Movies and television shows based on comic books, like the Arrowverse series, are extremely popular nowadays. One of the trickiest decisions the creators of these shows make is how to design the iconic superhero costumes and how they should translate from the pages of a comic book into the live-action presence of a television show.
While many costumes work well in comic book form, there are also some superhero suits that are simply impractical or nearly impossible to convert into live-action. However, when a television show can pay respect to the comic books that came before it and create comic accurate live-action costumes for the heroes and villains, then it is a win for everyone.
10 Jonah Hex's Arrowverse Costume & The Rebirth Design
The classic DC Comics character has shown up a couple of times in the Arrowverse shows, such as in few episodes of Legends of Tomorrow and even in "Crisis on Infinite Earths" as the Jonah Hex of another earth. Both versions wear a hat and a red scarf. Also, the oval-shaped belt buckle is quite similar to the Rebirth design of the character.
The gold buttons and the gun holsters also seem to draw inspiration from the comic book style. Though some might not consider this to be superhero attire, Jonah Hex uses it to get the job done.
9 Superman's Season 1 Costume & The New 52 Design
Tyler Hoechlin's Superman first appeared in the Arrowverse during season 2 of Supergirl. He popped up a few times during Supergirl and also showed up to help during some of the crossovers, including "Elseworlds" and "Crisis on Infinite Earths", before headlining a show with Lois Lane, entitled Superman & Lois.
With a new show came a new suit, which looks a lot like the costume style of the New 52 comics. The iconic "S" that both versions of Superman have on their chests have a yellow background and the red belts also feature a belt piece that looks a lot like the Superman symbol.
8 Godspeed's The Flash Costume & The Rebirth Design
Godspeed has become one of The Flash's most popular foes since his introduction in the comics in 2016. Since then, Godspeed has appeared a few times on The Flash, bringing with him an extremely comic-accurate costume. The lightning bolt insignia and gold gloves are nearly identical.
Both iterations also have multiple gold lines on the costume as well as gold wings on the mask. The villain's Rebirth costume was definitely taken into account when the show designed the suit for his live-action debut.
7 Black Lightning's Season 1 Costume & Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands Design
Cress Williams's Black Lightning has worn 3 suits throughout the run of the show. The first suit was only shown in flashbacks to before the show started. The most recent suit he began wearing in season 3 was a high-tech suit stored in a watch.
However, the suit that Black Lightning had during the first 2 seasons highly resembles that of the character's costume design from the limited comic book series, Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands. Both iterations have the goggles, blue lightning bolts on the chest and arms, and even the blue belt piece.
6 Brandon Routh's Arrowverse Superman Costume & The Kingdom Come Design
During the Arrowverse's 2019 epic crossover event, "Crisis on Infinite Earths", Brandon Routh reprised his role as Superman from Superman Returns in 2006. His character was given a new costume that was heavily inspired by the Kingdom Come comic book miniseries.
With the same symbol, similar belt, and underwear on the outside of his costume, it is almost like the character was taken directly from the comic book pages and placed in live-action. A little bit of gray was also added to Routh's hair to make the character appear older, similar to the comic book counterpart.
5 Batwoman's Season 1 Costume & The Rebirth Design
Before leaving and being replaced by Javicia Leslie's Ryan Wilder in season 2, Ruby Rose played the role of Batwoman. The original character of Ryan Wilder received a new suit that has some of the same characteristics of the first suit. The show seems to have drawn inspiration from the Rebirth comics when designing the suit.
The Kate Kane Batwoman costumes share the red hair, red bat logo, red belt, and bat mask. Even the neck portion of the costume seems to follow a similar pattern.
4 Constantine's Arrowverse Costume & The Constantine Vol. 1 Design
Matt Ryan's journey in the Arrowverse began back in 2014 in the form of his own NBC show. After a 1 season run, John Constantine appeared in an episode of Arrow and then became a regular on Legends of Tomorrow. Though Constantine has gone through many changes during his time in the Arrowverse, his costume is one aspect that remains mostly unchanged.
His live-action outfit looks a lot like the character's costume design from Constantine Vol. 1. The trench coat, tie, and white shirt seem to be shared between the two versions of the character.
3 Supergirl's Season 1 Costume & The Rebirth Design
The Girl of Steel has been fighting crime in National City since the show premiered in 2015. Though the character has changed costumes a few different times, the suit that Kara Danvers wears in the first four seasons of Supergirl might be the most comic accurate.
The live-action suit brings to mind the suit she wears in the Rebirth comics, with the red skirt, gold belt, and red boots. Though the traditional "S" does not have a yellow background, the overall design of the costume is an ode to the Rebirth design.
2 Green Arrow's Season 4 Costume & The New 52 Design
Oliver Queen has worn several superhero costumes before and after season 4 of Arrow, however, the season 4 costume might be his most comic accurate. The short sleeves are greatly reminiscent of the New 52 design of the Green Arrow. Additionally, both versions of the character wear a small green mask rather than green greasepaint.
The emerald archers also wear long green gloves that go all the way up to their elbows. Despite the fact that the sleeves are slightly shorter in the New 52 version, the suits still appear to be mostly alike.
1 The Flash's Season 6 Costume & The New 52 Design
Even though Barry Allen has sported several costumes on the show, the suit he began wearing in season 6 of The Flash is quite possibly the most comic accurate. From the gold belt to the lightning bolts on his arms, it seems as if the show paid close attention to the New 52 comics featuring The Flash.
His live-action mask also looks quite similar to the comic book equivalent. The lightning bolt that serves as his symbol with the white center is almost exactly the same as his superhero insignia in the comics.