Almost every comic character is drawn in a way that is meant to portray the ideal human form, but this shouldn't be their primary character trait. Unfortunately, some superheroes have gotten a reputation for being hot, to the extent that their physical appeal has become more important for their reputation than their feats.

Characters like Mystique, the X-Men former villain, and Starfox the Eternal aren't particularly famous for being heroic, but they have reputations for catching everyone's eyes. Given this, any good deed they do takes the back seat immediately. These characters aren't bad superheroes, but since they're sexy, fans care little for their moral alignment.

Updated on December 8, 2023 by Mayra Garcia: Superheroes are supposed to show the ideal human form. Their peak physical form is often what makes them powerful. For some of them, they quickly gain reputations for being the sexiest superhero in a room rather than being remembered for their impressive feats. This list has been updated to include more hot superheroes who are typically remembered for their looks rather than their deeds.

20 The Success Of DCEU's Superman Depends Greatly On Henry Cavill's Looks

In most universes, the Man of Steel is a synonym for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow, but there are exceptions to this rule. In the DCEU, his legacy has less to do with that and more with the fact that the whole fandom is attracted to Henry Cavill.

This doesn't mean Henry Cavill isn't a great Clark Kent/Superman. Generally speaking, Cavill looks a lot like Superman, and he manages to convey both Clark's mild-mannered attitude and Kal-El's commanding presence. However, whenever fans discuss Cavill's performance, someone always comments on how sexy Cavill is, which truly diminishes his job in the DCEU films.

19 Starfire Is Frequently Oversexualized

Starfire leaving the pool in a small Bikini
Related
10 Powerless Marvel Characters Who Once Wielded Godlike Power
Here is a list of several completely human Marvel characters have gained access to the power of the gods.

Starfire is probably the most sexualized superhero in comics. Since she debuted in 1980, in DC Comics Presents #26 (by Marv Wolfman, George Pérez, Dick Giordano, Adrienne Roy, and Ben Oda), she was always drawn scantily clad. Generally, just a few purple strips of fabric covered her orange skin, so the image of her naked body popped up immediately on the page.

It wasn't until the 2010s that Starfire finally got a proper suit. This change probably came from the success of the Teen Titans cartoon, in which Starfire's a minor. Before this, Starfire was more often remembered as a sex symbol instead of an absolute powerhouse in the DC universe.

18 Hercules Knows He's Hot

Hercules in Walt Simonson's run hitting on a woman while hitting Thor

Hercules isn’t afraid of admitting he’s an attractive guy. With muscles on top of muscles, a hairy chest, and most recently, a man-bun — which fans truly loved — Hercules often flaunts his physique. He’s basically a version of Thor with less clothing.

In the comics, Hercules’ sex appeal has been on display numerous times. One of the clearest examples is in Hercules: Fall of an Avenger #1 (by Greg Pak, Fred van Lente, Ariel Olivetti, and Simon Bowland), when four separate female heroes all speak of their sexual conquests with Hercules. All these rumours about Hercules distract people from the fact that he's also a great superhero. Although he often lets his arrogance get in the way, he always delivers when it comes to fighting the good fight.

17 Emma Frost's Sexuality Always Overshadows Her Other Traits

Emma Frost sitting on a diamond throne, wearing a white corset and white fur cape. She is gazing down at the viewer.

When asking a comic book fan to name the first thing they would say to describe Emma Frost, odds are it’ll be a physical attribute. Emma Frost’s sexuality has been at the forefront of the character since her early appearances. Before she turned hero and became one of the central X-Men, her stint as the White Queen featured the character in very revealing white lingerie.

When Frank Quitely redesigned the character for New X-Men, her costume comprised an impossibly constructed top that had a huge “X” cut out in the front. The exact physics of the costume was never explained, but it’s clear that the artist was trying to emphasize her sexuality. Emma Frost's costume has since been updated, but her sex appeal is still front and center.

