Superhero Color Theory
Secondary Heroes
Here is a list of colors and what they traditionally mean:
Purple, Green, and Orange
Now it’s time to look at the secondary colors and how they often, but not always, signal the presence of a bad guy. Obviously it makes the most sense visually, that to stand apart from a primary colored (red/blue/yellow) hero, you want a secondary colored (purple/green/orange) one. What do these colors tell us about what type of character the heroes are encountering?
Green and Purple
Green and purple is frequently a sign of scientific hubris growing out of control. Purple symbolizes “creativity,” but in comics it can often be refined to creation of powerful science. Combine that with green’s growth, or nature, and you have combination that suggests monstrous scientific geniuses: Green and purple is frequently a sign of scientific hubris growing out of control. Purple symbolizes “creativity,” but in comics it can often be refined to creation of powerful science Purple also suggests royalty and elitism. Combine that with green’s growth, or nature, and you have combination that suggests monstrous scientific geniuses:
Purple and Orange
When purple is paired with orange it starts to become silly. The hubris of royalty and creativity is mixed with the humorous energy of orange. For example the Joker play for laughs as much as they are for danger.
Green and Orange
Rounding out the parings of secondary colors is green and orange, but there are almost no characters of note with this combination. Strangely, the most famous one is a hero, Aquaman. For him, green reflects his natural connection to aquatic creatures, and the orange shows enthusiasm and energy.
