One of the most anticipated aspects prior to a movie's release is the first peek at a particular character. Fans are always eager to see how faithful to the comics their favorite hero (or villain) looks. Everything from costume design, colors used, and even little details are scrutinized. It's always fun to go back and see if the initial reactions held up over time. Everyone remembers the fan anger at the first look at Heath Ledger's Joker and the perma-white controversy, or Wonder Woman's colors being off, but these concerns were forgotten as soon as the movie was seen. Sometimes the initial skepticism sticks -- Jared Leto's Joker certainly looked different and the movie did nothing to dispel the notion that something about his look was off; in this case, different did not equal better.
The more artistically-inclined fans like to showcase how they would like to see the characters portrayed or what could be a possibility on-screen. Some designs are traditional depictions with slight modifications, while others are radically different from what we're accustomed to. In either case, it is fun to see the wide range of art out there and how people can have different interpretations of the same character. Fortunately, we've compiled some diverse fan-inspired designs out there with some that would look great on-screen and others that are probably best left on the drawing board. Let's take a look at ten that Warner Bros. should definitely utilize and ten which the studio should pass on (regardless of being truly stupendous artwork).
20 SHOULD USE: JOKER
One of the DC characters who is rumored to be in several upcoming movies is Joker. Everything from a Batman movie to his own solo feature is being speculated about. This is leading many to wonder if his look will be any different, considering his design in Suicide Squad was not universally beloved (putting it nicely).
This design by atomhawk is one that should be incorporated in the future. We have seen different incarnations of Joker on-screen, but have we really seen a design that is scary? Something which would elicit fear aside from his actions would be fresh, and this particular design hits the mark.
19 SHOULD AVOID: WONDER WOMAN
The DC movie that is arguably the most anticipated is Wonder Woman 1984 (which seems to be the title). With a 1980s setting, one wonders if a costume alteration will be done. Of course, though we've already seen a still that suggests it remains unchanged and we've seen her in the future during BvS and Justice League, that could shift within the movie. Seeing as it will be during the Cold War, will Wonder Woman's outfit take on a more American tone to reflect the times?
This piece by Malveda definitely gives a more American feel, but is too much of a departure from the traditional costume. Updating a character's look should keep the essence intact, and this particular one doesn't feel like Wonder Woman with the heavy armor and spikes. It makes her seem like a more generic character, rather than the Amazonian warrior that she is.
18 SHOULD USE: CATWOMAN
There is no doubt that Catwoman will be seen in one of the upcoming DC films, whether it's in a Batman movie or the rumored appearance in a forthcoming Birds of Prey movie. Her previous looks have been well-received, aside from whatever the Halle Berry-led Catwoman was going for.
Whichever movie she winds up being a part of, Warner Bros. would be wise to use this design courtesy of Uncannyknack. A nice mix of Pfeiffer's and Hathaway's costumes, it is modern and also brings an element of mystery -- which is perfect for the character. This is a design which, in true Catwoman fashion, should be stolen.
17 SHOULD AVOID: BATMAN
One of the things we see as a Batman movie iteration moves forward is the adding of more high-tech gadgets to his costume. When looking at films such as Batman Forever, The Dark Knight Rises, or Justice League, the bat-suit became bulkier and is more armor-intensive as a particular version progresses.
In going for a more "robot" look, some of the "regular guy fighting crime" aura is lost. This design by MK-Dragon tries to modernize the look, but again in doing that some of the simplicity of the Batman character is sacrificed. Hopefully, Warner Bros. decides that the best look for Batman is one where he doesn't look like a crime-fighter from the future.
16 SHOULD USE: DARKSEID
After the fallout from Justice League, it's becoming less likely that we'll see Darkseid anytime soon. This is unfortunate as being one of DC's more prominent villains should be a natural fit for being involved in some way in film. Still, one has to figure that he will make an appearance on-screen sometime in the future.
And when he does, this piece by Arthur Rocha would be the ideal portrayal of Darkseid. It is comic-book accurate, imposing, and most importantly for this character, signals pure evil. This is exactly what Warner Bros. should be going for. Now, if only producers can get that whole CGI thing figured out...
