Line #72 Main/SuperheroesWearCapes


1	[[quoteright:246:[[Webcomic/TheNonAdventuresOfWonderella https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wonderella_superhero_cape.png]]]]
2
3	->''"Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?"''
4	-->-- '''Iron Man''' (to Thor), ''Film/{{The Avengers\|2012}}''
5
6	If you are a superhero (whether main hero, {{Sidekick}}, or even just part of a heroic army), odds are you wear a cape.
7
8	Okay, not really that likely anymore, especially since MediaNotes/{{the Silver Age\|of Comic Books}}, but capes are a typical thing for superheroes.
9
10	The reason for the cape goes back to the first ComicBook {{Super Hero}}es. Most prominently, Franchise/{{Superman}}'s outfit specifically mimics that of early 20th-century circus strongmen, who often wore a similar cape/singlet design as a costume. Their simple bold colors were also conveniently easy to reproduce in early print comics.
11
12	Capes have long been a feature of comics and animation, as these media both work through visuals while allowing the creators to control the character's environment. Thus, any capes used can always be made to look cool. They were a particular feature of the golden age of superheroes. In fact, the image of a superhero wearing a cape is so distinct that even the detractors of the genre point it out in their main insult directed towards fans of superhero stuff - "'''cape'''shit".
13
14	In the modern era (late 20th to 21st century) there's been a trend against them, due to becoming something of a DeadHorseTrope and because of [[CapeSnag some awareness of the practical downsides]]. Most Marvel heroes are capeless, for example. The ones that do wear them tend to have some combination of otherworldliness, moral ambiguity and a less physical method of attack than others.
15
16	On the other hand, capes have remained very popular with villains, especially the most important ones. This relates to EvilIsCool.
17
18	By and large, if any character wears a cape, and it's not a historical or pseudo-historical setting, it should be taken as read that he is either very powerful/important (and probably a villain), or a vainglorious dolt with an inflated opinion of himself. Bonus points if you've got a huge collar and shoulderpads as well. Some rare ones would even be a PimpedOutCape.
19
20	Often paired with SuperheroesWearTights.
21
22	Compare HeroesPreferSwords, BadassCape, CapedMecha, RequisiteRoyalRegalia, OminousOperaCape.
23
24	Not to be confused with TheCape (which is a character type) or CurtainClothing (which the page quote implies).
25	----
26	!!Examples:
27
28	[[foldercontrol]]
29
30	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
31	* ''Anime/CodeGeass'' gives us AntiHero MagnificentBastard [[Characters/CodeGeassLelouchLamperouge Lelouch Vi Britannia]] as [[MyHeroZero Zero]], who is [[InvokedTrope invoking]] this trope. After all, Lelouch's goal is to set himself up as a comic book hero of justice, so it would make sense for him to draw on every trope that will make people associate him with fictional heroes.
32	** [[spoiler:Jeremiah "Orange" Gottwald]] in his later appearances.
33	** Also Susaku Kururugi, along with the other Knight Rounds as part of their non-battle outfit.
34	* Lance from ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries''. In the anime Marina has an admiration for men in capes, which causes Jackson to start wearing one like Lance to get her attention.
35	* ''Manga/DragonBall Z'':
36	** The Great Saiyaman wears a cape, as it's Gohan intentionally invoking super hero tropes to sell the whole "costumed hero" thing without making anyone suspicious of superhuman martial arts powers or his alien heritage.
37	** When Videl becomes the Great Saiyawoman, she wears a cape as well.
38	* [[TheCape Miki Sayaka]] in ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''. Notice that she's the only one who acts like she's a superhero, while she's the only one of the cast with an actual cape.
39	* Mr. Legend, from ''Anime/TigerAndBunny''.
40	* Luffy [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this in ''Manga/OnePiece'' when they meet Usopp's [[PaperThinDisguise alter-ego]] Sogeking who is supposedly a hero. Luffy immediately knows Sogeking is a hero, and when Chopper asks why, Luffy replies, "Because he wears a cape! To be a hero, you have to wear a cape!"
41	* ''Literature/{{Anpanman}}'' justifies the reason why the superhero characters wear capes: They contain the flight abilities for the heroes, and if they're torn, they can't fly until they get them mended again.
42	* Saitama, the protagonist of ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'', wears a cape as part of his superhero outfit.
43	* In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'', this trope is lampshaded during Lemillion's fight with Overhaul and his minion, Chronostasis. Chronostasis comments on he always thought the capes were for show. However Lemillion reveals he makes practical use of his as a means of misdirection and, more importantly to his mind, as a SecurityBlanket for rescuing small children- like Eri, the young girl victimized by Overhaul's schemes. Eri remains bundled up in that cape for the remainder of the scene, even when Lemillion himself isn't wearing it.
