Too bad the Mary Jane action figure pictured here (and clearly modeled more after the MJ of the Spidey comics than after Kirsten Dunst) didn’t make the rounds a few weeks ago. (Is "action" even the right word for a figurine whose definition of "action" is hand-washing her fella’s superheroic Underoos?) It could have made this hilariously appalling list of the worst Spider-Man tie-in merchandise. But at least it inspired this turnabout-is-fair-play parody. (Which is probably NSFW, and probably not safe if you’ve just eaten, either.)
Merch that will make your Spider-sense (or something) tingle
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Comments (1-30) of 87 Add your comment
Wow…just…wow. A truly slutty action figure
There’s just so much hilariously wrong with that action figure that I don’t even know where to start. Is this an entire collection. For example, is there another action figure where MJ is wearing short shorts and making pancakes for Peter Parker?
As unintentionally funny as that is, I still think the “Spidey Fisherman” has it beat as far as bad and pointless Spiderman tie-ins go:
http://www.i-mockery.com/shorts/spiderman-stupid/default.php
it’s actually not an really action figure toy. it’s a $125 statue.
You guys should show the rear view of the statue. It’s even worse when you see that there’s a huge rip in the seat of her jeans, revealing… Well, revealing what you’d expect.
Also, she’s barefoot.
So what? Its just a statue aimed at MJ-fanboys. (Such statues are common in anime fandom too.)
That 10 worst tie-ins is pretty bad. It bags on Spidey boxers as being an ultimate in geekdom. Now, when you consider that there are Spidey tighty-whities … that’s a whole ‘nother story.
My wife actually bought me Spidey boxers that said “My Spidey Sense is Tingling” on them. But then again, she is pretty much a geek like myself.
I am sorry but I don’t get the thong and the pants style at all. It is not cool, and I’d probably feel the same way if a hot guy wore a thong and low pants.
Looks pretty cool to me.
So lets see…washing Spidey’s uniform while barefoot, wearing a pearl necklace, ripped jeans and a thong showing.
I suppose it *could* be more offensive if she was obviously in a kitchen and looked pregnant but, as it is, the statue is awful. Way to go Marvel…
This is a terribly sexist statue. Not only does she have her underwear sticking out (I just don’t see the appeal, guys) and posing like a bimbo, but she’s barefoot and doing Spiderman’s laundry?
But anime and comic book statues of female characters are degrading to women almost as a general rule. That’s not to say there aren’t some really great ones out there, but would it kill them to leave somethin to the imagination sometimes?
I particularly love that she’s wearing the most low-cut shirt possible (in the pics of various angles). And that there are actual pics of the various angles!
gary, there are some of us out there that much prefer the parody version and would lose our lunch over the real version. yet we have to see the real version splashed on the page and not hidden in a link.
gary, there are some of us out there that much prefer the parody version and would lose our lunch over the real version. yet we have to see the real version splashed on the page and not hidden in a link.
Feh, statues of hot women aimed at the “guys who’ve never dated a real woman” market are standard fare in the lucrative sci fi and Comic book collectible scene. You think anyone collects the female action figures for any other reason? Exempting maybe the super edition Elektra, most female superhero figures feature limited articulation but plenty of curve appeal.
And the worst spider man product is that web shooter the kids love. That gook gets everywhere!
I can’t believe in this day and age, a major company still has the nerve to put out something so insulting to women. That is shameful. Marvel must be a trashy company to allow something like that. It’s very offensive.
Yikes. That’s a lousy, degrading doll.
A pretend-person laundering her pretend-person husband’s spider costume?? And BAREFOOT no less??? I’m appalled. Don’t they realize what effect the sexist laundry habits of fictional people will have on society??
oh that’s right. No effect at all.
Chloe fan,
Superhero comics are made for a largely adolecent and mostly male crowd. The “fantasy” element isn’t just the action and superpowers, but also the women involved. Most superheroines wear outfits inspired by Victoria’s Secret (and even less if you are talking about women in an Image title), and have bodies inspired by Apthrodite. Most heroes have sculpted Physiques and get to hook up with these sexy women.
What do most comic book readers look like? Exempting a few cool kids, most comic and sci fi geeks fit a stereotypical profile only too well.
My point is that comics and most sci fi are escapist fantasy for men. And most men fantasize about attractive women. While I won’t defend the statue and call it “non sexist”, it’s also nothing new.
Holy cow, what an “action” figure. I’m with Ceballos, though – it would be even more craptastic if it were part of a series. You can almost see figurine #2 in the series as Spidey/Peter smacks MJ on the rear end as she bends over his laundry, with MJ laughing or going “ooh.”
That is disgusting. So sad to see some of us are still stuck in the 1800s
Thank god nobody spotted the Emma Frost statuette!
THIS IS VERY DEGRADING AND INSULTING FOR WOMEN!
