Summary
- DCU has the potential to improve superhero suits where DCEU fell short, like the Birds of Prey & Cyborg.
- Flash’s armor designs in Justice League and The Flash could’ve been more aerodynamic.
- Batman’s suits had highs and lows – DCU has a chance to redeem its visual legacy with comic-accurate designs.
Adapting superheroes and their iconic superhero suits to the big screen will always inspire mixed reactions, but there are many that the DCU can predictably do better than the DCEU. The DCU will officially begin soon with 2025’s Superman leading the charge, and conversation about the latest iteration of Superman has recently centered on his iconic super suit. Unsurprisingly, this has led to comparisons aplenty, as Henry Cavill’s rendition of the Man of Steel was largely lauded for the original take on his costume design.
Not every DCEU super suit has been met with such approval. The outfits in which the DCEU’s biggest stars were dressed garnered mixed reviews from the jump. Though the advent of the DCU gives these DC icons another shot at getting their wardrobe right, that is not to say that the DCEU got it wrong. It does, however, open the door for returning heroes to perfect their images, helping to make them the best-dressed superheroes on the big screen. With that in mind, these are the outfits that the DCU can improve the most.
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10
Cyborg’s CGI Was Unbelievable
As Seen In Justice League (2017)
Justice League
Release Date
November 17, 2017
Cast
Jeremy Irons
, Gal Gadot
, Amy Adams
, Jesse Eisenberg
, Ciarán Hinds
, Ben Affleck
, Henry Cavill
, Ezra Miller
, J. K. Simmons
, Jason Momoa
, Ray Fisher
Runtime
242 minutes
While Cyborg’s appearance in Justice League matched the movie’s overall, it was marred by a CGI rendering that made the already outlandish design even less believable. A body composed almost entirely of otherworldly machinery will always be difficult to render convincingly, especially when it is mapped onto a real-life actor, but the DCU needn’t be so heavy on tech. Instead, the new version of Cyborg might benefit from a more toned-down ensemble with practical effects reminiscent of his earlier comic book outings in which his robotic features were mostly confined to his limbs and head.
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9
The Flash’s Armor Did Not Look Aerodynamic
Seen In Justice League (2017) And The Flash (2023)
The Flash
Director
Andres Muschietti
Release Date
June 16, 2023
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
, DC
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Writers
Christina Hodson
, Joby Harold
Of the entire Justice League, Flash and Cyborg are the most aesthetically disappointing, with Flash’s pieced-together armor flying in the face of what his suit should ostensibly achieve. His second super suit, as featured in The Flash, was an improvement on the body armor in Justice League but was again hampered by subpar CGI that the DCU could improve upon by avoiding it entirely. Despite Ryan Reynolds’ Green Lantern setting the standard for how bad CGI suits can appear, it is a lesson that the DCEU did not learn – but one that the DCU could benefit from instead.
Ezra Miller wore a physical suit for The Flash but special effects were added in post-production for certain scenes, diminishing its authenticity.
8
Batman’s Final Suit Ruined A Good Run
As Seen In The Flash (2023)
The sleek and muted design of his first appearance gave way to a confusing ensemble of plastic-like padding and an inexplicable mesh midriff in the early scenes of The Flash.
Ben Affleck’s tenure as Batman was mired in mixed reactions, but among the highlights that many agreed upon was his early Batsuits, as featured in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Sadly, things went downhill from here for the Caped Crusader until his final appearance in The Flash suitably tarnished his visual legacy. The sleek and muted design of his first appearance gave way to a confusing ensemble of plastic-like padding and an inexplicable mesh midriff in the early scenes of The Flash.
The decline in quality was reportedly due to a deteriorated relationship with the creators of the original Batsuits, including his anti-Superman tank suit, which was very well-received.
Much of the praise leveled at Batman’s original suit was thanks to its largely comic-faithful design. This is something that the DCU, which has titled its debut Batman movie after the comic run The Brave and the Bold, could easily capitalize on, as the Bruce Wayne of that comic sports a classic look. The Superman suit revealed for Superman implies good things for the DCU’s intended style concerning aesthetically pleasing comic book accuracy.
7
El Diablo Could Look More Frightening
As Seen In Suicide Squad (2016)
Suicide Squad
Director
David Ayer
Release Date
August 5, 2016
Writers
David Ayer
Runtime
123 minutes
The first DCEU outing for the Suicide Squad was lambasted for many reasons, though costume design wasn’t always in the firing line. Despite this, the look for El Diablo could have benefited from more garish visuals than facial tattoos and an otherwise uninspiring wardrobe. One version of El Diablo from the comics, comparatively, sported far more threatening monochrome skull makeup with glowing red eyes to help cement the fear factor. A poncho and dual pistols help to round off a style that the DCU can utilize to distance itself from the DCEU’s maligned version with a more memorable look.