44	[[/folder]]
45
46	[[folder:Asian Animation]]
47	* ''Animation/{{Canimals}}'': Fizzy dons a cape when he becomes a superhero in "Super Can".
48	* Mole Man from the ''VideoGame/MolesWorld'' TV show wears a red cape.
49	* Inverted in ''Animation/HappyHeroes''; the superheroes don't wear capes, but Big M., the villain, wears one.
50	* In the ''Animation/SimpleSamosa'' episode "Comic Book", Super Samosa wears a cape. He loses his ability to fly when Dhokla removes the cape.
51	* ''Animation/YoYoMan'': The Yoyo Supermen, excepting Fefe and Qiube, wear capes.
52	[[/folder]]
53
54	[[folder:Comic Books]]
55	* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':
56	** The Man of Steel practically [[TropeCodifier started this]].
57	** Most other members of the Superman Family wear one as well: ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}, ComicBook/PowerGirl, ComicBook/{{Steel}}, [[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes Mon-El]], the [[MediaNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks original]] and [[ComicBook/DCRebirth Jon Kent]] versions of ComicBook/{{Superboy}}, the [[MediaNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks Bronze Age]] Creator/ElliotSMaggin's version of Superwoman; and even the animals like ComicBook/{{Krypto\|TheSuperDog}} the Super-Dog, Streaky the Super-Cat, Comet the Super-Horse, and Beppo the Super-Monkey. The Kon-El version of ComicBook/{{Superboy}} is the most notable exception.
58	** "ComicBook/TheSuperSteedOfSteel": After ascertaining that Comet has super-powers Supergirl decides to give him a cape immediately, since ''obviously'' he will need wearing capes if he is going to be her super-sidekick.
59	** "ComicBook/SupergirlsSuperPet": Shortly after getting super-powers, Streaky accidentally collides with a Superman toy, gets its cape on him and does not try to remove it. Since the cat was going to be a superhero sidekick, the narrative ensured that he got a cape immediately.
60	** Flashbacks to Krypton sometimes show Jor-El and other Kryptonians wearing short capes, which is presumably where Clark got the idea.
61	** In some continuities, Superman's cape is actually the blanket from his spacecraft and is similarly invulnerable as he is. This makes it useful for shielding normal humans from dangers.
62	* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': He's another major cape wielder, since it's kinda necessary for dressing up as a ''giant bat''. Because of this, writers have made sure to thoroughly justify its presence on a practical level, and it's probably one of the most functional examples short of the cape being some sort of magical item:
63	** He uses it to glide (yes, even before ''Film/BatmanBegins''), he uses it to hide his arms (so nobody knows whether he's about to throw a punch or a Batarang), it makes him seem larger and scarier than he is (going along with [[TerrorHero his motif of fear]]), and it gives a large amount of useless space for mooks to target.
64	** While this use is never brought up in the comics, Batman operates in the northern east coast of the United States, an area of the country with generally low temperatures, and given that Batman normally runs around in thin, skin tight fabric, the cape would prevent him from freezing to death on a nightly basis without greatly restricting his mobility.
65	** And it's got breakaway fasteners (that woefully underused yet extremely inconvenient bane of the "No Capes" DeconstructorFleet), just in case some thug who watched ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'' tries to tangle up Bats' cloak.
66	** Capes are also standard issue for ComicBook/{{Robin}}s, although when the original became ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}, he dropped the cape. Tim Drake's cape as ComicBook/RedRobin has the same "glider" functionality as Batman's and as ComicBook/{{Robin\|1993}} he weaponized detaching his cape when someone grabbed it by making the thing contract around whatever was touching it at the push of a button on his wrist.
67	** Lampshaded when Dick became Batman; he kept complaining about how impractical the cape is, pointing out that he lost his as soon as possible, and anyway it was a short fabric thing, not a couple of square metres of kevlar.
68	** It also applies to ComicBook/{{Batgirl}} (Barbara, [[ComicBook/Batgirl2000 Cassandra]] and [[ComicBook/Batgirl2009 Steph]]), ComicBook/{{Batwoman}} and ComicBook/{{Huntress}}. It's easier to list the Batfamily members who ''don't'' wear capes.
69	* Lampshaded in a story arc of ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman''. Batman and Superman find themselves in an alternate universe where there are still superheroes, but none of them wear capes. When Superman appears, the locals find him strange not because of his powers, but because he's wearing a garment that went out of fashion centuries ago.
