Exploring the Definition of a Mary Sue: Is She-Hulk a Mary Sue?

The term Mary Sue has become a colloquial descriptor for a character that is often overly idealized or perfect. The concept of a Mary Sue can be traced back to fanfiction, but has since expanded to include any character who outshines others without significant flaws or relatable shortcomings.

Defining a Mary Sue

The fundamental definition of a Mary Sue is a character without any significant flaws. In the strictest sense, a Mary Sue is better than everyone else in nearly every aspect. This includes being smarter, stronger, more attractive, and generally loved by all. According to this definition, a character must be significantly better than others to be considered a Mary Sue. Small flaws might be acceptable if they serve a narrative purpose, but significant flaws are not.

Examples of Mary Sue Characters

A Mary Sue might possess attributes like:

A smoking habit that enhances her coolness factor. A clumsiness that provides comedic relief and romantic plotlines. Perfect relationships with every character she interacts with, including romantic ones.

These traits, when taken to extremes, are often indicative of a Mary Sue. Any story where a character is loved by everyone, lacks significant flaws, and effortlessly overcomes any challenge they face is likely to be criticized as containing a Mary Sue.

The Case of She-Hulk

She-Hulk, the character from the comic and eventually the Disney series, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, does not fit the classic definition of a Mary Sue. Although she has been criticized for her representational issues, she does not fit the traditional mold of a Mary Sue in several ways.

Strengths and Limitations of She-Hulk

She-Hulk is portrayed as a strong and intelligent character. She is well-educated and has a solid background in law. However, she is not intellectually omnipotent. At times, she comes across as surprisingly naive, which can be a humorous trait but does not align with the image of a perfect, flawlessly competent Mary Sue.

She-Hulk faces numerous setbacks and challenges. For example, she often deals with job losses and legal issues, such as getting sued. These situations do not automatically turn out well for her, which is a stark contrast to how a Mary Sue might be portrayed. In a typical Mary Sue scenario, problems would be effortlessly solved with little to no effort.

Relationship Dynamics

While She-Hulk does not have universal love from every character, she does not face antagonism from everyone. She often has supportive relationships, which align more with a well-developed character rather than a Mary Sue who is universally adored.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while She-Hulk is not an ideal character from a feminist standpoint, the term Mary Sue does not accurately describe her. A Mary Sue is characterized by complete perfection and an effortless success in every endeavor. She-Hulk, on the other hand, faces real challenges and setbacks, which makes her more relatable and realistic.

The Mary Sue concept continues to evolve and apply to a broader range of characters, including in comics, TV shows, and movies. Understanding the definition and its nuances helps in creating more balanced and relatable characters.