16 Gambit Has Played Up His Charm And Good Looks Since The '90s

Maybe it is the Cajun accent or the dark, red eyes, but Gambit will go down as one of the all-time sexiest characters in the Marvel Universe. He's one of the few attractive characters with a costume that covers almost his entire body, down to just leaving his face and hair exposed. This modesty doesn’t stop readers or characters from seeing Gambit as hot.

Gambit isn't a great hero. In fact, he is responsible for certain tragedies, such as the massacre of the Morlocks by the Marauders. He led the killers to the Morlock tunnels and then went on to hide this from his fellow X-Men. However, even after doing something so despicable, fans still pine over the Cajun hero. Readers will think of Gambit's complex love affair with Rogue before considering the horrible atrocity that he allowed to happen. There’s no denying that Gambit is much more of a sex symbol than a hero.

15 Mystique Is Marvel's Most Famous Femme Fatale

Mystique posing with arms raised in Marvel Comics
Related
10 Marvel Villains The Avengers Went Too Easy On
When Marvel villains like Red Skull and Baron Zemo still create problems for the Avengers, it may be time for the team to stop holding back.

Marvel has tried hard, but it has been impossible to separate Mystique from her femme fatale reputation. Not only do the comic covers always depict her in sensual positions, but the film's iterations — portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence and Rebecca Romjin — have always shown her in the nude, only covered by her blue skin.

Even though Mystique hasn't been a full-blown villain in years, she's yet to show truly how heroic she could be. Given this, fans still see her mostly as a sexy villainess instead of considering that she has one of the best redemption arcs in the Marvel Universe.

14 Constantine Is Sexy Without Showing Anything

john constantine smoking a cigarette as his shadow grows demon horns behind him

John Constantine may not be sexy in a typical way, but the comics have revealed that others find him irresistible. Since Keanu Reeves played the role in Constantine, many fans feel the same way. Whether it is his British accent, his constant dabbling with danger, or his aloof attitude, Constantine's unarguably one of the sexiest DC superheroes — and he doesn't even have to show any skin to draw people in.

Of course, one of the things that makes Constantine attractive is also one of the reasons he isn't a lawful superhero. As an exorcist and expert in demonology, Constantine's always working with some of the worst creatures in any existence plane, so most upstanding heroes don't trust him fully.

13 The Comics Prioritize Lady Death's Physique Over Her Character Development

Lady Death Lying Down among a pile of leaves

Lady Death is one of the prime examples of the excessively sexualized female characters of the ‘90s. Although she embodied death, one of the most horrifying things ever, most covers featured her posing suggestively with very little clothing, as if she wasn't a powerful cosmic being.

Created by Brian Pulido as a fantasy of Evil Ernie in Evil Ernie #1 (by Jesse Blaze Snider, Jason Craig, Marcio Menyz, and Troy Peteri), Lady Death has evolved over the years into a much more nuanced character, but she hasn't outlived the popularity she won due to her over-the-top sexuality. She's undoubtedly one of the biggest sex symbols in comics.

12 Namor Is Marvel's First Bad Boy

Namor might go down in history as the male hero with the most revealing costume since he wears only the tiniest green Speedo. He might even be the very first comic book “Bad Boy” dating back to his first appearance in 1939. Now, almost 80 years later, he is still known for his sex appeal — especially following Tenoch Huerta's performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The thing with Namor is that he has grown a lot. Especially in the last years, he went from being a full villain to more of an antihero. Namor's slowly and steadily becoming more and more heroic, but he will never beat the bad boy reputation he got in past decades.

11 Vampirella Is All About Her Sex Appeal

A close-up of Vampirella smiling in comics
Related
10 Best DC Heroes (That Weren't Created By DC)
DC Comics helped create the superhero, but not every hero they published were created by them.

Vampirella is almost entirely defined by her looks. While she has been in comic book series regularly since her debut in Vampirella #1 (by Jeph Loeb, Eric Trautmann, Tim Sale, Wagner Reis, Jonathan D. Smith, Wes Abbott, and Richard Starkings) in 1969, the character has largely been known for her incredibly skimpy outfit. Even in her very first comic, Vampirella appears front and center with her legs spread and one hand placed suggestively on her hip.

