James Gunn’sSupermanmovie is nearly here, and while several teasers have been released, one of the most talked-about moments remains the reveal of David Corenswet’s costume. If there’s one thing fans are guaranteed to have an opinion on, it’s how their favorite characters are portrayed. And whether you love or hate the Corenswet suit, there’s still one Man of Steel costume that Gunn needs to keep on his radar.
Compared to his hero counterparts, Superman’s costume has remained remarkably consistent throughout his 80-plus years in comics. Still, the Man of Steel has undergone several costume change-ups, with one of the most well-known and beloved beinghis black recovery suit, worn after his deadly battle with Doomsday.
While Clark always returns to his iconic red, blue, and yellow, the black suit has made multiple comebacks, most recently in DC’sAbsolute Powerevent. But despite its legendary status, this isn’t the costume that deserves a place in Gunn’sSupermanmovie.That honor belongs to Clark’s white, Kryptonite-proof suit.
Superman’s White, Kryptonite-Proof Suit Explained
Cover C 1:25 Mike Deodato Jr. Variant forSuperman: Lost#9 (2023)
Christopher Priest and Carlo Pagulayan’sSuperman: Lostwas a series that divided fans, featuring an ambitious storyline where Clark was stranded in space for two decades before returning to Earth and struggling to readjust. While opinions on the comic vary, one of the coolest pieces of lore it introduced came in issue #8:Superman’s white and gold costume. This suit, part of the Personal Survival Kit Clark obtained in space,stood out for its Kryptonite-resistant capabilities, essentially making it one of Superman’s most useful suits.
Described as a“solar uniform,”the suit was designed to store and distribute solar energy,helping regulate Clark’s powers during long-distance space travel. It was especially valuable in solar systems lacking a yellow sun. However, despite its practical design, the suit had its limitations, something Superman himself pointed out, criticizing it as inefficient in some key areas. Still, its ability to block radiation proved effective, giving it promising anti-Kryptonite properties and allowing Clark to operate beyond his usual limits when exposed to the glowing green rock.
Superman’s White Suit Would Be an Incredible Live-Action Visual
Cover C 1:25 Christian Ward Variant forSuperman: Lost#10 (2024)
There’s no denying that the Personal Survival Kit suit is pretty niche, with most casual fans likely unaware of its existence due to its debut in a limited comic series. However, its obscurity is exactly what makes it a great candidate for live-action. Visually,the white and gold suit would be an instant eye-catcher, offering something refreshingly new for the Man of Steel. That’s not to say it should replace Corenswet’s current costume, but it could serve as a standout addition to Superman’s on-screen wardrobe.
Granted, this suit might not naturally fit into the story Gunn is telling, especially considering how specific and niche its comic book origin is. But that doesn’t mean Gunn has to stick strictly to the original lore to introduce a similar design.Bringing the white suit to live-action isn’t about shoehorning its backstory into the narrative, it’s about expanding Superman’s cinematic look beyond the classic red, blue, and yellow. Even a briefcameo or an Easter eggwould be a stellar way to nod to Superman’s deeper lore while adding variety to his on-screen legacy.
Superman’s White Suit Could Finally Take His Narratives Away From Kryptonite
Cover C 1:25 Denys Cowan Variant forSuperman: Lost#8 (2023)
While including the full lore behind Superman’s white suit isn’t strictly necessary for its live-action debut, that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be incredibly cool to see the costume retain its comic-accurate abilities. One of the most notable aspects of the suit in the comics is its anti-Kryptonite properties. Introducing this suit into a live-action Superman narrative could lead to some truly intriguing plot developments. A Superman who’sessentially immune to Kryptonitewould be more powerful than ever, pushing DC to explore threats that extend beyond their usual reliance on the radioactive rock.
In short, the inclusion of the white suit would challenge DC to get far more creative with the kinds of threats Superman faces. Rather than just using the suit to make him all-powerful, it would prevent writers from falling back on Kryptonite as a convenient crutch.This opens the door to more refreshing and inventive storytelling, where DC could tap into Superman’s lesser-used vulnerabilities, like red sun radiation, magic, or even emotional stakes, such as putting his loved ones in danger. The possibilities that the white suit unlocks are genuinely endless.
Henry Cavill’s Superman Gave Us Kal-El’s Recovery Suit, Now We Need Supes’ PSK Suit
Cover G Mikel Janín Resistance Variant forSuperman#17 (2024)
One of the standout moments ofHenry Cavill’s Supermanwas that he gave the Man of Steel’s black recovery suit its live-action movie debut. It was epic to see such a staple of Superman’s lore brought to life. Now, David Corenswet has the same opportunity, this time with Kal-El’s Kryptonite-proof suit. It would be an equally iconic moment, offering a unique distinction between the two actors and their portrayals of Superman. The sharp contrast between Cavill’s black and silver suit and Corenswet’s potential white and gold would be visually striking. While there’s no guarantee fans will ever seeSuperman’swhite suit take flight in live action, the possibility remains an exciting one.
