The Best Superman Costumes in Comics, Ranked

The attire of Superman stands out as the most recognizable costume among all superheroes that have been brought to life. From its eye-catching red cape, durable blue fabric, to the inspiring S-symbol, Superman’s appearance has set a high benchmark for other heroes to emulate in their costumes. Over time, his design has remained consistent, reflecting its timeless appeal, but there have been instances where Superman has experimented with new looks. In fact, he has donned several different suits throughout the years – some very similar, while others represented a significant departure from the original. Today, we’ll be exploring and discussing the top ten costumes worn by Superman in comic books, highlighting why his iconic look continues to outlast fashion trends and fads that have spanned over a century.

10) Superman and the Authority

This new take on Superman’s suit is quite unusual yet surprisingly effective. Instead of the traditional design, it presents a striking departure yet retains an uncanny familiarity that makes it work flawlessly. Gone are Clark’s cape, shorts, and long sleeves, replaced by this streamlined redesign featuring gloves and a striking black shield emblem on the chest. The unusual military-inspired design, blended with remnants of the classic look for the Man of Steel, imparts an aura of authority and power that resonates with anyone who lays eyes on it. This suit harks back to iconic and cherished designs like the one from “Kingdom Come,” while still maintaining a contemporary and practical feel. In my opinion, it ranks among the best Superman suits available today.

9) New 52 Action Comics

Initially, I wasn’t too fond of Grant Morison and Rags Morales’s new design, but it has definitely grown on me over time. This portrayal of Superman represents him at the outset of his career, focusing more on tackling social injustices than supervillains. In my opinion, this suit beautifully embodies the principles that define this version of Superman. Instead of an extraterrestrial battle armor or body-hugging spandex, this suit is made from a simple t-shirt, jeans, and a shorter cape. This attire is easy to replicate for anyone, which allows readers to identify with Superman more closely. In addition, the visual representation brings Superman closer to the reader, making it an innovative way to revamp his appearance to align with his mission.

8) Absolute Superman

In this updated version, the Omniverse has introduced significant modernizations and revisions for each character, and Absolute Superman is no exception. His fresh appearance exhibits a more extraterrestrial vibe, with luminescent forearms and boots brimming with solar energy, along with a half-belt that wraps around his waist. This latest suit, unfortunately, does away with the traditional briefs, which is somewhat disappointing, but it compensates for that by sporting the coolest cape ever conceived. Absolute Kal’s cape is fashioned from the red soil of Krypton, and can extend or retract into a whirlwind-like tempest to shield him. Not only does this cape possess a captivating, otherworldly swoosh, but the symbolism behind Superman’s status as the lone Kryptonian survivor is woven directly into it. Superman has always carried a piece of Krypton with him, the red dust he used to frolic in during his childhood. It’s not only aesthetically pleasing, but also meaningful, and simply looks amazing.

7) Superman Reborn

The Rebirth-era Superman’s suit deviates from the ornate design of his New 52 armor, instead embracing a contemporary interpretation of his traditional appearance. It revisits the iconic blue spandex material and incorporates a yellow belt buckle, offering the right pop of color while maintaining the absence of trunks. This is not the only suit Superman wore during the Rebirth period, but this version was worn after merging with his New 52 counterpart in the “Superman Reborn” storyline. It stands out as the best suit from that era due to its skillful modernization of the classic costume, retaining beloved elements while subtly updating certain aspects. Although it lacks trunks, if they were included, this suit would undoubtedly rank among Superman’s top costumes. Nonetheless, this design is an excellent rendition of Superman’s costume and deserves recognition.

