[Captain Nash]

This conversation is hilarious! For female figures it's definitely the idea that sex sells. Look no further than Psylocke with her thong-kini. While the costume does not get in the way of her fighting (as there is very little costume) it provides practically zero protection, unless someone were to boob punch her. (this also applies to Elektra). Then you've got the characters with trench coats that were added to look "mysterious"...Gambit I'm looking at you. Really though with the capes, why do so many heroes have capes anyways. I understand if they are doing it for a regal/royal reasoning - Thor and Black Knight it makes sense, and I guess that's why it matches for Black Panther as well. It's not functional in a fight but it adds an air of royalty.