Culture
Over the last 60 years, on-screen superheroes have reflected America’s changing ideals for men’s physiques.
Every spring and summer, one thing moviegoers can reliably count on is a bumper crop of comic-book movies. At this point in time, studios have run through the A-list (Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, The Hulk), hit the B-list (Iron Man, Thor, Daredevil), and are now chugging through the C-list (sorry, Ant-Man, Deadpool, Guardians of the Galaxy et al).
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Another unavoidable fact is that these movies will feature actors who undertook rigorous diet and exercise regimens in preparation for their spandex suits. The ritual of actors bulking up or shedding fat for their superhuman roles may feel inevitable now, but the current standard for impossibly brawny comic-book heroes is something of a new development. Over the past few decades, there’s been a substantial amount of fluctuation when it comes to portraying the “perfect” male body. As an infographic published by The Economist reveals, Adam West’s Bruce Wayne, weighing in around 200 lbs, might surprise viewers familiar with Michael Keaton’s Caped Crusader (158 lbs), while both heroes would be dwarfed by Ben Affleck’s Batman (216 lbs and 6’ 4”).
In fact, the changing bodies of Superman, Batman, and other superheroes of the DC and Marvel universes illuminate the ways the ideal male physique has evolved in American pop culture over the decades.
* * *
In the ’50s and ’60s, the film and television industries began their love affair with men in capes. Though these heroes stopped locomotives, jumped over buildings, and retreated to secret lairs, they didn’t have quite the same look (massive shoulders, V-shaped torsos, and rippling abs) as today’s superheroes. Kirk Alyn, the first actor to play Superman in 1948, looked more like a college athlete than an alien Adonis. Later the role was taken over by George Reeves, the quintessential ’50s Man of Steel. Reeves was a broad, barrel-chested hero with a square torso, long limbs, and barely a muscle in sight. But he had a John Wayne-esque brand of masculinity—solid, stable, and strong-jawed—that made him compatible with the times.
In 1966, Adam West took on the role of Batman in the eponymous TV series. West’s runner’s build was sturdy, and out of costume, his Bruce Wayne looked more like James Bond than Charles Atlas. (Incidentally, West was tapped for the role after he played a Bond-inspired spy in a Nestle Quik commercial.) Unlike later Batmans, West didn’t physically transform when he donned his batsuit, morphing from Bruce Wayne to the otherworldly Batman. His simple gray and black outfit only heightened how ordinary his physique was for a man regularly tasked with saving an entire city. West later joked about his appearance on the show when he made a cameo appearance on The Simpsons, saying, “Back in my day, we didn’t need molded bodysuits, [it was just] pure West.”
At that time, Hollywood hadn’t yet discovered skin-tight Lycra or molded plastic pectorals, so costumes were mostly full-body stocking knits. Overall, they revealed little to no hint of the muscles below, highlighting that the physical image of these superheroes was much closer to that of their viewers. In the early 1960s, adult men had an average BMI of about 25, which sits in the “normal” range—a healthy mix of muscle and fat. (Curiously, the average American man today, in the age of uber-buff superheroes, has a BMI of 29, according to the CDC.)
* * *
By the late ’70s and ’80s, synthetics were booming. Spandex, polyester, and Lycra, which were invented in the late ’50s, had been refined, and had found new popularity in the disco era. With these materials in high supply, supersuits finally started using stretchy material—a development that would lead to an emphasis on heightened fitness. It was during this time that Christopher Reeve was tapped to become the new Superman. Producers, concerned by Reeve’s naturally tall and slender frame, pressured him to wear fake muscles under his suit. He refused, instead becoming an early adopter of a now-familiar routine: He hired a trainer and put on 30 pounds of muscle. Reeve couldn’t change his bone structure, but he managed to gain biceps, strong shoulders, and the outline of abdominals, all of which were accentuated by his skin-tight outfits. Reeve’s Superman represents a male ideal shaped by the ’80s jogging craze and Jane Fonda’s VHS aerobics.
In 1978, The Hulk grimaced and flexed his way onto TV screens. Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk resembled a Greco-Roman wrestler, with popping veins and enormous muscles. Unlike other actors who’d played superheroes in the past, Ferrigno came from a bodybuilding background. These two points, Reeve to Ferrigno, represent a limited range of hyper-fit masculine bodies—but it’s still a wider variety than viewers see in many superheroes today. As the Olympics frequently remind audiences, two bodies in peak physical condition can look very different—but it’s a fact Hollywood doesn’t acknowledge much anymore.
