that happened in real life.

[@unofficialspider-man465]

Look at this Dollar Bill denier

[@thehawk8332]

​@@mattiasbrunzell8957It did happen

[@scibus2593]

It's funny because in actual real life, soviet soldiers in WWII and many police constables around the world in the 1800s wore capes and were just like, fine. I guess the more you wear one the more aware of it you'd be- ignoring the fact that people still wear coats and jackets which can and do catch on things anyway.

[@KameronJ7]

​@@scibus2593A short, easily removed cape isn't nearly the liability that a long, flowing piece of fabric wrapped around your neck is. At worst it's as bad as when your unbuttoned jacket catches on a door handle.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

This was absolutely fascinating. Who knew a video about capes could be so good.

[@JanetStarChild]

5:33 ...I just have to note how adorable this scene is; a little girl sitting down in a magazine shop, reading a comic book with a doggy on her lap. These moments in time are a treasure.

[@DBG750]

Many iconic character silhouettes outside of traditional superheroes include draped materials. Some examples include Clint Eastwood's "Man with no name" in his poncho, Piccolo's weighted cape, and Neo's trench coat.

[@KairuHakubi]

connecting a cape to two big pointy shoulder pads is one of Toriyama's great contributions to the art world. He will be missed.

[@nicolea3857]

And think how many iterations of the Doctor in Doctor Who have said draped costume components: 3rd Doctor's literal cape (opera cape, I think it's called), 4th Doctor's scarf and long coat, and the 6th, 10th/14th, 12th, and 13th Doctors' coats.

[@oddmystic9343]

I'm surprised Gohan didn't have trouble with his cape when he was the great saiyanman

[@KairuHakubi]

@@oddmystic9343 he never quite showed Piccolo's level of telekinesis, it's somethin you'd think you'd see them use more often yet it seems stuck as a 'bad guy move' But I'm sure it wouldn't be hard at all to use enough of it to move a cape around, give yourself a little breeze... I mean charging up certainly sends it flying

[@jacemachine]

Spawns cape was a deliberate riff on Dr. Strange's cape -- according to MacFarlane.

[@knightmarepilot4832]

Interesting, although they are too different as characters.

[@KAW101]

@@knightmarepilot4832 Spawn is a riff of damn-near every character. Batman, Spider-Man, Venom, etc.

[@mamadeb1963]

The example you showed was a "tallit gadol" - a great tallit. While it may be placed over the head to enhance the prayer services, it's usually worn with a short end draped over the shoulders, the sides folded in a way that keeps the tallit in place. It looks exactly as Superman's cape would look if he didn't tuck it into his shirt, with the same folds in back. It's not likely to be a coincidence.

[@SpringStarFangirl]

There's a reason I nicknamed my Opa "Super-Torah" when we were on the way back from synagogue.

[@Cyber-Riot]

When the MMORPG City of Heroes was first released in 2004, players could customize their costume to an incredible degree, but there were no capes mostly due to technical issues. Basically, they hadn't finished writing the code to allow for them in the game engine. But the in-world explanation was that all the heroes had agreed to take their capes off, in honor The Statesman, who was a very popular hero who had died at some point in game-world history. Some months after release, when they finished the programming needed to allow capes in the game, it was explained that enough time had passed and as second homage to Statesman, the heroes could put their capes back on. So players were allowed to add capes to their characters again, after completing some special task that I don't remember.

[@joshpinchuk7061]

Did the Scarlet witch and vision get married because they both had an affinity for capes?

[@spawnofmelkor]

They were also both introduced as villains

[@trickshot_katebishop7612]

Lol 😂

[@KamenRider1]

Nah, Wanda is just down bad for robod_ck.

[@goblinjones]

Capes being denoted to just an impractical hazard is pretty reductive, if you ask me. Alan Moore is a great writer but starting that trend of questioning the realism of specifically stylized things like capes feels like giving ammunition to those who are missing the point. There's a healthy amount of "rule of cool" in capes or trench coats, and once we start nitpicking little things like that we move beyond reading comics and start just complaining about things that don't matter.

[@jacobstaten2366]

He is extremely reductive in most of his views and especially in interviews. Flying would be boring because we have planes? We only like bright colors? Tell that to manga fans. A country with no guns has no danger? Tell that to England and Rawanda....

[@robread-jones3698]

Worth also mentioning that Bruce Willis's character in Unbreakable is a new twist on the superhero trope, and wears a raincoat which, when seen in silhouette, appears cape-like. Also, his character name is David Dunn which also uses the alliterative double initial commonly used in superhero comics (Peter Parker, Reed Richards, Bruce Banner etc. from Marvel, or Wally West, J'onn J'onzz and characters such as Lois Lane or Lana Lang from DC).

