Marvel has drawn widespread criticism online for naming their new comic book superheroes 'Snowflake' and 'SafeSpace'.
The characters are black twins, one of whom - Snowflake - identifies as non-binary, marking the first time that the comic giants have introduced a non-binary superhero.
Over the past few years the term 'snowflake' has become a pejorative term to refer to a younger generation who challenge the effects of words in society, while 'safe space' refers to a physical area where prejudicial language is avoided.
Creator of the characters, Daniel Kibblesmith, said of the choice of names: "They're hyper aware of modern culture and optics, and they see their Super Heroics as 'a post-ironic meditation on using violence to combat bullying'.
"It's this idea that these are terms that get thrown around on the internet that they don't see as derogatory. [They] take those words and kind of wear them as badges of honour."
The general consensus on social media was not positive, however, with one Twitter user writing: "Calling your first non-binary superheroes Snowflake and Safespace is the most insensitive and out of touch things you could do. They sounds like the kind of names you'd expect a writer who's trying to make fun of non-binary people would give their characters."
Another added: "I personally love to see two white cis men at Marvel create a black nonbinary character named "Snowflake" in the year of our lord 2020."
Snowflake and SafeSpace will appear as part of the latest incarnation of The New Warriors, which is due for release next month.
Neil Wilkes
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