While Superman has had many different costumes over the years, the suit he wears in All-Star Superman deserves to be his mainstream look. The classic story found a way to redesign the Man of Steel’s uniform, without it feeling inauthentic to the character.
When The New 52 attempted to modernize Superman for a new era, fans were split. Giving the indestructible Kryptonian an armored suit, adding a collar, and removing his signature briefs felt like an unnecessary move. As DC Comics accounted for readers’ criticisms, Superman’s look was updated yet again in Rebirth, which brought back many familiar elements but removed his red boots. Even Zack Snyder attempted to ground Superman with modern sensibilities in Man of Steel, partly by muting the suit's colors. However, the quintessential version of the costume had already appeared in All-Star Superman, written by Grant Morrison with art by Frank Quietly.
Without taking too many liberties with his iconic costume, Quietly managed to homage Superman’s history by giving him a timeless look. From the shortened cape, to the way it drapes over Superman’s biceps, the soft blue, bright red, mustard yellow, and the looser board shorts, Frank Quietly’s version of the suit stands out from the pact. Unlike New 52, Rebirth, recent live action renditions, or the myriad of other rebranded Supermen, All-Star Superman’s take on the tights doesn’t shy away from what Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel originally intended. By emphasizing the fantastical, Quietly causes the Man of Tomorrow to transcend time. Instead of simply reflecting the fashion of the day, All-Star’s costume is otherworldly.
In the context of Grant Morrison’s beloved tale, Superman’s suit rightly calls back to his whimsical mythos. Considering the desperate circumstances of All-Star, readers are able to surmise that this is the definitive costume Kal-El had worn on countless adventures. Whereas the reinvented New 52 uniform tried to discard the past by presenting a veneer of “cool,” this version embraces the vast catalogue of Superman stories— even at the cost of being perceived as campy by some. Although Quietly wasn’t concerned with making Superman look grounded, he intentionally considered the costume’s materials, which take a note from Christopher Reeve’s physical costume. Theoretically, the Man of Steel doesn’t need armor, so the stretchy tights, rubber boots, and metallic belt are just as realistic of a wardrobe choice. The shortened cape length makes additional sense being that it was once Kal-El's baby blanket, as seen in the book's opening panels.
Morrison and Quietly crafted a love letter to Superman in All-Star Superman, and his suit embodies their tribute. They didn’t compromise the look or feel of the hero that fans love, still choosing to offer their own spin. Even in the midst of the “dark and gritty” superhero phenomenon, they maintained faith in the relevance of Superman as he has been known in pop culture. The logical evolution of Batman’s costume might omit the underwear and update materials, but such changes reflect the Dark Knight’s tactical nature. Without any powers, Bruce Wayne’s war on crime permits armor and feels right for the character. In contrast, Frank Quietly recognized that Superman didn’t require a radical makeover— he just needed to remind fans of the superhero they first knew as kids.