Marvel shows us that there’s more behind their characters than what was we see on the surface.
What makes a character? Or better yet, what makes a Marvel character? In Disney + latest documentary, Marvel’s Behind the Mask, examines how the comic book characters are more than just people in spandex. They are very layered characters with problems like you and me.
The documentary has interviews with comic writers and artists, as well as figures from pop culture, sociologists, professors, and religious leaders. They talk about Marvel’s beginnings and bring us up to modern times.
I have to admit that there were parts of it that I found really interesting, but some of it did come across as somewhat preachy. It was interesting to get into people’s heads and speak passionately about these characters, and how Marvel does it better. To a degree, I agree Marvel did do it first, but these days other heroes are not that 2 dimensional.
A lot of these people in this were talking about being able to relate to the characters and see themselves in them. I think that’s what I look for when I read. But as a Jew, my representation in the comic world is so minimal and this feature makes me question it more. They had Jack Kirby’s son talking about his father and Captain America. A rabbi talking about the Hulk as a golem. Though neither character are Jewish. If anything they are Christian. I find it odd because most of the Golden Age of comics were created by Jews.
I’m off-topic, but overall I did enjoy this documentary, and I do recommend giving it a viewing.
Marvel’s Behind the Mask is playing now exclusively on Disney+.
Newsdesk