Dreadnought, and Marvel

I’m sure many of you will have noticed the similarity between the Marvel universe (comics and movie) and Dreadnought’s universe. At the same time, there are certain differences such as superheroes (or metahumans) being much more “normal” in Dreadnought, while in Marvel it’s more like certain amazing metahumans arose in the recent years and expands in the multiverse.

What do you all think of the idea of superheroes, or metahumans? Is there a reason why they are so popular, interesting, or fun? Honestly, I have never heard of superheroes until I came to the US and saw the Marvel movies, but now that I know about them I’m not sure if it was a general trend of popular culture in America, or in the world.

Finally, about Dreadnought – on which message is the author putting more emphasis on: prejudice against LGBTQ, or the dilemma of superheroes between saving the world and killing people in the process? I ask because I see Danielle going through both, and am wondering what the Nemesis series is all about.

2 responses to “Dreadnought, and Marvel”

  1. elgriott Avatar
    elgriott

    If you’re interested, there is a lot of writing/theory about the superhero phenomena – why we create them, why the West clings to them, what they mean to us, how, and when. A lot of books and articles, so you can take your pick. They might answer some of the questions outlined in the first half of the post.

    Regarding message: I personally thought the author was purposefully avoiding an either/or presentation, and instead chose to examine how LGBTQ prejudice (and lots of other types of prejudice) appear in all levels of our society, even (especially?) among the ranks of those charged with protecting us. The imbrication of both topics gives rise to another one: who do we see as worth protecting? How is it that oaths to protect, serve, and defend everyone / “the people” often are not applied evenly? What does it mean that when some powerful individuals place qualifiers on the vague category of “people” and only help those that fit their idea of what a person should be? For example, Greywytch is a middle-ground “hero”/gray, but as a trans exclusionary radical feminist she makes it quite clear she is only interested in defending and involving herself with a certain type of person.

    Ultimately, I think Dreadnought uses Danielle’s trans identity not merely to discuss LGBT issues but to ask us to examine power as an abstract concept with very real, and often deadly, material consequences.

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  2. ethanmakulec Avatar
    ethanmakulec

    In regard to superheros, I have been reading comics since I was fairly little, and I still don’t know exactly why they have always appealed to me and others so much. There are obvious explanations such as that we all just wish we had more powers and could do more, but I wonder somewhat if that wish has somewhat been created by reading about superheros, and isn’t necessarily the reason behind our initial attraction. I know that I’ve always imagined myself with various super powers, but that all started after I began reading comics, not before so I’m not really sure what got me started.

    Maybe its that in a capitalist western society we’re all taught to compete and rank ourselves and our abilities, and thus people constantly try to argue to themselves or others that they are the most special or deserving, and superheros have tangible, visible traits and abilities that can almost objectively be considered superior so thus we wish we were able to prove our superiority like that too? Idk, but there’s definitely alot of good material out there discussing it.

    in regard to Dreadnought, I agree very much with the previous comment. The portrayal of LBTQ+ prejudice from Danny’s parents, friends, society, and even superheros, who are supposed to be the best of society, serves to demonstrate that no one is beyond prejudiced beliefs, and that superheros are only the best at shooting lasers, not at being compassionate.

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