Are scientists heroes or villains? The fascinating case of DC and Marvel superheroes comics

Abstract

The enduring stereotype of the mad scientist, wholly dedicated to research but emotionally unstable and prone to malevolent purposes, is well-established in the realm of popular culture. This harmful stereotype seems to have permeated the world of superhero comic books. Because of their immense popularity and fandom subculture, dominating even the movie industry and consistently reaching new audiences, superhero comics have been regarded by scholars as a valuable resource for conveying the value of science in popular culture. However, a closer examination of prominent DC and Marvel stories raises concerns about the portrayal of scientists in superhero narratives, prompting questions about the public image of science conveyed through these stories. In this paper, we analyze scientist characters in the DC and Marvel universes, identifying 313 characters among 2459 cases. These two publishers, representing the largest and most popular superhero platforms globally, are examined to explore the connotations associated with scientists in comics and the traits ascribed to them. Drawing on statistical econometric methods and aligning with existing literature, our findings indicate that, while comics could play a substantial role in promoting science as a positive force, they tend to perpetuate the stereotype of the 'mad scientist', thereby potentially undermining the representation of science.