15 SHOULD AVOID: HARLEY QUINN
As a character, Harley Quinn has shot right to the top of DC characters in terms of popularity. Even though Suicide Squad had a mixed reaction at best, the character was embraced and it is no surprise that she is linked to any number of future movies.
Some fans would like to see Harley return to her original costume. This design by Jesus Antonio Conde Galarraga does a good job of making the traditional look a bit more realistic and less cartoony, but this is a case of "if it is not broken, don't fix it." Not too many people complained about Harley's look, so it would be unwise to drastically alter it in the near future.
14 SHOULD USE: ROBIN
A cinematic version of Robin has not been seen in 21 years and counting (unless you count John Robin Blake). While the character will appear in the TV series Titans, there hasn't been much in the way of rumors about a potential return to film. He is alluded to in Batman v Superman, so he exists (or did exist) in this universe and it remains to be seen whether or not he shows up.
If he does, this costume by BossLogic is a great way to showcase him. It's a great blend of tradition and having a modern look, and is leaps and bounds ahead of what we saw in Batman & Robin. The cape, the pants -- everything blends together really well Here's hoping that the Boy Wonder will have a look as good as this in future DC films.
13 SHOULD AVOID: SUPERMAN
There may not be a DC character more in limbo in terms of what their film future holds than Superman. It sure does seem like even Warner Bros. is not quite sure what to do next with him, and part of that may be that he has now been in three straight under-performing movies.
This redesign by Browniedjhs is one that the general public would have a hard time accepting. It is very busy looking and the armor conflicts with the iconic grandeur of the traditional costume. Maybe it would be a good fit in Bizarro World, but it's best to not mess around too much with arguably the most recognizable superhero outfit.
12 SHOULD USE: BATGIRL
For a few years, there have heard consistent rumors that a Batgirl movie is on the verge of being made. With Joss Whedon stepping aside as a potential director, it remains to be seen when or if this project actually comes to fruition. With Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn firmly entrenched (and popular) in the DC movie universe, another cinematic female character would seem like a realistic possibility.
Should that happen, this image by Vargasni should serve as a template on how to best portray her. The temptation might be to give her a black outfit and make it basically a female version of the Batman costume, but it would be better to let the colors be distinct, and the urban-styled "Batgirl of Burnside" purple/gold combo is truly unique. The key is to give it a Batman flavor, but let it be different enough to stand on its own. This accomplishes that.
11 SHOULD AVOID: FLASH
Another DC character whose future on film changes seemingly on a weekly basis, the Flash was supposed to appear in what was originally reported to be a Flashpoint movie, but has now morphed into a solo feature. It was recently revealed that there was a second Flash suit in Justice League that was to be shown but did not make the final cut.
This piece by Guy Bourraine Jr. is an interesting take. The yellow streaks are not bad, but the visor seems unnecessary and the overall product makes it seem like he is about to compete in luge at the Winter Olympics. It is visually arresting and deftly created, but it might be a bit too divergent to what people are used to (though we would personally love it).
10 SHOULD USE: PENGUIN
Speculation about Oswald Cobblepot appearing in a film has been gathering steam in recent years, with the latest talk being that he may the main villain in a Birds of Prey movie. His portrayal on Gotham has been generally well-liked, which may give more impetus to use him in an upcoming movie.
One thing that should be done is to not repeat the weird depiction that was presented by Danny Devito in Batman Returns (as memorable as it was), and this portrait by BossLogic is a great way to showcase him as a mob boss/criminal that is more true to the comics. The clothing is perfect and gives a unique "high-class" criminal vibe.
9 SHOULD AVOID: CHEETAH
The villain in the highly anticipated Wonder Woman sequel is going to be Cheetah, and the somewhat unorthodox casting choice of Kristen Wiig has fans curious as to how the character will be depicted. Will the more fantastical elements be present, or will there be a more grounded approach?
This concept by Josh opts for the former, and it's definitely comic book accurate. However, it's hard to imagine how going "full Cheetah" won't look a bit campy. The best balance would be to maintain some of her attributes, but make it a bit more "realistic" -- not unlike how Bane was presented in The Dark Knight Rises.
