DC Comics boasts an impressive roster of some of the world’s most beloved superheroes. Characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have left lasting impressions on fans worldwide, each sporting multiple memorable designs. However, this diversity in costumes also means that some of the most underrated outfits haven’t received the recognition they deserve.
From Supergirl’s lesser-known but impactful designs to Flash outfits that fans wish could make a comeback, DC’s heroes have donned a myriad of costumes that deserve a revival. Here’s a look at 10 underrated DC Comics costumes that are simply begging for a return to the spotlight.
10
Supergirl’s Woman of Tomorrow Wardrobe
First Appearance: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #8 by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, Matheus Lopes, and Clayton Cowles
Supergirl, or Kara Zor-El, has showcased numerous outfits throughout her history, reflecting changes in style and culture. Among her many transformations, the jumpsuit featured in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is particularly notable. This design shifts away from her classic skirt, presenting a pragmatic look complete with a bold gold belt reminiscent of the circus strongman outfits that originally inspired Superman.
This updated style, combined with a throwback shorter haircut, beautifully embodies the essence of Supergirl as a modern hero while nodding to her historical roots as the Woman of Tomorrow.
9
Superman’s Earth 2 Ensemble
First Appearance: Earth 2 #1 by James Robinson, Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott, Alex Sinclair, and Dezi Sienty
Superman has seen plenty of redesigns, often revisiting the iconic red trunks. However, the Earth-2 Superman introduced via the DC Universe’s post-Flashpoint reshaping featured a striking departure, swapping trunks for a stylish thick red and yellow belt. This design uniquely integrates the House of El crest within the cape itself, eschewing a traditional collar for a more mature aesthetic.
Markedly reminiscent of the post-Crisis Superman, this iteration stands out even in today’s more classic portrayals of the character. Fans continue to admire this look, recognizing it as one of Superman’s finest outfits.
8
Wonder Woman’s Challenge of the Gods Armor
First Appearance: Wonder Woman #10 by George Pérez, Len Wein, Bruce D. Patterson, Carl Gafford, and John Costanza
Wonder Woman is a paramount figure of both peace and combat, showcasing various armor styles through her journey. Her Golden Eagle armor is iconic, but the armor from the “Challenge of the Gods”arc deserves equal attention. This classic battle gear highlights her warrior spirit, interweaving her fierce colors with a touch of her Amazonian heritage.
This look aligns her with her fellow Amazons while ensuring she stands as a formidable force in battle, solidifying its place as prime attire for significant confrontations.
7
Red Hood’s Hybrid Redesign
First Appearance: Batman and Robin #24 by Judd Winnick, Greg Tocchini, Arthur Fujita, and Pat Brosseau
Jason Todd has had a tumultuous journey within the Batman mythos. Initially perceived as a potential supervillain, his character took a notable turn into the antihero realm. His redesign before the New 52 era incorporated elements from his previous suits, blending traditional superhero aesthetics with a tactical edge that fans appreciate.
Crafted from remnants of past designs, this hybrid outfit defined his separation from the Bat-Family while still marking his role in the superhero community, which remains a highlight of his costume evolution.
6
Cyborg’s DC You Makeover
First Appearance: Cyborg #1 by David F. Walker, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Adriano Lucas, and Rob Leigh
Cyborg, or Victor Stone, epitomizes the blend of human and machine in his fight against evil. His standout look from the DC You series cleverly balanced his mechanical aspects with a more humanizing appearance. This redesign showcased him as a dynamic hero, moving away from the heavily mechanized designs that prevailed during the New 52.
Emphasizing blue accents reminiscent of his animated Teen Titans iterations, this outfit perfectly showcases Cyborg’s character evolution while embracing his intricate past.
5
Black Lightning’s Brick City Blues Outfit
First Appearance: Black Lightning #1 by Jenny Blake, Isabella, Eddy Newell, Ron McCain, Matt Hollingsworth, Electric Crayon, and Albert De Guzman
Black Lightning, one of DC’s most underrated heroes, made waves with his fashion choices that matched his electrifying powers. His most distinctive look debuted in the “Brick City Blues”storyline, highlighting a more grounded aesthetic that linked him to urban roots. The leather jacket paired with fingerless gloves gave him a 90s vibe, diverging from the superhero norms that expected masks.
This refreshed identity not only resonated with fans but also set the stage for a new narrative chapter in Black Lightning’s journey.
4
Green Lantern’s Jim Lee Redesign
First Appearance: Green Lantern #150 by Judd Winnick, Dale Eaglesham, Pat Quinn, Rodney Ramos, John Lowe, Moose Baumann, and Kurt Hathaway
Kyle Rayner’s fashion history has been pivotal in shaping Green Lantern’s legacy; his best-known outfit debuted in Green Lantern #150. Crafted by Jim Lee, this design illustrated Kyle’s transformation from a novice hero to a formidable figure in the DC Universe. Featuring a striking green emblem and a more military flair, this suit is iconic and considered one of Lee’s most remarkable designs.
Emphasizing the character’s evolution, this uniform stands as a testament to Rayner’s growth and the enduring impact of his Green Lantern legacy.
3
Walter West’s Dark Flash
First Appearance: The Flash #150 by Mark Waid, Brian Augustyn, Paul Pelletier, Vince Russell, Tom McCraw, and Gaspar Saladino
Walter West, known as Dark Flash, offered a rich new take on speedster design. His costume, a departure from the traditional design of earlier Flashes, showcases a unique asymmetrical lightning bolt and a dramatic color swap to silver accents instead of gold. This costume significantly distances itself from Barry Allen’s original look while establishing a modern identity for the character.
With its intriguing design and thematic depth, it’s high time for the main Flash to embrace elements of this memorable outfit.
2
Tim Drake’s Second Red Robin Uniform
First Appearance: Red Robin #12 by Christopher Yost, Marcus To, Ray McCarthy, Guy Major, and Sal Cipriano
Tim Drake has faced challenges in establishing his identity post-Robin, but his second Red Robin uniform has left a lasting impression. Drawing on elements from various Elseworld designs, this sleek costume was pivotal during a period when Tim stepped out from the shadow of Batman, symbolizing his growth as an independent hero.
The design harmoniously combines features of both Batman and Robin while staying true to his character’s identity. Tim’s Red Robin uniform remains a beloved highlight, showcasing his evolution into a hero on par with his predecessors.
1
Bruce Wayne’s Batman Incorporated Suit
First Appearance: Batman: The Return #1 by Grant Morrison, David Finch, Ryan Winn, Matt Banning, Peter Steigerwald, and Dave Sharpe
Batman has seen various redesigns aiming to update his look while moving away from the iconic trunks. However, none have combined style and functionality as effectively as the suit from the Batman Incorporated storyline. Sporting a streamlined gray design paired with the classic yellow oval logo, this look made a powerful statement but was sadly short-lived.
While Batman’s New 52 redesign sought modernization, it often complicated his silhouette. Thankfully, the Batman Inc. suit has appeared sporadically since its debut, and fans eagerly await its return, recognizing it as one of the Dark Knight’s best and most underrated costumes.