The Most Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi Website

Marvel Responds to Backlash Over America Chavez's 'Whitewashed' Funko Pop


Marvel is set to introduce arguably the most influential character in the entire multiversal saga in America Chavez who is making her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In case you weren't aware of her comics background, America has the ability to traverse the multiverse and original MCU plans called for her to appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home but the story was changed last minute.

click to enlarge
Credit: Marvel Studios



Chavez is also the franchise's first Latina superhero and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Naturally, fans are beyond thrilled to see what the character, played by actress Xochitl Gomez brings to the table. But all the excitement would later be filled with controversy after Funko released their upcoming line for the Doctor Strange sequel.

The said wave features Pop! figures of characters like Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, Mordo, Christine Palmer, and Rintrah which all look fantastic. However, fans noticed that the skin tone on America's figure looks much lighter than Gomez who clearly has a brown complexion. This would ultimately lead to the fandom calling out the toy manufacturer over allegations of "whitewashing".



Thankfully, Funko listened to the fandom and gave the America Chavez figure a darker skin tone. The said vinyl figures are set to hit stores in June, a month following Multiverse of Madness' release but it'll be interesting to see if the original "whitewashed" figure will actually be released in the market.

Also Read: Doctor Strange 2 Poster Gets Censored in Italy Over Offensive Gesture

This isn't the first time Marvel has come across allegations of whitewashing. Elizabeth Olsen also fell victim to a similar controversy when fans pointed out a couple of years back that Wanda Maximoff is supposed to be Jewish Romani although that one was never addressed by the studio.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits cinemas on May 6, 2022.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Marvel and Geek Culture page.