Marvel writer Jason Aaron has apologized after his new character series about King Conan sparked widespread outrage and accusations of racism because some perceived it as an appropriation of Native American culture.
Source: King Conan Volume 2 #3 “Conan’s Last Stand at the Edge of the World – Part Three: The Princess of Golden Ruin” (2022), Marvel Comics. Text by Jason Aaron, art by Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson.
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Introduced by Aaron and artist Mahmud Asrar in February 16’s King Conan Vol. 2 #3, the controversial character reveals herself to the titular warrior after she is surprised to discover that he not only fell into her home, the Golden Ruins, but also survived a night of fighting against the legions of the undead there.
When they meet, the mysterious woman gives her name as Princess Matoaka and explains that she first lived in an unspecified, fictional kingdom in South America before her love for an explorer from the also fictional country of Acheron led to her homeland being raped and plundered by his countrymen in order to get their hands on the treasures.
Source: King Conan Volume 2 #3 “Conan’s Last Stand at the Edge of the World – Part Three: The Princess of Golden Ruin” (2022), Marvel Comics. Text by Jason Aaron, art by Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson.
Blamed for the downfall of her people, Princess Matoaka was exiled. She was sent out to sea with a great treasure and cursed to serve as a diversion for any future potential invaders of her homeland, wherever she landed.
Source: King Conan Volume 2 #3 “Conan’s Last Stand at the Edge of the World – Part Three: The Princess of Golden Ruin” (2022), Marvel Comics. Text by Jason Aaron, art by Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson.
Although Aaron’s story features entirely fictional characters and settings, the Avengers author came under fire on social media after some readers were bothered by the fact that the princess has the same name as the real Pocahontas – who privately went by the name Matoaka in later life – and that she is portrayed as a victim of white explorers.
Source: King Conan Volume 2 #3 “Conan’s Last Stand at the Edge of the World – Part Three: The Princess of Golden Ruin” (2022), Marvel Comics. Text by Jason Aaron, art by Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson.
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Kelly Lynne D’Angelo, editor of Final Space and My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Choose Your Own Ending, summed up the backlash best. Her reaction to the character’s reveal in a preview of the February issue was cited by many as the reason for their own anger.
“Disgusted isn’t even close to the right word,” D’Angelo began. “How?? How can this be OK?? She was a REALLY LITTLE GIRL – to do this to her, to us, over and over again… I’m just baffled. Disgusting. Doesn’t she deserve peace? Reclamation? Honor? You colonizers make me sick.”
Archive link Source: Kelly Lynne D’Angelo Twitter
“@Marvel – I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you take this out of your canon,” she continued. “You create something great like Echo and then take this crap out? What a DISGRACE. Stan Lee would be turning in his grave…”
Archive link Source: Kelly Lynne D’Angelo Twitter
De’Angelo then stated, “This is active violence against us and our community. Sexualizing a real young girl who was raped and killed at a young age is impacting our murdered and missing Indigenous women TODAY. You are backwards, sick and should donate every penny you made from this to #MMIW.”
Archive link Source: Kelly Lynne D’Angelo Twitter
“I’m truly appalled,” she added. “How could you not have a sensitivity reader for this?? And you used her REAL NAME? You made this even WORSE? The writers, creatives, @Marvel – everyone involved – you should donate everything made with this to #MMIW: I’m truly at a loss… the DISRESPECT.”
Archive link Source: Kelly Lynne D’Angelo Twitter
As she wrapped up her thread, D’Angelo addressed Aaron directly, tagging the author and shouting, “HEY @jasonaaron – you’re a s…
Archive link Source: Kelly Lynne D’Angelo Twitter
“I had originally written a much worse insult,” she continued, “but I have decided to keep the peace, because nothing I tell you will come close to the beating you will receive in the spirit world when you enter it, mate!”
Archive link Source: Kelly Lynne D’Angelo Twitter
Finally, on March 2, Bleeding Cool founder Rich Johnston reported that he had received a statement on the matter from Aaron himself, in which the author admitted: “In KING CONAN #3, I made the ill-advised decision to name a character Matoaka, a name most strongly associated with the real-life Native American figure Pocahontas.”
Source: King Conan Volume 2 #3 “Conan’s Last Stand at the Edge of the World – Part Three: The Princess of Golden Ruin” (2022), Marvel Comics. Text by Jason Aaron, art by Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson.
“This new character is a supernatural, thousand-year-old princess of a cursed island in a world of pastiche and dark fantasy and was never intended to be based on a historical person,” he said. “I should have better understood the true meaning and resonance of the name and realized it was inappropriate to use it.”
“I understand the outrage of those who care about the legacy of the true Matoaka, and for all of this and the heartache it has caused, I apologize,” he concluded. “As part of that apology, I have already taken the money I received for the issue and donated it to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. The character’s name and appearance will be adjusted for the remainder of this miniseries and in all digital and collectible editions.”
Source: King Conan Volume 2 #3 “Conan’s Last Stand at the Edge of the World – Part Three: The Princess of Golden Ruin” (2022), Marvel Comics. Text by Jason Aaron, art by Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson.
At the time of writing, it is not yet known what new name the former Princess Matoaka will receive.
What do you think of the outrage over Aaron’s new character King Conan? Let us know your thoughts on social media or in the comments below!
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