Sexualised Niqab Superhero ‘Dust’ Tight-Fitting Outfit Gets Makeover & the Internet Is Loving Her Costume

The universe of comic superheroes is a vast terrain with heavy players such as DC Comics and Marvel Comics who are even bringing their characters on the big screens. Fictional characters are never just a character! They serve as a mirror for the world around us and in comics or any other areas of pop culture, representation matters. Apart from all the superheroes, the creators have thankfully given space for women characters smashing the villains but with the oversexualised design tropes. New X-Men #133 Dust from Afghanistan marked the first appearance among superheroines in the American Marvel Comics. However, a recent depiction of Dust in the similar sexualised tight costume has annoyed a Marvel fan so much that she went to give her a makeover with the perfect attitude. And the internet is loving it! Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, Loki in Thor - 6 Marvel Movie Villains We Totally Love to Hate. 

Sooraya Qadir Dust an X-Men fictional character who is mutant with the ability to transform her body into a malleable cloud of dust. Her skills make her the target of slavers and to rescue her, the X-Men travel to Afghanistan. Since she is from an Islamic country in South Asia, characters in the comic book series often refer to Dust’s outfit as a burqa, where Dust wears an abaya with a niqab covering her face. To call out the existing sexism in the comic book universe, Sara Alfageeh from Boston, United States of America vented her frustration in the most creatively bold manner possible. Seeing the makeover, all of us feel that Marvel can take some notes! If Marvel Actors Were Females, How Would Iron Man, Deadpool, Captain America, Thor, & Others From Avengers: Infinity War & X-Men Team Look Like? 

Here is superhero Dust in her tight-fitting outfit.

The question clearly hit a nerve with many other comic fans! Netizens agreed that the design of Dust’s outfit was not reflective of a realistic niqab but a form-fitting outfit.

Alfageeh told the BBC that she was annoyed that of the fact that the artist felt the need to sexualise Dust. She clearly showed the alternatives there could be. The Boston-based took inspiration from the X-Men Universe as well as modest fashion and channelled that attitude! The redesigns are amazing. Brie Larson Promises to Bring the Superheroes Back and We Can't Keep Calm!

Here she fixed Dust’s sexualised outfit.

Tweeple loved Sara’s representation, especially that attitude in her eyes.

Superheroes in their very essence are meant to serve an inspiration to people, particularly those who are forced to feel powerless and discriminated against. Unfortunately, like many other industries, we have also seen comic makers having an unhealthy obsession with emphasising that female curves adorning in body-fitting outfits. But Sara believes that the artists should stress on power fantasies more to give the characters in Marvel a perfect edge. And we could not agree with her more!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2018 01:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).