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News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media

Men in Tights: A tongue-in-cheek look at the hottest superhero costumes

Chris Evans and David Yost

Everyone is making a big deal about the costume (or lack thereof) of Dr. Manhattan in the Watchmen movie, but it's nowhere near the most interesting superhero garb. Throughout the years, actors in movies and TV have sacrificed their dignity in order to bring us these heroes, so we thought we'd offer our own salute.

We're definitely holding out for these heroes!

Chris Evans

As Johnny Storm in two Fantastic Four films, Chris Evans had us all ... hot under the collar (sorry).

Brandon Routh

After seeing Brandon Routh in his Superman costume, we understand why he was chosen to be the new "man of steel" (again, sorry).

Gil Gerard

While not technically a superhero, we have to give Gil Gerard props for making his Buck Rogers silver lamé pants work.

John Wesley Shipp

As TV's The Flash, John Wesley Shipp had us wishing we could use a pause button to better appreciate his costume.

Matt McColm

As TV's Nightman, Matt McColm made us forget how crappy the show was.

Chuck Wagner

Chuck Wagner played TV's Automan, who was an electrified hologram. As a boy who got a "special thrill" from putting my finger in a socket, you can imagine the fantasies I had about Automan.

Patrick Warburton

As TV's The Tick, we were puddy in Patrick Warburton's hands.

David Yost

When it comes to the Power Rangers, most people preferred the Red Ranger, but I always had my eye on the adorkable Billy.

Wesley Snipes

Finally, we have to give Wesley Snipes props for his Blade costume. It takes guts to try and pull off the "shirtless with armor" look.

Have any fave superhero costumes that we missed?

  • snicks's blog
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  • AddisonDewitt's picture

    Automan!

    WOW! I totally forgot about that one until now! 

    Well you had the unflattering costume from William Katt in The Greatest American Hero and the lack there of in the horrid but sexy Manimal with Simon MacCorkindale.

    Dean's picture

    OK, This is the first time....

    I've focused on Brandon Routh from his profile.  WOOOF!  What a package...... did they know that this man was...... like this..... before he took this picture!!!! WOW, No onder you've called him the man of steel! I think Chris Evans and David Youst need a sock just to keep up.... the image that is!
    Ed Kennedy's picture

    I missed that

    When I was writing my post, I was outside in the sun, and failed to see Brandon's...attributes.  Now inside and my attention drawn - I seem to recall that this was a rumor during filming that the costume department was having a heck of a time keeping the movie from an R rating due to Brandon's equipment.  Nothing ever said directly, just it appearing on some sites.  This picture adds a degree of proof to that rumor.
    Ed Kennedy's picture

    I'm so disappointed in you snicks

    I figured if you did side-by-side on some actors, like the hunk Matt McColm, you could have included the other Chris Evans picture from the Fantastic FourBefore the uniform

    I was always a Blue Ranger guy myself.  And while I don't remember Automan at all, we probably shouldn't talk about the pictures you put in my head with that description you wrote with him. WOW! 

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    giovannif7's picture

    Smallville

    gets so much wrong, but occasionally they make some good costuming choices.

    Justin Hartley's Green Arrow costume could definitely use a redesign to highlight more of his physical features, but it does show off his incredible arms and shoulders.

    and I have no complaints about this version of Alan Ritchson's Aquaman costume.

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    Ed Kennedy's picture

    Smallville is eye candy

    I gotta agree - Smallville is often painful, but they do pretty good on their male lead casting.  I'm more than able to fogive the Green Arrow costume, since he seems to spend so much time shirtless changing in and out of it and treating injuries.

    I remember the first time Aquaman appeared - even with the long sleeve orange top with the board shirts, I was actually shocked speechless when he appeared onscreen.  That is one beautiful man, undressed or dressed in orange and green (can't imagine doing that in real life, I suspect you can only make such fashion choices if you're insanely beautiful). 

    big_red737's picture

    Brandon Routh

    I hate to break it to everyone but that image of Brandon Routh as Superman is photoshopped.  As much as I wish that one was real, this is the original version of that:

    marQ's picture

    Ditto

    That's what I thought. 
    Madeleine's picture

    My Favourites

    I remember the first time I watched Smallville, because this is what I saw:

    It may not be a costume, but damn, I could stare at Tom Welling ALL day.

    I'm also a fan of the cheesy Batman movies from the 90's, and had an especially big crush on Chris O'Donnell (though Val Kilmer and George Clooney were nice to look at too.) Nicole Kidman's Chase Meridian had it right when she said black rubber was hot.

    Let's just say Dick Grayson seems to be a well chosen name.

    And lets not forget this excellent wardrobe choice...

    ...although the hottest guy in X-Men (to me) was James Marsden as Cyclops. There's just something about that leather jacket and those glasses that makes me all giddy inside.

    I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.

    Campion's picture

    so very true

    Madeleine wrote:

     

    ...although the hottest guy in X-Men (to me) was James Marsden as Cyclops. There's just something about that leather jacket and those glasses that makes me all giddy inside.

    I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.

    hakkikt's picture

    My favorite [from cult sci-fi show "Farscape"]

    As Gil Gerard, Farscape's Ben Browder as John Crichton wasn't a superhero, but he always looked spankin' hot on leather outfits.

    Ben Browder on leather outfit

    Rob's picture

    Ah, Farscape...

    Such a brilliant show. Not much else to say, but I still really miss it.

     

    --

    Rob

    http://www.robwillreview.com

    Brian's picture

    I'm with you

    I've always had eyes for Billy the Blue Ranger. also Tommy (Jason David Frank) the green/white/red/black ranger.

    LOL

    Curtis's picture

    The Late and Great Chris Reeves

    We forget Christopher Reeves and God rest his beautiful soul.  Before he became paralyzed, the man was a God amongst average men.  6'3", dark and extremely handsome.  The costume looked painted on him because every nook and cranny of his beautiful body was on display.  Even when he was in Superman's alter-ego Clark Kent, he was still the most dreamy of men.  Maybe I just like the nerdy-types.  I don't want to leave out Michael Keaton, who was underestimated and almost forgottable in his portrayal of Batman.  I didn't understand because Michael Keaton wasn't too shabby in the role and his body wasn't that bad to look at.  Thanks for the Chocolate Love for Mr. Welsey Snipes in Blade because boyfriend has been working on the body since the days of being in Michael Jackson's 'Bad' video.     
    Curtis's picture

    The Late and Great Chris Reeves

    We forget Christopher Reeves and God rest his beautiful soul.  Before he became paralyzed, the man was a God amongst average men.  6'3", dark and extremely handsome.  The costume looked painted on him because every nook and cranny of his beautiful body was on display.  Even when he was in Superman's alter-ego Clark Kent, he was still the most dreamy of men.  Maybe I just like the nerdy-types.  I don't want to leave out Michael Keaton, who was underestimated and almost forgottable in his portrayal of Batman.  I didn't understand because Michael Keaton wasn't too shabby in the role and his body wasn't that bad to look at.  Thanks for the Chocolate Love for Mr. Welsey Snipes in Blade because boyfriend has been working on the body since the days of being in Michael Jackson's 'Bad' video.     
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    Rob's picture

    Oops...

    Posted the original comment in the wrong place, heh.

     

    --

    Rob

    http://www.robwillreview.com

    netogeno's picture

    Refreshing

    Wow, how refresing to see such a diverse group of guys, from so many genres, even Power Rangers. LOL!

    Im glad to see someone else remembers Automan. I was feeling very alone, its been hard to find people who remember that one.

    Fun article.