70	* Deconstructed (like everything else) in ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'':
71	** Dollar Bill was a former football player hired by a bank when they realized that having their own personal superhero on payroll was a great way to cash in on the masked vigilante craze. The costume was designed by the marketing department, who were going for style over practicality and thought that the cape added visual appeal. It ended up [[spoiler:[[CapeSnag getting caught in a revolving door]] while he was trying to stop a robbery, at which point one of the robbers shot him point-blank in the chest.]]
72	** Nite Owl I's original costume had a cape, but when he failed to master the art of walking around ''his own house'' with it on without the cape catching on things, he got rid of it.
73	** Aside from Captain Metropolis and the second-generation Nite Owl, none of the other superheroes wore capes -- until the very skilled, arrogant, grandiloquent Ozymandias dialed the whole superhero costume thing up a notch.
74	** This deconstruction was carried over into the CGI animated film ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'' with heavy nods to Watchmen.
75	* In ''Webcomic/LoveAndCapes'', it is said that the reason superheroes favour capes is because they cover your butt (an important consideration when you're running around in spandex).
76	* Generally, characters designed by Creator/JackKirby tend not to wear cape, unless they are supposed to appear regal (Thor, Magneto, Doom...)
77	* ComicBook/DoctorStrange and his [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloak_of_Levitation Cloak of Levitation]]. While he attire is rather nostalgic; it's Justified since his cape is 1) part of the inheritance of the Sorcerer Supreme and 2) very useful..[[note]]Known powers include flight, damage resistance, shapeshifting into other clothes (which might explain why it normally looks more like a cape with a MysticalHighCollar than a cloak), and movement according to its' wearers' will, while the movie seemingly gave it a mind of its own.[[/note]]
78	* [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]], though it's an unusually short one that's draped over one shoulder (military-style, akin to the Napoleonic-era ''pelisse'' jacket); his DistaffCounterpart Mary Marvel and {{Kid Sidekick}} Captain Marvel Jr. have more traditional versions. In a sort of {{Inversion}} ("Supervillains DON'T Wear Capes"), his EvilCounterpart Black Adam wears an almost identical costume, except that it's [[DarkIsEvil black]] and capeless.
79	* ''ComicBook/AstroCity'' examples: Samaritan, Beautie, The Confessor and Altar Boy, El Hombre and Bravo, Mermaid, Starwoman. The series, typically, acknowledges the potential disadvantages but posits that people will work around them, for instance by applying low-friction coatings that prevent adversaries grabbing the cape during a fight.
80	* When ComicBook/CaptainAmerica stopped [[WearingAFlagOnYourHead wearing the stars and stripes]] and took the name "Nomad", he stitched himself a costume and decided to include a full-length cape. Why not? He'd always sort of wanted one. The first time he went into action, he tripped on that cape and missed catching the bad guys, one of whom snarked as she was escaping that she'd always hoped she'd see that happen. Promptly he tore the cape off. It was never seen again.
81	** This old desire for a cape was revisited with one of the revamped and expanded origin story issues. Steve Rogers, training during the day to toughen himself before being hit with the SuperSerum, spent his evenings drawing the imaginary superhero "American Eagle", writing in the margins that he had to have a cape, capes were ''boss''. The military rifled through his drawings, based the design of his costume off of them without telling him, much to his embarrassment, and left out the cape.
82	** Cap's spoof, Major Glory from ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'', wears a cape. Of course, he's also a Superman spoof, so he probably doesn't have the same problems Cap did.
83	* ''ComicBook/TheSpectre'' wears a very dramatic green hooded cape, and not much else.
84	* ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'s cape is a BadassCape all by itself thanks to its VoluntaryShapeshifting.
85	* There's a Polish superhero spoof, ''ComicBook/ChinchillaMan''. Chinchilla Man's team employs one caped hero, who is rather useless, but teams with caped heroes receive funding from European Union.
86	* As befits its founding in the 1940s, the ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica has had a multitude of caped members: [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Scott the first]] Franchise/GreenLantern, ComicBook/DoctorFate, the Spectre, Hourman, the Sandman, ComicBook/TheAtom, Doctor Mid-Nite, Batman, Superman, Robin, ComicBook/PowerGirl, the ComicBook/{{Huntress}}, ComicBook/RedTornado, Miss America, Captain Marvel, Obsidian...
87	* ComicBook/TheMightyThor is an old-school god, after all.
88	* ComicBook/TheSentry, Marvel's [[AlternateCompanyEquivalent version of Superman]], probably has to wear a cape.
89	* ComicBook/{{Storm\|MarvelComics}} from ''ComicBook/XMen''. In her case, it's got a practical effect: the extra surface area it gives her makes it easier for her to fly, since her flight is performed by manipulating air currents. She can fly without the cape, but not quite as well.
