When Marvel announced its official “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” line of merchandise in April, the blogosphere was quick to point out how little it features Black Widow. You know, the one played by Scarlett Johansson? The one major female agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Whoever runs Where’s Black Widow on Twitter knows what’s up. Describing the search for Black Widow on “Avengers” merchandise “like Where’s Waldo, but with more misogyny,” the account holder has taken it upon herself to keep fighting this good fight. Of 88 official “Ultron” products, we counted six that include Black Widow. But it’s not just the official Marvel merch that consistently leaves her out — it’s all of it.
This comes after Marvel announced in March that the company was seeking to broaden its line of merchandise. Specifically, they wanted to appeal to women and fans of individual characters.
Black Widow is an individual character. Black Widow is a woman. #WhereIsBlackWidow, Marvel???
Since “The Avengers” came out in 2012, the Tumblr blog “But Not Black Widow” has been documenting the depressing trend, too. A survey of local toy aisles two months ago came to the same sad conclusions as two years ago: Despite enjoying the third-most screen time in “Age Of Ultron,” Black Widow is featured least in stores. It seems Marvel hasn’t exactly made good on its egalitarian promise.
Until then, 5-year-old Mally speaks for all “Avengers” fans who aren’t seeing what they want on the shelves.
“I guess I will just have to draw her on … myself.”
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