Primary colours are for heroes

[WolfThomas]

So this is something I've noticed for a while but it came up as a discussion a couple of days ago with a friend. Have you ever noticed that the greatest majority of Superheroes wear primary colours? E.g. Superman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Spiderman etc.

We're talking art primary colours (red, blue, yellow), not the physics ones (red, green, blue). Also villains often wear secondary colours, like Green Goblin, Loki and The Joker.

The only big exceptions I've noticed are:
1. Characters with a colour in their name (Black Panther, Green Lantern).
2. Characters that are more gritty/serious, like The Punisher and Batman (though he was often drawn with blue cape/cowl and yellow symbol).
3. Monstrous heroes like The Hulk (green skin, purple pants) and The Thing (orange), where it seems a subversion.

What do you think? Any good examples? Any glaring subversion? Any possible reason?

I think it's probably due to not having a broad range of colours to work with in original comics, as much as any symbolic meaning.

 

[Naheal]

Odin wore a lot of grey if I remember correctly.

 

[Motti]

It makes sense, if I remember correctly the first colours we learn to recognise are primary colours, and we tend to remember them better. Makes sense if you're trying to appeal to a younger audience.

 

[AvsJoe]

I don't know where I read this but primary colours appeal to children. Perhaps this is why many heroes wear their reds, blues, and yellows?

 

[WolfThomas]

Heroes are -- for the most part -- meant to be an icon of hope to the people.

What better way to do that than with bright colours?

But brightness has nothing to do with the colour, you can have fluro green and navy blue.

 

[WolfThomas]

There's some good spiderman examples here:
http://www.awesome-engine.com/2008/01/15/superhero-colour-theory/

Once you've noticed it you can't really go back.

 

[photog212]

I think it's probably due to not having a broad range of colours to work with in original comics, as much as any symbolic meaning.

They print in CMYK not RGB.
Not sure if it was always that way though.

 

[Admiral Stukov]

Because camouflage is the colour of cowardice.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Primary colours appeal to children. Dress your superheros in primary colors and they stick out more! If they stick out more they'll buy more comics!

Either that or the process of writing comics way back when didn't allow for much variation in colour. They would naturally pick the more bright, lively colours available for the good guys so that when contrasted to the villains they stand out.

Because camouflage is the colour of cowardice.

WW I era France agrees with you!

 

[GundamSentinel]

Not just superheroes, hero mechs as well...

Spoiler: Like these, for instance...

 

[Cazza]

That is because Super heroes are designed for younger kids. These primary colours are identified at a young age to have meaning. The kids pick up on the meaning and it's easier for them to understand the character.