Marvel’s ‘Cloak and Dagger’ Finds Home at Freeform! Will It Be Too Stereotypical?

Freefrom is following in the footsteps of its sister network, ABC, and bringing another Marvel property, Cloak and Dagger, to the small screen for fans to enjoy.

While I’m not particularly a fan of the titular heroes, it is good to see comic book characters that aren’t part of the MCU get their chance to shine.

According to Variety, Freeform (which was previously known as ABC Family), has greenlit “Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger” by giving it a straight-to-series order. The show is being described as an “interracial romance” and will follow the story of two teenagers from different backgrounds dealing with their newly awakened powers and the realization that they are better together than apart.

Cloak, whose real name is Tyrone Johnson, has the powers of teleportation, intangibility, and the ability to link to the Darkforce Dimension. Dagger’s real name is Tandy Bowen, and she has the ability to create daggers of light which she can use to attack as well as heal. She also has the ability to purge addictions from others. Both characters made their first appearance back in March of 1982 in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #64.

If you think that giving the young black man from an impoverished background the power linked to darkness, and the young white woman belonging to a privileged background (her mother’s a multi-millionaire supermodel) the power linked to light is stereotypical, then you aren’t alone. Also, Dagger’s light powers are supposed to satisfy the hunger Cloak feels due to his darkness. I mean, come on!

Currently there is no writer attached to the series. Both Marvel Television and ABC Signature Studies will act as co-producers on the project. Cloak and Dagger will be Freeform’s first Marvel series. Its success might encourage the network to produce more comic book based shows. Someone needs to give the world a Young Avengers TV show already!

The network’s target audience is the 14-34 demo and Cloak and Dagger does perfectly fit in there, along with Shadowhunters, which recently got a second season order. Let’s hope the upcoming TV show doesn’t make matters worse with stereotypical portrayals of the characters’ races and backgrounds on screen.

Are you a fan of Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger? Are you excited for the upcoming series? Let us know!

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

Twitter

Help support independent journalism. Subscribe to our Patreon.

Copyright © The Geekiary