90	* ComicBook/ScarletWitch does the flamboyant quasi-mystical figure thing.
91	* ComicBook/TheVision: Justified originally because he used his ability to alter his density to fly by becoming so light that the cape and a mild breeze was enough to get him airborne. Not really referenced much anymore since writers quickly figured out that that required excessively convenient wind patterns all the time.
92	* ComicBook/BoosterGold was told by Superman that he couldn't handle wearing a cape.
93	* Spider-Man villain Mysterio: Justified given his propensity for stage and theatrics
94	* [[ComicBook/QuantumAndWoody Quantum]] wears a cape. Woody thinks they're stupid.
95	* ComicBook/OrientMen, as part of his [[TheArtifact origins as a parody superhero]].
96	* ComicBook/{{Magneto}} and Mr. Sinister, both of X-Men books, usually wear capes.
97	* Deconstructed: The protagonist of Joe Hill's ''The Cape'' had a blanket that was turned into a costume cape, and he wore it as a kid when playing with his brother as superheroes. As an adult, he discovers that the cape makes him able to fly. His full "costume" is just his cape. [[spoiler:Then he kills his ex-girlfriend and we discover that, as a child, he played the supervillain. In its first issue, the main character starts as the Woobie, becomes an IronWoobie and then treats us to a sudden FaceHeelTurn to became a VillainProtagonist. Brilliant.]]
98	* Justice of the New Warriors and Avengers wears one. Being telekinetic, he can pretty easily keep the cape from getting in the way.
99	* Prodigy has a big red one. Back when he was an alternate identity of Spider-Man, the character was specifically designed - out of universe - to evoke Golden Age heroes, so it fits rather well.
100	* Franchise/WonderWoman wears one occasionally -- usually just when she's making a public appearance and wants to look impressive or regal, not when she's out there fighting. However, in Post New-52 Rebirth, Diana has taken to [[https://i.imgur.com/lJD9hrs.jpg utilize capes in missions]].
101	* Captain Carrot and Alley Kat Abra of the [[ComicBook/CaptainCarrotAndHisAmazingZooCrew Zoo Crew]] wear capes. Hers has an optional hood.
102	* Surprisingly rare in ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'', but there are a few examples, such as Mon-El, Princess Projectra, and Thunder. Lightning Lad wore one in his early days.
103	* The heroes in ''ComicBook/PeterCannonThunderbolt2019'' eschew capes, being a practical modern bunch, aside from Baba Yaga's short, un-obstructive design. However, the megalomaniac RealityWarper Thunderbolt is clearly above such concerns, and wears a big cape as part of his generally excessive costume. Given his thematic relationship to Ozymandias from ''Watchmen'' (see above), this is entirely appropriate.
104	[[/folder]]
105
106	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
107	* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'' presents:
108	** "'''''[[http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1987/06/04 This]]''''' is a job for..."
109	** Outside the above example, one of Calvin's alter egos, Stupendous Man, also wears a cape.
110	* In ''ComicStrip/MandrakeTheMagician'', the protagonist wears a cape.
111	[[/folder]]
112
113	[[folder:Fan Works]]
114	* ''Fanfic/LastChildOfKrypton'': When Shinji makes his Franchise/{{Superman}} costume, he adds a cape to it.
115	* ''Fanfic/SOE2LoneHeirOfKrypton'': Asuka's ''ComicBook/PowerGirl'' and ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' costumes include a cape. She invokes the trope because when she decided to become a super-heroine she automatically thought she needed to wear a cape.
116	* ''Fanfic/TheLastDaughter'': Taylor's Supergirl outfit includes a red cape.
117	* ''Fanfic/QueenOfTheSwarm'': Taylor decides to add a cloak -and a shirt- to her hero costume when she realizes that she can use them to conceal more bugs.
118	* Subverted in ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' story ''Fanfic/SupermanOf2499TheGreatConfrontation''. Although Superman always wears a cape and ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}s traditionally wear capes, Katherine decides against wearing one.
119	* In ''ComicBook/PowerGirl'' story ''Fanfic/AForceOfFour'', most of heroes wear capes. Franchise/WonderWoman's daughter Fury is the only Amazon to wear one.
120	* In ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''/''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' crossover ''Fanfic/TheVampireOfSteel'', Buffy swiftly recognizes Kara for, among other clues, her red cape.
121	-->Buffy looked at her, taking her in as quickly as possible. A very pretty blonde woman in her late twenties or early thirties, in a blue and red outfit with a red cape.
122	* Inverted in ''Fanfic/PuzzleHuntPrecure'': None of the Precure wear capes, but all of the villains do.
