10 Best Live-Action Superhero Suits

2. Superman – Superman (1978)

Maybe the most simple entry on this list, Christopher Reeve’s Superman suit is remarkably faithful to the original comic book design by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel.

Everything about this iteration looks like it jumped off the comic book page and onto the screen. The bold colours, the softer material, and the way Reeve wore it. The hopeful and unashamed warmth this costume exudes helps it remain a highpoint in the genre. This is Superman. 

More recent adaptations have toned down the colours and some have taken the armoured approach. Maybe those costumes are more suited to their respective stories, but none capture the comic book essence of the Last Son of Kyrpton as well as this one.

Costume designer Yvonne Blake crafted something that became the definitive version of a legendary character for so many people. The costume helped to establish the visual language of superheroes on film and continues to influence how these characters are portrayed today. Much like Superman himself, this suit is a timeless symbol of heroism.

Recommended for you: Superman Movies Ranked

1. Deadpool – Deadpool (2016)

It’s ironic that the superhero most concerned with poking fun at the genre would have the best adaptation of a comic book suit. But Deadpool’s suit truly embraces its comic book origins in a way so few manage to do.

Ryan Reynolds and director Tim Miller reportedly wept when they first saw the finished suit. An understandable reaction when compared to the character’s infamous appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine – an abomination that resembled its comic book counterpart in name only.

The suit is made of a mix of red and black leather, with a slightly worn, textured look that gives it a gritty, battle-hardened appearance. The material choices help it to look functional while also respecting the exaggerated comic book aesthetic. As one would hope, the suit is littered with several holsters and sheaths, notably for his twin katanas and various firearms. These weapons are as integral to the character as a cape is to Superman due to his violent nature. The prominently displayed weaponry means that Deadpool is always equipped for an action scene.

The filmmaking team had the genius idea to make Deadpool’s signature white eyes CGI, allowing the character to still emote when masked. This more animated approach matched the wittiness of the character and helped us all to fall in love with him. The suit had some minor tweaks when crossing into the MCU with Deadpool and Wolverine, but the core of the suit remained the same – a testament to how perfect it was from day one. 

Recommended for you: Deadpool and Wolverine Films Ranked

The entries in this list are just 10 of the plethora of live-action superhero suits that have populated our screens for more than half a century. How does our list compare to yours? Are there any we missed? Let us (and everyone else) know in the comments below.

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