Warning! Contains spoilers for Superman #16!
Summary
One of the most iconic and recognizable parts ofSuperman’scostume has always been his large red cape. It’s one of the first things people see as he streaks through the sky of Metropolis. Now, DC has revealed the adorable origin of where Superman first got this unforgettable part of his outfit.
The brand-new first appearance of Superman’s cape takes place inSuperman#16 by Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell. In this story, afterSuperman loses his powers and is shot inAbsolute Power, the bullet actually pierces his skin and hurts him. As Superman falls to the ground below, he remembers a moment from when he was a young child, and he put on a magic show for his parents.
Clark Kent officially first donned a red cape as “Clark the Conjurer.” While Clark’s magic show didn’t go according to plan, it would still markthe first time that Clark wore the iconic red capethat would become a staple of his life as a hero in the future. As Ma Kent says: “the cape looks great, honey.”
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One iconic Justice League villain is no more, as they mark the first official casualty in DC’s summer blockbuster event, Absolute Power.
Superman’s Cape Is Part of a Cherished Family Memory
Ma Kent Is Inspired
One of the greatest parts about Superman is his deep connection to his family. With all the power in the world, it would be incredibly easy to become a corrupt monster who only cares about themselves or even try to rule the world. But Superman has never been tempted to do that, and that’s entirely because of the upbringing that he got from Martha and Jonathan Kent. Because of the love he experienced, he became an iconic hero, and this memory ofSuperman putting on a magic showfor his parents shows howevery interaction with them is what built him into becoming the greatest hero on Earth.
Where the cape ultimately came from doesn’t matter; all that matters is that the origin started with Clark Kent’s parents.
Superman’s cape is one of the most important parts of his outfits and has had tons of uses over the years. Not only does Superman regularly use his cape to wrap up innocent civilians who are in danger, like when he rescues them from a fire, but he’s also usedhis cape as an Anti-Green Lantern weaponin the past. It’s an incredibly versatile part of his toolkit, andthe exact origins of the cape have fluctuated over the years,with some stories saying it came with the outfit from Krypton and some saying it was made by Martha Kent. This new origin is easily the best. Where the cape ultimately came from doesn’t matter; all that matters is that the origin started with Clark Kent’s parents.
Superman’s Cape Is a Key Part of His Design
And Clark Kent’s History
Superheroes naturally go through tons of redesigns over the years, and while certain parts of Superman’s design have changed as well, like his red trunks, the one thing that’s always been consistent is his cape. With this new addition to his backstory, his cape is more important than ever. Even if the cape itself is Kryptonian, the memory of it ties him to his Earth family and the amazing childhood he had. No matter what changes toSuperman’scostume happen over the years, he’ll never lose his cape, which he first got from one magical moment in his childhood.
SUPERMAN #16 (2024)
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
