Poll of the Day > what was even the point of capes

(+) Yeah! (+)

they're so dumb and i can't come up with any utility for them

NO CAPEs

Blue_Thunder posted...

NO CAPEs

You mean like Edna Mode in that movie with that incredible family that possesses super-human abilities.

You wear them in cold weather.

For batman they have a variety of uses:
Fireproof, bulletproof, glider, conceals weapons, etc.

They look cool

Adam_Savage posted...

they're so dumb and i can't come up with any utility for them

Raincoats didn't exist yet

Batman at least uses his cape.

Superman can fly without it, right?

SeahorseCpt89 posted...

Batman at least uses his cape.

Superman can fly without it, right?

Think it was the american flag symbolism for superman actually.

They serve the same purpose of having your underwear on the outside of tights.

Namely, comic characters created in the 1930s/40s had them, so it became traditional to keep giving them to new characters, even when it didn't necessarily make sense anymore. It became part of what defined a "superhero".

The original characters had them because they were an outgrowth of pulp characters like The Shadow or The Spirit who wore long trenchcoats, or characters like Zorro who had cloaks because those were standard fashion in their own era.

They also make drawings of flying or jumping characters look more dynamic, so they're artistically beneficial.

It wasn't really until comic movies started becoming ubiquitious that it sort of became apparent that most comic character costumes look kind of stupid, which is why people are starting to try and come up with more "realistic" or "modern" or stylized costumes for new characters. But it's insanely hard to change old costumes, because most comic fans will HATE any and all new designs, and will spend the next few decades constantly complaining about it and shitting on it.

Are YOU going to tell the goddamned Batman his cape looks stupid?

I think not.

Skipping entire levels in Mario World

JimBeamMeUp posted...

Are YOU going to tell the goddamned Batman his cape looks stupid?

I think not.

I would. His iron moral code wouldn't allow him to beat up an innocent person for no good reason, and being critical of someone's fashion choices isn't a crime.

ParanoidObsessive posted...

I would. His iron moral code wouldn't allow him to beat up an innocent person for no good reason, and being critical of someone's fashion choices isn't a crime.

Ok. Now go tell Dr. Doom his cape looks stupid.

JimBeamMeUp posted...

Ok. Now go tell Dr. Doom his cape looks stupid.

Fuck no.

Because he's wearing a cloak, not a cape. Only a total nerd would confuse the two!

ParanoidObsessive posted...

Fuck no.

Because he's wearing a cloak, not a cape. Only a total nerd would confuse the two!

I would argue that the cape is to the cloak what the necktie is to the cravat.

JimBeamMeUp posted...

I would argue that the cape is to the cloak what the necktie is to the cravat.

Nah,a cloak has far more real purpose than a cape, it can hide your weapons, help you be stealthy, protect you from weather etc.

Depending on the version of Batman recently he might actually kill you for that lol. Bitch is getting really dark.

Batman is probably the best cape wearing hero. His does have functionality on top of it helping complete his bat theme.

Supermans used to have functionality. Back in the day it was indestructible and as such he could stretch it and use it for things. Apparently also had a pocket for his glasses iirc. But I've also seen comic panels where his cape was used against him. Grabbing it to sling and slam him into the ground as one example

mooreandrew58 posted...

Batman is probably the best cape wearing hero. His does have functionality on top of it helping complete his bat theme.

Supermans used to have functionality. Back in the day it was indestructible and as such he could stretch it and use it for things. Apparently also had a pocket for his glasses iirc. But I've also seen comic panels where his cape was used against him. Grabbing it to sling and slam him into the ground as one example

And as mentioned above, especially in the original super man tv show, it was symbolic of a flag, with him standing with his cape flaring behind him much like the US flag. In fact it actually has him standing in front of the flag (with it blowing like his cape) in the original intro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2l4bz1FT8U&ab_channel=MissingPieces4U

JimBeamMeUp posted...

Are YOU going to tell the goddamned Batman his cape looks stupid?

Reminds me of this.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/4/6/AAC4lPAADAS-.jpg

wolfy42 posted...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2l4bz1FT8U&ab_channel=MissingPieces4U

Due to that intro I use to think being taller was part of his disguise as Clark Kent.

SKARDAVNELNATE posted...

Due to that intro I use to think being taller was part of his disguise as Clark Kent.

It's usually implied to be an actual thing in the in comics these days. He deliberately slouches as Clark so he looks shorter and a little dumpier.

ParanoidObsessive posted...

It's usually implied to be an actual thing in the in comics these days. He deliberately slouches as Clark so he looks shorter and a little dumpier.

