Superhero comics have traditionally been a bastion of traditional masculinity, with square-jawed, muscle-bound heroes saving the day and getting the girl. But in recent years, comics have begun to subvert these traditional gender norms, and one of the characters leading the charge is Deadpool. After all, why save the world when you can break the mold of traditional masculinity and make some sick jokes while doing it?
Breaking the Mold of Emotional Restraint
Source: wallpaperaccess.com
Deadpool, with his quick wit and off-beat humor, defies the traditional idea of a stoic, emotionless hero. He is unafraid to show vulnerability and express his emotions, whether it’s his love for his wife Vanessa or his struggles with cancer. This subversion of traditional masculinity is refreshing and relatable for readers of all genders. It challenges the notion that men should suppress their emotions and not show vulnerability, and it showcases that it’s okay for men to express themselves emotionally, even if that means crying during a romantic comedy (or, in Deadpool’s case, during a rom-com about himself).
Challenging the Notion of Physical Strength as the Only Measure of a Hero
Furthermore, Deadpool’s regenerative healing factor allows him to survive injuries that would be fatal to most other characters, and his unorthodox fighting style, using a combination of guns, swords, and hand-to-hand combat, subvert the traditional idea of physical strength being the only measure of a hero’s worth. It showcases that there are different ways to be a hero, and physical strength is not the only measure of a hero’s worth. Deadpool’s character is a reminder that intelligence, strategy, and resourcefulness are also important qualities of a hero, and that sometimes it’s better to outsmart your enemies, rather than out-muscle them.
Personal and Professional Lives are Not Mutually Exclusive
Deadpool’s character also challenges the traditional superhero trope of the hero having to hide their personal life and secret identity. Deadpool is open about his past and is not afraid to share his personal life with the world, further challenging the traditional idea of a hero having to separate their personal and professional lives. This approach breaks the stereotype that heroes need to have a dual identity, and it highlights that a hero’s personal life can be just as important as their professional life, because, let’s be real, who wants to be a hero with a boring personal life?
Being a Hero is Not limited to Physical Appearance
Another aspect of Deadpool’s character that challenges traditional masculinity is his physical appearance. He doesn’t have the chiseled physique of traditional heroes and is often portrayed as being overweight. This challenges the societal expectation that men should be physically fit and muscular to be considered a hero. Deadpool’s character proves that being a hero is not limited to physical appearance, and that it’s a person’s actions and character that truly make them a hero, not their abs.
Breaking the Stereotypes of Sexuality
Deadpool also breaks traditional stereotypes of sexuality, he is often portrayed as a flirtatious and sexually promiscuous character, challenging the traditional idea of a hero being monogamous and asexual. This approach to the character subverts the traditional ideas of what it means to be a hero, and it highlights that a hero’s sexual preference or behavior is not relevant to their ability to save the day, as long as they’re not hitting on their sidekicks, of course.
Deadpool’s character offers a refreshing change to the traditional masculine superhero trope and subverts the traditional idea of masculinity in superhero comics. His offbeat humor, vulnerability, andability to survive injuries that would be fatal to most other characters, and openness about his personal life, make him a relatable and unconventional hero for readers of all genders. He challenges the traditional idea of what it means to be a hero, and in doing so, he becomes a role model for readers who may not fit the traditional mold of a hero. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want to be a hero with a sick sense of humor? So, grab your swords, your guns, and your chimichangas, and let’s all be a little more like Deadpool.