* * *
In 1991, a new, alternative rock-influenced aesthetic began to break out from Seattle’s street culture. Nose rings, neon hair, and flannel moved from the fringes into the mainstream, and in the middle of this, Kurt Cobain epitomized a new masculine prototype. “[He] was the antithesis of the macho American man … he made it cooler to look slouchy and loose, no matter if you were a boy or a girl,” said The Fader’s Alex Frank to Vogue. This asexual look was softer and influenced by the same “heroin chic” look that glorified waif-like appearances in women.
The superhero world saw its own alternative figure emerge when, in the mid-’90s, Brandon Lee brought the dark, brooding figure of The Crow to movie theaters. He looked almost like a strung-out Batman, gothic and lanky with pale skin and messy hair. The movie was a box-office sleeper hit that went on to spark a sequel (despite the tragic death of its lead actor before filming even wrapped). Around the same time, the comic-book character The Sandman, also known as Dream, appeared in an ongoing Vertigo series—he, too, had a skinny-rocker look closer to Sid Vicious than to Superman. (The film version of this character got lost in development having bounced around between various producers and writers. A scathing review of the working script on Ain’t It Cool News in 1998 essentially killed the project.)
In this kind of cultural environment, the muscled heroes of yesteryear started to become objects of comedy or even straight-out mockery. It was this decade that presented Batman & Robin, the most lighthearted and campy of all the movies in the DC franchise. Batman and Robin were also explicitly sexualized in that film, with superhero suits that sported nipples and repeated shots of codpieces and bat buttocks that intensified the comic effect. It was also midway through the ’90s that the popular animated show Ren and Stimpy introduced Powdered Toast Man, a baritone-voiced superhero with gleaming butt cheeks whose tagline to people he rescued was, “Cling tenaciously to my buttocks!”
But with the new millennium a kind of truce formed, and a variety of bodies began to be represented. Perhaps no movie represents this better than 2009’s Watchmen. The ensemble here included the ultra-muscled Dr. Manhattan—who sported a computer-generated body modeled after that of the fitness guru Greg Plitt—and the middle-aged Nite Owl, who wore a sculpted outfit that hid his otherwise out-of-shape figure. It’s worth mentioning that neither man is an object of ridicule, and both are love interests for Watchmen’s leading lady. They share the role of protagonist and both claim the audience’s compassion and respect, signaling an increased acceptance that men of all shapes and sizes can be romantic heroes.
As for this current decade, superhero stories are like Dr. Octopus’s tentacles, stretching into every direction with multiple spinoffs. But it seems that as studios continue to roll out more superheroes, the leading men are becoming homogenized. Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and pretty much the entire Avenger’s lineup is a fleet of cookie-cutter musclemen. Even when “schlubby” (or snarky) antiheroes appear like Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) or Peter Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy (Chris Pratt), they still come with an action-ready six-pack. Meanwhile, characters with other body types are often alien or not human at all, as is the case with Peter’s raccoon sidekick.
The same seems to have held true for Batman v Superman and the upcoming Captain America: Civil War, X-Men Apocalypse, Wolverine, and Guardians of the Galaxy’s sequel. These superheroes are approaching a point of such rigid physical perfection that Hollywood is hovering dangerously close to the uncanny valley, a place of eerie, manufactured humanity. As this ideal becomes duplicated ad nauseam, it might end up disconnecting with viewers—because this echo chamber of muscle men neglects what’s actually compelling about superheroes: the place where “super” and “human” intersect.
Of course moviegoers still expect their superheroes will be better, stronger, and closer to god-like than the average man. But the superheroes of the previous decades could convey superiority along with a dose of humanity. After all, there’s no true heroism without a degree of vulnerability. Even the early radio programs of Superman understood this—that’s why they invented Kryptonite.
FAQs
Who has the closest physique to Batman? ›
Ironically, data collected by Moviepilot suggest that since Batman first appeared in feature-length films 50 years ago, Mr West has been the closest in physique to the Gotham crusader as specified in the comic books: 6'2" (1.88m) tall, and weighing 210 pounds (95kg).
Who has the best superhero body? ›- She-Hulk.
- Hercules. ...
- Batman. ...
- Colossus. ...
- Captain America. ...
- The Punisher. ...
- Wolverine. ...
- Giganta. ...
Superman inspires all heroes he fights alongside, such as Batman who also fears him above all of the villains he faces. It makes Superman's character hard to write as he is able to overcome all challenges, being one of the most moral heroes with a well-known origin story.