What’s gotten into you Marvel people????
Ep Sato, get a clue. Comics are for anyone who buys them. The idea that women shouldn’t be offended because comics “aren’t for them” is ridiculous. Just like women shouldn’t be offended by this statue? Please. Check out the reactions as scans_daily; people aren’t happy, it’s insulting. Especially for a character like Mary Jane.
It’s a tend – one can see it all over the CW with their propping up of the Pussycat Dolls and the sluttification of Lois Lane by Erica Durance. One can see it in this statue. One can see it in the push for all “real” actresses to take their clothes off.
It’s sick and sad and *sexist.* Women have a right to turn this stuff off, to complain loudly. Especially as some comics have always pushed for equality/feminist role models. That statue is NOT a true portrait of Mary Jane from the comics. It’s an insult.
I’m laughing here at the idea that it’s a “male escapism” so that makes it okay. In a world where we have the CW saying ‘let’s be trashy!’, where we have SOAP net, where our ex-pop icons can’t keep any clothes on and get attention for it…. adding one more thing on the line “Because guys like it” is bullshit.
Little girls have enough issues with body image as it is. The media crams down enough degrading crap, especially those aimed at the younger sets — America’s Next Top Model, Extreme Makeover, all that stuff. So to take what in the comics is a strong, good role model for girls (and I’m including what the CW has done to Lois Lane here too) and strip all the positive messages out of it, to dumb it down to only some “escapist male fantasy” is quite possibly the worst thing one can do and doesn’t justify it at all.
Some will hate this statue, of course. But MJ has been portrayed as a sexy, sensual woman in the comics, since her creation in the ’60s.
Is it the thong? then ask lingerie makers to stop making them in real life.
Is it the clothes? in real life, ask clothiers to stop making low rise pants.
Is it the blouse? demand shirt makers to stop making scoop necks and V-Necks.
Is it the way she looks? Adam Hughes, who drew the painting for this work, also draws the men extremely muscled and attractive. Plus, thats how she has looked for about 40 years.
Even as comics might be visually geared towards men, then why are the superheroes so muscled bound and oozing masculinity? If comics were about just sex and looks, then the comics would be Superwoman, Batwoman, and Spiderwoman and the male version wouldn’t exist.
Is it the objectification? There is a lot of objectification over an OBJECT; I have seen plenty of people squee over picspam of shirtless (or less) REAL men acting in television/movies.
Hahahaha.. that’s just awful! And yes, women love comics too, and yes we love action-packed stuff, not fluff like this garbage.
Honestly, if this was a figurine of Peter Parker with the top half of the Spidey suit slung over his bare shoulder, looking all rumpled and sexy, we’d not be having these conversations, would we? No, we wouldn’t. Just like there hasn’t been any objection by Smallville viewers when Clark, Oliver Queen, Arthur Curry, or Victor Stone are shown shirtless, in various situations where they are tied up or tortured in some way. Those scenes are completely accepted and desired by female fans, so I really take issue with the objections now. Double standards are double standards, no matter how we try to ignore that.
I’m a woman. I’ve seen the statue. It’s not an item I’d choose to decorate my home, but I’m not offended by it – nor do I feel it is anything other than what it is – a three dimensional representation of an artist’s rendition of Mary Jane Watson from the Spiderman comics.
Why is this newsworthy? You know what’s offensive and degrading to women? Domestic violence. Unpaid maternity leave. This is memoribilia. It’s not even an inaccurate portrayal of the character (check out the Wiki entry for Mary Jane Watson). It’s no more “trashy” than your average Victoria’s Secret / American Apparel / Abercrombie ad / SI Swimsuit edition. So the average male comic book reader likes attractive females. That’s not news. The average red-blooded American male likes attractive females, too. No one complains that the muscle-bound superheroes set an unrealistic example for the male fans. No one complains that football players’ pants are too form-fitting. Why is it a bad to try to teach people that being physically attractive is a bad thing? America is so hypocritical. On the one hand, people say models set a bad/unrealistic standard for young girls. On the other hand, obesity is on the rise. Doesn’t make sense, does it?
“Just like there hasn’t been any objection by Smallville viewers” — actually check out twop. People were very upset in Spell and Unsafe about the rape connotations for poor Clark. IMO there is a big difference between fan service and degradation. And I’m not a fan of degradation, personally.
But then again, there is a reason I don’t read Marvel.
How come nobody is screaming about the portrayal of men in the same light? Why is that okay, but not this version of MJ?
The media objectifies men just as much – from that gardener on Desperate Housewives to the muscled superheroes that have been mentioned in others’ posts. Why are none of you crying about that?
The feminists’ double standard here shocks me. A question to all of you screaming about sexism: if you could date either Brad Pitt or Paul Giamatti, who would you pick? That’s what I thought.
So shut up already. Your double standard is SO annoying.