One of the most classic superhero lessons was introduced 21 years ago, and the MCU’s latest project reiterated how relevant it still is. There’s no doubt that the MCU helped shape the superhero genre, proving to the industry that there was a market for these films beyond comic book fans. However, one of the most iconic superhero movies of all time isn’t part of the MCU timeline, and it actually premiered several years before the franchise’s inception.
Although it was initially marketed towards children during its 2004 release, Pixar’s The Incredibles has become a fan favorite film for audiences of all ages. It has held up incredibly well even two decades later, being one of the first films to really nail the superhero genre despite not having a comic book origin. One of the film’s most memorable characters is the Parr family’s costume designer Edna Mode, who taught a superhero lesson to the audience that is still remembered today, as evidenced by the first of Marvel’s 2025 releases.
The Incredibles’ No Capes Lesson Is Proven Right Once More In 2025
In The Incredibles, superhero costume creator Edna is shown to be very particular with her designs, but her one rule that held no room for negotiation was the use of capes. When Mr. Incredible goes to her for help repairing his suit, she immediately shuts down his vision of including a cape. She then goes through a list of previous heroes whose capes became their downfall, often getting snagged on things or tangling their limbs. It’s a lesson that’s stuck with most superhero fans and still influences the genre now. For a lot of the more agile heroes, they’ll forgo the cape for their safety.
The MCU just proved that Edna’s rule still stands with their latest release, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. When Peter is testing Norman’s different prototype suits in episode 4, one of them includes a cape. Peter is initially able to stop some thieves, but before he can take real action, his cape gets caught on the wall. He becomes tangled in his own suit, which leads him to get beaten up. The duo obviously scrapped that particular look, which ultimately reinforces Edna Mode’s lesson over two decades later.
Why The Incredibles’ No Capes Rule Has Held Up So Well
Edna’s rule holds up over two decades later because it is a concern that would actually make sense for superheroes. Capes look great on a suit, but the sheer length of them is far from practical. That fact won’t change over time, no matter how advanced technology has become. For the battles that many of the MCU heroes fight, capes would be more of a hindrance than a help, which is why most of the franchise’s biggest heroes don’t wear one.
Of course, there are some characters who do use capes, such as Doctor Strange, whose cape works because it has a mind of its own. However, when capes are used solely for aesthetics, audiences may always think back to Edna’s rule. A cape may help a suit look good, but it really isn’t practical in that line of work. That said, in a fantastical world about superheroes where logistics don’t always make sense, it’s nice to have touches of reality like the physics of a cape, as these small grounding visual touches can make the world of the MCU feel somewhat closer to reality.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Captain America: Brave New World
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February 14, 2025
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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