The Superhero is currently a very popular costume theme. There are so many different ones to choose from. How do you determine which is best for you. I have five tips on how to select the perfect match for you.
There are five things to consider when selecting a superhero costume for a male stripper:What is popular,What will look good on you,What will the audience like,What can you afford,AndHow soon do you need it.
ONE: WHAT SUPERHEROES ARE THE MOST POPULAR
Super heroes were first popularized in comic books.Today,we look to movies and television shows to determine their popularity. One way to determine how popular a specific movie has been, is to find out how much money it made at the box office.the chart below shows the top 15 highest grossing superhero movies of all time.
| Rank | Film | Gross in millions | Year | Superheroes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avengers: Endgame | $1,223.6 | 2019 | Avengers | Marvel |
| 2 | Avengers: infinity War | ,$640.5 | 2018 | Avengers | Marvel |
| 3 | Captain Marvel | $456.7 | 2019 | Captain Marvel | Marvel |
| 4 | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | $422.5 | 2016 | Batman/Superman | DC |
| 5 | The Avengers | $392.5 | 2012 | Avengers | Marvel |
| 6 | Avengers: Age of Ultron | $392.4 | 2015 | Avengers | Marvel |
| 7 | Spider-Man 3 | $381.7 | 2007 | Spider-Man | Marvel |
| 8 | Captain America: Civil War | $379.5 | 2016 | Captain America | Marvel |
| 9 | Iron Man 3 | $372.5 | 2013 | Iron Man | Marvel |
| 10 | Black Panther | $371.4 | 2018 | Black Panther | Marvel |
| 11 | Deadpool 2 | $300.4 | 2018 | Deadpool | Marvel |
| 12 | Spider-Man: Far From Home | $295.8 | 2019 | Spider-Man | Marvel |
| 13 | Justice League | $278.8 | 2017 | Justice League | DC |
| 14 | Suicide Squad | $267.0 | 2016 | Suicide Squad | DC |
| 15 | Deadpool | $264.7 | 2016 | Deadpool | Marvel |
From the table above you can see there is a lot of options for choosing a superhero themefor your costume. starting with the superheroes from the Avengers that would be appropriate for a male stripper audience include Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor and Hawkeye. From the chart we can also add to our list Batman, Superman,Spiderman,Deadpool, Black Panther. The male supheroes from the Justice League that we haven't already mentioned include Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter. In this blog we are not including villains but that can be an option if you're audiences like specific villains. Source for chart above: wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_superhero_films#Top_50_Highest-grossing_superhero_films)
TWO:WHAT WILL LOOK GOOD ON YOU?
A. BODY TYPE
There are certain superheores that have a specific body type.Which superhero body types match closest to your personal body type? For example, The Hulk has a massive body whereas Spider-Man is a teenager with a youthful slim body.Where do you fit? Once you narrow down the superheroes that more closely match your body type, then you want to select the costume that best displays your physical assets. Consider the following:
1. Face, Hair and Eyes
If you have great hair then you don't want to cover it or tie it down. For example, long hair works great for Aquaman. If you have a very handsome face or amazing eyes, you would not want to wear a mask and hide them. I've always thought that James Marsden who played Cyclops in the early X-Men movies , has amazing eyes but as Cyclops a shield is placed over them so you never see them. I'm sure he was happy to be cast as Cyclops, but I felt he lost one of his most powerful physical assets in those movies. There are customers who will tip a male stripper simply because he has amazing eyes.
2. Large Packages
If you have been 'blessed' between the legs, then as a male stripper,it is a no brainer that you should display it proudly. I recommend that you purchase a costume that is made of lycra or other stretch fabric, at least in the groin area. A superhero should have a super bulge when possible.
3. Bubble Butts
If genetics gave you or you have built a firm, round bubble butt, then it needs to be put on display. Select a superhero costume that will hug the ass. A firm round bubble butt is often accompanied by muscular thighs and calves. Select a form fitting costume.
4.Muscular Build
You've worked to build it, a suphero would use it, so it all needs to be presented for your audience to appreciate as well. Show off the arms, back and chest. Spandex and lycra will make you look your best and is sure to please the audience as well.
THREE: WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LIKE
TWO MAIN GOALS
A male stripper has two main goals. First, provide entertainment for the audience.and second, make money. it simply makes sense, that if you want to make more in tips,you will wear a costume that will be enjoyed by your audience.The most important consideration in selecting your superhero costume is choosing something the audience will enjoy.
PUT YOUR SPIN ON IT
Put your spin on it. Show some skin when possible. Accentuate your best features.Go-go boys should not wear full costumes but instead should adapt the costumes to show more of what brings in the tips.(see superman go-go outfit in the pic above for an example) Superhero emblems and colors may be all you need as a go-go dancer. A male stripper would want a fuller costume to strip out of. Try to provide a surprise when you get down to the underwear. Be creative and try to come up with something unexpected.
MAKE YOUR PERFORMANCE MEMORABLE
Unusual lighting, sound effects and props can add something special to your unique performance. There will be many male strippers pewrforming as superheroes. Make your performance the one they remember and talk about! Ask other performers to play a role in your superhero performance. You can add villains, damsels in distress, or side-kicks.
FOUR: WHAT CAN YOU AFFORD?
Superhero costumes can be purchased for a wide range of prices. With the popularity of Cosplay, you can buy costumes for less than $ 50 or for several thousand dollars. For example, an authentic Iron Man costume will be costly whereas something made primarily of fabric will be less expensssive.What is your budget? Always purchase the best quality possible. You want the costume to look good for your performances and you want it to last. If your budget is limited, you can buy the most important piece of the costume and then substitute lesser expensive items to finish out the costume? For example, some of the supeeerhero costumes have formed chest and torsos built in. Consider buying the chest and torso piece and the mask, then substitute a less expensive pair of shorts, tights, boots, gloves and cape. Or if you are creative and talented, make those you can make. Also, check on YouTube for instructional videos on how to make costumes. The popularity of Cosplay has motivated many content creators to make videos to meet the demand for information of this type.Also , you might be able to find a local seamstress or costume maker who will cut you a deal. I recommend that you ask a local popular drag queen, they are always needing new costumes. They may be able to make one or recommend someone who can.
FIVE: HOW SOON DO YOU NEED IT?
If you can start planning several months ahead, you can obtain a quality costume at the best price. One of the best times to shop for a future costume is on November 1, the day after Halloween. The Halloween stores will have their merchandise marked down. I recommend that you go to these stores on Halloween and see what you want to purchase and then return on Nov.1 before they open so you can get in as soon as the door opens and grab what you want. I have done this several times for photo shoot costumes and props. The items are usually on sale for 50% off.
If you need your costume sooner than several months away, I recommend that you bite-the-bullet and spend the money and get a quality costume. While writing this article, I did a search on eBay for superhero costumes and found several at various price points. To do an eBay search like I did with current lisings, click here.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you will try a superhero costume in your performances. They are very popular with all audiences. Remember to make your performance one they will talk about. Look for props, sound effects and even other participants to make it memorable. And if you feel proud of the results, send me a pic or video of you in your costume at a performance. I'd love to see it. Find me on Facebook,,and message me.Another option you can consider is body paint. If you have a well defined body and an artistic friend who can do a great job painting it, paint your body to be the Superhero you choose. Add a cape and you are good to go!