This is why female superheroes should wear kevlar costumes

[Carabas]

That doesn't change the fact that kevlar armor itself is far too bulky for what the people in the comics do. You can't be a martial arts specialist crimefighter like Batman or Batgirl in kevlar armor.

Doesn't matter. They have acess to armour that is way better than kevlar and is about as bulky as a t-shirt. And that's in addition to their plot armour.

The things they do in the comics, true, they couldn't do them wearing bulky kevlar armour. But they couldn't do those things stark naked either because what they are doing is flatout not possible in reality.

[Babs]

Doesn't matter. They have acess to armour that is way better than kevlar and is about as bulky as a t-shirt. And that's in addition to their plot armour.

The things they do in the comics, true, they couldn't do them wearing bulky kevlar armour. But they couldn't do those things stark naked either because what they are doing is flatout not possible in reality.

See that's the flaw in the whole "They should wear kevlar" argument. Once you acknowledge that the "kevlar" from the comics is really just fantasy armor, the entire argument becomes useless, because that way, Barbara's leather jacket might as well be coated or filled with an ultra thin, light, and flexible bullet proof material.

Also, for the record, martial arts are much more practical butt naked than in one of those anti-riot kevlar suits. I did Taewkondo for 3 years, and i can tell you, the difference in mobility between even the standard martial arts pants and a pair of jeans is very noticeable.

[Carabas]

Also, for the record, martial arts are much more practical butt naked than in one of those anti-riot kevlar suits. I did Taewkondo for 3 years, and i can tell you, the difference in mobility between even the standard martial arts pants and a pair of jeans is very noticeable.

They're not doing martial arts. They're doing stuff that is impossible and requires wire work and special effects if you want to put it in a film, and are calling that martial arts.

[t hedge coke]

For me, it's not the material, it's how it's displayed in the comic. There are comics artists who can take a simple blouse and skirt and turn it into something the hookers at an hourly motel wouldn't wear outside. Belly-windows or legless costumes communicate more than just "this costume has no stomach." What kinds of shoes a character wears communicates information to us both about the in-story situation and in terms of how we view the character emotionally, outside the story. Flats with cleats or treads feel different than high heels or wedges that are slick or pointy on the bottom. Seeing a character run with them feels different, that's why Flash moved over to treads, then Batman, etc. it feels different, but it'd also, potentially, look silly on, say, Superman, who can and does often fly. The move in costumes for Batgirl, from heavily armored and body-hugging to the current bulkier but more street-appropriate look communicates a lot more than just "she can't afford a better costume."

Batman running around in heavy armor and wrapped head to toe, but Huntress running beside him with with her arms, legs, and navel exposed... communicates a disparity. Robin's bright costume and bare limbs against Batman's big, covered bulk generated many jokes, many suppositions, as well as communicating the positives of fearlessness, brightness, boyishness. It's a trade off, and you've just got to decide where the trade starts hurting too much and don't go there.

Also, for the record, martial arts are much more practical butt naked than in one of those anti-riot kevlar suits. I did Taewkondo for 3 years, and i can tell you, the difference in mobility between even the standard martial arts pants and a pair of jeans is very noticeable.

Thaaaaaat's really not true. For one thing, high kicks with things flopping around can get painful and distracting. For another... knife goes through hand, then ribs, then liver. Bullets.... bullets do the bullet thing.

Mobility won't stop bullets. Being kicked with a boot hurts more than being kicked with a foot and makes it less likely you'll get a knife in the foot.

More muscle may be needed to support that, but it's better to have to do more pushups and still be alive than to be dead and trade exercise time for Doritos time. If you're going to get into big fights all the time.