A Review of ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There are a great many reasons that fans of superheroes themed comic book shows and movies head to the multiplex or tune in to see their favorite hero do their thing. For some, it’s about the fantastic nature of the story since watching a hero soar through the sky and defy the odds to keep the world safe, is quite thrilling. For others… it is about the wonder of finally seeing these types of stories receive their proper due on the silver and small screen. Since there was a time where they weren’t given the care, they are given now. And some… are drawn to these stories because they crave inspiration. For the superhero represents the best parts of us and teaches us incredible lessons about who we are, and how to be better.

But above all, what truly draws viewers in… is that at their core, these are stories about people. People that do extraordinary things but are people none the less. Who sometimes struggle with the same problems as the rest of us, and fight insecurities and external problems in the world that we also face. Making all of these stories supremely personal and often relatable and that is why Disney and Marvel continue to lead the way in such storytelling. Because they keep finding new ways to help these characters connect with audiences and help those in need of inspiration and it just so happens, that Marvel and Disney’s most ambitious series to date regarding this… is about to hit the airwaves.

For Friday, February 10th will feature the debut of Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur on the Disney Channel, and this is hands down, a revolutionary Marvel/Disney project. One based off of the wildly popular comic book series of the same name, and one that features a stunning plot that separates it from the superhero story pack. One that involves the life and times of Lunella Lafayette, a brilliant high school student that lives in the Lower East Side of New York City, and her brilliance is something that quickly changes her life in this story. For her curiosity and love of science motivates her to take part in an experiment that brings a dinosaur into present day and helps her to realize she can use her dino-friend and her understanding of science to become Moon Girl. A superhero that must juggle growing up while saving the Lower East Side from the villains that plague this world and well… that’s about as refreshing a plot as it gets.

Because it really does feature a different kind of superhero, and a vastly different kind of superhero journey. But where this show truly shines and where it truly becomes ambitious, is the sheer fact that this is a supremely diverse series. In part from a voice acting standpoint, since the series is animated, but from a representation standpoint as well. For Lunella is an African American character, and the people she is surrounded by outside of her family are BIPOC individuals as well. Which immerses audiences in a story that properly reflects the world, and it also provides us with television’s first black female superhero, and this is such a big deal that series star Diamond White had this to say about such a momentous milestone at a recent press conference that NTG attended.

“Well, for me, it's just—I mean, we made history being Marvel's first teenage Black girl superhero. So it's important to see that kind of representation. I mean, it's a show that I needed growing up and I feel like it really does make a difference. Like- like the show says, one girl can make a difference. Like, this show is going to make a difference in a lot of people's lives, so I'm just excited to be a part of it.”

But that is but the bare beginnings of why this show is so important and so revolutionary. Because it really does take the time to address so many powerful concepts and themes, that people can outright relate to. Such as the importance of offering respect and kindness to everyone around you, and the benefits that can come with that. Or the struggles of being a teenager in America these days, and there are even culturally significant moments that are rarely explored in television if it all in popular culture. Making this a pioneering tale for certain, one that quite frankly… television needs right now. Because now is the right time to shatter norms and put people from all walks of life on the small screen.

Which this series does and in doing so… keeps with the spirit of comic book stories, and superhero stories in general. Where young minds will learn the importance of being brave and standing tall in the face of adversity, and see themselves reflected on the small screen, and the best news of all, is that we don’t have to wait all that much longer to enjoy this series. For Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur makes its debut on the Disney Channel this Friday, February 10, 2023, and that premiere will be followed by a super-sized six-episode debut on Disney+ on February 15, 2023, and we here at NTG really do hope you give this series a look. For it is poignant, powerful, and completely and utterly brilliant and it truly is peak superhero entertainment, since it embodies the best the genre has to offer.

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