The Best Comic Book Character Costumes for Halloween

Comic book characters are hot subjects for Halloween costumes, and you can find some standard costumes in most party stores with a Halloween section. With a little imagination, however, you can take your superhero costume to the next level and be a hit at any costume party or event you attend.

BATMAN
"The Dark Knight" movie has made the caped crusader popular this year. The brooding superhero is a great choice, especially if you have to attend a party with people you prefer not to talk to. All you have to do is sit in the corner and say "I'm Batman" and they will think you are just in character. You won't have to be the life of the party, like your friendly neighborhood Spiderman.

The standard costumes available are inexpensive and not very elaborate, but they provide a nice base to build a costume around. BatmanShop.com offers a "Batman Begins" adult costume for under $50 that includes a nice pair of gloves. With a little shopping, you can find some great items to upgrade the look, including:

*Masks/Cowls. Most standard Batman costumes feature cowls made of material, which don't look authentic. Deluxe Batman masks, which are made of rubber and cover the full head, are available at many costume retailers starting around $30. HalloweenCostumes4U.com offers a full cowl for $28.

*Capes, gloves, and utility belts. Great Batman accessories like a lightweight nylon cape, gloves, or a Batman utility belt can be found in most costume stores between $20 and $40. If you really want to splurge, consider making a "Batcape" out of vinyl or even leather for a look right out of the movie.

*Batman Belt Buckle. Give your batsuit an extra touch by purchasing a Batman belt buckle and use it as a chest emblem. Beltmastersdirect.com makes a number of Batman emblem belt buckles which can hold the cape in place like a brooch. Since the new Batman movie costume has a subtle bat emblem, the yellow and black buckle will give the costume a classic "comic book" look.

*Weapons. If your local law allows it, you can buy real Batarangs at a local sword shop or online. Extremely-sharp.com offers some nice non-licensed Batarang replicas.

CostumesInc.com offers a full line of Batman costumes and accessories for adults, children, infants, and pets (for your Batkids and even Batdog). Other character costumes from the "Batman" universe are available, including Robin, the Joker, Batgirl, and even Catwoman.

LARA CROFT/TOMB RAIDER
With two hit movies, the video games, and comic books, Lara Croft is a great character for women and girls. Lara is strong and quick to action, but still retains her femininity, and the Angelina Jolie movies personify that. For many fans of the character, however, finding a costume may be difficult. They are available, but not widely carried. Making one from scratch is rather easy.

Starting from the top: Lara combs her hair back into a ponytail, and at times she wears those round '60's style sunglasses. Other costume essentials include:

*An aqua tank top or brown "babydoll" t-shirt. Lara's look changes a bit from games to comics to movies, but since many may not recognize it, you can buy a Tomb Raider t-shirt instead to sell the look.

*Brown or khaki shorts with two gun holsters. If you have trouble finding costume gun holsters that attach to the leg, check out an army/navy store. You'll also need a couple of semiautomatic pistols (replicas of course).

*Backpack. A small backpack will help complete the look, as well as a rope climbing harness if you can find one.

*Hiking boots. Perfect for tracking down that elusive relic.

SUPERMAN and CLARK KENT
If you are brave enough to wear red underwear in public, more power to you, but you can draw attention away from that with some accessories available from a number of retailers so you can party for truth, justice, and the American Way. The iconic character is a popular choice no matter what your background. WBShop.com has a wide selection of Superman costumes, and you can augment it with the following items:

*Cape. If the cape with your costume looks a little cheap, try red polyester by the yard from Wal-Mart, it looks close to the real thing. Mattel makes an electronic Superman cape ($25) for kids, but it includes a very cool plastic "S" logo. You can use it to hold the custom cape in place. Besides, the "S" makes all the difference.

*Muscle suit or chestplate. If you need Superman's physique, you can buy a muscle suit or a chestplate from costume retailers ($20 - $60). If your kid wants to be Superman, Mattel's Inflato Suit ($20) pumps air into the chest and arms to literally "pump him up." The "Mighty Muscles" plastic chestplate ($20) features the "S" logo and six-pack abs.

If you aren't keen on a cape and tights, consider going as Clark Kent. Dress in a suit, but wear a Superman logo shirt underneath and leave the dress shirt unbuttoned. Slick back your hair (don't forget the curl) and go as Superman in mid-change.

SUPERGIRL
Girls can be super too. The character is a great choice for girls who want to be a superhero but find the Wonder Woman costume too revealing. A Supergirl costume can be bought through most Halloween retailers and through WBShop.com, and can be enhanced much the same way as the Superman costume. If you cannot find long red boots, Supergirl can wear read or blue tennis shoes. You can also model a costume after the "Smallville" version of Supergirl, which uses modern clothes. Using a Superman t-shirt, wear a blue jean miniskirt and a Superman cape.

HULK
If you want to dress as the ever-lovin' Hulk, you can buy one of those hot latex masks and a padded body costume, or you can buy a Hulk makeup kit, available in most costume or party supply stores for under $10. It contains enough green skin makeup to cover the face, hands, and any other exposed skin areas. Also available are the following:

*Hulk Smash Hands. These large green rubber hands, made by Hasbro, quote Hulk phrases and let out a Hulk roar when hit together and retail for around $25.

*Hulk pants and shirt. The Hulk traditionally wore purple pants, but you can use just about any sweat pants for the costume. A t-shirt or an old dress shirt can be used if you do not have a full body costume. For an added effect, tear holes in the shirt and pants and use the green makeup on the exposed skin for a "busting out" effect.

If your child wants to go green, try out the Hulk Muscle Suit. This padded green suit will put the bulk in your Hulk for about $25. If you prefer to go a different route, buy a Hulk t-shirt, pad it yourself, and use the green skin makeup on exposed areas.

There are many other comic book characters for which ready made costumes are available: Iron Man, Captain America, Spiderman, and a number of Star Wars characters. The trick to a great costume is planning ahead and shopping party supply stores, toy stores, internet retailers, and comic book shops to find those unique additions.