123	* In ''Worm''/''DC'' ''Fanfic/EchoesOfYesterday'', PRT's fashion designer Arnold Adams intends to dissuade Supergirl from wearing a cape when she joins the Protectorate, but Kara replies she ''will'' wear a cape, and that's non-negotiable. After a thirty-minute-long argument, Arnold gives up.
124	-->'''Supergirl:''' They look good Arnold, but where's the cape?\
125	'''Arnold''' Unofficial policy for the Brockton Bay ENE dress code; no capes.\
126	'''Supergirl:''' Okay, but I want-- no, I need a cape with my costume.\
127	'''Arnold:''' They're impractical and can represent a danger to the wearer.\
128	'''Supergirl:''' Okay, but I want one, and I have super strength. If the cape doesn't break before I do, then I would agree. Also, I want a cape.\
129	'''Arnold:''' You already said that.\
130	'''Supergirl:''' Only because it's true.\
131	'''Arnold:''' You don't need a cape.[...]\
132	'''Supergirl:''' I won't budge on this; if you want to play this game Arnold, go for it, but I'm not walking out of this room without a cape.
133	* In ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy'', a large number of heroes -Superman, Supergirl, Power Girl, Superboy, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Batman, Mister Miracle, the Spectre...- wear cape. Out of all members of the Super-Family, Dev-Em is the only to not wear one.
134	* ''Fanfic/TheWormProtocol'': As the Knights take on the function of Superheroes they raise the percentage of Capes who actually wear a cape in Earth Bet.
135	* In the course of ''Fanfic/KaraOfRokyn'', Kara makes some modifications to her super-hero costume suck like removing her headband and swapping her red skirt with a blue one, but she never considers to ditch her red cape.
136	* In ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainWakeMeUp'', one of the items the main trio holds is the Dream Miraculous, a Miraculous inhabitted by Bakku that when worn by Professor Fennel [[spoiler:or Chloe]] allows her to transform into an Exhaustion-themed superhero. The catch? The cape is the charged/transformed version, its normal/uncharged version is ''a blanket''.
137	[[/folder]]
138
139	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
140	* Defied in ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'' when Edna Mode, superhero costume designer for Mr. Incredible, cites [[CapeSnag numerous superhero fatalities that have stemmed from their capes]]. And, [[RealLifeWritesThePlot out of universe]], the animators [[NoFlowInCGI didn't want to deal with capes flapping around]]. They did have one character wear a cape -- [[BigBad Buddy/Syndrome]], who's established early on as a superhero fanboy with a major flair for the dramatic. [[spoiler: And it [[TurbineBlender comes back to bite him]], just like Edna warned Bob.]]
141	-->'''Edna:''' No capes!
142	[[/folder]]
143
144	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
145	* In ''Film/TheCannonballRun'', Victor dons a cape when his 'Captain Chaos' alternate personality takes control.
146	* Lampshaded in ''Film/{{The Avengers\|2012}}'', with [[Film/IronMan Tony Stark]] poking fun at [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor's]] cape. Thor and Loki are the only characters in the movie who actually wear capes.
147	* In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', when Vision first comes out of the sarcophagus, he doesn't have a cape. However, after he sees Thor's cape, he uses his shapeshifting abilities to spontaneously create one for himself.
148	* ''Film/{{Doctor Strange\|2016}}'''s cape is a magical artifact known as the Cloak of Levitation. It can fly, has a mind of its own, and quite frankly is more competent than ''he'' is for most of the movie.
149	* In ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'', Mysterio's superhero suit includes a red floor-length cape. [[spoiler:later in the film, when it's revealed that Mysterio is a fake, he mocks the MCU's actual superheroes by saying "You can be the smartest person in the room, and no one cares, unless you're flying around in a cape, or shooting lasers from your hands!"]]
150	* ''Film/BasnOLudziachStad'': Scarlet Leon fancies himself a superhero, so of course he has to wear one of these.
151	* ''Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse'':
152	** Superman and Batman have floor-long capes in red and black respectively, while Wonder Woman has a blue ceremonial one attached by a clasp around her neck and shoulders.
153	** Given the more realistic treatment in ''Film/ManOfSteel'', Superman's cape puts him at a disadvantage in a fight several times, being so easy for his enemies to grab.
154	** Referenced in ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', when Batman saves [[spoiler:Martha]]:
155	--->'''Batman:''' It's OK. I'm a friend of [[spoiler:your son's.]]\
156	[[spoiler:'''Martha:''']] I figured. The cape.
157	** Was almost averted for Superman in ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'' as Creator/ZackSnyder wanted to give him a capeless resurrection suit closer to that of the comics. An ExecutiveVeto had him use a cape.
