Question:
Curious about the origins of the traditional comic book head mask. I think
it's called a "cowl", as in "Batman's cape and cowl.
The style of headwear worn by Blackbolt, Bullseye, Captain America, Batman,
etc.
The earliest examples I can think of would be Batman and the original Mr.
Terriffic. Does this style of mask have an origin outside of comic books?
Answer:
-Pirates and bandits traditionally wore bandanas around their
heads, and sometimes wore masks. I believe (but could be
wrong) that some of them (at least in popular illustration)
used the bottom of the bandana as the mask, creating much the
same effect as superhero cowls. I wouldn't be surprised if
that was the original inspiration.
"Cowl" means "hood", I think originally specifically referring
to the hood of a monk's habit. I don't know how it got
connected to the superhero mask design, but presumably a
Golden Age writer thought it sounded cool and it caught on
from there.
-I can't really think of an earlier comic book instance than Batman
though. The Shadow had the opposire - scarf across his mouth with eyes
and nose exposed.
-I would say that both the monk's hood and Batman's cowl have their
origins in the "caul", or the baby's placenta being around the head
during the birth. I have also heard the legends surrounding this, my
grandmother was a "caul baby", as she put it. She always claimed it
made her somewhat psychic
