The Evolution of Superman (Animated)
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Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a long overdue Evolution! But just how has Superman’s look changed over time? Let’s find out now...animated!
warning: spoilers ahead!The first live-action Superman wears a loose fitting blue suit, red trunks with a yellow belt, laced boots, a tied red cape, and his dark S-emblem has Superman in writing. Although, this trailblazing live-action Supe only appeared in a parade, so let’s head to the cinema...
In the early serials, Clark Kent’s better fitting super suit has a simple emblem with a lighter backdrop, ribbed cuffs, round buckle, high-waisted belt, a shoulder-fastened cape, and stitched boots. He also has his iconic hair curl. This Superman even becomes animated to battle Super-villainy!
In his first feature and subsequent series, Clark’s super suit has less prominent cuffs, shorter trunks, and refined boots. His longer cape connects near his collar, and he has slick hair. Later seasons were filmed in vivid color, and when chilled, his suit turns white. This Superman fights a revolving door of gangsters and – interestingly – Ben Affleck portrayed this actor in a biopic. This suit style is also worn by both Superboy and Superpup, who’s shows never aired.
In the televised musical, his suit is dark, has a wide chest opening, shiny boots, very short cape, and slim emblem – although, the originating Broadway version looked much better.
In the 1978 film, Clark Kent’s super-suit is bright, has tall boots, a large emblem, and perfectly styled hair. He fights a crooked real-estate developer in his first outing, and in the second, he depowers evil Kyptonians. In the third entry, he’s corrupted by synthetic Kryptonite, making him haggard and bit of a jerk – although, his better half eventually wins dominance. The fourth entry’s suit is a brighter blue… but this whole movie is a nuclear mess.
The “Superboy” TV series mimics the film suit, but has a smaller emblem and shorter boots. In later seasons, this alien gets a facelift, enlarged emblem, and taller boots. Other Superboys appear, including a rebel Clark, a dictator Superboy, and a retired Superman raising a young Clark. Despite all this supermania, this show is mostly forgotten.
In “Lois & Clark”, Superman’s suit is dark. He has laced boots, a square buckle, no belt loops, and long cape. Following the pilot, his emblem grows, his cape attaches lower, he gains belt loops, and he ditches the laces – though, the cape and emblem somewhat revert later – and his hair gets more slick each season. He’s also outfitted in a black and blue ensemble, without a cape. Like the title suggests, this show mostly focuses on Lois and Clark’s relationship.
In the sorta-sequel to Superman II, Clark Kent is updated, his super suit is much darker with a tighter neckline, shorter boots, an S-buckle, elongated cape, small raised emblem, and a faint S-texturing. He also briefly boasts sleek grey attire. In this film, he returns from vacation to fight the same old arch enemy. Reappearing in the ArrowVerse, he dons a simplified suit, with navy blue and deep red colouring, and black accents – though after multiverse shenanigans his classic colours return.
Clark’s attire in Smallville includes a black trench coat getup and an embossed red jacket. In the final, he wears the previous film’s suit, but his cape is brighter and the logo less detailed.
The DCEU’s Clark wears a muted textured suit, with a long cape, ribbed sections, no trunks, embedded belt, and a thick emblem. In a dream, he sports a black version of this suit. Meanwhile, in reality, he faces Zod. In BvS his suit is saturated, his buckle is square, the smaller S-shield has additional writing, and the piping is streamlined. He goes up against Batman, before sacrificing himself for humanity. In Justice League he’s resurrected. His suit is a bolder blue with shinier accents – and his mustache never made it to the big screen. Years later, the director’s cut features a black suit. This time, he helps take down Steppenwolf. “Shazam!” features a suit with more red markings, and while more films were teased, this franchise got squashed.
In the Supergirl series he wears a seamed suit, with a red belt, blocky boots, a buckled cape, and his emblem has added clips. In the unconnected spin-off, he first wears a retro sky-blue suit. While his main suit is padded, has airbrushed muscles, a smaller emblem, shorter boots, updated belt, and no cape buckles. He also rocks a five o’clock shadow. Season 2’s suit has less padding and V-shaped boots. The Season 3’s suit has richer colours, less seams, a beveled emblem, and a uniquely carved belt. While Season 4’s suit is refined and darker. Also, evil Supermen are seen in black and silver apparel. But this series is more concerned with family drama.
“The Flash” features a Superman modeling long hair, moulded muscles, and a massive codpiece. While this “Superman: Lives” concept hit cinemas, other scrapped suits have yet to…
In the 2025 film, Clark Kent’s suit is tactical, has vibrant colours, a wide boot V, trunks with a boxy belt, prominent collar, and stylized emblem. He also has a K9 companion! This Supe takes on Lex Luthor’s many challenges, and even faces the mysterious Ultraman – an evil clone of himself!
So Which Man of Steel is your favourite? Let us know down below!
Find links to donate to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for spinal cord injuries, and become a real superhero. Also, check out our other DC evolutions – many more to come!
Today I rank every live-action Superman movie, from the worst to the best, from the 1940s to the newest 2025 film. I'll let you know what Superman films are worth watching and which you can skip!