Marvel’s Hero Project Shines Light on Real Heroes – But Where Are the Trans Superheroes?

In an era where superheroes dominate our screens, Marvel’s Hero Project stands out—not for flashy powers or multiverse plots, but for celebrating real-world bravery. Among these inspiring stories is that of Rebekah, a transgender girl  whose powerful journey has reignited a broader conversation: why are there still so few transgender superheroes in the Marvel Universe?

Real Courage Beyond the Page

While fans eagerly awaited Marvel’s first streaming shows on Disney Plus, Hero Project offered a heartfelt detour—20 documentary-style episodes spotlighting young changemakers. These kids aren’t battling aliens or wielding cosmic weapons. Instead, they’re fighting injustice, leading community efforts, and changing laws.

Each episode centers around a pivotal moment—be it a protest, a fundraising drive, or a passionate speech to lawmakers. Alongside these emotional highs are interviews with friends, families, and neighbors. And just when the tears start flowing, Marvel surprises each child with something unforgettable: their own custom comic book and a $10,000 donation to their cause.

From a disabled engineer to a blind athlete to a boy rallying against child abuse, Marvel draws parallels between these kids and its classic heroes. It’s easy to see Iron Man in the aspiring engineer or Captain America in those who inspire communities. But when it comes to Rebekah, the reflection gets more complicated.

A Powerful Story in an Unequal Landscape

Rebekah’s episode is undeniably moving. She lobbied her state legislature to mandate trans history education, leading to real legislative change and awareness. Her courage is tangible. Her actions matter. And yet, her story is framed within a universe that still struggles to represent people like her.

Marvel’s comics have long introduced diverse characters—heroes of color, women, even teenagers fighting alongside the Avengers. But when it comes to trans representation, the list thins out dramatically.

Most characters who could be read as gender-diverse are gods, aliens, or shape-shifters. Loki famously shifts form, as does Xavin from Runaways. But these characters don’t reflect the everyday human experiences of real trans individuals. Their identities are often used for mythological or science-fiction intrigue, not genuine narrative depth.

The Problem With Token Inclusion

Of the few human trans characters in Marvel’s history, only Ken Shiga—better known as Koi Boi from The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl—has been quietly confirmed as transgender. But even then, his identity was never addressed on the page, only confirmed by the artist after fans noticed subtle visual cues.

It’s not just Marvel. DC Comics’ track record isn’t much stronger. Characters like Sir Ystin (Shining Knight) or Alysia Yeoh have existed, but often on the sidelines and without sustained development.

This signals a larger issue in mainstream superhero storytelling: characters, especially transgender ones, are rarely centered in the stories that define their universes. They’re either sidekicks, one-issue cameos, or—worse—symbolic placeholders never allowed to truly shine.

What Marvel Gets Right—and Where It Falls Short

Marvel should absolutely be applauded for Hero Project. Rebekah’s episode sends a powerful message to young viewers: your identity is valid, your voice matters, and you can be a hero right now. The donation to cause and the personalized comic are meaningful, tangible gestures.

But Marvel’s true superpower isn’t just in highlighting heroes—it’s in creating them. With a cinematic empire that reaches billions and a legacy of shaping cultural icons, Marvel has both the reach and responsibility to reflect real diversity in its fictional worlds too.

Rebekah and kids like her shouldn’t only exist in documentaries. They deserve to exist on the page, in the panels, and on the big screen—cape, powers, and all.

Hero Project shows us that heroism isn’t confined to fiction. Kids like Rebekah are proof that real change starts with courage and compassion. But if Marvel wants to truly live up to the values it celebrates, it must go beyond documentaries. It’s time for the comics—and the movies—to feature trans superheroes front and center.

Because heroes like Rebekah don’t just belong in the real world. They deserve to fly across the page too.