Marvel’s Netflix Problem, Solved
How Squirrel Girl and Howard the Duck can rescue the Cinematic Universe from Itself
The strength of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, much like the Marvel Comics Universe, is its diversity. While DC’s offerings march inexorably into the theatre, maintaining a grim, washed-out tone, and its TV presence is mired by…well, mostly by being CW shows, Marvel has mastered variety. Audiences looking for a grim, meaningful take on America’s current role in the global sphere can look to Captain America: Winter Soldier. Those seeking a fun-loving, colorful space romp can spend time with Guardians of the Galaxy. For those who just need a superhero movie that delivers, The Avengers, Iron Man, and Captain America: First Avenger are all prime examples of the genre at its best. And, if you’re looking for smaller, character-driven stories with street-level crime, charismatic villains, and turned-up violence, Netflix’s Daredevil and Jessica Jones are waiting for you with 12-hour binge-worthy seasons.
It would be hard to argue that Marvel’s Netflix outings have been unsuccessful — far from it. Daredevil offers viewers a nuanced, beautifully shot exploration of the nature of heroism, faith, and intention. Jessica Jones brings us an examination of abuse, survival, and the limitations of physical strength. Both shows look great, and their stylistic consistency makes them feel part of a living New York full of superhumans. The forthcoming season of Luke Cage promises to further expand the city with a familiar character. Also, hopefully, he’ll meet Iron Fist.
For all of the variety of Marvel’s cinematic offerings, its Netflix shows have become a series of brilliantly executed one-note experiments. Granted, there are minor differences in tone and subject matter between the currently available Jessica Jones and Daredevil seasons, but nothing so vast as those between Ant-Man and Civil War. Both Netflix shows are adult-oriented stories starring the titular character and their immediate relationships as they fight against seemingly insurmountable odds, only to barely emerge victorious by virtue of their inner strength. Sometimes we laugh, but never for long — for the street-level hero, there is little time to hang out in Stark Tower drinking and attempting to pick up Mjolnir. Not with actual monsters like Killgrave and Fisk running loose.
This lack of tonal variety represents a weak point in the Cinematic Universe’s strategy in creating a continuity as deep as the comics from which it sprang. If Marvel wants to continue to expand and deepen what they’ve already achieved, there is space on Netflix for a show with a tone wholly outside that of the emerging Defenders lineup — an adult-oriented, tongue-in-cheek takedown of the rest of the Marvel universe that not only takes place within the larger continuity, but interacts with it in ways that transcends genre. A duo of heroes living in New York that can serve as lighter foils to the brooding Daredevil or the harried Jessica Jones.
I’m talking, of course, about the unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Howard the Duck.
Marvel has a long history of poking fun at itself — and doing so with a style that can only come from within. As cinematic universe audiences become more familiar with the tropes and histories of Marvel’s most iconic characters, the potential exists for an immense amount of self-parody. What sets these characters apart from simple parody is that they exist as a part of the larger universe, but are removed from it by virtue of their own ridiculous nature. From their dorm room and run-down office, respectively, they represent everything that is silly and fun about comics, while resisting the easy route that is simply making fun of them.
Right now, Squirrel Girl and Howard are experiencing a rebirth of popularity, thanks in no small part to their excellent runs headed up by Ryan North, Erica Henderson, Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones. This month, they began a crossover event that does some interesting meta work around fan culture, a bit of territory the rest of the cinematic universe has yet to touch (and that is notoriously hard to do right).
While their stories have been a little more cosmic in nature lately than a Netflix-type scale would allow, and the very inclusion of a necessarily CG anthropomorphic duck is bound to stretch effects budgets to their very limits, there has never been a better opportunity to capitalize on the scale of the cinematic universe, while opening up possibilities for team-ups and cameos from even the most obscure fan favorites.
If Marvel intends to maintain dominance of the film and television market, it can’t afford to be one-note in its offerings. For decades, it has been the variety of stories told by Marvel comics that has kept the company agile and fresh through booms and busts, and allowed it to reach the heights it enjoys today- so why should its Netflix presence be any different?
Brad Decker is an English teacher, media scholar, and comics enthusiast.
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