[@jacobclark6002]

Because Superman was inspired by wrestlers who wore a cape, who did it so people in the back could still easily follow what was going on, the practical benefit in early comics being able to easily convey movement.

[@mttylerdurden9]

Edna Mode: NO CAPES!

[@Banished-rx4ol]

Beat me to it

[@user-li8iw1hl9r]

Lol.lol😅

[@TocGan]

Stratogirl!...

[@deespaeth8180]

Exactly!

[@fishkakat7700]

I knew someone would say that! It was obligatory.

[@kylecarter1599]

What im getting from this video is that the new response to "not all heroes wear capes" should be "correct, most don't"

[@widdrshinswonders]

I *love* this one. It really feels like your early content in the best way. Just really digging into a solid comic trope and it's influences.

[@Whalewraith]

With Storm she couldn't actually fly and it helped with riding the winds. Similar thing with Banshee.

[@Woodclaw]

In a way, a cape is very useful tool because it provides both a way to better convey movement (as Siegel and Shuster noted), but also a portable backdrop for a character.

[@TheBeowulf]

I actually enjoy capes and wish more artists would use them, especially since capes in the real world eventually ended up coming in a dizzying array of styles, fashions, and functions. You can even find rennaisance sword dueling manuals that teach you how to dual wield your rapier in one hand and your cape in the other!

[@nightmarefanatic1819]

There's a superhero anime called Tiger and Bunny, and one of the heroes named Fire Emblem has this beautiful Phoenix based coatume with a gorgeous cape that appears to be some kind of LED screen fabric that has animated flames. I wish more artists would come up with designs like that.

[@andrewm.7389]

Good episode. Don't forget monastic cloaks with cowls.

[@ralph3333]

16:30 That book "Blankets" made me think of Diaper Man.

[@mr.pavone9719]

I have a large "necker" that I wear when hiking. It's a 36" square of cloth that functions as part of my scouting uniform and it's great for many uses. I can: Clean myself off Sit on it to stay clean Use it as a sling/bandage Make a bag Make a hood or skullcap And many other uses. The kids like to turn them into capes as well and I have to admit it's fun to wear and useful if it cools down quickly, it starts to rain or the sun is really strong. Wearing it as a cape can help a lot in those situations.

[@funkoxen]

I use a bandana for the same purpose. It has the added advantage of a fashion function too. I would use a necker but I hated scouts to the point of wanting to go school shooter about it. I'd be more likley to wear a cape.

[@DWNicolo]

Doctor Occult wore a cape in one of his stories. Created Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and came before Superman.

[@AirLancer]

Damn, Doctor Occult created the creators of Superman?

[@GuiltlessGear]

@@AirLancer That fellow must be one serious customer!

[@LordOfClarkness]

Technically he wasn‘t dr occult back then. He was called mr mystic or something like that. But you‘re right!

[@DWNicolo]

@@LordOfClarknessnot at the time that Dr. Occult story was published. He was known as Dr.Occult.

[@JuanPerez-cs1gx]

One of the cool things visually about the movie versions of battles between Superman and General Zod is seeing basically the same character fighting itself but one has a detailed costume with a cape and the other just wear a similar tight suit but with less color and no cape.

[@AltCutTV]

The Reeves films versions has quite slack suits though. Possibly to catch the windy effects similarly to a cape I suppose. Ursa in particular has more of it with those slit arms.

[@andrewtaylor940]

I think it was Chuck Dixon who gave a really good explanation for why the Batman Family of characters tend towards capes. The Capes are a heavy Kevlar/Nomex mix. Being similar to a Firefighters jacket. They offer good protection from fire and some from bullets.

[@TalesoftheBoojum]

I think you nailed it at the end with cultural osmosis. It's like the Dracula effect (also a cape wearer). If you say "vampire" to someone, they picture Bela Lugosi's Dracula and all the associated tropes--the accent, the cape, the eyes, turning into a bat, and so on. If you say "superhero" to someone, it also invokes a very specific set of tropes.

[@user-lf3kr1nq2d]

"turning into a bat" reminded me of Bugs Bunny! Remember the results of "abracapocus" and "hocuscadabra"? 😄

[@Kitsaplorax]

The Phantom of the Opera movie comes to mind as well. Dramatic shadows in European cinema are likely one point of reference, if only an unconscious one. What about the Golden Bat?

