This week, we got the first look at Amber Heard as Mera in DC and Warner Bros.’ Justice League movie. It’s a stunning costume that evokes Mera’s ferocity and her elegance: She’s the Queen of Atlantis, but also a warrior. The only thing lacking, it seems, is color.
The DC Comics cinematic universe’s biggest problem, in one tweet
Where’s the color?
Alex Abad-Santos is a senior correspondent who explains what society obsesses over, from Marvel and movies to fitness and skin care. He came to Vox in 2014. Prior to that, he worked at The Atlantic.
The picture is greyed out, fitting the grim look of Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman and Man of Steel. Twitter user SJWMEGATRON tweeted a comparison of the official photo next to a fan-created alteration that adds color, removes the scrim of grey and shadows from the picture, and gives us a version of Mera that looks brighter and better:
Adding color lets you see the detail and intricacies of the costume. It also changes the feel of not only the design, but of the hero, too.
Snyder’s vision of a grimmer, shadowy DC cinematic universe has become his signature, even though it’s at odds with the feel of characters like Superman and Wonder Woman, whose messages are hope, joy, and optimism. Mera has always been known for her bright, fiery red hair and emerald costume:
To be clear, the Mera shot was a publicity still. It’s unclear whether or not this will be the final product. But if that’s what Mera is going to look like in Justice League, we’ll be left wondering how different the character could have been.
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