How does Superman show heroism? ›His act of courage is what makes him heroic like Samson and Hercules. His use of his abilities to help people insteading of terrorizing them is another factor of what makes him heroic. The greatest factor next to his moral values is being an alien or immigrant coming to a different world to make a difference.
Who is the darkest version of Batman? ›The Batman Who Laughs (Bruce Wayne) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the evil counterpart and alternate version of Batman within the Dark Multiverse.
How did Batman get so fit? ›He did a lot of boxing when he was not in the gym
Pattinson said he also did a lot of boxing when he was not doing his typical gym workout, which can improve cardio and build upper-body strength. Pattinson's outdoor workouts involved long-distance running and military sandbag workouts.
- She-Hulk. ...
- Colossus. ...
- Spider-Man with Athletic body. ...
- Wonder Man's Ionic Energy Powered Muscle. ...
- Thor Has The Physique Of A God. ...
- Hercules Is The Prince Of Power. ...
- Strong Guy Is The Biggest Mutant Hero. ...
- Hulk (The Smasher) Hulk.
UNLIMITED STRENGTH
The answer; there isn't one. The amazing thing about the Hulk is that unlike nearly every other superhero ever created, the Hulk's strength has absolutely no upper limit. He can lift a commercial airplane – which weighs around 100 tons – when he is at his calmest; that's no problem for him.
More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!" Superman also has the power of flight, x-ray vision, and heat vision. The only way to stop him is with Kryptonite, an element native to Krypton. This radioactive rock is what caused the destruction of Krypton.
Why was Superman made so powerful? ›
Superman's strength has a lot to do with his history...and the fact that he is actually an alien. Superman was born on the planet Krypton. This planet is much bigger than Earth and therefore, has a greater gravitational force than Earth.
What does Superman represent in society? ›Kal-El the Kryptonian-American represents the best in our human society, hence the tagline, “Truth, justice, and the American way.” He is the epitome of what we should strive to be – honest, forthright, humble yet assertive – qualities and traits we've come to neglect or dispense with in society.
What is the message of Superman? ›Superman changes motto to 'Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow,' says DC chief. The Man of Steel's motto will be "evolving" from the well-known mantra that he fights for "Truth, Justice and the American Way."
Does Batman lift weights? ›Batman's strength and conditioning is amazing for someone who is “just human”. He's the pinnacle of human physical prowess. Olympic level fitness, he began training at 12 years old. By the time Bruce was 18 he had mastered nutrition, bio mechanics, training, and weight lifting.
What does Batman's diet look like? ›Actor Robert Pattinson, star of the upcoming superhero film "The Batman," said portraying the Dark Knight involved eating lots of bland, boiled fish. Pattinson previously said he cut back on alcohol, processed meat, and fried food to build a superhero physique.
What is the realistic Batman diet? ›The meal plan comprises six clean meals each day, starting with a breakfast of oatmeal, banana, a hard-boiled egg, with a glass of orange juice and a cup of green tea. The second meal is even simpler: a whole tin of tuna, and four rice cakes topped with peanut butter. "Quite a bro meal here," says Soueid.
Who is the most loved superhero? ›With this increase in sales and popularity, it follows that some of the comics companies' major characters would also grow in popularity. When looking at each state's favorites, Wisevoter found that Spider-Man was the most popular in 25 states, followed by Batman in 10, and Superman in four.
Why Batman is cooler than Superman? ›While Superman breezes through any challenge (or would, if he remembered to use all his powers), Batman has to face adversity and overcome it. That makes him more relatable, and subsequently more trustworthy. Simply put, Batman is believable, and Superman isn't.
Who is the best super villain? ›- The Joker. Despite wearing make-up, praising chaos and loving competition with his enemy too much, The Joker is one of the few super villains to have bested his superhero nemesis. ...
- Venom. ...
- Cyborg Superman. ...
- Magneto. ...
- Poison Ivy. ...
- Doctor Octopus. ...
- Dark Phoenix. ...
- Bane.
After developing bulletproof skin from a failed prison experiment, Luke Cage uses his power to protect the people of New York.
Who is the undefeatable character in Marvel? ›
Though it might be surprising to those who aren't as familiar with comic books, Marvel's most undefeatable hero is easily Squirrel Girl. Originally debuting in an issue of Iron Man where she helped defeat Doctor Doom, the character's running joke became that she was virtually unbeatable.