6) Original Suit

I asserted that Superman’s initial design was classically elegant from the very start, and now I’m backing up my claim with evidence. From the first cover of Action Comics #1, Superman’s timeless costume is prominently showcased. Although this specific version of the suit didn’t persist for long in the early issues due to artists having more creative freedom with superhero designs back then, Superman was often depicted wearing blue feet instead of red shoes, and the yellow belt and symbol on his cape were added later on. Despite these changes, this design has significantly impacted Superman’s overall appearance over almost a century, and it’s easy to understand why. His distinct silhouette is easily identifiable, while the red briefs serve as a vibrant accent that highlights every fluid movement of his limbs. The gold crest is often underestimated but deserves all the appreciation it can get. This costume is iconic because it’s truly remarkable.

5) Black Suit

Initially, Superman wore the solar-recovery suit following his demise at Doomsday’s hands to expedite his recovery. The suit immediately resonated with fans due to its stylish black finish and silver accents, but the redesign of Superman: Lois and Clark took it to an even greater level. This new version discarded the gloves and armbands and incorporated a silver belt instead, adding visual interest while breaking up the symmetry of Superman’s torso. The design is the epitome of minimalist fashion, demonstrating that less can indeed be more. It seems counterintuitive for such a straightforward and dark suit to complement a character as vibrant as Superman, but it exudes an undeniable cool factor. Though I usually prefer a cape on Superman, I’m prepared to make an exception with this suit because it is so well-designed. It’s a costume that fans never tire of seeing in action.

4) New Classic

In Gail Simone’s three-part story within issues #1067-1069 of Action Comics, a costume reminiscent of Superman’s early years in Metropolis was introduced. This timeless style, set decades ago, is beautifully captured through the design of Superman, which draws inspiration from the classic Fleischer Superman cartoons of the 1940s. The beloved Fleischer costume has been reimagined in this adaptation, with a minor modification: the background of the crest is now black and it’s outlined in yellow. This small change dramatically enhances its visual appeal. Competing for the top spot as the best Superman symbol, this updated costume seamlessly blends with other comic book suits of its intended era. It’s an instant classic that deserves to make a comeback, ideally very soon.

3) Kingdom Come

In this list presented earlier, the Kingdom Come suit is undeniably one of Superman’s most iconic costumes. This suit transcends the term ‘classic,’ as it stands as the most impactful and influential alternate-universe interpretation of Superman’s costume to date, perhaps even for all time. While maintaining the core design, it transforms the belt to black and significantly alters the crest. The alteration is substantial, with a redesign that includes a shift to a darker background reminiscent of the Fleischer cartoons and a bold, angular, and sharp cursive styling. The ‘S’ becomes more alien in appearance, serving as a symbol rather than a letter, and this combined with the vivid contrast against Superman’s deep blue suit makes for an exceptional redesign.

2) Silver Age

During the Silver Age, Superman’s appearance was solidified into an iconic form that endured throughout its almost forty-year run. The vivid combination of bright blue and red catches the eye and beautifully symbolizes the grand ideals that defined the Silver Age. Compared to other versions, this cape was relatively short, stopping at his knees, but it lends a playful, childlike charm to the costume. This Superman is like a dream made real, so it’s fitting that his attire reflects the sense of wonder children feel when discovering the Man of Tomorrow for the first time. It’s challenging to find anything new to say about this costume other than it deserves recognition as one of the best superhero costumes ever created. However, there is another that holds a slightly higher position.

1) Post Crisis/Modern

Without a doubt, this classic Superman outfit stands out as the epitome. It’s the design that pops into people’s minds when they picture Superman, and rightfully so. It embodies everything from the Silver Age costume, but on a grander scale. The cape is significantly longer, allowing it to billow majestically behind him or envelop him like a cloak. The crest on his chest is even more prominent and emblazons his symbol with pride, announcing that he is Superman. The deeper tones of red and blue accentuate the yellow even further, giving the suit a sense of reality that surpasses its lighter-hued predecessors. In every way, this suit represents what a Superman suit ought to be and is the most iconic costume ever created. What else can I say? This is Superman’s outfit, and it’s nothing short of incredible.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/5-times-lois-lane-saved-superman/embed/#

2025-07-12 15:40