Want a Female Superhero? Marvel Already Gave You One

Want a Female Superhero?  Marvel Already Gave You One

With all the talk of a possible movie being released with a female superhero in the main role, one comic book movie has already risen to the challenge, Iron Man 3.

Editorial Opinion
By erintruesdale81 - Sep 09, 2013 02:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Iron Man 3

I remember sitting down in the movie theatre waiting for Iron Man 3 to start, surrounded by ‘my people’ (as I like to call my fellow comic book movie lovers) and wondering what reasons Marvel would give me to love them even more. They delivered in several different ways with the third installment of the Iron Man franchise, but the one that sticks out in my mind the most is the growth and elevation of Pepper Potts.



In the first two Iron Man movies, I thought Pepper would be, and would remain, a typical female character, just a side story for the Tony Stark aka Iron Man. When I say typical, I mean, the damsel in distress, look-cute-in-a-dress arm candy assistant to the head honcho. I loved that she was promoted, and deservingly so, to the CEO of Stark Industries. But the third film took her to a whole new level of ‘powerful woman’.

She became a superhero in her own right.



The real villain of the movie, Aldrich Killian (don’t get me started on The Mandarin), kidnaps Potts and subjects her to an admittedly awesome scientific treatment called Extremis, a regenerative treatment making whatever, or whoever, is subjected to it able to regenerate, thus resistant to otherwise fatal injuries. In the epic battle near the end of the movie, Potts is able to survive a huge fall, which Stark believes is fatal. She also wears the suit, and in essence, becomes Iron Man.

When I witnessed this, surrounded by my people, I wanted to jump around and clap. Some might say she’s not technically a female superhero. Does she have to have her own movie to be called a legitimate superhero? Some say yes, I say no. Superpowers, kicking butt, and saving the day make you a superhero. And Pepper Potts did all three in Iron Man 3.

References

Castillo, M. (2013). Iron Man 3: Pepper Potts Goes Kapow! Retrieved from: http://bitchmagazine.org/post/iron-man-3-pepper-potts-goes-kapow

Moylan, B. (2013). Marvel Screwed Up By Not Making Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘Iron Man 3’ Their First Female Superhero. Retrieved from: http://www.hollywood.com/news/movies/55011851/gwyneth-paltrow-iron-man-3-super-powers-female-hero?page=all
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erintruesdale81
erintruesdale81 - 9/9/2013, 3:04 AM
One article actually said that Marvel Failed in Iron Man 3, stating that she wasn't a female superhero at all. In any way shape or form (such as the 'she' version of Iron Man.) I agree and disagree simultaneously. The end of Iron Man 3 I didn't enjoy... at all. They took Pepper's powers away (and understandably so considering the "glitch") aaaaaand took away Tony's identity as Iron Man (but it does leave it a bit open ended, so I'm not too heart broken about that).

But yeah, I see your point. But I'm making a slightly different one ;)
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/9/2013, 4:39 AM
she had super powers for 5 minutes & was cured at the end of iron man 3,marvel need a ms.marvel movie.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 9/9/2013, 8:46 AM
Dumb whore is way too harsh, Soto, even if you don't like the character. There is nothing about her that justifies such a description.
breakUbatman
breakUbatman - 9/9/2013, 12:48 PM
Pepper was great in Iron Man then they screwed it up in Iron Man 2 and beyond.
WYLEEJAY
WYLEEJAY - 9/9/2013, 6:14 PM
Did you read my comments in the other article last night? Cause I brought up Rescue. A character that Pepper became in the comics for a short time. I said that I believe it was them paying homage to the character. Shes not your typical damsel in distress. Shes tough.
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