[@frofrozzty]

The Golden Bat has to be one of my favorite pieces of comic history. Dying for a modern adaptation as the character is public domain.

[@Kitsaplorax]

@@frofrozzty Why hasn't someone approached the team behind the "Masks" Universe? I really want to see a Green Lama/Golden Bat/Fury series.

[@frofrozzty]

@@Kitsaplorax are you... are you talking about that pajama show for little kids? Definitely would prefer just a direct shonen adaptation lol

[@GribbleGob]

@@Kitsaplorax did you just admit to watching a show meant for little kids?

[@Kitsaplorax]

@@frofrozzty The Golden Bat was the precursor to anime. The late, great Sonny Chiba starred as the Golden Bat in the 1960's movie. There was an earlier film that's lost.

[@richatdastkey3555]

Thank you so much for dropping this! I've heard some answers to this in the past but a full look back on the topic is pretty rare

[@davidrobinson1737]

You do a good job finding covers and individual panels to display as examples to go along with your script

[@alexanderf8451]

Excellent Bob Kane shade, throughout, and also a really interesting history!

[@orinanime]

Right? I love that

[@vedrengrabelox3231]

People that are critical over a cape's problems/disadvantages in worlds where radiation gives powers, magic is real, gods are real, and teenagers sometimes mutate......are weird. I don't think it would be hard to design a cape that would detach if a certain amount of pull was exerted on it.

[@stm7810]

also if people cared about utility they'd wear helmets. some costumes that account for limits are nice but actual supers, symbols of hope should embrace the silly.

[@MagnusItland]

In the online superhero game City of Heroes, for a long time you had to earn your cape. You had to reach level 20, and then play through a story arc to be allowed to wear a cape. The actual reason for this was that they didn't have capes ready by release date, because of animation issues. But they made up an in-game reason, and it stayed this way for years.

[@mareeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

This channel is one of my favorites for an afterwork decompress

[@rockinrobin9093]

Damn I never stopped to realise your fact about Spawn being the last modern popular superhero who wears a cape.

[@ComicTropes]

There are a few but most are just spin-off characters, not completely new ones.

[@Marveryn]

@@ComicTropes yeah i was just thinking of all the superman ripoff that shown up in modern time after spawn that worn cape but they are not original character just rehashing what someone else think superman should be if... fill in the blank.

[@heroineburgh]

Maybe not as popular, but there are other examples. I'll pick two off the top of my head. Retro Girl (Calista Secor) from Powers had one, and that was not only in comics but in a TV show for 2 seasons. Starlight in The Boys has a cape, and she's pretty damn popular. Not sure if you could argue that either of them is simply a Supergirl spinoff.

[@andrewli6606]

Think Hit-Girl is about the only moderately popular superhero after Spawn with a cape.

[@AkuTenshiiZero]

I actually find it interesting how All Might is shown wearing a cape in his younger years, but by the time of the main events of My Hero Academia he has long since abandoned it, making him a sort of bridge between the old-fashioned and modern superhero designs. Though also interesting to note that his mentors Nana Shimura and Gran Torino both wear capes, and it's likely he modeled his initial costume after their example. MHA has such an interesting variety of costumes and character designs pulling inspiration from so many sources, it really is a fantastic tribute to the history of superheroes both eastern and western.

[@KairuHakubi]

I wonder if Deku's costume having a (quite silly looking) mask that he never uses (and with secret identities not being a thing in this setting) is kind of a riff on how the modern movie-dominated hero landscape has masks and helmets coming off at every opportunity, and secret identities largely tossed out.

[@toddfraser3353]

In terms of showing a complex set of movements, a cape, trenchcoat, flowing skirt or dress, long hair, or other type of dangling type of clothing, while impractical for real life, is handy in a still frame to show movement and speed. If they ducked a blow and the cape it still high in the air, then we know they just missed the hit, and they just ducked a blow, vs a similar framed shot where the cape is just laying on the ground, showing how slow the bad guy might be. Or it might be tightened up showing the hero is about to attack up. Speed lines would work too, but they often can cover a lot of the artistry of the scene.

[@BronzeAgeNerd]

Loved this video, CT! Such an interesting deep dive into something I think a lot of readers take for granted from comics history. Really enjoyed this one!

