The first non-scripted reality series from behemoth Marvel Entertainment launches on streaming service Disney+, proving that not all heroes wear capes. The heartwarming show, which debuts as part of the launch day slate, reveals the remarkable stories of a diverse group of 20 young individuals who are creating real change in their communities.
Each ‘hero of the week’ episode follows a similar format; opening with a behind-the-scenes look at Marvel Comics HQ as executives discuss the inspiring traits to base their superhero counterpart on, along with the proposed art style. The main section of each 25 minute episode is the empowering in-depth celebration of their stories and how they’re inspiring positive change, closing with a surprise presentation of their special gift box featuring a personalised letter, Marvel’s Hero Project official jacket and a custom comic book created just for them.
The strong season premiere, “Sensational Jordan” tells the empowering tale of Jordan Reeves, a remarkable young inventor, activist and designer. Born with a congenital limb difference, Jordan started designing a number of 3D bionic prosthetics which lead to the creation of ‘Project Unicorn’ – a prosthetic arm that can shoot glitter. This unique design went viral, paving the way for the young designer to help change career paths for those with disabilities in design, co-founding the organisation Born Just Right.
The second episode previewed to press is “Incredible Elijah” a powerful tale of a young social advocate who organises marches and speeches on child abuse. Elijah’s main ‘power’ is empathy, with Marvel execs basing his superhero counterpart on Mantis and the Human Torch, highlighting this with a light surrounding the character and those who are around him. It’s definitely an emotional entry, particularly regarding Elijah’s backstory.
Verdict
Marvel’s Hero Project is an uplifting and inspiring show for all the family, celebrating the amazing achievements of phenomenal real-life heroes. Clocking in at around 25 minutes, the episodes can at times feel a little too long and a bit American-centric, but it’s definitely a delightfully heartening series.
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