| Posted: 25 June 2010 at 7:09pm | IP Logged | 5
|
|
|
Each superhero generation could be expected to use whatever materials they had on hand to fashion themselves an "action costume".
Other than characters like Superman who might have access to Kryptonian fabrics, or mystics like Green Lantern and Dr. Fate who probably whipped up magic costumes, characters like The Batman, The Sandman, Wildcat, The Atom, and Starman would have used leather/cotton/wool and maybe silk. Few would have used "nylon".
Now cotton and wool are not trademarked or brand names.
But the newer generation of Americans are hopelessly brand aware and name this and that using trademarks and brand names. "Spandex" becomes inevitable not because it's associated with off the rack tight fitting outfits but simply because it's the trademark/brand name most people are familiar with. And, in the late 20th / early 21ist century, brand awareness means coolness.
Stan and Jack for the most part seemed to stay away from brand names, although I recall Nasa and IBM being mentioned. While they might have pointed out that Sue wore Dior, they would not have suggested that the guys wore Pierre Cardin. Perfectly normal to suggest real brand names in Sue's case as females were very brand aware in the 60's.
Now enter the 90's and later and we have males -- effectively the whole readership -- becoming brand aware and this naturally spills over into comics.
Hence suggesting superheroes wear spandex 'cause, y'know, brand trademark awareness means you're in.
Same thing with Kevlar. With not "impact resistant" or "ultra-stable molecules"?
Naaaahhhh. Too cerebral. Kevlar means you got attitude. Attitude is cooler than cerebral.
|
Topic Closed)
