In the upcoming Action Comics #1000, Superman will be debuting a new costume – one that incoporates his new “52”updated look , but also includes the iconic red underwear-worn-on-the outside that we all lusted after as kids.
Supes has been through many costumes over his eighty years of existence, with the red trunks being an integral part of his costume costume since Action Comics #1 in 1938, predating even the iconic diamond-shaped S-shield in terms of longevity. After a brief period in the early ’90s when he bizarrely opted for a silver costume, he changed to a completely revamped look that came to be known as the Electric Blue era. Then, a few years ago, during what was dubbed the new 52, the artists also did away with those red trunks altogether, in order to give Henry Cavill’s big screen Superman an embossed design around his waist instead.
During this era he tragically looked like he was wearing a big onesie, and it was quite the boner killer.
via CBR:
It was eventually revealed that the Superman of the New 52 was not the same Superman who had existed prior to Flashpoint, and that character and his family had survived the continuity changes and set up a life in secret. This Superman at first wore a stealth suit similar to his ’90s resurrection outfit, but after the death of the New 52 Superman, made his public debut in a new costume designed by Jim Lee and Tom Derenick. This made the red belt even thinner and removed the red boots, giving the costume the appearance of a onesie. The most recent costume post-Superman Reborn was a pretty good compromise between an iconic look for Superman, even if it didn’t have the red trunks. The boots returned, the belt got a lot thicker without being bulky, and the buckle was recolored to yellow.
The return of Superman’s red trunks may not seem like an important change to some people, but it signifies a lot of what has made DC so welcoming and engaging since the dawn of Rebirth. It casts an eye back to what made DC’s characters work while pushing them forward, toward new stories. There may always be jokes about Superman “wearing his underwear outside out costume,” but DC always came across as defensive when changing it up. Superman exists in a realm outside of what’s cool or trendy in the moment, and the red trunks are a big part of that. It’s good to see them back.
Here, here. Bring back my classic husband! Which do you prefer?
