History Main / SuperheroesWearCapes

* ComicBook/{{Storm}} 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.

* ''Anime/CodeGeass'' gives us AntiHero MagnificentBastard 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.

Okay, not really that likely anymore, especially since UsefulNotes/{{the Silver Age|of Comic Books}}, but capes are a typical thing for superheroes.

** Most other members of the Superman Family wear one as well: ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}, ComicBook/PowerGirl, ComicBook/{{Steel}}, [[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes Mon-El]], the [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks original]] and [[ComicBook/DCRebirth Jon Kent]] versions of ComicBook/{{Superboy}}, the [[UsefulNotes/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.

Compare HeroesWantRedheads, HeroesPreferSwords, BadassCape, CapedMecha, RequisiteRoyalRegalia, OminousOperaCape.

* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', a superhero by the name of "The Mysterious [[JustForPun 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.]]

** 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|Series}} 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.

* The Yoyo Supermen from ''Animation/YoYoMan'', excepting Fefe and Qiube, wear capes.

** Most of Superman rip-offs and parodies wear them too, such as the Sentry, Gladiator, Hyperion, etc.

* ComicBook/{{Superman}} practically [[TropeCodifier started this]].
** Most other members of the Superman Family wear one as well: ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}, ComicBook/PowerGirl, ComicBook/{{Steel}}, [[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes Mon-El]], the [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks original]] and [[ComicBook/DCRebirth Jon Kent]] versions of ComicBook/{{Superboy}}, the [[UsefulNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks Bronze Age]] [[Creator/ElliotSMaggin 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.
** Most {{Exp|y}}ies and {{Captain Ersatz}}es of Superman wear them too, such as the Sentry, Gladiator, Hyperion, etc.

** 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.
* 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:

* ''Series/Supergirl2015'' [[JustifiedTrope justifies]] the cape as necessary for aerodynamics in flight. Before using one, Kara[=/=]ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} crashes trying to make a sharp curve in flight.

** {{Justified|Trope}} in the case of the [[Creator/JonPertwee Third Doctor]], who dresses like a QuintessentialBritishGentleman from TheEdwardianEra.

* Franchise/{{Superman}} practically [[TropeCodifier started this]].

* Franchise/{{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:

[[folder:Films — Animation]]
* Defied in ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'', where Edna Mode, superhero costume designer for Mr. Incredible, cites [[CapeSnag numerous superhero fatalities that have stemmed from their capes]]. And, out of universe, the [[RealLifeWritesThePlot animators didn't want to deal with]] [[NoFlowInCGI 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.]]

[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]

* ''Film/DoctorStrange'''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.
* 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!"]]

** 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.
** 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.

* Deconstructed (like everything else) in ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' with the character of Dollar Bill. He 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.]] Aside from Captain Metropolis and the second-generation Nite Owl, none of the other superheroes wear capes.

* ComicBook/TheMightyThor
* ComicBook/TheSentry, Marvel's [[AlternateCompanyEquivalent version of Superman]].

* ComicBook/ScarletWitch

* 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.]]

* 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]].

* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', a superhero by the name of "The Mysterious [[JustForPun 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 CoolHat serves a similar function, covering up the unicorn having a horn while the others don't.]]

* The Super Readers from ''WesternAnimation/SuperWhy'' all wear capes as part of their superhero outfits. Princess Presto's cape looks like a repurposed wedding veil!

** 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 his motif of fear), and it gives a large amount of useless space for mooks to target.

* Franchise/{{Batman}}:
** Batman is possibly the straightest example of a useful one... short of people who have magic capes, anyway. 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 his motif of fear), and it gives a large amount of useless space for mooks to target. It's kinda necessary if you want to look like ''a giant bat.''

* ''ComicBook/TheSpectre'' Who's cape was pretty much the only piece of clothing he wore.

* Defied in ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'', where Edna Mode, superhero costume designer for Mr. Incredible, cites [[CapeSnag numerous superhero fatalities that have stemmed from their capes]]. [[spoiler:This doesn't stop the villain, who is killed in one of the ways that had been spelled out earlier, in the No Capes rant.]]

* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', a superhero by the name of "The Mysterious [[JustForPun 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.

* 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, to bundle up the scared little girl victimized by Overhaul's scheming. That little girl, Eri, clings to a torn piece of that cape like a SecurityBlanket for the remainder of the battle and it helps inspire her to start actively resisting her captors.

* Preferred by Ms. Terial in the [[http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_KAMics/5108842/ Fashionably Heroic]] cartoons of ''Webcomic/TheKAMics''.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'', [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=1698 Slick wears a cape while heroically intervene to unite.]]