WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #6!
Supermanhas officially made his costumed debut in theGotham by GaslightUniverse, sporting a redesign like nothing fans have ever seen before—complete with a mask. But it’s not just Superman’s heroic outfit that’s undergone a makeover; Clark Kent’s civilian identity has also received a transformation, providing exciting new inspiration for anyone looking to elevate their Man of Steel cosplay to the next level.
While the costume debuting in The Kryptonian Age #6 is undeniably Clark’s official superhero look for the series, his sheriff ensemble from issue #5 is also noteworthy.
TheBatman: Gotham by Gaslightsequel,Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age, by Andy Diggle, Leandro Fernández, Matt Hollingsworth, and Simon Bowland, has reimagined many of DC’s most iconic characters in this 19th-century-inspiredElseworldsseries.
Among those introduced into theGotham by GaslightUniverse are Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Martian Manhunter, and Superman. While the Man of Steel first appeared in issue #5,it wasn’t untilThe Kryptonian Age#6 that fans got their first look at Superman’s costume—a redesign that stands as one of Clark Kent’s boldest yet.
Superman Officially Debuts HisGotham by GaslightCostume
Cover ForBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - A League For Justice(Coming in 2025)
InThe Kryptonian Age#5,Clark Kent is introduced as the bumbling, accident-prone, yet gold-hearted sheriff of Smallville, Kansas.His clumsiness and incompetence, however, are more of an act designed to conceal his Kryptonian powers, making him appear unassuming and lessening any suspicion about his uncanny ability to apprehend criminals. But in issue #6, El Diablo, a villain known for his hypnosis powers, gains the upper hand when he mesmerizes Clark into complying with his demands. He then ties up the Man of Steel and sets the jailhouse on fire, leaving him to face certain death—at least for any normal human.
The next time readers see Clark, he emerges from the flames of the jailhouse. However,instead of wearing his usual sheriff’s uniform, he is in his redesignedGotham by Gaslightversion of the Superman costume.While this outfit retains Superman’s classic color scheme of blue, red, and yellow, it departs from his traditional look in several ways. The most striking change is the addition of a domino mask, a first for Superman, as his costumes have never included a mask before.
In addition to the mask, this Man of Steel look changes things up by omitting his signature red cape, and instead of a skintight, spandex-like suit, he wears a military-style tunic and pants paired with Western-style boots. The tunic features a simplified version ofSuperman’s"S"shield, represented as just a red"S.“Other accessories in this redesign include gloves and a thick belt wrapped around his waist. Together, these elements create a costume that fits seamlessly within the 19th-century setting of thisElseworldsstory.
Why Doesn’t Superman Wear a Mask?
The Man of Steel’s Refusal to Wear a Mask Is Rooted in Trust
Superman wearing a mask inGotham by Gaslightmarks a monumental change to the Man of Steel’s usual character design.Clark Kent has never worn a mask as part of his costume, which sets him apart from most heroes, who typically conceal their civilian identities with a mask or helmet. While there are exceptions, such as Wonder Woman and Zatanna, the question of why Superman specifically doesn’t wear a mask still arises. Thanks to Mark Waid and Dan Mora’sBatman/Superman: World’s Finestseries, fans get an answer straight from Superman himself.
InBatman/Superman: World’s Finest#8byWaid, Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, and Steve Wands, Clark explains to his sidekick, Boy Thunder, the importance of wearing a mask to protect his identity and maintain a normal civilian life. Though this seems hypocritical coming from Superman, who doesn’t wear a mask, Clark clarifies that he takes other measures to protect his identity. He explains that part of being Superman is having people trust him, and wearing a mask could break that trust and make them fear him instead. In short,Superman doesn’t wear a mask because he can’t afford to give anyone a reason not to trust him.
Meet Cowboy Superman: Clark Kent Debuts a Western-Inspired Look as Smallville’s Sheriff
Main Cover by Leandro Fernández & Matt Hollingsworth forBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age#5 (2024)
While the costume debuting inThe Kryptonian Age#6 is undeniably Clark’s superhero look for the series,his sheriff ensemble from issue #5 is also noteworthy. This outfit serves as a subtle tribute to Superman’s classic costume, incorporating his signature blue, red, and yellow color scheme intoa cowboy-inspired design. Clark’s sheriff outfit features blue jeans and a blue vest with yellow brass buttons, paired with a matching ascot around his neck, echoing both Superman’s bodysuit and the yellow of his"S"shield. Additionally, Clark wears reddish-brown cowboy boots and a red duster—nods to other elements of his Superman costume, such as his cape and boots.
The pièce de résistance of this outfit, however, is the pristine white cowboy hat. While it may not directly reference his usual costume, it could carry symbolic meaning. In metaphysical terms, a“white cap”often represents purity, goodness, and moral integrity—qualities strongly associated with Superman. Thus, while Clark’s sheriff look is more casual than hisGotham by GaslightSuperman costume, both outfits pay tribute to his classic design by incorporating the signature blue, red, and yellow color scheme, along with other key design elements.
Superman’s New Elseworlds Redesign is Not What Anybody Expected (But Also Sort of Perfect)
Clark Kent’s new Elseworlds redesign is sure to turn a few heads, considering it is now nowhere near what anyone expected the Kryptonian to look like.
Superman’s NewGotham by GaslightCostumes Are Both Perfect for Cosplay Inspiration
Cover C Card Stock Variant by Edwin Galmon forBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age#6 (2024)
One of the best things about Superman’s two looks inGotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Ageis that both offer perfect cosplay inspiration for Man of Steel fans looking to elevate their cosplays. These costumes merge time period-specific fashion with Superman’s iconic style, resulting in completely unique designs. While the sheriff look is more subtle and the military-style tunic stands out with its boldness, both offer distinct appeal and would make for great projects for those who enjoy crafting their own costumes. So, the only question forSupermancosplayers is: which costume will you be wearing next?
Superman’s New Costume Is His Darkest Design, Representing the Destruction of Krypton
Absolute Superman has finally arrived, and after months of teasing his bold redesign through cover art fans finally get the full reveal!
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #6is available now from DC Comics!
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