158	** ''Film/Shazam2019'': Shazam wears a white cape with gold trim that ends just above his knees, although it's actually more of a cowl, since it comes with a hood. [[spoiler:The Shazam Family have similar capes, although some are slightly longer than others.]]
159	[[/folder]]
160
161	[[folder:Literature]]
162	* Franchise/{{Zorro}} was wearing an awesome black cape long before anybody else on this page.
163	* In ''Literature/SoonIWillBeInvincible'', Dr Impossible grumbles about the impracticality of his cape a couple of times (it gets in the way of fighting and is heavy and cumbersome when he's fleeing), but continues to wear it because "I promised myself I wouldn't go down in street clothes".
164	* in ''Literature/TalesOfAnMazingGirl'' 'Mazing Girl Wears one, which has the slight practicality that it's Flame Reitant and Kevlar, which helps occasionally when saving people who aren't as bulletproof as she is.
165	* ''Literature/{{Archvillain}}'': Mighty Mike wears a green cape, which leads to capes becoming a popular fashion accessory at his school. His enemy the Blue Freak/Kyle Camdon also wears a cape, since Kyle publicly hates capes and wants to throw people off his trail.
166	* In Jeramey Kraatz's ''Literature/TheCloakSociety'', Lone Star always did. Some characters object to a costume that doesn't on that grounds.
167	* ''Literature/JusticeSquad'': While these show up on a number of characters, Capeman (being a Franchise/{{Superman}} {{Expy}}) uses it as his defining feature.
168	* Capes are worn by several members of the ''Literature/LeagueOfIntergalacticCosmicChampions''.
169	* Comes and goes in the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse''.
170	** Shroud of Team Kimba wears a cape, because she is animating all the parts of her uniform with her powers and can use it as a weapon. Gloriana has found another advantage: provides warmth when wearing a skimpy costume that is nothing more than a maillot.
171	** Delta Spike wears a cape to hide the power harness she wears on her back to jack up her superstrength and blaster powers.
172	* Very much averted in ''Literature/{{Worm}}'':
173	--> ''It was hard to make capes look good. They had a way of clinging to the body, or flowing the wrong way, getting caught around an arm… it took a measure of majesty to make it work...Ironic, that the slang for a [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividual parahuman]] was ‘cape’, and so few of us wore them.''
174	* In ''Literature/MyBrotherIsASuperhero,'' Luke makes Zack a cape [[CurtainClothing out of a pair of drapes]]--they even have [[StarPower stars]] on them, fitting his superhero theme! Zack refuses to wear it as part of his general trend toward NotWearingTights. Not that Luke is bitter or anything. [[spoiler:Zack finally relents at the end of the first book, when Lara claims that her sister, whom Zack has a crush on, "has a thing" for capes]].
175	** The HeroicWannabe villain of the first book ''does'' wear a cape, for the record.
176	* ''Literature/SuperPowereds'': as a rule, averted for close combat Heroes, at least experienced ones, since they know that a cape is a liability in a fight. Only ranged or support Heroes tend to stick with them. Also averted for Subtlety Heroes (Heroes tasked with intelligence-gathering), since their role involves not being noticed, and capes tend to attract attention. Even their costumes tend to be nondescript. At graduation, though, all newly-minted Heroes are issued ceremonial white capes to symbolize their new status.
177	* ''Literature/VillainsCode'': While superheroes are called "capes" by the villains, it's never stated if most of them actually wear capes.
178	* ''Literature/CaptainUnderpants'' wears a red "cape" with black dots on it, which is always a cape-like cloth that isn't an actual cape, usually a curtain. Parodied at least twice:
179	** In the sixth book, the Captain refuses to do his job until he finds such a curtain. George points out that they are hiding behind such a curtain.
180	** In the ninth book, the Captain again can't find a red cape-like cloth, so he buys an actual cape from a store.
181	* ''Literature/WearingTheCape'': As the title implies, "capes" is a common nickname for superheroes. Atlas, the first and most famous hero, wore a cape, as does the main character Astra. It seems most common among supers who can fly, but even supers who never wear capes refer to themselves that way. In particular, the term "wearing the cape" is used in much the same way a police officer might say "wearing the badge." It is iconically representative of the "uniform" of supers, even though most supers don't have them.
182	* ''Literature/RoysBedoys'':
183	** In “Roys Bedoys Saves the Day”, Roys wears a superhero cape.
184	** In “Manage Your Anger, Roys Bedoys!”, Loys draws Roys in a superhero cape.
