I have to admit I'm not really thrilled with how my Night Girl costume design turned out. I might have to try again. With something skimpier. And maybe a poncho or something for when she's surprised by sudden sunrises or whatever. Oh, and while we're on the subject of superheroines with butt-ugly costumes, how 'bout that Zatanna? "Secret Origins" #27 (June 1988) showcased
all of 'em! And more! Let's start with what she likes to wear for investigating spooky French castles in the rain.
It's an interesting look for her: the top half is suitable for the local Christmas pageant, while the bottom half is perfect for servicing a muff-diving crack addict. Although the fumes would indicate some serious douching is in order.
And here's Zatanna in action, sort of, wearing her "classic" costume with the top hat and the fishnets. Because nothing screams "superheroics" like dressing as a cocktail waitress. It's not bad, I suppose, but I think it looks better without the top hat. Top hat + long hair = Gary Oldman in "Bram Stoker's Dracula." In other words, it looks ridiculous. Next!
Zatanna is all smiles after getting the Justice League's mandatory breast augmentation and lobotomy. My problem with this one is the ponytail. It's too youthful. I hate it when grown women put their hair up like that with the intent of looking sexy. I'm aware I'm not exactly their target audience, but still. I suppose she had to do
something with her hair to keep it out of that monstrous collar she's wearing but really, anything would have been better that
that. Hey, why not a beehive? (Kidding.) I wonder if this costume change came about because Black Canary was on the team back then, and they were afraid of having
two women on a superteam dressed like hookers. These days that kind of thing isn't so much of a concern, is it,
Chuck Austen?
Ah, the Cootie Hat Era. You know a costume is hideous when your body would rather
self-destruct than be seen wearing it. (It happens. I once bought a pair of zip-up ostrich skin boots dyed cornflower blue, and they caused me to lose a toe. True story. Although it
may have been due to poor circulation.) But enough of the past! This story introduced what was intended to be Zatanna's new,
permanent costume, for ever and ever and ever. Ready? *plays opening chords of "The Final Countdown" on a synthesizer*
Ya duhn da duhn-da-dah!
Slacks! Didn't last too long, did it? The fanboy fetish for superheroine skin torpedoed this modest little number. Of course, the fact that it made her look like a vampiric theater usher may
also have had something to do with it. Personally, I love the cape, but that's about it. And that yellow vest is
ridiculous. Bah! Bah, I say to you now.
Hey, bonus panel!
Rrrowr! You wouldn't think
anybody could look like a badass in a jinglebell hat (with a feather!) but I'll be darned if Cagliostro didn't pull it off. Hell, he's
rocking that jinglebell hat! I mean, I always figured Cagliostro was a pimp, but
goddamn. He can read
my palm, anytime!