6
Killer Croc Can Look More Feral
As Seen In Suicide Squad (2016)
Similar to El Diablo, Killer Croc’s outfit left a lot to be desired. While his character design was striking, the DCEU missed an opportunity to create one of the most terrifying villains in superhero movies. This is something that the Batman: Arkham video game series capitalized on with relish, and the DCU could follow suit by foregoing the more human rendition of Killer Croc in the DCEU in lieu of a hulking villain capable of snapping Batman in two with his jaws alone.
5
Shazam’s Puffy Suit Looked Too Cartoonish
As Seen In Shazam (2019)
Shazam!
Director
David F. Sandberg
Release Date
April 5, 2019
Writers
Henry Gayden
Cast
Faithe Herman
, Jack Dylan Grazer
, Ian Chen
, Asher Angel
, Marta Milans
, Mark Strong
, Cooper Andrews
, Andi Osho
, grace fulton
, Zachary Levi
, Ron Cephas Jones
, Ava Preston
Runtime
138 minutes
Shazam and his family are examples of DCEU heroes whose costumes were not bad but have room for improvement if and when they appear in the DCU reboot. While the super suit donned in his first outing was suitably bright, exaggerated bulges designed to convey Captain Marvel’s bulk were hard to ignore. Shazam! Fury of the Gods improved on this, though it sacrificed the bright color scheme that helped make the Shazam family pop in their debut. The DCU could find a decent middle ground for the group in any upcoming outings.
4
The Birds Of Prey Can Embody A Superhero Aesthetic
As Seen In Birds Of Prey (2020)
Birds of Prey
Director
Cathy Yan
Release Date
February 7, 2020
Writers
Christina Hodson
Runtime
109 minutes
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
, DC Films
, LuckyChap Entertainment
, Clubhouse Pictures
, Kroll & Co. Entertainment
Birds of Prey is one of the best-rated DCEU movies but is not immune to ire. This is most often directed at the creative decision to deprive the titular heroes of their distinctive costumes entirely and instead having them appear in comparatively uninspiring outfits. This is something that the DCU can rectify should the Birds of Prey reappear in a future installment, given James Gunn’s comic-accurate track record. Gunn’s responsiveness to fan critiques and opinions implies that he would have the Birds of Prey don their striking super suits instead of a typical, if bright, wardrobe.
3
Harley Quinn Can Venture Into Classic Territory
As Seen in Suicide Squad (2016)
While a big part of what made Margot Robbie’s tenure as Harley Quinn so iconic was her appearance – as evidenced by its incredible popularity among cosplayers – the character is inherently malleable, having changed looks several times since her debut as a Joker sidekick in 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series. If Margot Robbie does not reprise the role in the DCU, then replacing her will be a tall order. Yet it is with Harley Quinn’s varied wardrobe that the DCU can capitalize on a golden opportunity.
Casting a new Harley Quinn could be easier if the DCU opts to depict her in one of her earliest guises. In the animated series and several comic book runs, Harley Quinn looked more like her harlequin namesake than any subsequent style, and this could make for a memorable new interpretation of the character. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn does have some detractors in the form of those who felt her original outfits in Suicide Squad were largely uninspired, but depicting a bold new look for the character could help win over an entirely new subset of fans.
2
Peacemaker Can Now Get A Glow-Up
As Seen In The Suicide Squad (2021)
The Suicide Squad
Release Date
August 5, 2021
Runtime
132 minutes
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Peacemaker’s costume in Suicide Squad and his eponymous series is a faithful recreation of the off-the-wall original and as garishly ridiculous as it should be. Given that his live-action appearances came with the oversight of James Gunn – the Co-CEO of DC Studios and primary purveyor of the DCU’s future – Gunn would be improving on his own work in future appearances. This is not beyond the realm of possibility, as Gunn might wish to reinvent and improve upon Peacemaker’s appearance as he continues to grow as a character in the upcoming Peacemaker Season 2.
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1
Robin’s Suit Can Be Much Brighter
As Seen In Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)
While Robin’s superhero suit was the only part of the character that appeared in the DCEU, it was an underwhelming rendition nonetheless. Batman’s young sidekick is most often depicted as the brightly colored counterpart to the shadowy Caped Crusader, whose costume is a garish mix of red, yellow, and green. In the DCEU, however, it appears as muted as Batman’s own superhero suit.
The same is unlikely to be the case in the DCU, which is likely to depict Damian Wayne in a similar style to his appearance in the The Brave and the Bold comic. When it comes to Robin in live-action movies, the DCU has an open goal thanks to the disservice that previous renditions have done to the Boy Wonder. With that in mind, the DCU can draw inspiration instead from the Robin of the Titans series, which boasts the best design of Robin’s live-action outings.