The Boomerang

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Erika Harlitz-Kern

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Marvel’s Thor and the Appropriation of a Cultural Heritage

On March 11, 2015, I published a guest post on the comic book site Panels.

Marvel’s Thor and the Appropriation of a Cultural Heritage

Photo-Oct-01-7-32-28-PM  250px-Thors_Battle_Against_the_Jötnar_1872_by_Mårten_Eskil_Winge

In the fifth issue of the gender-swapped version of the Marvel comic Thor, Marvel responds to critics of the god of thunder now being a woman by having Thor punch a man who ridicules her for being a woman. In spite of this, the debate on Marvel’s decision to turn Thor into a woman will likely continue. Personally, I’m still not sure…

If you would like to read the rest of the article, please click here.

In the words of my friend, the Australian, I shall return.

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Erika Harlitz-Kern

Erika Harlitz-Kern is a freelance writer, historian, and instructor at Florida International University. She has been published by The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, and The Week, among others, and has appeared on The Story of God with Morgan Freeman. She his currently working on a book about the Devil’s Bible.

2 responses to “Marvel’s Thor and the Appropriation of a Cultural Heritage”

  1. Vaughn Roycroft Avatar
    Vaughn Roycroft

    Second time I read it, and it’s still interesting and through-provoking for me. I’ll be interested to hear whether you think I’ve misappropriated cultural heritage for story, Erika.

    1. E.H. Kern Avatar
      E.H. Kern

      Thank you! I’m glad to hear it. My intention was to present a different point of view and to be honest I was quite nervous before the post went up. It’s a fine line between making a point and coming across as whining or pointing fingers. So far the reception has been positive and the discussion very constructive. *phew*

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