185
186	[[/folder]]
187
188	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
189	* In ''Series/TheATeam'' episode "[[Recap/TheATeamS2E7TheTaxicabWars The Taxicab Wars]]", Murdock created a superhero alter ego named Captain Cab (the team was helping a cab company at the time), complete with cape and mask made out of a tablecloth.
190	* ''Series/TheCape''. It's in the title.
191	* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
192	** {{Justified\|Trope}} in the case of the [[Creator/JonPertwee Third Doctor]], who dresses like a QuintessentialBritishGentleman from TheEdwardianEra. His look was inspired by the caped hero of ''Series/AdamAdamantLives'', so he's definitely channeling this trope.
193	** [[Recap/DoctorWho2016CSTheReturnOfDoctorMysterio "The Return of Doctor Mysterio"]], being a superhero pastiche, naturally has resident superhero the Ghost sporting a cape.
194	* Ralph's alien-bestowed super suit in ''Series/TheGreatestAmericanHero'' comes complete with a hip-length cape.
195	* In ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'', Harvey's superhero alter ego in one episode, "Mighty Teen", does indeed wear a cape.
196	** Sabrina comments on this when she's yelling at Hilda for running in the election:
197	--->'''Sabrina:''' I will not let you make a mockery of what this town stands for! (pause) [[LampshadeHanging That would sound a lot more convincing if I was wearing a cape.]]
198	* ''Series/SesameStreet'''s entry into the world of superheroes, "Super Grover", also includes the requisite cape -- along with a decidedly non-standard knight's helmet.
199	* ''Series/Supergirl2015'' [[JustifiedTrope justifies]] the cape as necessary for aerodynamics. Before using one, Kara[=/=]ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} crashes trying to make a sharp curve while flying.
200	* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' and ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' mostly avert this trope with the heroes' powered costumes, with a few notable exceptions such as the SixthRanger in ''Series/SeijuuSentaiGingaman'' and ''Series/PowerRangersLostGalaxy'', and the whole main team in ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger'' and ''Series/PowerRangersMysticForce'' (the latter due to having a magic general motif).
201
202	[[/folder]]
203
204	[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
205	* [[Wrestling/GregoryHelms The Hurricane]] regularly wore a cape to the ring. Early on, he'd put it on during matches whenever he went to the top rope.
206	* As did his first sidekick, [[Wrestling/MollyHolly Mighty Molly]].
207	* During his "Super Hero in Training" phase, Rosey wore a towel tied around his neck as a cape. He later got a real one when he became a full-fledged superhero.
208	* Aja Perera wears short capes as part of her "Supergirl" gimmick.
209	[[/folder]]
210
211	[[folder:Video Games]]
212	* This is one of the many, many costume options in ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes''. Annoyingly, you normally have to reach level 20 and [[AndYourRewardIsClothes do a specific mission]] to get one.
213	** Notable cape wearers among [=NPCs=] are Statesman, whose former cape was refashioned into the flag atop Paragon City City Hall; his EvilCounterpart Reichsman; Hero 1, whose disappearance at the end of the Rikti War is the reason new heroes can't wear capes, and Rikti warrior [[SignificantAnagram Honoree]], who wears a suspiciously familiar cape.
214	** Nowadays you can unlock certain capes that can be worn before level 20, including a ComicBook/DoctorStrange-style 'magic' mantle with a huge collar and even bigger cape. Looks [[RuleOfCool extremely awesome]] when done right.
215	* VideoGame/PajamaSam is only regular Sam without his cape. He puts it on automatically in ''No Need To Hide When It's Dark Outside'', but asks the player to help him look for it in ''Thunder and Lightening'' and ''You Are What You Eat'' and before he can start his adventure.
216	* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':
217	** Sora wears a small black cape paired with bat wings while in [[WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas Halloween Town]]. In contrast to his EyepatchOfPower, it's hardly noticeable.
218	** In ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'', Pete wears a cape as "Captain Justice" and "Captain Dark," though the name of his musical theme, "Hero or Heel?" says it all.
219	* The [[InASingleBound Hi-Jump]] ability has Franchise/{{Kirby}} dress up like a superhero complete with a cape from ''Nightmare in Dream Land'' onwards.
220	* ''VideoGame/MoshiMonsters'' has the ability to turn your monster into a "Super Moshi". All Super Moshis wear red capes, in addition to masks and utility belts.
221	[[/folder]]
222
223	[[folder:Webcomics]]
224	* ''Webcomic/GrrlPower'': Completely averted with their daily wear (which are basically modern [=BDUs=]), but present in full force with their mess dress, which includes [[https://grrlpowercomic.com/archives/comic/grrl-power-838-ill-have-the-wedgie-salad/ a very awesome cloak]].
