Friday, 28 May 2021 12:00

Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. Is Breaking Down Stereotypes of Super Villains

Written by Madeleine Ipema
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Marvel’s New Animated Series, M.O.D.O.K. is breaking down the myth that Supervillains can’t wreak evil and have a family life.

Quite often in the Marvel World, supervillains are almost regarded as bachelors. Supervillains are so busy with putting an end to justice and contemplating evil that when they do have free time it often depicts them as the ultimate loner - a reject from society. However, Marvel’s brand new series, M.O.D.O.K is re-imagining and deconstructing the myth that a supervillain can’t also be a family man. This animated stop motion series is set in the suburbs of New Jersey of all places.

Fans are introduced to George Tarleton aka M.O.D.O.K. (Mental Organism Designed Only For Killing) when he finds himself in a mid-life crisis. In Marvel Comics, M.O.D.O.K. undergoes a series of medical experiments which grant him higher intelligence. Although he is now given all the more power to carry out his wicked plans, his physical self is now somewhat stunted in terms of his mobility. The mutation made him no longer “human” which is the reason for George’s obnoxiously large head and tiny body to match.

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His egoic head floats around in a hover-chair to get around and torment superheroes. One of the executive producers and voice actor playing the role of M.O.D.O.K. is comedian Patton Oswalt. In a discussion with MArvel, Oswalt said that one of their main intentions with the show was to instill this idea that having a family is an asset to a supervillain, not a burden that stops them from achieving their goals of torment. Although the series is intended to make you laugh, the fact that M.O.D.O.K. comes home to a suburban family after a long day of crime is perhaps the only thing that the creators didn't want to be a laughing matter.

Oswalt said, "One of the earliest things we talked about for the show was how to make M.O.D.O.K. having a wife and kids not seem silly, or somehow outside of the logic of the Marvel Universe." Oswalt isn't the only well-known and adored comedian present in the series. M.O.D.O.K. has a power-house of infamous comedians. Actor Ben Schwartz is the voice of M.O.D.O.K.'s socially awkward son whose much more interested in planning his bar-mitzvah than stirring up corruption. Schwartz is most known for his roles on Parks and Recreation, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and in Sonic the Hedgehog. Actress Melissa Fumero (from Brooklyn Nine-Nine) will be the voice of M.O.D.O.K.'s teenage daughter who also happens to be named Melissa.

The character of Melissa identifies as bisexual and is obsessed with following in her father’s footsteps and carrying out the family legacy. This show is breaking down stereotypes as well when it comes to representation of the LGBTQ community in the Marvel world. What sets this show apart is that it’s able to show a family of complex and flawed characters while still maintaining a sense of relatability. Joining the cast alongside the others are Bill Hader, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jon Hamm.

A thing to keep in mind about this show is that even though Marvel’s name is attached, that doesn’t necessarily mean this series is kid-friendly. M.O.D.O.K. is filled to the brim with adult humor and no apprehension when it comes to displaying violence on screen. Instead of focusing the camera on the actions rather than the end result, M.O.D.O.K. is much more into the blood and guts. The series will not only expand the audience’s expectations of a villain, but also of a typical suburban family.

M.O.D.O.K. is now available for streaming on Hulu.

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SOURCE: Marvel

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