Welcome to week three of our look at under-represented heroes in the Marvel Universe. If you want to check out Part 1 (focused on Heroes with Physical Disabilities), click HERE. If you haven’t checked out the Bad Side of Body Size Representation, follow the link!
After looking at the not-so-positive ways that Marvel had represented different body sizes previously, we’re now going to take a look at some characters that are on their way to being better role models.
Now, none of these men and women are perfect; however, they are a far cry from the horrible stereotypes of characters like Pink Pearl and the Blob.
For those who don’t have superpowers, they are shown as intelligent, capable, and resourceful. Take, for instance, Foggy Nelson or Angie Huang (paralegals for Daredevil and She-Hulk, respectively). Although both of them spend time around the spandex elite, neither of them are relegated to sidekick or pathetic fans. If fact, there were more than a few cases that wouldn’t have been solved without the ingenuity of these two characters.
Or Dum Dum Dugan, longtime SHIELD agent and trusted associate of Nick Fury, Captain America, and the Howling Commandos (who stars in the new Howling Commandos of SHIELD). Although the moniker “Dum Dum” leaves something to be desired, Dugan has proved himself a capable leader in his own right and not someone to be trifled with.
Speaking of, although I would hesitate to call Kingpina role model (well, maybe economically?), he is a fine example of a capable, formidable, and respected (read feared) foe. Once you delve into his past, you see a character who was bullied because of his weight as a child, yet never succumbed to despair. Instead, he became a fighter--literally--who carved his reputation with sheer grit.
As we move our way into the super-powered realm, there are a few standout for diverse body type (although few is an understatement). Let’s start with a more recent example.
Although Fabio Medina--aka Goldballs--was initially cast in the “bumbling idiot” role with the useless powers (he can create and shoot out gold balls...hence the ever-creative moniker), his character has been one that the readers can grow with…
At first, the awkwardness that he felt was palpable; he was literally in the background or on the sidelines of almost every panel he was in (unless he was falling down or acting oafish).
He was teased by the other recruits for his powers and for his size…
However, as the series progressed, he started to own his quirkiness (including the nickname that he initially tried to get rid of)…
And eventually, he changed from a reluctant hero to one who would face off against the Avengers themselves.
An oldie-but-a-goodie who is receiving renewed attention is longtime X-Man, Beast. When he originally was introduced, Hank McCoy was a stocky young man.
Even after he underwent his furry mutation, Hank always had a body that was broad-shouldered, thick waisted, and bulging of thigh.
As the 90s fixation with steroid-amped heroes descended (looking at you Schwarzenegger), Beast lost some of his fluff and gained more muscle; however, when the original X-Men were brought to the present (by none other than Beast himself) young Hank was back and looking better than ever.
If the internet is any indicator, young Hank is gathering a steady pool of admirers and fans and has inspired some pretty nice (and sultry) fan art (really, check it out now). And fans will not be let down as Hank is starring in the upcoming All-New X-Men.
Last but certainly not least is the girl who won the hearts of millions: Doreen Green, aka Squirrel Girl! As far as attitude goes, Squirrel Girl takes the prize: she is full-figured and proud of it! Yet, she wasn’t always this way. Let’s look at SG in her tenure with the Great Lakes Avengers.
Recently, when SG got her own title, fans noticed that she was drawn to look proportionally more like a realistic woman.
The amazing part is that she revels in her body size: she even goes so far as to make her butt look intentionally bigger by hiding her tail in her pants.
She gets the right kind of attention for a booty like that too…
and preaches acceptance along the way…
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Although these heroes are few and far between, they have been used well in the Marvel Media empire.
Kingpin, inboth media portrayals (Michael Clarke Duncan in the 2003 film and Vincent D’Onofrio in the 2015 Netflix series) has lived up to his no-holds-bar-no-nonsense legacy.
Also appearing in both Daredevils is Matt Murdock’s business associate Foggy Nelson (played by Jon Favreau and Elden Hensen). His importance to the overall narrative, while practically non-existent in the film, is integral in the TV series.
Neal McDonough has been playing and reprising Dum Dum Dugan in several of Marvel’s properties including: Captain America: The First Avenger, Agents of SHIELD, andAgent Carter.
And finally, the 2014 children’s film Big Hero 6 showed a wide variety of body types that ranged in height, muscularity, and girth. Of all the comics and media on the list, this movie is probably the most important, as it sets the bar of expectations for the future generation of comic readers.
Hopefully, with the positive influence of characters like these, Marvel (and other comics and media companies) will begin to reflect a greater diversity of body types in their worlds.
Join us next week for a look at dwarfism in comics! Can’t wait? Put in your two cents in the comments below.
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