Why Ironheart Isn’t the Problem—Marvel Fans Might Be"

The Hate Toward Ironheart: Bad Storytelling or Just Racism?

Disney+ has finally dropped the long-awaited Ironheart series, continuing the journey of genius teen inventor Riri Williams following the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. We pick up with Riri navigating life after Wakanda—and after the intense battle with Namor and the Atlanteans.

This past Tuesday, Disney released the first three episodes, and I’ll be honest: I enjoyed them. A lot. It’s already stronger than some recent Marvel series (cough She-Hulk, cough Moon Knight). The opening episodes follow Riri as she leaves MIT, returns to her hometown of Chicago, and crosses paths with a mysterious new figure: The Hood.

What Happens in the First Three Episodes?

In this emotional, tech-fueled intro, we see Riri balancing grief, growth, and genius. She’s reeling from the death of her stepfather and best friend in a drive-by shooting, while also trying to fund the evolution of her Ironheart suit.

Enter John, Cap's cousin, who introduces her to The Hood gang. What starts as low-level street hustle quickly spirals into something much darker. Along the way, Riri accidentally creates her own AI companion, NATHALIE, modeled after her late best friend. But the deeper she gets into the gang, the more suspicious she becomes of its leader—Cap—and his mysterious magical abilities.

Without spoiling too much, let’s just say the final confrontation leads to a tragic twist: John is killed, and Cap remains unaware of the true cause.

So... Is It a Bad Series?

No—it’s not. In fact, Ironheart shows promise. But compared to what Marvel fans are used to, it might feel a bit off. The problem isn’t Riri, the story, or even the acting. It’s Marvel’s increasingly fractured storytelling.

Since the end of Phase 4, the MCU has been struggling with tone, direction, and cohesion. Dropping this show 3 years after Black Panther 2 feels random—like a missed opportunity. Had Ironheart premiered in the immediate aftermath, the reception might have been stronger.

But Let’s Address the Real Issue

Regardless of how you feel about the show’s pacing or Marvel’s current mess, one thing is inexcusable: the racist backlash aimed at the cast—especially Dominique Thorne, who plays Riri.

Criticism is fair. Hate rooted in racism is not.

Instead of holding Marvel accountable for poor scheduling, weak continuity, or storytelling fatigue, some viewers attack the actress and story for centering Black and Latinx characters. Why? Because some people still can’t stomach POC-led stories unless they’re filtered through trauma or tokenism.

They don’t want to learn about communities outside their own. They want escapism that centers them. And when it doesn’t, they react with ignorance, fear, and hate.

Final Thoughts

Ironheart might not be perfect, but it’s nowhere near deserving of the hate it’s getting. If you’re truly a fan of storytelling, of Marvel’s evolution, or just want to see new perspectives—watch it. Then critique it fairly.

But let’s stop pretending the loudest backlash is about plot holes. Sometimes, it’s just about prejudice.

Ironheart is streaming now on Disney+, with new episodes every Tuesday.