8 SHOULD USE: LEX LUTHOR
One of the more common complaints about Batman v Superman was how Lex Luthor was portrayed, both the performance and the overall look. It seemed for many fans that he was more mad social media blogger than ruthless villain. The post-credits scene in Justice League seems to hint at a change in direction.
What we have not seen on film is a Lex Luthor who does battle. An armor suit for Lex such as shown here by Bryanzap would give the audience a Luthor who is different than other previous versions, and it may be time to show another side of his villainy rather than someone who simply schemes.
7 SHOULD AVOID: RIDDLER
Another Batman villain who has been absent from film for a long while is The Riddler. There haven't been many rumors about a potential appearance in any upcoming movie, and it is a tricky character to transfer to the big screen. Still, he is one of the more well-known villains since the Batman tv series and now, with the added visibility afforded by Gotham, it might be considered a good time to bring him back!
Some fans would like to see him donning some variation of his traditional attire such as this depiction by Scotchlover, but the question mark look just seems too cartoony for a film. Even the recent comics have shifted away from this, and a more toned down look would be best.
6 SHOULD USE: ZATANNA
One of the intriguing aspects of DC movies going forward is the expected launch of a new banner which is reported to be called "DC Black Label" or "DC Dark". This opens up many possibilities of new and innovative films with the possibility of introducing less famous characters.
Members of Justice League Dark would be an ideal fit for this brand, and if Zatanna makes her film debut, this portrait by Steferson Rocha would be perfect in bringing out that mystical and magical quality that the character embodies. The flaming skull would probably not be part of the overall ensemble, though it would be a nice little touch!
5 SHOULD AVOID: BRAINIAC
If a sequel to Man Of Steel is forthcoming, one of the contenders for who would be the villain is Brainiac. Never seen before in a Superman movie (but havng made appearances on the TV show Krypton), many fans think it's only a matter of time before one of Superman's main villains makes his cinematic debut.
A design such as the one by George Evangelista is not particularly off the mark, but a cinematic Brainiac offers a unique opportunity to be brght, bold and different. The colors here seem muted and the appearance seems to be in the mold of a Darkseid or Steppenwolf. Why not let imaginations run wild and have Brainiac look like something that has not been seen before? This is one character where simple is not the most optimal way to go.
4 SHOULD USE: BLACK MANTA
Aquaman is the only DC movie which will be releasing this year and Black Manta will be one of the villains in the film. Recently, an image was released showing just a side view of the helmet. It remains to be seen how much screen time the villain gets, but he will be a big part of the franchise.
The movie looks like it'll be something we've never experienced before with the underwater setting, and this concept by Dope Pope would fit right in. It fully captures the particular look of the character and is imposing without looking silly, which is not easy to do for someone like Black Manta.
3 SHOULD AVOID: GREEN LANTERN
Add Green Lantern to any number of DC characters who have been involved in many film rumors (remember the Green Lantern/Flash team-up movie speculation)? After the poor performance of the 2011 film Green Lantern, it is understandable why no one is in a rush to bring him back to the big screen.
Yet, there was a nod to a Green Lantern universe existing in Justice League and you have to figure sometime down the line he will return. When and if he does, this concept by Ivan Dedov would not be the ideal way to present him. Other than the mask, it looks like a different character and the suit lacks distinctive features that would make it look superhero-ish -- this, of course, was one of the major problems fans hd with the aesthetic of the first film.
2 SHOULD USE: BLACK ADAM
With Shazam scheduled to be released next year, Black Adam is a lock to show up at some point should the movie perform well. There was even news that a Black Adam solo film starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson might be a possibility. Either way, we know that at the very least plans are being made.
Blackbearuwandi has a great design for the character, and the look definitely has the ancient Egyptian feel to it. The gold around the upper chest is a nice addition and gives the royalty aspect, which is so important in the history of this villain.
1 SHOULD AVOID: BATMOBILE
Batman is one of the rare heroes where fans are almost as interested in the look of his accessories as in the character himself, especially when it comes to the Batmobile. Every new version of Batman on film has brought with it a new car, and it won't be long before a new ride is seen on the big screen.
This concept by Encho Enchev is modern enough, but looks more like a souped-up race car than something that would be used to fight crime. It looks nice, but something a bit more intimidating patrolling the streets of Gotham would be preferable for the next Batmobile.