Spider-man: An orphaned teenager who was unexpectedly bitten by a radioactive spider, resulting in him gaining superhuman powers. At first, like any normal person, Peter Parker lets the powers go to his head and uses them for his benefit. Due to this grave mistake, his uncle Ben dies, which makes him lose one out of the two caregivers he has. However, this event was necessary to push Peter into his role of “superhero.”
Peter Parker first appeared in “Amazing Fantasy” #15 in 1962. His creators were Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. The major difference between Spider-Man and the other superheroes at the time was his youthful persona and the ability for a younger audience to relate to a crime-fighting vigilante. Even with his newfound title, Peter still struggled with financial issues and common teen burdens. Most of his success within the industry was due to his ability to make superheroes appear possible.
As a child, my house was littered with Spider-man paraphernalia, mostly because of my older brother's obsession. Despite Spider-Man targeting young boys, I developed a fascination with the powerful teenager. His ability to make puns in situations when I would cry for my mommy gave me something to look up to. Spider-man brought me comfort, but I could never relate to him on the level my brother did, so I eventually lost interest.
But even when my attention was redirected, I still owned a house full of Spider-Man products because subconsciously, I still looked up to him.
***
Despite already being a character that could connect with the community, Spider-man only grew in popularity when the live-action Spider-Man movie was released. The first live-action movie was released in 1977; however, the one that enthralled the nation was the film created in 2002 with the actor Toby Maguire playing the charismatic teen. The movie brought Spider-Man to life and finally closed the divide between the audience and the character.
Even with that development, though, there were unreached demographics not being represented within the franchise. Most marginalized groups weren’t represented within the Spider-man comics and movies, which still left a disconnect for most of the audience. Despite this fact, people of color, women, and girls were still going to the movies and contributing to the growth of Spiderman, regardless of the lack of representation. Similar to industries like Mattel, Marvel eventually realized that there was money in inclusivity. With each movie, they included a wider variety of characters from all types of backgrounds, leaving more audience members invested.
Recently, Marvel released Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, depicting a Puerto Rican Afro-Latino teenager born in Brooklyn, New York. Miles Morales is the first Spider-Man that all audiences can relate to. The movie itself reveals a multi-dimensional world full of different Spider-men in different shapes and sizes. Across the Spider-Verse gives any and everyone a chance to relate to the crime-fighting character: women, men, girls, boys, and even different species.
***
Peter Parker first appeared in “Amazing Fantasy” #15 in 1962. His creators were Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. The major difference between Spider-Man and the other superheroes at the time was his youthful persona and the ability for a younger audience to relate to a crime-fighting vigilante. Even with his newfound title, Peter still struggled with financial issues and common teen burdens. Most of his success within the industry was due to his ability to make superheroes appear possible.
As a child, my house was littered with Spider-man paraphernalia, mostly because of my older brother's obsession. Despite Spider-Man targeting young boys, I developed a fascination with the powerful teenager. His ability to make puns in situations when I would cry for my mommy gave me something to look up to. Spider-man brought me comfort, but I could never relate to him on the level my brother did, so I eventually lost interest.
But even when my attention was redirected, I still owned a house full of Spider-Man products because subconsciously, I still looked up to him.
***
Despite already being a character that could connect with the community, Spider-man only grew in popularity when the live-action Spider-Man movie was released. The first live-action movie was released in 1977; however, the one that enthralled the nation was the film created in 2002 with the actor Toby Maguire playing the charismatic teen. The movie brought Spider-Man to life and finally closed the divide between the audience and the character.
Even with that development, though, there were unreached demographics not being represented within the franchise. Most marginalized groups weren’t represented within the Spider-man comics and movies, which still left a disconnect for most of the audience. Despite this fact, people of color, women, and girls were still going to the movies and contributing to the growth of Spiderman, regardless of the lack of representation. Similar to industries like Mattel, Marvel eventually realized that there was money in inclusivity. With each movie, they included a wider variety of characters from all types of backgrounds, leaving more audience members invested.
