Quite often in theMarvel World, supervillainsare almost regarded as bachelors. Supervillains are so busy with putting an end to justice and contemplating evil that when they do have free time it often depicts them as the ultimate loner - a reject from society. However, Marvel’s brand new series,M.O.D.O.Kis re-imagining and deconstructing the myth that a supervillain can’t also be a family man. This animated stop motion series is set in the suburbs of New Jersey of all places.
Fans are introduced to George Tarleton akaM.O.D.O.K.(Mental Organism Designed Only For Killing) when he finds himself in a mid-life crisis. In Marvel Comics,M.O.D.O.K.undergoes a series of medical experiments which grant him higher intelligence. Although he is now given all the more power to carry out his wicked plans, his physical self is now somewhat stunted in terms of his mobility.The mutation made him no longer“human” which is the reason for George’s obnoxiously large head and tiny body to match.
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His egoic head floats around in a hover-chair to get around and torment superheroes. One of the executive producers and voice actor playing the role ofM.O.D.O.K.is comedian Patton Oswalt. In a discussion with MArvel, Oswalt said that one of their main intentions with the show was to instill this idea that having a family is an asset to a supervillain, not a burden that stops themfrom achieving their goals of torment. Although the series is intended to make you laugh, the fact thatM.O.D.O.K.comes home to a suburban family after a long day of crime is perhaps the only thing that the creators didn’t want to be a laughing matter.
Oswalt said, “One of the earliest things we talked about for the show was how to makeM.O.D.O.K.having a wife and kids not seem silly, or somehow outside of the logic of theMarvelUniverse.” Oswalt isn’t the only well-known and adored comedian present in the series.M.O.D.O.K.has a power-house of infamous comedians. Actor Ben Schwartz is the voice ofM.O.D.O.K.‘ssocially awkward son whose much more interested in planning his bar-mitzvah than stirring up corruption. Schwartz is most known for his roles onParks and Recreation, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,and inSonic the Hedgehog.Actress Melissa Fumero (fromBrooklyn Nine-Nine)will be the voice ofM.O.D.O.K.‘steenage daughter who also happens to be named Melissa.
The character of Melissa identifies as bisexual and is obsessed with following in her father’s footsteps and carrying out the family legacy. This show is breaking down stereotypes as well when it comes torepresentation of the LGBTQ communityin the Marvel world. What sets this show apart is that it’sable to show a family of complexand flawed characters while still maintaining a sense of relatability. Joining the cast alongside the others are Bill Hader, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jon Hamm.
A thing to keep in mind about this show is that even though Marvel’s name is attached, that doesn’t necessarily mean this series is kid-friendly.M.O.D.O.K.is filled to the brim withadult humor and no apprehensionwhen it comes to displaying violence on screen. Instead of focusing the camera on the actions rather than the end result,M.O.D.O.K.is much more into the blood and guts. The series will not only expand the audience’s expectations of a villain, but also of a typical suburban family.
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