The Superhero Costume

List of Illustrations
Introduction

Part 1: Origins and Evolution

Chapter 1: Superman: Codifying the Superhero Wardrobe
Physical Labour and the Construction of Masculinity
Performance in Combat
The Costume as Biography
Superman the Brand
The Archetype and his Imitators

Chapter 2: Identity, Role and The Mask
The Mask and Issues of Identity
The Identity of the Mask
Power, Authority and the Privileged Few
Face-ism
How Dress Defines Role
The Deceit of the Masquerade

Chapter 3: Evolution and Adaptation: Form v. Function
'Sucked Into Silliness'
Real-life References: The historical and the sporting.
Technology and Utility
The Pursuit of Credibility: Hyperrealism and assemblage
The Decline of the Costume

Part 2: Identities and Ideals

Chapter 4: Wearing The Flag: Patriotism and globalization
Stars and Stripes... and Spandex
Conflicted Identities: Nation v. Race
Exoticism and Primitivism in Batman Incorporated

Chapter 5: Dressing Up, Dressing Down: A Spectacle of Otherness, and the Ordinariness of the Civilian Alter-ego
Performing Ordinariness
Playing to the Reader
Unmasking Clark Kent
Self-Objectification
Method in the Masquerade

Chapter 6: Channelling The Beast
Physiognomy and Anthrozoomorphism
The Bird Men
Ritual and the Animal Spirit

Part 3: Harsh Realities

Chapter 7: Superheroes and the Fashion of Being Unfashionable
Fashion Outsiders
The Gender Divide
The Cycle of Superhero Fashion
Evolution into Eternity

Chapter 8: Superhero Cosplay
Participatory Fandom / Imaginative Reconstruction
'I'm your biggest fan': Competition and Authenticity
Spectatorship and the Cosplay Spectacle
Sewing and Making: Masculinity and Manufacture

Chapter 9: Real-life Superheroes
Masked Vigilantes and The Reality of Costumes
Masks and Manifestos
Parent Power

Part 4: Case Studies

Introduction to Case Studies

Chapter 10: Watchmen
Deconstructing the Costume
Men without Humanity
Masks without Men

Chapter 11: Iron Man
Who is Iron Man?
Automated Dressing
The Hyper-abled Hero

Chapter 12: X-Men
Uniforms and Unity
The Yellow 'X': Marking the Mutant 'Other'

Notes
Bibliography