Vampires have often been portrayed as sexual beings in pop culture. Part of their appeal is that they’re dark, mysterious, and lustful. With Vampirella, the sex appeal dial is turned to 11. It wasn’t until very recently that the creators decided to cover her cleavage and focus more on the action/adventure side of the character. Regardless, comic readers still see her more as a sex symbol.

10 Fans Can't Forget Colossus' Appearance In Marvel Swimsuit Special

Colossus surrounded by women in Marvel's Swimsuit Special

Hardcore comic fans may remember the infamous Marvel Swimsuit Special issues, which featured the most popular male and female Marvel superheroes in their swimsuits, drawn by some of the best artists in comics. One of the most famous images is that of Colossus getting washed by a few unnamed women, his huge metallic muscles being flexed, and his shorts unzipped. It’s so over-the-top that it’s almost silly.

It’s hard to believe that a hero who has metal skin would be known for his sex appeal, but Colossus is. He has a reputation for his chiseled frame and surprisingly skimpy costume. Unlike other “sexy” heroes known for their bad-boy qualities, people are drawn to Colossus because he’s genuinely sweet and caring. Even with his kind and heroic personality, comic book fans will never forget his “centerfolds” from those old swimsuit issues.

9 Psylocke Was Redesigned To Be Hot

Psylocke fighting a group of ninjas in art drawn by David Finch

Psylocke has almost completely been defined by her sex appeal to readers. Unlike Emma Frost, who arguably has a story reason to dress how she does, Psylocke is scantily clad only for the reader’s enjoyment. In fact, she was reimagined as a sex symbol. Before, Psylocke was a pretty boring-looking character.

It wasn’t until Psylocke switched to a swimsuit style costume that readers cared about the character. Interestingly enough, that increased popularity led to Psylocke receiving true character development. Sadly, this also means that whatever she does, some comic readers will simply follow her for her physical attributes.

8 Even Harley Quinn Has Poked Fun At Nightwing's Sexuality

A female DC hero comments that Nightwing's butt looks great

While Batman himself is never seen as a sex symbol due to his violent nature and parental issues, Dick Grayson is the opposite. He has a dark past, which makes him mysterious, but he also is more fun and carefree than Bruce Wayne. Dick also comes from an acrobatic background, meaning many of his poses on comic covers feature him doing the splits and showing off his muscles and his posterior.

Although Nightwing has grown a lot, there are still plenty of jokes regarding his sexuality. Even the latest season of Harley Quinn: The Animated Series had a recurring joke about Nightwing's derrière. All these comments on Nightwing's physical appearance truly cast a shadow over his work as a member of the Bat Family.

7 Power Girl's Provocative Suit Wasn't Exactly Designed for Heroics

Power Girl smiles while hovering in the sky in DC Comics
Related
REVIEW: DC's Power Girl #1
Power Girl leaves her cocoon and soars high in her solo series from Leah Williams and Eduardo Pansica, making mistakes and learning from them.

While Power Girl has a long, storied history in the DC Universe, most readers will only know her by her incredibly silly costume. Some characters show more skin than Power Girl, but her costume still ranks as one of the most sexualized because of the big hole drawing attention to her large breasts. There's nothing practical about this costume design. It serves no reason but to show an abundance of cleavage.

Thanks to her comic portrayals, Power Girl gets defined by her chest, which shouldn't be the case. For many years, she has proved that she's a selfless hero, more prepared than many, and definitely more powerful. Hopefully, at some point in the future, Power Girl will become remember for who she truly is rather than her looks.

6 Starfox's Sexuality Is His Biggest Trait In and Outside Comics

Starfox is Eros of Titan, a member of the Eternals and brother to Thanos. Unlike his brother, Eros is concerned with the hedonistic side of life. In one controversial She-Hulk storyline, Starfox goes through a trial for sexual assault because it’s alleged that he used his powers of seduction to entice women around him.

