Girls are boldly claiming their share of the comic book world and Marvel is catching on to that -- as evidenced by the new Jessica Jones Marvel TV series.
The Jessica Jones series will be the first Marvel TV show to feature a woman in the lead superhero role. Jessica Jones -- like most superheroes -- comes from dark origins, having gained her powers in a tragic collision with a truck carrying radioactive materials. She's a crime-fighting private eye who attended the same high school as Peter Parker. In the Marvel TV show, she'll be played by Krysten Ritter.
The Marvel TV series will debut on Netflix as the second installment of "The Defenders," a group of gritty Marvel TV shows about urban superheroes whose first product was Daredevil. This year, Marvel is giving its entire comic book lineup an overhaul with the theme of "All new, all different," designing its superheroes with more diversity in race and gender.
Inspirational Female Superheroines
The Jessica Jones Marvel TV Show is the First with a Woman Hero
Trend Themes
1. Increasing Female Representation - Creating TV shows and movies with female superhero leads presents the opportunity to cater to the growing demand for diverse and inclusive content.
2. Diversification of Comic Book Characters - Marvel's push for more diverse superheroes opens up possibilities for new storylines and target audiences, challenging the traditional male-dominated comic book industry.
3. Streaming Services as a Platform - The success of Marvel's TV shows on streaming platforms like Netflix indicates the potential for disruptive innovation in the distribution of content, moving away from traditional TV networks.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can capitalize on the demand for inspirational female superhero storylines by producing more TV shows, movies, and merchandise that depict strong, diverse female characters.
2. Film - The film industry can leverage the increasing popularity of female superheroines by investing in projects that offer representation and empower female audiences worldwide.
3. Comic Books - The comic book industry has an opportunity to embrace a wider range of characters and storylines, attracting new readers and expanding its consumer base.