[@francofernandes2006]

This reminds me a bit of something interesting about the Pyramids. You see, Sudan actually has more historical pyramids than Egypt. They were built extensively by the Ancient Nubians, it was as important to their culture as it was to Egypt. Mexico and Central America also have really important Pyramids, some of the biggest in the world. But Egypt has Giza, the most famous set of Pyramids out there, made iconic by the Egyptian craze of the European 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, Egypt became synonymous with the idea of Pyramids. The same thing happens with superheroes and capes: Most superheroes don't wear them, but a lot of the most famous ones do (Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, their respective derivatives, Thor, etc), so the idea of capes became synonymous with superheroes.

[@joshpinchuk7061]

How do you even find a story where daredevil says "this stupid cape".

[@ComicTropes]

This is my gift. This is my curse.

[@Anhedonis]

The Gatchaman Wing-Capes were my favorite. Stylish, functional, and necessary.

[@user-ee1bm4zq3w]

Great video as always Chris

[@Shootingstarcomics]

My mom had a cape from her nursing school days she let me wear a lot when I was a kid.

[@Lonewolf-ei5yv]

My late aunt was a nurse and she had a cape! What's the purpose of them specifically? To be able to rush faster to patients? To cover up if you are blood stained?

[@Shootingstarcomics]

@@Lonewolf-ei5yv As far as I know it was just to keep warm, I guess it was part of the approved uniform. I don’t remember my mother wearing it as a nurse in the 70s, I think they lightened up by then. She had one of those funny hats too but she hardly ever wore it.

[@AltCutTV]

Could have been as an alternative to outer clothes. The uniforms, much like clothes in general back then, were a lot more of a process to get into. Maybe even sanitary reasons could be an aspect. Wearing it instead of a regular coat or something such would lessen particle transfer from home to work. They would also be practical to wear for less intense work, doing rounds. Then if there is an emergency, the superhero mode, basically toss it of to move faster.

[@NaiveSteve]

Fantastic video. I like when contemporary writers create fun additions to the in universe reason characters wear capes. One that comes to mind is in 'Batman Arkham Origins: Blackgate' deadshot fires his rifle at batman while he is walking shrouded in his cape and it hits his cape but not batman. Dead shot comments that he admires batmans idea to wear a cape to disguise where his body truly is. It's fun and adds another layer of utility to the cape besides the typical gliding and shielding eyes from explosions

[@Lxx00Jxx00]

omg i was just watching your old videos the new intro is amazing!

[@MatisseRehel]

Very interesting video, thank you for such useful information

[@mrwoka]

I think that the pervasive ideas of heroes wearing capes boil down to something very simple: Is easier to remember a someone who has something versus someone who doesn't. A dude with green hair, a girl with steampunk goggles or a dog wearing a jacket are much easier to remember than the guy with regular hair, a girl with no glasses or a regular dog. Capes are iconic, graphic, gestural, large, are canvases for massive splashes of color and/or symbols while being an unorthodox outfit option, making them a great pairing with a super-being. Loved the vid!

[@keelanbarron928]

Just before I start the video, I'm betting that Edna mode is going to be referenced in this. Edit: called it at 11:52.

[@thamintimbane9418]

Well done, great video. 👌🏿

[@verbatos9498]

I always assumed it was to fill out and give some presence to otherwise simple designs

[@KingClovis]

The cape is iconic. No, most super heroes don't wear capes. But the BEST and COOLEST ones do. Also villains.

[@achimdemus-holzhaeuser1233]

and that is why they are SUPER- Villains.,

[@kildaver]

"No capes!"--Edna Mode.

[@CieJe.Alexander]

The cardinal rules on the TV series Smallville was "No Flights. No Tights." They were trying to tell the story of young pre-Superman Clark Kent/Kal-El. It was meant to be before he discovered his ability to fly. And before he "introduced" himself to the public. 🦸‍♂️ If and when he was seen by anyone while doing something superhuman he was referred to as the "Blur" (short for the red and blue blur which was all that was visible as he leapt and/or sped by in his usual red jacket, jeans, and his favorite blue tees)

[@Topgamer-nz7sd]

Funny how with Edna saying no capes foreshadowed the ending of the when she mentioned one of the heroes cape caught on a jet turbine

[@karentroupe3523]

Good evening California time sir this is Karen Steele from Santa Ana California I've been a loyal subscriber of your channel for nearly four years now I just turned 65 and while this was on my mind I wanted to leave you this encouraging comment I've been praying for your well-being and I originally missed this episode 11 days ago due to illness but I feel better now I wanted to say this while it was on my mind I'm so grateful to happen that you were still around and I've always appreciated your zeal and loveof comics that you always exhibit as well as the research that you do with great care and enthusiasm I really appreciate your channel and all the information on vintage comics such as the one I just viewed before this one titled why do superheroes wear capes I always wondered that myself LOL anyway I've always continued to pray for your excellent health and that heaven allows you to be around for all of us for the years to come thank you Sir God bless you I do not mean to offend you by stating that I pray that you stay healthy and I look forward to your next video stay safe and careful

[@anthonysaunders345]

I occasionally wondered this very question for years, but the potential reasons are much more complex than what I had imagined. Thank you!

