Opinion Marvellous changes
Heroism is no longer the preserve of the white hypermale.
Heroism is no longer the preserve of the white hypermale.
When the superhero finally takes off his mask, after having bashed up the bad guys and surfed the multiverse to everyone’s satisfaction, readers expect two things — the face beneath will be white and male. But Marvel Comics, diversifying its line-up of saviours in spandex for a while now, promises to shake up such expectations. Captain America will now be black and Thor will be a woman.
This is not the first time the Captain America suit has been worn by a person of colour. In a 2003 issue, Isaiah Bradley briefly stole and wore it. But Steve Rogers, who acquired his powers in the maelstrom of World War II, has always been the default Cap. Rogers’ Captain America is a national hero, known for his righteousness and bravery. But the very qualities he is idealised for are shown to be increasingly quaint.
As Rogers is drained of his powers and the younger, black Sam Wilson takes up the shield, perhaps Marvel will redefine what it means to be heroic and American. Just as a female Thor could redefine what it means to be a hammer-wielding God of Thunder. Other major superheroes have had female counterparts before. Like D.C. Comics’ Batwoman, currently written as gay and Jewish. But this will be the very thunder god, reinvented in female form.
Of course, identities in the world of comic books are never fixed. So the new Cap and Thor could easily melt back into their original forms.
But the change of identity is welcome, even if temporary. To the thousands who grow up reading Marvel comics, it says that wielding shields and tossing hammers is no longer the preserve of the white hypermale.
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