Why Do Superheroes Wear Underwear Over Their Leotards

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Why do American superheroes wear underwear over their leotards, not under them?

The appearance of superheroes in American comics still remains practically unchanged. However, in the wardrobe of modern heroes with superpowers, one canonical detail is not always present - the underwear worn over the suit.

How superheroes are dressed

Most people associate the superhero appearance with the Superman image. This character first appeared on the cover of Action Comics in 1938, where he was depicted wearing red boxers over blue leotards. It was with him that the fashion for underwear over outerwear began.

Later, readers could watch the underwear of Batman, Wonder Woman, Wolverine and other superheroes. Their creators, wanting to repeat the success of the boy from the planet Krypton, copied the prototype's costume.

Why is it so necessary

This "uniform" did not appear just for fun. To fight injustice and save the world, Superman had to have incredible physical strength. Therefore, the design of the "superman" costume combined the outfit of space characters from magazines and comics and circus strongmen.

The athletic circus genre was very popular in America in the late 1930s. The strongmen wore tight-fitting leotards and short boxer shorts on top. The leotard emphasized the muscular figure, and the shorts were saved in case of unforeseen circumstances (if the leotard came apart at the seams).

Simplifying the picture in comics

For a comic book character, if it is not provided for by the plot, the seams on the suit will not part. However, tight-fitting leotards and underwear technically simplified the work of the artists. They did not need to draw all the folds on the clothes, changing with every movement of the hero.

At first, comics were black and white. The emerging four-color printing was also not full-color, which limited artists. Superman boxer shorts were chosen to be painted in red. Like the red cloak, they have become a striking detail that attracts attention and remains in memory for a long time.