Marvel has announced that a 15-year-old black girl from Chicago named Riri Williams will be taking Tony Stark’s place in the Iron Man comic series.
Williams' first appearance was in this year’s Invincible Iron Man #7.
Marvel writer Brian Michael Bendis told Time that the story of a "brilliant, young woman whose life was marred by tragedy that could have easily ended her life — just random street violence — and went off to college was very inspiring to me."
He added: "I thought that was the most modern version of a superhero or superheroine story I had ever heard."
On the whole, people are super excited.
Yaaaas black teenage GIRL as the new Iron Man?!?! I'm so down
Although, when the news broke, some people criticized Marvel for not hiring enough black creators.
Marvel Comics: "Iron Man as a black woman would be dope." Black Woman: "I would love to write —" Marvel: "We have white people for that."
Excited to read, but hoping @Marvel will hire black women writers. Young woc deserve heroes written for them. https://t.co/3NHZ4vBoa3
marvel: new iron man will be a black woman......written by a white man me:
However, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
I LOVE THAT THE NEW IRON MAN IS A BLACK GIRL. I'm here for Riri Williams
I want Riri Williams comics right now
Some people are already speculating who might play Riri if there’s ever a movie version.
Skai Jackson turns 15 next year.