Having a special item that turns a regular person into a superhero has been a part of comics, movies and television shows. With SheZow, the new cartoon on The Hub network, there is a new twist to the old way of getting super powers.
The Show
SheZow is about a young boy named Guy, who with his sister finds a ring in the basement that was once their Aunt’s. Unlike his sister, Guy does not believe the ring has powers and just puts it on. When he has the ring on, it is stuck on his finger and he becomes the super hero SheZow. Since the ring is for a female super hero, when Guy wears it, he also has to wear the pink costume and drive the pink car. His super powers include feminine tools like laser lipstick, turbo tweezers and a she-slap.
Transgender
Those who feel, look, dress or act like members of the opposite sex are often called transgender. There are various identities under the transgender umbrella that are different from one another. Transsexuals prefer to be identified as the opposite sex of their birth, and may opt for a sex change. Cross-dressers identify themselves by their birth sex, but often wear clothing that is more commonly worn by the other gender. Androgyny refers to people who do not necessarily identify with either gender, and may exhibit traits of both men and women. Being bigender is when someone’s dress or personality shifts between both genders at different times.
Controversy
There have been groups and individuals who have called the cartoon inappropriate for children and asked for it to be taken off the air before it even started. It has also received support from people who think that the show can make the subject more acceptable. The creator of the show and the network want people to just watch it and see that it is a fun cartoon. Since the character’s ring and clothing are just apart of the gizmos that help him save the world, everyone can learn that it is no big deal and what a super hero wears is not important.
New Ground
As recently as last year, the Archie comic book characters were in a story called Reversedale where they switched genders in an alternative universe. This is the first cartoon of its kind to be on television and can help improve ideas of gender identification. When people see the show is just a silly comic adventure, and not intended to offend anyone, it should help people understand that what someone wears has nothing to do with how dynamic they can be. There are a couple dozen episodes prepared for everyone to enjoy and laugh with.
SheZow may set new standards for cartoons and television, change people’s thought or just blend in with the rest of the cartoons that are on the air. The goal is for children and adults to enjoy it without focusing on trivial aspects that do not affect the abilities of the hero.
