Disney Princesses vs. Marvel Superheroines
Ria Misra
Contributor
Posted:
09/1/09
Judith wonders whether the merger between Disney and Marvel is going to prompt a disruption in the universe -- an earthshaking twist in the plot line of each company, which leaves both never quite the same -- to which I can only reply: God, I hope so.
Because, you see, it's time that Marvel's superheroines took a lesson from their doe-eyed sisters on refusing to be pushed to the sidelines of a story, and it's time that Disney's princesses embraced a bit of the spirit and complexity of their mask-wearing alter-egos. For the benefit of both.
Marvel has been home to enough tough, complicated ladies with motives of their own for donning the mask that it's surprising how many of them remain just side-characters and love interests -- a situation Marvel has said it's interested in remedying. So, how is Marvel reaching out these days to women and girls who want to see superheroines move away from the periphery of the comic universe? With Marvel Divas, which is described as "Sex and the City" with super powers -- four lady-friends who can fight crime, but not the dictates of their own hearts. And, yes -- in case you were wondering -- the creator has promised both a "naughty element" and some "sudsy fun."
On the other hand, no one can accuse Disney of not focusing enough on girls. Its frantic, almost breathless marketing, of its princess series leaves little possibility of that. You can brush your teeth with a princess toothbrush, drink from a princess cup, get tucked in underneath a princess blanket (after listening to your princess sing-along album) and fall asleep while your very own princess ceiling fan whirls above. When you wake up, you can eat breakfast off of princess plates, and -- if you're at a loss for what to serve on those plates -- there's always Disney-brand eggs, with the face of a character stamped on each one. (Though parents should be careful with this one, as this will inevitably lead to your tweens insisting on only the Zac Efron avocado in their sandwiches.)
I like Disney and I like Marvel. I don't want to see either go away or lose their distinctness. But, if a disruption in the universe is what it takes to make Marvel a little more concerned about what girls actually want to buy and Disney a little less concerned, then I say go for it. Besides, a jump into an alternate, parallel Marvel/Disney reality -- where everything's similar, but nothing's quite the same -- sounds like just the kind of story that should appeal to fans of both.
Because, you see, it's time that Marvel's superheroines took a lesson from their doe-eyed sisters on refusing to be pushed to the sidelines of a story, and it's time that Disney's princesses embraced a bit of the spirit and complexity of their mask-wearing alter-egos. For the benefit of both.
Marvel has been home to enough tough, complicated ladies with motives of their own for donning the mask that it's surprising how many of them remain just side-characters and love interests -- a situation Marvel has said it's interested in remedying. So, how is Marvel reaching out these days to women and girls who want to see superheroines move away from the periphery of the comic universe? With Marvel Divas, which is described as "Sex and the City" with super powers -- four lady-friends who can fight crime, but not the dictates of their own hearts. And, yes -- in case you were wondering -- the creator has promised both a "naughty element" and some "sudsy fun."
On the other hand, no one can accuse Disney of not focusing enough on girls. Its frantic, almost breathless marketing, of its princess series leaves little possibility of that. You can brush your teeth with a princess toothbrush, drink from a princess cup, get tucked in underneath a princess blanket (after listening to your princess sing-along album) and fall asleep while your very own princess ceiling fan whirls above. When you wake up, you can eat breakfast off of princess plates, and -- if you're at a loss for what to serve on those plates -- there's always Disney-brand eggs, with the face of a character stamped on each one. (Though parents should be careful with this one, as this will inevitably lead to your tweens insisting on only the Zac Efron avocado in their sandwiches.)
I like Disney and I like Marvel. I don't want to see either go away or lose their distinctness. But, if a disruption in the universe is what it takes to make Marvel a little more concerned about what girls actually want to buy and Disney a little less concerned, then I say go for it. Besides, a jump into an alternate, parallel Marvel/Disney reality -- where everything's similar, but nothing's quite the same -- sounds like just the kind of story that should appeal to fans of both.