Comments on: Marvel Super Hero Squad Show Returns

By: Skye

Skye — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 04:22:56 +0000

I’ve been extremely disappointed in the Superhero Squad on the gender front, actually. My son is three and conned his grandma into read him the New Avengers and Transformers trade I picked up used as a joke. He LOVED it.

So then we got three of the Superhero Squad storybooks meant for kids and so far, the only woman we’ve seen is Mystique – in one of the 2 storybooks, the other has no women. Then she’s profiled in the villain sourcebook – but left out of all group shots of villains in the whole book. When the villains are looking at a chart of all the superheroes on the wall of their HQ, there is not ONE woman’s face.

I watched one episode of the show online and Ms. Marvel shows up to be the screechy harridan who yells at the boys for crashing the helicarrier. The Enchantress was the main villain and she was falling out of her costume, unlike Ms. Marvel and Mystique who have been reasonably dressed. The trailer and music video for the show that I have watched online show Storm, Sue Richards, and Ms. Marvel in passing, but none of them apparently rate being part of the team.

I hate to keep putting money into a line that has even *worse* representation of women than the stuff I buy for myself.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 01:51:07 +0000

Oh, I was just teasing, after recently saying I wasn’t reading it. As for a non-powered Nebula who can hold her own with cosmic beings… the more I hear, the more I’m interested.

By: Jim Perreault

Jim Perreault — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 01:31:36 +0000

Sorry about the spoilage. I was a little concerned about spoiling Infinity Gauntlet, since they are adapting it in the show, but the Chaos War spoiler did not cross my mind.

I don’t recall Nebula having any powers per say ; just a brilliant tactician and leader. Being an alien, she may have greater than human strength and endurance (because presumably she is a Titan Eternal of some sort) but I don’t remember any stories emphasizing that.

Jim

By: Johanna

Johanna — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:57:06 +0000

I noticed that, and I’m glad to see the comic is going beyond the show.

Thanks for pointing out that casting link, Jim. It makes up for you spoiling a bit of Chaos War for me :)

So what are Nebula’s powers/abilities?

By: Anthony

Anthony — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 02:27:45 +0000

Perhaps out of concern over the lack of females in the cartoon, the Super Hero Squad spinoff comic recently featured appearances of She-Hulk, the Wasp, and Tigra as a friendly-rival team. The next issue’s description pretty much states the three will become full Squad members in the comic. (Though I didn’t see a description for a January issue—wondering if the comic’s been canceled… I’m hoping not!)

By: Jim Perreault

Jim Perreault — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:28:09 +0000

Nebula appeared during Roger Stern’s classic run on Avengers. Her claim to be Thanos’ daughter was undisputed until Infinity Gauntlet, where Thanos punishes her for that claim.

She actually is one of my favorite Avengers’ villains, and think it is great that the show is using her. I may have to get cable.

Nightmare, BTW, was killed in the first issue of Chaos War.

And in case you missed it, Nighthawk is the Squadron Supreme’s version of Batman, hence the Adam West voice. He did a similar role in a (fantastic) episode of Kim Possible where he played “the Fearless Ferret” in a spoof of Batman Beyond.

Jim

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:39:57 +0000

That’s interesting. Sounds like they’re maintaining traditional gender stereotyping, where guys can have fun but the girl is required to be responsible.

By: Shannon Smith

Shannon Smith — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:48:32 +0000

The show is actually more girl friendly than it looks. My daughter loves it. Ms. Marvel plays a big role in the episodes I’ve seen and she is usually handled as the only character with any kind of intelligence or sense of responsibility. She’s almost like a mother figure to all the male characters. All the male characters are basically toddlers. The show is pretty much about toddlers dressed up as super heroes. Oh, and with, ya know, powers. It’s cute and occasionally funny.

By: ShadZ

ShadZ — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:26:29 +0000

Nebula claims to be the granddaughter (not daughter) of Thanos.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:09:43 +0000

Thanks! I’m sure you’re right about Nebula and Thanos being related, given the show promo.

By: Kevin Lighton

Kevin Lighton — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:24:59 +0000

Nebula is a space-based villain who claims to be the daughter of Thanos. (I think Thanos confirmed this during Infinity Gauntlet, but I’m not sure.)

Nightmare is the ruler of a dream dimension and a Dr. Strange enemy.