Which Marvel character has unbreakable skin? ›After undergoing a variant of the Super-Soldier treatment in jail for a crime he didn't commit, the man formerly known as Carl Lucas was given superhuman strength and unbreakable skin. Adopting the name Power Man, Luke Cage became the Hero for Hire.
Can Hulk breathe in space? ›Naturally, since there isn't any oxygen in outer space, Hulk can't breathe in space – but eventually Banner gave additional Hulks even more adaptive capabilities, to the point where some powerful versions of Hulk can adapt so well to the hostile conditions of a vacuum that he can effectively live in outer space for ...
Who is physically stronger Hulk or Superman? ›There's no question the Hulk is a near-indestructible force who comes out on top in almost all of his battles of pure strength. However, against Superman, he's outmatched. While Hulk's strength might rival that of the Man of Steel, Superman's other abilities give him a considerable edge against his opponent.
Can Superman lift more than Hulk? ›Can Superman lift Hulk? The fact that Supermans strength is eventually finite, means he cannot lift more than the Hulk. Hulks strength is technically infinite. This means that while their may be other beings who can match his strength, no one can exceed it.
What is Superman's greatest weakness? ›The most notable weakness to his name is kryptonite, radioactive slivers of his home world able to reduce him to a severely weakened state. Other wild cards such as overwhelming strength and magic can do real harm to Superman.
Why does Superman have a weakness? ›It's radiation that makes Superman weak.
The prevailing theory in geekdom is that kryptonite can kill Superman because it disrupts his solar panel-like energy absorption. Without energy from the Sun, he weakens and eventually dies. Though kryptonite is a fictional mineral, the way it interferes makes sense.
A careful look through the Man of Steel's past reveals he indeed requires sleep, to an extent — though not for the same reasons reasons as we mere earthlings.
Can Superman lift Thor hammer? ›To make things clear, Superman has lifted Mjolnir in comic books. In 2003, when Marvel and DC co-produced JLA/Avengers #4 to defeat the ultimate villain Kronos, Superman was able to wield Thor's hammer.
Can Superman lift Earth? ›Superman can pull one but can't lift one physically. While he cannot lift a planet itself, he can support the weight of the planet in a machine for five days without breaking a sweat.
Why are all Kryptonians as strong as Superman? ›
In the first stories about Superman's origins, all Kryptonians possess on their homeworld the same powers Superman has on Earth. In later depictions, their abilities are attributed to the differences between Earth's gravity and that of Krypton and the different radiation of the stars they orbit.
How strong is Superman's breath? ›He also has super breath, which encompasses a variety of uses, including freeze breath. Superman's Super Breath not only includes the ability to freeze things, but his lung capacity is such that he can expel air with such force as to blow things away as well.
What are the limits of Superman's powers? ›Aside from red sun radiation, Superman's main weakness is Kryptonite, radioactive shards of his former home planet. Exposure to Kryptonite will rob Superman of his power, and with prolonged exposure, will kill him. Superman seems somewhat vulnerable to electricity.
What is the most overpowered superpower? ›- Omnipotence.
- Boundary Manipulation.
- Wish Granting.
- Meta Fate Manipulation.
- Absolute Law Manipulation.
- Meta Teleportation.
- Aether Manipulation.
- Telekinesis.
Despite his origins on a faraway planet, Superman fought his battles in the real world, where he helped Americans to see that injustice could be conquered. Meanwhile, his alter ego Clark Kent, a mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fought a never-ending battle for truth and justice.
What makes Batman heroic? ›Batman allows humanity itself to become extraordinary. His 'powers' are something that is completely within the realm of possibility - physical discipline, mixed martial arts, swordsmanship, and intellect are just a few of the skills he uses to combat his enemies.
What type of hero is Superman? ›There's always a way. Superman. Kal-El, also known as Clark Joseph Kent and best known as Superman, is a fictional superhero from DC Comics, serving as the titular main protagonist of the franchise of the same name and one of the main protagonists of the Justice League franchise.
What does Superman mentality mean? ›The Superman (or Superwoman) complex is the common term for a psychological state in which a person believes no harm can come to them or that they can never fail.
Is Superman a symbol of justice? ›Superman still stands for truth and justice, but he swapped out the American way in his famed motto. DC Comics announced Saturday the iconic superhero's signature catchphrase “Truth, justice and the American way” underwent a slight chance as “a nod to the past and an eye toward the future.”
