#the cynical interpretation: Wilma Calvin’s seemingly preternatural sense that the Man-Thing is indeed Ted Sallis is derivative

[theodore-sallis]

“Terror Stalks the Everglades!” Astonishing Tales (Vol. 1/1970), #12.

Writers: Roy Thomas and Len Wein; Pencilers: John Buscema, Neal Adams, and John Romita; Inker: Dan Adkins; Letterers: Jon Costa and Sam Rosen

#Marvel #Marvel comics #Marvel 616 #Astonishing Tales #Man-Thing #Ted Sallis #gosh there are so many ways you could go about dissecting this #the cynical interpretation: Wilma Calvin’s seemingly preternatural sense that the Man-Thing is indeed Ted Sallis is derivative #and reduces her character to the ‘magical negro’ stereotype #a reduction not helped by her being removed from the story via racist gunshot and the commentary that some could interpret #as framing as only useful for the possible cure she could provide Ted #I could see how those arguments could be made…but because I am doomed to expect the best from comics #I prefer a slightly more optimistic perspective #that the fact that Wilma is the only one who looks beyond the ‘stagnant pile of muck and moss’ to see the man beneath #makes her the most human character of all #and isn’t there an argument to be made that who would know better about being more than one’s phenotype #than an African-American woman who has defied the belittling expectations of others to become a respected scientist? #Her being shot can represent more than just cheaply removing a black woman from the narrative #but instead represent a genuine loss of human connection #anyway yeah that’s all just imo though so anyone else’s can differ and still maintain complete validity alshskj