While the full mask is more logical a disguise, the partial mask makes emoting easier
Calendar enthusiast
I prefer no mask. But if a character is going to wear a mask, it should be a full one.
Ukrainian Red Cross
Depends on the overall design. I can't imagine Spider-Man working at all without having entire face covered or Robin with anything but domino mask (except maybe Robin Beyond-can't believe how much the actual Robin Beyond costume just doesn't match Terry's look at all).
If I had to pick, I guess I prefer the full mask. Not out of realism or anything, I just like the way it looks. For some reason I really like normal clothes/full mask combination. Or I guess suit/full mask, because nobody combines full mask with muscle shirt, which is a shame.
Edited by strejda on Jun 27th 2018 at 6:01:20 AM
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Full masks can still be emotive if the eyes and lips move.
I think it's mainly minor criminal characters who are usually around for the heroes to beat up. There are instances where they wore those kinds of outfits due to circumstance though. Like losing their original costume.
Well, it makes sense. The whole point of T-Shirt level Civie Spandex is that it's the most minimalistic superhero costume possible, but I think there is soemthign interesting there.
Full mask. I say this in regards to genuinely well designed masks, (also I have a knack for helms) such as Doctor Fate's or circa 2006-2010 Star-Lord.
As said, it really depends on the rest of the design. On the whole, I'm actually in the minority here, preferring partial masks. For maybe the dumbest reason: It just seems like it'd be easier to breathe in for all the exertion they engage in. Full masks are certainly better for hiding one's identity, but, well, secret identities aren't something I'm all that keen on. And just to make it even dumber: I also tend to think, enh, it's superhero comics, it's not like anyone'll recognize the hero unless it's plot-relevant. Despite "it's superhero comics" also being an entirely reasonable explanation for why full masks don't make it harder for the hero to breathe. Despite me being pretty sure full-face masks generally don't make it any harder to breathe in reality, either.
Sometimes, I'm just really arbitrary about what I find tougher to believe in my nonsensical fantasies.
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Depends, really, but I prefer either no mask (magic for identity proofing) and glasses (actual eyeglasses) on (villains are too dumb for getting the glasses off) or Domino Mask.
Full masks can work sometimes.
If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison
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I always thought Grifter's was something a bit different and cool.
I'm not sure I have a strong preference, finding it typically comes down to individual costume design for which I think looks better, although I do have an odd fondness for goggles on partial masks, like Impulse, Speedball, Nomad or even the more ski-goggle types like some of Booster Gold's costumes.
For whatever reason it feels more practical than the white-slits-in-cowl that have to be some kind of contact lenses, I guess?
What is your preference for the styles of masks for certain characters in comics?
When I speak of full masks I mean masks like the kind Spider-Man, Terry Mcginnis as Bat-Man, Cassandra Cain as Bat-Girl, Melanie Walker as Ten, Moon Knight, The Phantasm, Whisper etc.
When I speak of the partial kind I mean the kind that The Flash, Cat-Woman, Hawk-Girl, Daredevil, Iron Fist, Miss Fury, Wasp, Katana, Masked Marvel, Golden Age X-Men etc.