What values does Superman have? ›Superman grew up in the heartland of America and represented the values of loyalty, patriotism and friendship. He stood for something, and nothing in the universe could make him sell out those values.
Is Superman supposed to be Jesus? ›
12 Kal-El was the son of Jor-El just as Jesus was "the Son of God" (Mark 1:1; Heb. 10:29; 1 John 4:15). Indeed, in Superman II (hereafter S2), Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) described Superman (Christopher Reeve) as "the son of Jor El" thereby mimicking the biblical form.
Why is Superman called god? ›No, Superman is not technically a god. He's an alien from the planet Krypton. That said, he does possess powers that make him similar to a god. Gods are invincible, however, and nothing, in theory, should be able to kill them.
How do I get a physique like Batman? ›- Climbing a 20-foot rope (5 sets)
- Using gymnastics rings (half-hour)
- Performing high-box jumps (8 sets, 12 reps)
- Doing crunches (5 sets, 50 reps)
- Punching the boxing bag (half-hour)
- Flexibility training (half-hour)
- Honing target practice skills (half-hour)
I looked up what DC Comics and some other books said (about Batman's physique). I settled on the estimate that Bruce Wayne started off at about six-foot-two and 185 pounds. I gave him a body fat of 20 percent (slightly below average) and a body mass index of 26.
Who is closest to Batman? ›The original Robin, Dick Grayson, remains one of Batman's closest allies ever, maybe next to only Alfred himself. Tim Drake is also one of the closest relationship's Batman has ever had.
Is Batman buff or lean? ›Ultimately, most artists DO draw Batman lean and athletic… lean mostly means low body fat percentages, which is where muscle definition starts to really pop. So most depictions of Batman, under that definition, get it right.
How do I get insane physique? ›- Eat a diet that comprises 60-70% carbohydrates and protein. ...
- Avoid junk food, salty food, oily food, alcohol, and smoking.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Avoid the intake of too much fat in your food. ...
- Eat every 2-3 hours and avoid overeating.
So, how exactly did Bale go about accomplishing this? Unsurprisingly, he trained—a lot. Going to the gym up to 6 times a week for 3 hours apiece while doing cardio every single day, he followed a routine that would build muscle while also remaining as lean as possible throughout the bulk.
How strong can Batman lift? ›Since a young age, Bruce Wayne has worked to make himself the perfect human in both physicality and mentality, and while he may not be able as strong as some of DC's other heroes, the Caped Crusader is pretty buff. Batman has been known to overhead press lift 1000 pounds and bench-press slightly more than a ton.
Who is the most muscular Batman? ›Affleck played arguably the bulkiest version of Batman on the big screen yet, and the actor worked out so much for the role that he eventually got more ripped than his own stunt double, Richard Cetrone.
How athletic is Batman? ›
Batman has strength, agility and athleticism, which requires dedication to training. Professor Zehr, a neuroscientist, thinks it would take eighteen years of intense training to become as skilled as Batman. Batman can take down an opponent without killing them, which requires skill.
Who is Batman's #1 enemy? ›No matter the media, the Joker remains Batman's greatest nemesis. On film, Jack Nicholson's Joker set the bar for villainy in Batman.
Who is Batman's number one enemy? ›The Joker
He is Batman's arch-nemesis introduced in Batman #1 in 1940. Previously, Batman had been in Detectives Comics, but within a year he was allotted his own title. He's had as many reboots and redesigns as the Dark Knight himself, and his origin story has been retold to each generation in a different way.
- Will Arnett (2014-2019) ...
- Val Kilmer (1995) ...
- Robert Pattinson (2022) ...
- Ben Affleck (2016-2017) ...
- Adam West (1966-1968) ...
- Christian Bale (2005-2012) ...
- Kevin Conroy (1992-present) ...
- Michael Keaton (1989-1992, 2023) To the original Batman of the big screen goes the crown.
Officially, Batman knows 127 styles of martial arts and puts them all to good effect in the movies.
Is Batman physically strong? ›Since a young age, Bruce Wayne has worked to make himself the perfect human in both physicality and mentality, and while he may not be able as strong as some of DC's other heroes, the Caped Crusader is pretty buff. Batman has been known to overhead press lift 1000 pounds and bench-press slightly more than a ton.
Can Batman bench-press? ›Batman's Strength Is On A Nearly Superhuman Level
In Batman #655, Bruce is shown to be bench pressing over 1000 pounds during one of his regular workouts. In Batman Odyssey #2, Bruce mentions that his maximum leg press is 2500 pounds.