Marvel Comics Created ‘Blue Ear’ for the Hearing-Impair
Erin Kirkpatrick — May 27, 2012 — Art & Design
References: comicsalliance & geekologie
In a heartwarming and compassionate move, Marvel Comics created ‘Blue Ear,’ a superhero sporting a vibrant blue hearing aid. This superhero was specifically created for 4-year-old Anthony Smith who suffered from hearing loss and as a result had to wear a blue hearing aid. After reading comic books and seeing that none of his favorite superheroes and crime-fighters weren’t wearing hearing aids, Smith refused to wear his.
In an attempt to get her son to wear his hearing aid she approached Marvel, who created original artworks for Anthony. Marvel’s aim in creating these works was to encourage Anthony to wear his hearing aid. The artworks created show comic book character Hawkeye with his newest side-kick The Blue Ear. The Blue Ear, a.k.a Anthony Smith, is seen fighting crime while wearing his famous blue hearing aid. After seeing these fantastic illustrations, the 4-year-old didn’t mind wearing his hearing aid, because superheroes wore them too.
In an attempt to get her son to wear his hearing aid she approached Marvel, who created original artworks for Anthony. Marvel’s aim in creating these works was to encourage Anthony to wear his hearing aid. The artworks created show comic book character Hawkeye with his newest side-kick The Blue Ear. The Blue Ear, a.k.a Anthony Smith, is seen fighting crime while wearing his famous blue hearing aid. After seeing these fantastic illustrations, the 4-year-old didn’t mind wearing his hearing aid, because superheroes wore them too.
Trend Themes
1. Inclusive Superheroes - The creation of 'Blue Ear' presents an opportunity for the entertainment industry to create more diverse and inclusive superheroes.
2. Personalized Merchandise - Personalized merchandise for specific individuals with unique needs presents an opportunity for the merchandise industry.
3. Empathy Marketing - Empathy marketing by creating relatable characters for underrepresented and marginalized communities is an opportunity for the marketing industry.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can use this trend to create more diverse and inclusive characters for TV, film, and comics.
2. Merchandise - The merchandise industry can create personalized products for individuals with unique needs like hearing aids.
3. Marketing - This trend presents an opportunity for the marketing industry to cater to underrepresented and marginalized communities and create a more empathetic brand.
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