Starfox is probably the only hero in the Marvel Universe actually defined by his sexuality, not just to outside readers, but also to the characters in the universe. Describing Starfox as an actual hero is a bit of a stretch. It’s more fitting to call him a cosmic womanizer who goes around the Marvel Universe attempting to seduce female characters. He is most definitely more hot than a hero.

5 The Witchblade Armor Covers Very Little

Witchblade in front of a fantasy styled backgound

Witchblade's covers often feature an incredibly sexualized version of Sara Pezzini. Obviously, the biggest reason for the sexual nature of the covers is the fact that the character’s original costume is the most unrealistic armor ever seen: just enough armor to cover her arm, part of her chest, and only the bare minimum below the belt.

The short-lived Witchblade TV series and more recent comics proved that Sara Pezzini can wield the Witchblade without losing her clothes. Unfortunately, most of the comic book version of the character have continued to sexualize her. Eventually, without fail, Sara finds herself in a state of undress. It’s not surprising that readers would associate her with her looks instead of her actions.

4 MCU Thor Is Handsome Above Anything Else

Thor (played by Chris hemsworth) with his shirt off while at the beach in the MCU

Even after five Phases and dozens of different superheroes in the MCU, no other characters in modern superhero movies are viewed more as eye-candy than Chris Hemsworth’s Thor. The comic book version of Thor has never really been a sex symbol. However, when Thor debuted on the big screen, this soon became a basic trait for the character.

For a while, Marvel Studios tried to change this. "Fat Thor" became a central moment for the character and his development, but Thor: Love and Thunder brought hunk Thor back — including an uncensored back nude scene in the film. It isn't that MCU Thor isn't heroic, but the films punctuate his physical appearance and his sense of humor over his actions.

3 Dawn's Looks Have Kept Her Popularity Going

Dawn's new look in comics
Related
30 Obscure Marvel Characters Who Deserve Their Own Movie
While most MCU fans haven't heard of them before, obscure Marvel characters like Moondragon and Fantomex have plenty to offer.

The character Dawn, as drawn by Joseph Michael Linsner, oozes sex appeal. She’s the goddess of birth and rebirth, as seen in various comics since the late ‘80s. However, many comic book readers probably recognize her by her sexy clothing and red hair. Almost every cover featuring Dawn depicts her in assorted lingerie, with an emphasis placed on her breasts. Dawn is probably more recognized from ads in Wizard Magazine than in her actual comic series.

Debuting in Cry for Dawn #1 way back in 1989, the character has only shown up sporadically throughout the decades. However, when people think of the hottest female characters in comics, she’ll always rank highly. Some comics have changed up Dawn's attire, but at the end of the day, it will be near-impossible for her to escape her sexy reputation.

2 Vartox Was Created To Be Sexy

Vartox choking Harley Quinn

Inspired by the 1974 film, Zardos, with Sean Connery, Vartox debuted in Superman #281 (by Cary Bates, Curt Swan, and Bob Oksner) in the same year, and it's safe to say he was based on this movie so Connery's sexuality would carry over the comics. Unfortunately, DC ultimately failed to engage the audience with Vartox.

Vartox was created to be sexy, donning a black leather Speedo and a see-thru robe. However, DC failed to make readers care about that. Instead, Vartox's sexy nature turned more and more ridiculous by the year. Ultimately, he's known for being attractive, but not a true sex symbol. What's more, nobody considers Vartox a hero.

1 She-Hulk Has Been Sexualized For Decades

When discussing who is the hottest superhero, She-Hulk often leads the polls. Jennifer Walters is a great superhero, stronger than most, and truly committed. She's also a loyal, honest, and brilliant lawyer. However, since she debuted, comic creators have sexualized She-Hulk in pretty much all her comics. Some of her most important storylines have tackled her insecurities as a meek human woman and how she feels way prettier when becoming the Jade Giantess.

Given this, She-Hulk has become synonymous with sexy. There's nothing wrong with Jennifer using She-Hulk as a way to deal with her personal problems, but sometimes the comics forget she's more than her appearance and her turbulent love life. Even the most recent comics tend to focus more on that than on Jennifer Walters' great job as a lawyer and as a superhero.