Recently, Marvel released Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, depicting a Puerto Rican Afro-Latino teenager born in Brooklyn, New York. Miles Morales is the first Spider-Man that all audiences can relate to. The movie itself reveals a multi-dimensional world full of different Spider-men in different shapes and sizes. Across the Spider-Verse gives any and everyone a chance to relate to the crime-fighting character: women, men, girls, boys, and even different species.
***
Similar to Marvel, Mattel has a world-renowned character that provides them with more money than they can handle: Barbie.
Barbie was a hit or miss at first, depending on who you asked. The doll was criticized because she promoted unrealistic beauty standards to young women and girls. However, she also changed the way society viewed women, no longer portraying them as mere damsels in distress. Barbie had many careers such as a pilot, presidential candidate, and many more that women weren’t usually seen in. Barbara Roberts was an independent girl who didn’t need a man (although they included Ken, who was viewed as an accessory to Barbie, seemingly switching societal norms).
Many movies were created in which Barbie would save the world or overcome some larger moral issue. The mixture of sales between the dolls and movies guaranteed success. Barbie's release happened during the 1950s, meaning boys more than likely would never touch one unless they had sisters—and even then, it would be frowned upon. Despite the exclusion of boys, Barbie sales steadily grew in the 90’s and more movies were made promoting the iconic figure that represented independence for women.
As a child, I fell into the trap of capitalism as many do and begged my parents for anything Barbie-related. Eventually, my room was filled to the brim with pink and glitter (even though my favorite color to this day is yellow). I didn't necessarily identify with Barbie, but every other little girl did, and they seemed to have an abundance of fun playing with the basic dolls and creating storylines. My “addiction” to the doll was simply based on society's attention span. If everyone else loved her, so did I.
At times I found myself comparing my brown skin, kinky hair, and wide rib cage to her pale skin, straight blonde hair, and cinched waist. I had fun playing pretend, but I could never picture myself being a Barbie; in my mind, I could never reach her level.
Barbie was very obviously marketed to young girls and some collectors, but the brand initially lacked diversity. However, as times changed and other forms of media became more prominent, companies that didn’t grow with society were being shut down and canceled. Because of this shift within the corporate world, Barbie made a shift too, introducing their first Latino and Black Barbies. Although they weren’t white, every ethnicity created by Barbie had Eurocentric features, possibly doing more damage than good to the mindset of their younger crowds. Witnessing characters that were supposed to represent you become white-washed is disheartening.
***
Mattel and Marvel are both big industries with many popular characters; however, Barbie and Spider-man are arguably their most prominent characters. As people became “woke” and found representation to be important, Barbara and Peter began to break out of their stereotypes, pulling everyone into their respective worlds.
Thinking these changes were made because it was the right thing to do is a naive thought; that is far from the truth. Mattel and Marvel don’t care about the impact they have on today’s youth and the way they view themselves. Both companies adapted simply to increase revenue and stay afloat every big industry had to in order to stay relevant. For example, Victoria's Secret made a big adjustment to the standards their models had to reach. The once impossible beauty standard they portrayed is now gone. Ironically enough, fans detest their new models—but you can’t please everyone (unless you are Barbie and Spider-man).
The latest Barbie movie is overwhelmingly popular because it touches on the lack of representation in Barbie’s perfect world. The movie has mature themes, explaining that not everyone needs to be extraordinary to be important. Spider-man doesn’t address the specifics of inclusivity head-on, but it does create a Spider-man for everyone to relate to, solving their problem of representation.
Both characters do what they need to do for more profit.
***
The prestigious blonde and crime-fighting kid both raised me despite their vastly different genres. Spider-man taught me to have morals and that regardless if it’s your fight, it doesn’t hurt to help when you can. Barbie taught me the basics of a supportive friendship and that women don’t have to be mothers and wives. Both companies behind these characters made the appropriate changes to accommodate their audiences and the state of the political environment. It’s comforting to know the younger generation will be represented, but it’s disappointing to know that they only changed to succeed.
