Basic and solidified elements of Superman's costume, replicated by the most other artist.
Superman's costume is traditionally red and blue with a little bit of yellow skintight costume with cape. In most cases Sperman suit has these elements: Open neck, no gloves, blue torso and legs, cape that is attached to the edge of upper part of the suit, S letter logo incased in a diamond shaped shield against yellow background on his chest, red underwear or shorts shaped piece in lower trunk area usually attached with yellow belt with round buckle and red long boots with v-shaped top edge, with shaft part usually higher than lower part of calf in front, but lower or covering a little bit the edge of calf in the back. Sometimes material of each element changes from plain to seemingly metallic/satin/velour-like. Sometimes elements of design are 3-dimensional, sometimes just painted over skintight base. Tightness also vary.
Golden Age/Earth-2[]
19th-early 20th century strongmen
Originally in the comics by Superman's creators Siegel and Shuster, just like many other characters of that era Superman's design went through various changes. Most prominently the S shield design. But also some other elements such as boots, cuffs or where the cape attached to the costume changed. One time (in Action Comics #1 and even in reprint of the story in Superman #1) there is even a depiction of Superman without red in the lower trunk area, perhaps due to coloring mistake and simulation of shading. Also some sort of high sandal straps wrapping around his calves can be seen. Joe Shuster based costume design on movies that Douglas Fairbank was in like Thief of Bagdad and on strongmen of that era.
As can be seen in one image Superman appears to be lacking red color in the trunks area, in another close up on his hand there can be seen some sort of a cuff design. No S on the back of his cape too. some sort of high sandal straps wrapping around his calves.
Many design changes of Golden Age Superman by Joe Shuster or other artists of Shuster Studio.
Superman's costume was shot, treated with fire, high energy beams, went through many explosions, without any sort of damage visible. It is said that Superman made costume himself from materials that he invented himself. There is no explanation behind any elements of design of this uniform.
Golden Age/Earth-2 Superman's uniform is indestructible because it is made of cloth that he made himself
Although initially Superman did not have logo on his cape, eventually the classic and usual all yellow S shield formed and became as stable as red cape, blue base, red trunks and red boots.
In Action Comics #484 Superman officially married Lois Lane. In that story he had unusual shaped S-shield which well be later on seen on Steel
Silver and Bronze Age/Earth-1[]
Definitive origin of Superman's super suit is that Martha and Jonathan , with help of their foster child Clark Kent made indestructible costume from the blankets they found him wrapped in.
Later on in Silver Age glass fragments from the rocket survived explosion and in Bronze Age it was retconed that rocket itself also was preserved by Kents and out of its glass Clark Kent's glasses were made to withstand use of x-ray or heat-vision (which at that time was same power but in more potent form). During Bronze Age it was established that Superman has latent hypnotic power that makes people see him without glasses as totally different man, even if Superman will wear hairstyle of Clark Kent and glasses. Special lenses blocked that power.
Clark's lenses are carved from glass originated on Krypton, which can endure his heat-vision, as well as negate his passvie hypnotic abilities as it was revealed in Superman #330.
Mainstream Kryptonian costumes aesthetic since 1948 and up until 1986
There is no clear explanation for each and ever element of Superman's costume design at that point, besides S shield which was an insignia made by Jonathan Kent to stand for his professional name (Superboy, at that time). However, since 1949's Superman #61 Kryptonians were retconed to be wearing capes and colored trunks back on their home planet as an ordinarny fashion, including Superman's biological father Jor-El. Suggesting that Superman's classic design is replicating one of his own people , intentionally or by coincidence and also inspiring particular design in others as Superboy was one of the first superheroes in this continuity as well meeting Bruce Wayne when he first Flying Fox (Adventure Comics #275) and even meeting young Clark from original continuity of Earth-2 (Superboy (1980) #15).
Initially made for Clark when he was a teenager and called himself Superboy, the suit perfectly stretched when he matured into a man renaming himself Superman, and he wore it ever since.
