Marvel Studios has had unbelievable success in the past few years, starting with the "Iron Man" movie back in 2008. It has created cinematic masterpieces featuring incredible CGI, amazing acting performances, and story lines that effortlessly weave together. For this, I have to congratulate Marvel, because this is an awesome accomplishment.
Since I am a huge Marvel fan, I want to appreciate everything it produces. But then I see the products and I realize that they are mainly directed towards men. And I look at the characters and I realize that they're mostly men, and on the off chance that there are women, there is only one with prominent lines. Finally, I look at the fan base and see ... it's pretty much even between men and women.
So, I guess my question is: What the hell?
Why are Marvel's products directed towards men and little boys? Are we so petrified of women finding out about and owning these products that we think it's better to just not mention it to them? I mean, I can't find a simple, Captain America T-shirt in the women's section. I found a see-through tank top, oh, you bet, but I had to buy my simple navy blue, shield on the front T-shirt from the men's section.
Target certainly doesn't care! Earlier this month Target aired a commercial in which a little girl wore a Captain America shirt, hat, and carried an Avengers lunch box.
This is great because it at least establishes that little girls can (and do) love super heroes and it is socially acceptable for them to do it as outwardly as boys.
The representation in commercials for little girls to be able to wear the super hero outfits they love is great, but then we run into the problem of there not being super hero women in the actual franchise.
In the latest installment of Marvel movies, "Ant Man", there were two women who had prominent lines. Two. The first being the extraordinary Agent Peggy Carter, and the second being Hope van Dyne, the daughter of the original Ant Man, Hank Pym.
Thankfully Marvel has decided to develop Agent Carter's story and skills in her own TV series "Agent Carter", which takes place in the late 40s to early 50s. The route that Marvel has taken with Agent Carter is thrilling because it not only is an action-packed show that reveals the beginnings of S.H.I.E.L.D, but also because it follows the life and legacy of Miss Peggy Carter, one of the badass founders.
My favorite thing about the show is that here she is, a suave and secretive agent, in her full glory, without any romantic attachments to another super hero to make her valid. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone defines Agent Carter as "Captain America's girlfriend." One, because they only kissed once and the one date they had scheduled Steve missed, so I would hardly call that a relationship. And two, because she is so much more than that: she is a multilingual secret agent who single-handedly carried out a two-month long investigation, founded an undercover agency to defend the world, and fought as an officer in World War II.
Unfortunately, Hope van Dyne could not escape the fate of becoming a romantic interest to remain valid in the "Ant Man" movie. There was a weird sort-of forced (and unnecessary) romance happening beneath the interesting and thrilling plot of a middle-aged white man shrinking to an ant's size.
I repeat: What. The. Hell?
The only light of hope (no pun intended, but you're welcome) was at the end, after Hope had proven she was way more capable than Scott Lang to wear the Ant Man suit in the first place. Dr. Pym introduced her to something her mother and he had been working on when she was young. It appeared to be a new and improved Wasp (her mother's super hero name) suit, which has several powers, including shrinking and flight. Upon seeing the suit, Hope sighs, "it's about damn time," which pretty much summarizes all my feelings about this new super hero's perspectives.
Yes, women can enjoy super hero movies, I think everyone understands that. But I'm not confident that everyone understands how to draw women in to super hero movies. Sure, I appreciate Chris Hemsworth's shirtless scene in "Thor" (and believe me, I do), but I did not go to that movie because of that.
I don't go to super hero movies because the guy I'm with wanted to or because Chris Evans face is as radiant as the sun.
I go because Marvel Studios is creating a complex and magnificent universe that I fell in love with.
And because I'm always hoping that there are going to be more strong and super women in the future.