I meant the opposite. That as Clark Kent he's taller. Due to how short his legs are once he changes to Superman.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/6/2/AAC4lPAADATO.jpg

Originally a cape was utilized to deal with various forms of weather. Rain and cold most notably. Basically, think of it as a way to carry a blanket/raincoat around.

this topic was not about comic book characters

i saw a cape on some fuckin medieval dude and it looked dumb as fuck

also no on the rain protection part lmao, they aren't waterproof and they're only on your back, so useful for rain

they also aren't for warmth, again, only on your back lmao. a cape is not a cloak and y'all seem to think they're interchangable

They feckin' look cool

Adam_Savage posted...

this topic was not about comic book characters

It is now, though.



Adam_Savage posted...

also no on the rain protection part lmao, they aren't waterproof and they're only on your back, so useful for rain

they also aren't for warmth, again, only on your back lmao. a cape is not a cloak and y'all seem to think they're interchangable

Most clothes throughout most of human history weren't waterproof, yet they were still worn to keep rain off you, so sorry, but yes. Anything draped over you is offering some protection - even a cotton hoodie will keep you drier in mild rain than nothing (at least until it's fully soaked through).

Same goes for clothes in general. A cape isn't necessarily as warm as a full overcoat wrapping entirely around your body, but even a little bit of extra layering over your shoulders and back (and possibly with an arm tucked under) is going to keep you warmer than not, so while it wouldn't be useful in arctic or harsh winter conditions, it does still serve a purpose in milder climate.

And like it or not, they did evolve out of the cloak (and are generally seen as being variations of a similar concept, in the same way t-shirts and long-sleeve shirts are), so they're far more interrelated than you're willing to accept.

nope

capes were purely only for fashion, literally no other purpose for them than it was just "the fashion"

i looked it up

get rekt.

cloaks are wholly unrelated to capes

ParanoidObsessive posted...

Most clothes throughout most of human history weren't waterproof

also incorrect, btw.

Ah yes the cape, remindes me of incredibles

https://youtu.be/YL3w73MAuIM

Dmess85 posted...

Ah yes the cape, remindes me of incredibles

https://youtu.be/YL3w73MAuIM

I'm honestly surprised we made it to 30 posts before someone threw this out there

JimBeamMeUp posted...

I'm honestly surprised we made it to 30 posts before someone threw this out there

Post #2?

Metalsonic66 posted...

Post #2?

and also post 3

Admittedly, I'd just glossed over the early posts in this topic. When I see like a 3 word post, my brain just filters it out as noise half the time.

batman's helps him glide, that's pretty useful

I mean, historically it goes back to the paludamentum and further.

SKARDAVNELNATE posted...

Reminds me of this.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/4/6/AAC4lPAADAS-.jpg

If that was Marvel comics he would have snapped his neck or strangled himself.

The peasants have to wash and wear the same clothes every day, so nobility would flex on them by wearing excess fabric on their shoulders.

They help you get laid

Veedrock- posted...

The peasants have to wash and wear the same clothes every day, so nobility would flex on them by wearing excess fabric on their shoulders.

Sounds legit.

Revelation34 posted...

If that was Marvel comics he would have snapped his neck or strangled himself.

You mean Grendel? Actually he broke his arm in that crossover which carried over to his own stories. Similar to how Spawn's shoelace look was the result of Batman planting a batarang in his face.
No one talks about how Batman went around maiming other main characters in the 90s.

I do live action role play in a Medieval Fantasy setting and I wear a historically accurate cape with a hood. It resembles the one you see in the pictures below. It has more purposes than you think. It's an excellent protection against the rain as it can cover my entire body. It's also great against the cold, as it's made of wool. Even in a hotter climate, it doesn't make me feel too hot because it's loose and allows airflow. During nighttime, I can lie down and camouflage myself. Seriously, with no light source someone right next to me can't even see me. It's also useful for hiding my identity as well as concealing my weapons. If someone decides to use my cape against me by grappling it, I can easily remove it because it's only attached below the neck. I didn't buy it to look cool, but because it's a convenient piece of equipment.

There's also one other use specific to me that can be lifesaving. I suffer from a dangerous case of photosensitivity to the point that I must wear protective clothing to protect my skin while under the sun. Any physical barrier that causes shade is good, even clouds. Basically, I can't be under direct sunlight without risking my life. The only exception is during the winter. The fabric of my clothing can be anything as long as it's uniform. This means that I wear long sleeves when outside during the summer. When riding my bicycle, I must even wear gloves to protect my exposed hands. For obvious reasons, I love cloudy days and nighttime. Unlike a vampire, I don't instantaneously combust when I go naked under direct sunlight. Usually, I can survive a few minutes without consequence. Too much exposure can cause fatigue, nausea, and burning of the skin. In the long term, it can cause cancer. You can bet that my cape and hood are excellent protection against sun rays.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/2/2/AAIVLdAADAY2.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/2/3/AAIVLdAADAY3.jpg

Accrovideogames posted...