Both Earth-2 and Earth-1 Superman used secret pocket in his cape as one of ways to conceal Clark Kent clothes.
Earth-1 Superman wearing fake costume
Materials from Krpypton are indestructible under Yellow sun
Just like anything else from Krypton the clothes of his costume become reinforced and nigh-indestructible because of Yellow sun radiation and will otherwise lose their invulnerability upon Red sun radiation, Kryptonite or magic, only direct weaknesses of this version of Superman. Although indestructible the impact from bullets or a blaster still could lead to internal bleeding for anyone without innate invulnerability as can be seen in Action Comics #536. Action Comics #564 had story showing Kal (as "Mike") wearing vulnerable replica of his costume, showcasing damages normal clothing would endure during ordinary Superman's fight with a super-villain, almost leaving Earth-1 Superman naked.
Superman's costume protects servers as perfect body armor as well as warm clothing. From Superman #400.
Eventually Earth-2 and Earth-1 Superman crossed paths. In most cases they look identical to each other.
But in Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline they clearly look different. Different elements on costumes such as cuffs on the Earth 2 , different lenght of cape, different S-symbol logo and grey hair on Earth 2 Superman because are from same time period, where he is older.
New Earth[]
The Man of Steel[]
After Crisis on Infinite Earths entire Superman's origin was revised. Including origin of his costume. Now it was made entirely from Earth-based materials available to normal people by Kents. Costume itself now isn't invincible. Instead skitight part of it is protected by invisible bio-electric aura that is main part of this version's many abilities. Byrne's series also pioneered brand new hairstyle for Superman , which will even influence Superman IV: The Quest for Peace .
Damaged cape, but untouched skinsuit base. A frequent image during Post-Byrne era, before Birthright.
Despite mentioned invincible structure due to bio-electric aura contact, costume skinsuit base still could be torn apart by Superman himself. Or by other enemies when if his body was running out of Yellow sunlight energy.
During breif phase of Superman's powers becoming completely electric in their nature Scorn was wearing Superman's costume
After Imperiex War temporary change
Birthright[]
Once again Superman's costume is being made out of materials that came from Krypton. For the first time in comics continuity S shield also originated on Krypton, instead of being an English letter and specifically first letter of superhero's name.
Once again Superman's costume materials came from Krypton.
Krpyptonite shown to be affecting previously fortified wardrobe which survived multiple explosions, bullet impacts and fires, now can be torn apart even by ordinary human.
During Superman: Last Son story Superman can be seen wearing costume similar to one from Superman Returns a movie that came out same year. Besides that Jor-El's and overall Kryptonian aesthetics look is different and will only become "canon" through origin 4 years later with Secret Origins reboot.
Secret Origins[]
Secret Origins' version of Superboy I and Superman costume. As well as Clark Kent's glasses.
Mostly replicates Birthright version, except now Clark's glasses are also made from his rocket's glass. Also once again he is wearing this suit as a teenager under Superboy name, for the first time since Crisis on Infinite Earths happened.
New52/Earth-0[]
New52 Superman at the beginning shown to have spares of t-shirts due to how easily they got damaged. Spares came in red, white and blue.
After The Flashpoint Paradox reality was changed once again. In this continuity Clark Kent starts with simple jeans and T-shirt (similarly to Superboy (Kon-El) in Adventure Comics #504) with printed logo from the indestructible red cape that he was found in (and also from some fading memories of Krypton).
Later on while fighting with "The Collector of Worlds" (this version of Brainiac) Superman finds Kryptonian armor that assists him further protection (of his significantly less invulnerable compared to previous versions stature) in defeating the villain. Kryptonian armor can change colors and shape, unlike traditional suit it can automatically reassemble either under Clark Kent's human clothes or even on top of them. Despite obtaining Kryptonian armor he still continues to wear t-shirt and jeans costume for some time. Kryptonian armor design is completely different from all previous costumes, with upside-down V-shaped top edges on the boots, no red in the trunk area, red belt with diamond shaped buckle, closed neck with a collar, pieces on cuffs that extend over back of the hand a little bit and lots of visible lines including diamond shaped "patches"-plates on the shoulders.
