Many comics are now more representative of the people who actually read them but it’s clear there’s room for more diversity when it comes to our superheroes.
An Argentine justice crusader who calls himself Menganno has been patrolling the streets of the city of Lanus since 2010. Netflix has now picked up his character.
Netflix Latinoamérica (screenshot)
In Latin America, common citizens have often donned outlandish outfits and comic book-inspired personas to lead demonstrations and promote social change.
Kevin Vickers, former House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms, receives the Star of Courage at Rideau Hall from Gov. Gen. David Johnston in February 2016 to pay tribute to security services members who responded to the 2014 shooting on Parliament Hill. Vickers was lauded as a hero.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
We do a disservice to survivors of major tragedies when we call them “heroes.” Instead, we should change our policies and attitudes to help them truly survive the disaster.
Northstar’s marriage was prominently displayed on the cover of ‘Astonishing X-Men #51.’
(Marvel)
Marvel Comics is frequently referred to as “the house of ideas,” yet the idea of a queer superhero did not fully arrive at Marvel until the 1990s.
An upcoming film will explore the origins of the Joker, last seen in the Batman franchise. But prequels are often poorly received – perhaps with good reason.
DC Comics/IMDB
From the Joker to a Game of Thrones prequel, origin stories are increasingly common in film and TV – perhaps at the expense of originality in popular culture.
Clifford Johnson, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The film wowed critics and fans. But its hidden power may be black lead characters who are accomplished scientists – just the thing to help inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps.
In 1938, a cultural icon was born.
ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.com
Clifford Johnson, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Seeing black lead characters who are accomplished scientists could be just the thing to help inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps.
The Justice League should be a sum of its parts but the question remains: Who is the protagonist? From left: Cyborg, Flash, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman.
(Handout)
The reviews are coming in pretty harsh for Justice League. If Superman is awesome and Batman is awesome and Wonder Woman is awesome, shouldn’t the three of them together be thrice as awesome?