That said, it's impressive that Barbara and Peter taught their respective audiences morals, independence, and justice despite being created by unchecked corporate power and capitalism. Ultimately, both franchises are wolves in sheep's clothing, teaching us to support the same dynamics and broken systems their characters resist.
Barbie was a hit or miss at first, depending on who you asked. The doll was criticized because she promoted unrealistic beauty standards to young women and girls. However, she also changed the way society viewed women, no longer portraying them as mere damsels in distress. Barbie had many careers such as a pilot, presidential candidate, and many more that women weren’t usually seen in. Barbara Roberts was an independent girl who didn’t need a man (although they included Ken, who was viewed as an accessory to Barbie, seemingly switching societal norms).
Many movies were created in which Barbie would save the world or overcome some larger moral issue. The mixture of sales between the dolls and movies guaranteed success. Barbie's release happened during the 1950s, meaning boys more than likely would never touch one unless they had sisters—and even then, it would be frowned upon. Despite the exclusion of boys, Barbie sales steadily grew in the 90’s and more movies were made promoting the iconic figure that represented independence for women.
As a child, I fell into the trap of capitalism as many do and begged my parents for anything Barbie-related. Eventually, my room was filled to the brim with pink and glitter (even though my favorite color to this day is yellow). I didn't necessarily identify with Barbie, but every other little girl did, and they seemed to have an abundance of fun playing with the basic dolls and creating storylines. My “addiction” to the doll was simply based on society's attention span. If everyone else loved her, so did I.
At times I found myself comparing my brown skin, kinky hair, and wide rib cage to her pale skin, straight blonde hair, and cinched waist. I had fun playing pretend, but I could never picture myself being a Barbie; in my mind, I could never reach her level.
Barbie was very obviously marketed to young girls and some collectors, but the brand initially lacked diversity. However, as times changed and other forms of media became more prominent, companies that didn’t grow with society were being shut down and canceled. Because of this shift within the corporate world, Barbie made a shift too, introducing their first Latino and Black Barbies. Although they weren’t white, every ethnicity created by Barbie had Eurocentric features, possibly doing more damage than good to the mindset of their younger crowds. Witnessing characters that were supposed to represent you become white-washed is disheartening.
***
Mattel and Marvel are both big industries with many popular characters; however, Barbie and Spider-man are arguably their most prominent characters. As people became “woke” and found representation to be important, Barbara and Peter began to break out of their stereotypes, pulling everyone into their respective worlds.
Thinking these changes were made because it was the right thing to do is a naive thought; that is far from the truth. Mattel and Marvel don’t care about the impact they have on today’s youth and the way they view themselves. Both companies adapted simply to increase revenue and stay afloat every big industry had to in order to stay relevant. For example, Victoria's Secret made a big adjustment to the standards their models had to reach. The once impossible beauty standard they portrayed is now gone. Ironically enough, fans detest their new models—but you can’t please everyone (unless you are Barbie and Spider-man).
The latest Barbie movie is overwhelmingly popular because it touches on the lack of representation in Barbie’s perfect world. The movie has mature themes, explaining that not everyone needs to be extraordinary to be important. Spider-man doesn’t address the specifics of inclusivity head-on, but it does create a Spider-man for everyone to relate to, solving their problem of representation.
Both characters do what they need to do for more profit.
***
The prestigious blonde and crime-fighting kid both raised me despite their vastly different genres. Spider-man taught me to have morals and that regardless if it’s your fight, it doesn’t hurt to help when you can. Barbie taught me the basics of a supportive friendship and that women don’t have to be mothers and wives. Both companies behind these characters made the appropriate changes to accommodate their audiences and the state of the political environment. It’s comforting to know the younger generation will be represented, but it’s disappointing to know that they only changed to succeed.
That said, it's impressive that Barbara and Peter taught their respective audiences morals, independence, and justice despite being created by unchecked corporate power and capitalism. Ultimately, both franchises are wolves in sheep's clothing, teaching us to support the same dynamics and broken systems their characters resist.