New52 Kryptonian bodyarmor transformations.
Morrison - Morales New52 era concept is diametrically opposite to the concept of Byrne era. Costume's base damaged, but cape is intact.
Similarly to Silver and Bronze Age versions Kryptonian made cloth seem to be a perfect bodyarmor when used even by ordinary humans. Also similarly to post Imperiex Post-Crisis costume the S-shield on the back of the cape is black with red background.
After Superman used new found super-power Super Flare he lost most of his powers with even Fotress of Solitude systems not recognizing his biological structure. His cape was teared apart and now used as protection for his fists. He is once again sporting jeans and t-shirt with logo's color similar to the one from Superman #1 back cover drawn by original artist and co-creator Joe Shuster (which also became stable element on all Action Comics/cover gallery from #16 up intil #66 where image was replaced by Jack Burnley with much more settled design) that was more popularized by Superman (1940s cartoons) .
After regaining powers and returning back into armor and later on dying after Kryptonite poisoning and using Super Flare power once again Superman's body along with Kryptonian armor turns to dust, but his (restored) cape remains intact and is used later on by reformed Lex Luthor along with his Man of Steel armor at attempts to replace Superman.
Rebirth[]
Post-Crisis continuity Superman somehow (after Convergence: Superman) found himself on New52 Earth, along with Lois and their son Jonathan Samuel Kent , initially in his classic costume but with upside-down v-shaped top edge (or sometimes just classic v shaped edge) red boots, later he switches into this one. Notable difference from kryptonian armor design became open neck once again. As well as 3-dimensional (sometimes not) metallic cuffs and upside down v-shaped top edge of the boots that are now same color as rest legs of the costume (or sometimes just black) with thin red line on the edges.
First ever depictions of Post-Crisis Superman's costume since Flashpoint.
Reborn[]
Shortly after it was discovered that Mister Mxyzptlk saved New52 Superman from death. Using his powers he merged both New52 and Post-Crisis Superman into one, merging also their biographies. It is still unclear what exactly was considered to be "canon" as many potentially conflicting events were referenced. After the merging of both Superman gained another costume. Cuffs are gone, and classic red boots with v shaped-top edge returned. Later on Lois Lane with her son will accompany Jor-El while wearing suit that is mix between those two (Rebirth base with Reborn boots, though sometimes they were drwan just as Rebirth boots colored red) and that had texture similar to costumes of Superman (Henry Cavill) version (as it was revealed in The Man of Steel (2018) #6) given to her by Clark, assuming that was the real in-story reason behind the next change. Upon press on a buckle costume automatically fits new wearer.
Rebirth/Reborn mix on Lois for safety
Action Comics #1000[]
Since Action Comics #1000 the red trunks came back as a part of Superman's costume, as did pretty much any other element that became associated with the character's classic appearance since late 1940's, accompanied by metallic cuffs, a new element that is not always drawn by each particular artist handling the character ever since. Entire suit is now much more susceptible to any damage than before, now whole suit can be teared apart, along with cape, whether that was due to Yellow sunlight energy depleting or previous bioelectric aura protection not existing anymore remains for speculation.
Alternative Costumes[]
Bill Dunn version of Superman as illustrated by Jor Shuster was dressed in a simple clothing
In unreleased The Superman in which similarly to Bill Dunn main character, who was normal human male , would receive special abilities (physical instead of mind abilities like Dunn) after experiment, character would appear either bare chested or in a t shirt.
At some point in the period between 1933 and 1935 Superman character was supposed to wear bat-like cape.
1934 origin drawn by Russell Keaton portrays young Clark in a costume similar to Superman costume, as well as to the costume of Jor-El designed by ex-Shuster Studio artist Wayne Boring. This was the first time ever Superman was called Clark Kent, but he was from Earth in the future instead of another planet.