225	* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Elliot as a superhero [[http://egscomics.com/?date=2010-10-01 wears a cape,]] though this is used to show that most of his knowledge of superheros comes from PopCultureOsmosis.
226	* {{Superhero}}es in ''Webcomic/{{Sidekicks}}'' get given [[BadassCape capes that have a superpower imbued inside them]] upon being [[SidekickGraduationsStick promoted into a superhero]].
227	* In ''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}'', the Canadian superheroes greet the American ones as "Caped Crusaders." Tiger notes that [[SubvertedTrope no one is actually wearing a cape]].
228	* ''Webcomic/DumbingOfAge'' has Amazi-Girl, the self-appointed vigilante, whose home-made costume includes a cape (which at one point, is stated to conceal the zip up the back of the bodysuit)
229	* In ''Webcomic/AxeCop'', illustration of the concept of [[ItMakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext the moon turning into a superhero that kills all the bad guys on it]] involves the moon wearing a cape. There are also plenty of other caped superheroes in the stories.
230	* ''Webcomic/LadySpectraAndSparky'': Lady Spectra follows many old-school superhero traditions, including this one.
231	[[/folder]]
232
233	[[folder:Web Animation]]
234	* ''WebAnimation/TheMostEpicStoryEverToldInAllOfHumanHistory'': [[TheHero Epic-Man]] and [[SideKick Epic Fail]] both wear capes and are superheroes.
235	[[/folder]]
236
237	[[folder:Western Animation]]
238	* [[TheScrappy Corporal Capeman]] in the second season of ''WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget''.
239	* [[WesternAnimation/CaptainCavemanAndTheTeenAngels Captain Caveman]], the superhero who wears ''only'' a cape.
240	* Quail Man, WesternAnimation/{{Doug}}'s superhero alter-ego, wears a towel for a cape, going with the character's general make-believe nature (he even wears his underwear on the outside!).
241	* This trope is [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom''. When Danny [[SplitPersonality split in two]], his superhero side donned a cape to emphasize his 100% dedication to world-saving. The cape spends the better portion of the episode billowing in DramaticWind.
242	* Robin in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'' wears one, what with his [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} origins]]. Raven wears more of an AllEncompassingMantle with a [[InTheHood hood]]. None of the other Titans wear capes.
243	* When Fry and Leela gain superpowers in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', they form a team with Bender, and all wear capes.
244	* Played with in ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'' where Chuckie and the other babies thought that he's a superhero but he needed a cape to have super powers. So, Chuckie put on a towel and began to think of himself as a superhero.
245	* Prevalent, though not universal, in ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010''. Robin and Miss Martian both wear capes, as do several other superheroes.
246	* Taz-Man, Taz's makebelieve superhero persona in ''WesternAnimation/TazMania'', wears a cape (of the bath towel tied round your neck variety).
247	* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', a superhero by the name of "The Mysterious [[PunnyName Mare Do Well]]" ([[spoiler:actually just some of the main characters teaching another an important [[AnAesop Aesop]]]]) appears and saves the day several times, and is shown to wear a stylized cape. This persona is an obvious ShoutOut to both WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck and Franchise/{{Batman}}, and even looks the part. The cape does have a practical use, though; [[spoiler: It hides the presence (or lack of) wings on whoever's wearing the cape at the moment, since one of the ponies using the Mare Do Well identity is a pegasus and the others aren't. Her hat serves a similar function, covering up the unicorn having a horn while the others don't.]]
248	** Averted in the Season 4 episode ''Power Ponies'', where the main cast become in-universe comic book superheroes, yet Spike, filling in the standard powerless sidekick role, is the only one to wear a cape.
249	* All of the Super Readers from ''WesternAnimation/SuperWhy'' wear capes as part of their outfits in their Super Reader forms. Princess Presto's cape looks like a repurposed wedding veil!
250	* Linny, Tuck and Ming-Ming, the ''WesternAnimation/WonderPets'', all wear capes when on the job.
251	* [[WesternAnimation/WordGirl Word Girl]] wears a cute little yellow cape.
252	* WesternAnimation/MightyMouse has a red cape that leaves a characteristic red streak behind him when he flies through the air. Being a toon, he can even use the streak itself as a ''physical object'' to tie up bad guys.
253	* ''WesternAnimation/WorkItOutWombats'': In "The Mighty Zeke," Malik and Zadie make Zeke into a superhero, and they design a cape for him.
254	* ''WesternAnimation/MollyOfDenali'': In "Home Made Heroes," Molly's superhero character, Shaeeyaa wears a cape that can control the weather and time.
255	[[/folder]]

Context Main / SuperheroesWearCapes