I do live action role play in a Medieval Fantasy setting and I wear a historically accurate cape with a hood. It resembles the one you see in the pictures below. It has more purposes than you think. It's an excellent protection against the rain as it can cover my entire body. It's also great against the cold, as it's made of wool. Even in a hotter climate, it doesn't make me feel too hot because it's loose and allows airflow. During nighttime, I can lie down and camouflage myself. Seriously, with no light source someone right next to me can't even see me. It's also useful for hiding my identity as well as concealing my weapons. If someone decides to use my cape against me by grappling it, I can easily remove it because it's only attached below the neck. I didn't buy it to look cool, but because it's a convenient piece of equipment.

There's also one other use specific to me that can be lifesaving. I suffer from a dangerous case of photosensitivity to the point that I must wear protective clothing to protect my skin while under the sun. Any physical barrier that causes shade is good, even clouds. Basically, I can't be under direct sunlight without risking my life. The only exception is during the winter. The fabric of my clothing can be anything as long as it's uniform. This means that I wear long sleeves when outside during the summer. When riding my bicycle, I must even wear gloves to protect my exposed hands. For obvious reasons, I love cloudy days and nighttime. Unlike a vampire, I don't instantaneously combust when I go naked under direct sunlight. Usually, I can survive a few minutes without consequence. Too much exposure can cause fatigue, nausea, and burning of the skin. In the long term, it can cause cancer. You can bet that my cape and hood are excellent protection against sun rays.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/2/2/AAIVLdAADAY2.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/2/3/AAIVLdAADAY3.jpg

That's a cloak.

Capes were used - and are *still* used, in some uniforms - as rain protection and additional warmth from an extra layer. That, historically, was their main function outside of fashion. They also doubled as blankets or pillows for travellers.

Revelation34 posted...

That's a cloak.

And a Sexy one. I want a cloak now.

In The Batman, he gets pulled by his cape in one fight. Reminded me of NO CAPES, lol.

Veedrock- posted...

The peasants have to wash and wear the same clothes every day, so nobility would flex on them by wearing excess fabric on their shoulders.

Yea no. If that WAS true they'd be happy with those big, poofy, shoulders we see, not a cape (which there's very little art of them wearing). Plus there's far better ways to 'flex' on them, like wearing expensive fabric and, ya know, living in a castle. Some peasant gets uppity, throw them in the stocks. Using a cape, a usually filthy cape, would be laughable. There are certainly ones who wore robes because they LOOKED awesome and plenty of art of them on MILITARY CAMPAIGNS, but no one would wear it just 'to flex'.

Revelation34 posted...

That's a cloak.

It's both.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloak

A cloak is a type of loose garment worn over clothing, mostly but not always as outerwear for outdoor wear, serving the same purpose as an overcoat, protecting the wearer from the weather. [...] Cloaks generally fasten at the neck or over the shoulder, vary in length, from hip all the way down to the ankle, mid-calf being the normal length. They may have an attached hood and may cover and fasten down the front, in which case they have holes or slits for the hands to pass through. However, cloaks are almost always sleeveless. [...] The word cloak comes from Old North French cloque (Old French cloche, cloke) meaning "travelling cloak", from Medieval Latin clocca "travelers' cape," literally "a bell," so called from the garment's bell-like shape. Thus the word is related to the word clock. [...] wear a long (over the shoulders or to ankles) cloak usually called a cape [...]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape

A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment which drapes the wearer's back, arms, and chest, and connects at the neck. [...] Capes were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon. [...] In fashion, the word cape usually refers to a shorter garment and cloak to a full-length version of the different types of garment, though the two terms are sometimes used synonymously for full-length coverings. The fashion cape does not cover the front to any appreciable degree. In raingear, a cape is usually a long and roomy protective garment worn to keep one dry in the rain. [...] capes may be short (over the shoulders or to the waist) or a full-length cloak.

As you can see, my cape is both a cape and cloak according to both definitions. There can be an overlap between the two. It's kind of like how all squares are rectangles.

Revelation34 posted...

If that was Marvel comics he would have snapped his neck or strangled himself.

What makes you say that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzFSsOuSfPk