Next Iron Man will be 15-year-old black girl genius enrolled into MIT

[Garacesh]

Marvel's new Iron Man is 15-year-old black girl - BBC News

 

Comic book maker Marvel has revealed a 15-year-old black girl will be donning the famous armour of Iron Man in an upcoming episode of the series.

Civil War II sees Tony Stark hang up his boots to be replaced by Riri Williams, the company said.

The character is a Chicago-born science genius studying at MIT and made her debut earlier this year.

 

 

Not sure if this is "diversity for the sake of diversity" or not, but I do hope they write her well. Being young, female and black means she's radically different to the current millionaire playboy philanthropist we all know and love and would give them a much different range of personal issues to deal with.. I just hope they don't push her into the 'ghetto street' stereotype we often see black characters cast in.

 

Should be interesting.

[bald_pig]

Just don't call her Iron Lady!

[Garacesh]

They missed a trick, they could've gone with Iron Maiden

[6Foot2]

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I understand that this is temporary. Tony will be wearing the suit again in future. Then what happens to Riri?

Edited July 7, 2016 by 6Foot2
Insert spoiler space.

[unixman_again]

Not sure if this is "diversity for the sake of diversity" or not, ...

The feeling on other forums is yes it is. It might have something to do with the brouhaha caused by the last Academy Awards. Whatever next, Wonder Woman played by an Asian bloke? Atom Ant played by a cockroach?

[Garacesh]

I understand that this is temporary. Tony will be wearing the suit again in future. Then what happens to Riri?

Sidekick? Apprentice? Goes her own way? I expect if she's well-received we'll see her again somewhere down the line.

 

The feeling on other forums is yes it is. It might have something to do with the brouhaha caused by the last Academy Awards. Whatever next, Wonder Woman played by an Asian bloke? Atom Ant played by a cockroach?

I'm all for diverse characters, there's no reason why we can't have black or female superheroes. It does feel a little bit 'forced' (alongside a female Thor) but I think at this point there's not a lot of 'new' IP you could come up with to fill the void for diversity, so modifying existing canon works as well.

 

I just hope it's more "A well-written character that happens to be black and female, of which those traits expand her personality rather than defining it." rather than "Quick, we need more diverse superheroes.. Who's due for a refresh soon? Iron Man? Yeah, sure, let's make him black. And female.

."

[6Foot2]

Sidekick? Apprentice?..

 

Hope not either of these. Relegated from lead character to someone to say 'Holy rusty ringspots Iron Man' (or some such) is not really that progressive.

[thimon]

I thought this was a joke thread until I found out... nope!

[hardtailstar]

I think if it was a black man it would have been fine, I doubt many people would have nudged a sidekick about it.

 

Seems like they are trying too hard to be PC.

 

Of course that is just my opinion.

[X-13]

I think if it was a black man it would have been fine

 

Which already exists. Warmachine.

 

There's also a female Iron Man. Rescue.

 

This is a box ticking exercise to appease people who don't even buy comics.

[hardtailstar]

Ahhh I didn't know that

[MrPstv]

What about a Female Hulk ?

She wouldn't get angry just over emotional.

Pass the tissues..

[6Foot2]

What about a Female Hulk ?..

 

She Hulk:

 

http://static.capcom.com/character_api/umvc3/profile/she-hulk.png

[LeMarchand]

Maybe I'll be proved wrong, but I suspect this character will be drawn in typical "hot chick" comic style. She's 15.

[Garacesh]

Hm, I hope not. The promotional art does show a bit of midriff, but I wouldn't say it was a sexualised image.

[6Foot2]