Wearing a face mask to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus is currently a hot topic and a mandated order in many places. In the DC Universe, many of the superheroes and villains' elaborate costumes would not meet these mandates. Sure, like every responsible citizen that wears a mask, these heroes and villains could strap on a face mask as an additional accessory, but there are a few who have been wearing masks since before these crazy times.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends this: “...wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you, including those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and workers who frequently come into close contact with other people (e.g., in stores and restaurants).” For more information on how to properly make, wear, and care for your reusable mask, as well as other ways to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit their website.
10 Hero: The Question
The Question has been wearing a face mask since his first appearance in 1967. These days if there is a government conspiracy afoot, then Vic Sage or Renee Montoya, The Questions, are on the case. While they are connecting the dots of the latest conspiracy, they are at least doing while wearing a mask, which not only covers their noses and mouth and all facial features.
Their masks, made from Pseudoderm, was supposed to be a perfect, invisible skin-imitating bandage for open wounds the material but was found to be toxic when put on open wounds. While it hides the features of its wearer, making their face non-existent, and completely covered in skin, it does not impede breathing or eyesight.
9 Villain: Bane
Bane, the man who was the first to break the bat, has sported a mask since his first appearance in The Vengeance of Bane #1 in 1993. Bane’s mask, which resembles a luchador mask and in the Nolan Dark Knight movie, is more of a breathing apparatus, has served various functions for the character throughout his history. When he first appeared in the pages of Batman, the mask was used as part of the Venom drug delivery system, which gave him his enhanced strength.
After he kicked the Venom addiction and before the New52 reboot, Bane continued to wear the mask, as it reminded others that he was the one who took down Batman. Long time fans that Bane’s hatred of the Dark Knight runs dead, however, it is unclear as to if the fact that Batman didn’t cover his face and nose in public was a contributing factor leading Bane to break Batman’s back.
8 Hero: Batwing
In 2011, when David Zavimbi, became the “Batman of Africa” as part of the Batman: Incorporated, and operated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first Batwing suit didn’t have a nose and mouth covering, instead opting for a version of the traditional domino-style mask to hide his identity.
When David Zavimbi retired from the role, citing personal reasons, Batman offered the position to Luke Fox, the son of Lucius, to become the new Batman of Africa, Batwing, Luke readily accepted. Since then, Batwing has become an invaluable member of the Bat-Family and used his genius-level intellect to make advances to the Batwing suit, which includes a detachable full-face plate, just in case it is safe to do so.
7 Villain: Deathstroke
Deathstroke is one of the deadliest assassins in the DC Universe, though a run-in with him means that an airborne virus is the least of one’s worries, he has always worn a mask. Since his creation and first appearance in 1980, Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, has undergone many costume designs, but the one thing that has remained mostly the same is his iconic orange/blue mask. The full-faced mask, usually cloth but sometimes more of a helmet, allows the one-eyed merc to not only protect his identity but can serve as a defensive purpose also. Long story short, if one of the most deadly assassins can work while wearing a mask, anyone can.
6 Hero: Red Hood/Jason Todd
The question as to if Jason Todd, aka Red Hood is a hero is a topic of debate for another time. What can’t be debated is that his most recent costume is the only costume of those inner circle of the Bat-Family that would meet a face mask mandate. Sure Batman and the others could add a face covering to theirs and be compliant, Jason’s would not require such modification.
Following his latest fallout with Bruce over differing vigilante philosophies and the loss of fellow Outlaws: Artemis and Bizzaro, Jason went from full-on red helmet to more of a hybrid domino mask/ mouth-nose covering. Jason’s newest mask setup is very versatile as it allows him to fight but also goes well with a three-piece suit.
5 Villain: Deadshot/Floyd Lawton
Deadshot, aka Floyd Lawton, like Deathstroke, is another of the deadliest assassins in the DCU; however, Deadshot’s targets don’t usually see him, until it is too late if at all. The Batman villain and regular member of Task Force X’s Suicide Squad, Deadshot, wears a full cloth mask to not only disguise his features but an eyepiece that helps him make sure that he lives up to the Deadshot moniker.
Like Deathstroke, Deadshot’s mask is cloth but has been made out of more robust materials depending on the story or operation he finds himself as a member of the Squad. Deadshot can wear a mask and never miss his intended target, then maybe masks aren’t so bad.
4 Hero: Vigilante/Greg Sanders
Greg Sanders, the original Vigilante, not only can pull off motorcycle riding while firing a pair off six-shooters at criminals but also provides a sensible western-retro style of face mask-wearing. Using only a red bandanna to cover the lower portion of his face doesn’t stop him from stopping criminals such as Killer Kelly, the Rainbow Man, the Rattler, and the Dummy, along with serving as a member of Silver Age superhero team the All-Star Squadron or one of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. While current studies show that bandannas are not as effective as some face masks, it is a step in the right direction and, with a little ingenuity, could work.
3 Villain: Scandal
Scandal Savage, the daughter of the immortal Vandal Savage, leader of the Secret Six, and a deadly villain in her own right, knows how to rock the face mask and still strike fear in the hearts of the heroes of the DC Universe. Even though the extent of her powers is unknown, and she can heal at an incredible rate, the expert tactician part of her would not risk the chances of catching something or endangering the other members of the Secret Six by not wearing her face mask on a mission or around their base of operations.
2 Hero: Sideways
Derek James, one of the newest heroes in the DC Universe, spinning out of the events of Dark Nights: Metal, can create rifts in midair and leap through dimensions at will, he knows that making sure his mask is in place first is step one. This young teen, while still new to the superhero game and still learning how to use his newfound powers, which include accelerated healing, has learned the hard way that wearing a mask is a responsibility that comes along with the superhero territory.
1 Villain: Ratcatcher
Of all of Batman’s rogues’ gallery, the one whose costume would most meet a face mask mandate the best would be that of Otis Flannegan, aka The Ratcatcher. Flannegan would go on to spend ten years in prison after stabbing a man to death in a street brawl.
After his release, Flannegan, adopted the criminal identity The Ratcatcher and using his animal training skills and wearing protective air-breathing equipment and knowledge of poisons to wreak havoc on Gotham and square off against Batman. While the Otis’ face equipment is bulky, it doesn’t seem to bother him or prevent him from doing something he loves, even if it is talking to rats.