The Top 10 Masked Superheroes of All Time (Marvel & DC)
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Masks. They are as common in the world of comic books as allergies on a spring day. They protect the identity of the heroes who wear them, strike fear into villains who oppose them, all-the-while looking, for the most part, really awesome.
Even though some superheroes elect to not wear them, most do. Of the many that do, some have a better look than others. That doesn’t mean that there is a standard look for an awesome mask. Nope. Not even a little bit. What it does mean is that a good looking mask comes in all shapes and sizes.
Of all the best looking masks in comics, you may be wondering which are the best ones? And to that I say, wonder no more. Here are the top 10 superheroes with masks.
List of the best superheroes that wear masks:
10. Batman
Ok. Although he’s arguably the most famous hero on this superheroes that wear masks list, I’ve decided to put him in my number ten spot.
And why?
Because it’s easier to get him out of the way than hold you in suspense for an obvious number one choice.
Batman is, well, Batman. He has one of the most iconic masks in comics and has used it for decades to strike fear into any who oppose him. He is the Dark Knight. He patrols the streets of Gotham at a time when the police are afraid to. And he is one of the reasons that DC has done so well over the years.
A list like this just isn’t complete without him.
9. Cyclops
Ahh, Cyclops. His mask isn’t as much for looks as it is for protection. Of course, the protection I refer to is the protection of all those around him. His mask actually consists of ruby-quartz lenses that keep his destructive power in check. Without it, each time he opens his eyes he runs the risk of blasting a hole the size of the sun into whatever’s around him.
Cyclops is the on and off again
8. Red Hood
Jason Todd’s road to popularity wasn’t as smooth as many other characters on this list.
Unlike, let’s say, Batman who was immediately popular, Jason Todd was hated for the better part of his first many years. It wasn’t until after he was killed by the Joker and came back as the Red Hood that Jason really stepped into his own. I won’t say that this mask is the best looking one out there because after all, it looks like a red garbage can. But I will say that it’s both instantly recognizable and iconic.
7. Moon Knight
As one of the most interesting characters in comics, Moon Knight has attracted a following like no other.
Moon Knight, and I quote, wears white because “…so they’ll see me coming. So they know who it is, ’cause when they see white it doesn’t matter how good a target I am. Their hands shake so bad, they couldn’t hit the moon.”
Moon Knight is the combination of many characters rolled into one (talked about in an article a little while back). This means that at any given time he could be one Marc Spector, Jake Lockley, Mr. Knight, or Steven Grant. Although it may seem confusing, the dual identities offer him something most other comic characters lack … depth.
6. Batgirl
No matter which version of Batgirl we are ta
Like Batman, Batgirl patrols the streets of Gotham ridding it of high and low
5. Dick Grayson
For the better part of his existence, Dick Grayson has always worn a mask. When he was Robin it was a simple mask that covered his eyes. When he was Nightwing, it was a simple black mask that covered his eyes. And when he was … you get the picture.
Dick Grayson is the most famous sidekick in all of comics. This is so much that any and all sidekicks after Dick are modeled in his image. Dick is, without a doubt, deserving to be on this list. I don’t say this because he almost always wears a mask. No, I say this because his mask works really well for something so simple.
4. The Flash
The most famous of all the speedsters in comics, The Flash is one of many superheroes that wear masks. Outside of DC’s Big Three characters (Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman), The Flash is their most famous. Sorry Green Lantern and Green Arrow, he just is. Children all over dream of putting on the red mask with the red bodysuit and zipping from one place to another in seconds.
He is the fastest man alive, has mastered both time travel, and jumping from one area of the Multiverse to another, and even trained others to be just like him. Many have called themselves The Flash, however, Barry Allen is the most important.
Different than every other character on this superheroes that wear masks list, The Flash really doesn’t need a mask because, well, it’s impossible to see him as he whips by.
3. Wolverine
Similar to Batman, Wolverine also wears a cowl. Unlike Batman who hides behind a dark cowl, Wolverine hides behind a bright yellow with a hint of black cowl.
Wolverine is Canada’s second most famous export…beer, of course, being the first. He is a quintessential member of the X-Men, a leader when called upon, and a mentor to any who seek him out. As I’m sure you already know, Wolverine possesses a healing ability that allows him to recover from practically anything…nuclear blasts included. He’s also an expert in most forms of combat, can track just about anything that moves, and has a skeleton that has been fused with Adamantium.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
It really doesn’t matter which of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles we talk about, the only thing that separates their masks is the color.
But this wasn’t always the case.
In their early days, the Turtles each wore a red mask. It was only after they landed on Saturday morning cartoons that their iconic colored masks began to appear. If you’re unfamiliar with them, Leonardo wears blue, Donatello wears purple, Raphael wears red, and Michelangelo wears orange. The Turtles are as synonymous with their masks as a Zebra is to its stripes and will remain that way until they aren’t popular anymore…which seems like it could take a long time.
1. Spider-Man
Of all the heroes in Marvel Comics, none are as well-known or liked as Spider-Man. He is the face of the company and has been so since his creation. In fact, many legal battles have happened between Marvel and Sony over his rights.
Spider-Man is the reason that Marvel exists and will continue to be so until they decide otherwise. Sure, the company has other characters (Fantastic Four, Avengers, etc…) but none are as important as Spider-Man. Simply put, he is everything to Marvel.
And so is his costume.
Although it’s a little annoying to draw a webbed costume over and over, because of it, Spider-Man is instantly recognizable.
And that’s it. The top 10 superheroes that wear masks. What do you think? Who would make your superheroes that wear masks list?
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