[@EricTheMage]

I like to think of superhero capes in the same way that old magazines or commercials for things like fans or air conditioners had those ribbons attached to them. It shows movement and speed in a static image. Because, yeah, every hero that has a cape either flies or is known to make giant leaps from tall places. But best cape is definitely Spawn's overly 90's "so long it never fits in one panel no matter how small he's drawn" cape.

[@AltCutTV]

Wonder if those illustrations came before or after people attached them to fans to see if they were on. Or just because it looked "cool" maybe. "The Ribbon Man" proudly presented by Samsung.

[@SIXminWHISTLE]

I'm surprised we don't see bit more of capes being included on super strong characters where "grabbing hazard" isn't a concern, for the same reason Invincible wears those googles because they look cool getting smashed. Get a few more dynamic shots or torn up suits in fights, but maybe it gets old fast. Having the outfits and characters get visually damaged as fights go on seems a bit more common now than 20 years ago.

[@Kitsaplorax]

The immortal DC Superhero with the wrist mounted killing organism that gives him new powers each time he dies has a functional cloak. Really cool. So did Ragman, I think.

[@alexrexaros9837]

I kind of realised when drawing that id find a character's silhouette to feel kind of empty, so I'd throw a cape on him and voilà! Though I must admit I should break this habit.

[@blupunk01]

Great video! I noticed that the Rebirth version of Wonder Woman was a rare example of a character often using a cape where they hadn't before. I read Legion of Superheroes for years, and while they were never a majority-cape team, about half of those who'd previously worn capes in the 50s/60s version of the team lost their capes in the 70s character revamps (Lightning Lad, Star-Boy, Phantom Girl, Night Girl, etc., although Duo Damsel didn't lose hers until post-Crisis).

[@davideminciaroni3700]

bring back the opening gags!!! they were so funny

[@kerricaine]

"you wouldn't create an action character with a cape nowadays" The mandalorian. And more comedy/satire, but helldivers has a huge thing capes lol

[@treyhelms5282]

Very good vid. Had not thought about the origins of superhero capes, but interesting topic.

[@aikisteven0616]

I've got a pretty nice thief's cloak that works mostly as a cape (plus hooded cowl)... I need to start wearing that to the grocery store and stuff. they could call me 'Mundane Man', or 'Old Guy'!

[@leorblumenthal5239]

What about the villains who wear capes, like Doctor Doom or Magneto?

[@metawarp7446]

Besides heroism, capes also symbolize power, maybe that's why? They do look powerful. They both also think they are heroes

[@gabrielmomene7620]

I mean as comics progress there are functions to the capes Batmans cape helps him glide, In the Supergirl TV series in the pilot episode when they were making Kara suit Wynn ditched the cape. But when kara was chasing thugs who are in a car chase she couldn't handle the hard turns and crashed into a ditch meaning some form of aerodynamics was involved into the capes.

[@jaymesEo6]

Storm was the first character to my knowledge it was a reason connected to her cape as her reason she defies gravity is because she uses her cape to catch the wind and glide on wind currents.

[@joehellno9097]

I fully agree that the circus costume influenced Superman, and all superheroes, cape or not, by way of the trunks outside the pants or leggings. But you're leaving out the tremendous influence of Raymond's Flash Gordon, which featured both the capes and the trunks. In Flash G it seems the basis is all royal military style costume; tunics, capes epaulets, and pants tucked into ornate boots. Raymond likely added the outside trunks to the European military Napoleonic or especially 'Prisoner of Zenda" uniforms to add some imagined otherworldliness to the otherwise historically based earthly costuming. Notice how Flash Gordonian everyone on Krypton is dressed, and tell me that wasn't based on Raymond's Flash costume design.

[@Arcadia_warlic]

Manga designs like Saitama show that capes have lasting aesthetic even beyond their era. I am in favour of more caped heroes. Great video and analysis.

[@JamesBrophy]

Another fun video, hope your doing OK given the last weeks events.

[@nahuoxus405]

Great video as always!!!!!!!

[@shibolinemress8913]

In 1970, Jon Pertwee's 3rd Doctor at first sported a flamboyant black and red magician's outfit with cape, much like Mandrake, which I really love!