Russel Keaton's design is similar to what Wayne Boring and Curt Swan will make Kryptonians to wear, particularly for Jor-El . Difference is : Keaton's design was for the humans of Earth in the future.
In a survived early 1936 sketch of Superman by Joe Shuster he is depicted wearing gym shirt with cape and an S symbol on it (similar and predicting the New52 Earth-0 version).
In McClure Newspaper Syndicate's "Look" magazine, written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Joe Shuster Superman depicted capturing Hitler and Stalin has unusual coloring of his costume. First ever time Superman wore white colors.
Argentian version of Superman published in such magazines as Billiken had different variations of coloring for Superman costume. First ever time Superman had black costume, first ever time Superman had full black costume, with white logo and red cape, look that would be created in unreleased Superman Lives
In Action Comics #314 using computer-forecaster of his friend Zhan-Zar Jor-El constructs various simulations of what his son's life would be on other possible planets besides the Earth. Due to diverse reasons on each of this planet , whether it is Xann planet oribiting yellow sun but where all people are (comperatively) giants , Valair which also orbiting yellow sun (which makes it possible for Kal to live there) but is full submerged with all of its people living under the water, Ntann a red sun orbiting planet with its people living in primitive (even compared to Earth) civilization worldwide, Saruun which also orbits red star but it's light being covered by planet's satellite so all its people lived in constant night, or Gongor orbiting red star with civilization on the same level as the one of Earth (in 1963) where after experiment Kal-El gets charged with energy that enable him to have super-speed. Whether Kal-El would land on each of these planets he would become some version of Atom ("Birdman"), Aquaman, Green Arrow, Batman ("Diro") or The Flash.
In World's Finest Comics #167 Imaginary Story powerless (due to Golden Kryptonite exposure since his ship's space travel to Earth) Kal-El/Clark Kent becomes Batman in this world after criminal murders Jonathan and Martha Kent at their General Store
In Superman #158 Clark Kent/Kal-El while in Kandor made himself another identiy, Nightwing. Within officially released stories this is first time when Superman himself chose colors of his costume and when he chose to wear all-black with white elements, since within this continuity his original red and blue colors were chosen for him by his Kryptonian parents and were mended together into Super-suit by his American parents.
The original Nightwing and Flamebird first appearance. First time when Superman himself chooses black and white costume while red and blue was chosen by his parents.
Kal-El as Batman
Kal-El in Kryptonian outfit and as Hyperman
In Superman #200 after being saved (in this version) by Brainiac along with his whole family Kal-El is wearing traditional Silver Age Kryptonian clothing and then later on adopts name of Hyperman (with civilian identity of Charles Leblanc) as his brother became Superman (with civilian identity of Ken Clarkson) in this version of events.
In The Dark Knight Falls after getting hit by specifically made nuclear bomb blotting the sky from sun-light and polluting everything in nearby area Superman becomes extremely thin, almost completely skeletal for a while, until he is recharged by somehow pulling energy from the planet's earth. In the comics his red "trunks" are plain red, just like Batman's are plain blue/black without any shimmering qualities like in mainstream comics.
After Exile Superman's suit was made by Eradicator. Initially it replicated original Kents' design but with cape being now much stronger and elastic like before The Man of Steel reboot, but after a while it began to have Kryptonian (at that time) aesthetic as Eradicator was overriding Clark Kent's personality replacing it with the one of Kal-El if he was raised on Krypton.
Suit that was made for Superman by Eradicator device. With cape that now didn't tear up and could be used as proper shielding/covering device to protect people or stretch it like in previous version , before The Man of Steel reboot, when costume was Also made with Krypton materials.
Post-Crisis variation on "Superman" <=> Race of Supermen of planet Krypton. As well as on post-Wayne Boring explanation of costume's design.
After being brought back from the dead Superman was wearing a Recovery Suit
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