Disney Jr. Criticized by Black Community Over New Superhero Captain Durag
Disney Jr. is facing major criticism after introducing a new superhero character called Captain Durag in its animated series, Hey A.J.!. The show follows a young girl named A.J. as she uses her imagination to turn everyday moments into exciting adventures. Captain Durag serves as a guardian in A.J.’s imaginary world, which is set in the fictional Slime City.
While the show was meant to celebrate Black family life and culture, many viewers on social media said the superhero felt like a stereotype. Some critics argued that the character relied on clichés rather than showing a fully developed, nuanced personality.
The release during Black History Month added to the backlash, with people questioning why Disney would create a character that some saw as a caricature. Fans and commentators quickly compared Captain Durag to earlier examples of positive representation, like Static Shock.
One viral post pointed out that Sesame Street has successfully included diverse characters for decades without relying on imagery that feels forced. “The community is not a monolith,” the post read, criticizing the portrayal as inauthentic.
I created the character Durag Man, now known as Captain Durag on the Disney Show, Hey AJ and I’m just finding out people are finding it problematic? I just wanted our culture to have a superhero of its own! pic.twitter.com/0Klh7soTPG
— Camille Corbett (@TheWittyGirl) February 16, 2026
Camille Corbett, a writer for the show, defended the creative vision on social media. As a Black woman involved in the production, she explained that the goal was to create a superhero children could see themselves in while reflecting familiar cultural elements.
Despite her defense, Disney Jr. reportedly removed several clips and episodes featuring Captain Durag from its official YouTube channel, though other segments remain online. The series’ creator, Martellus Bennett, is a former NFL Super Bowl champion who has been vocal about the need for diverse storytelling.
He first wrote the Hey A.J.! book series in 2016 to give children of color stories where they could simply be kids, instead of having narratives that focus solely on self-esteem or hair struggles.
Bennett also voices A.J.’s father in the show, Marty. The series features a star-studded voice cast, including Jhené Aiko as A.J.’s mother, Siggi, and guest appearances from Meghan Trainor and Lena Waithe.
The show is produced by Surfing Giant Studios, which recently announced a new animation facility in the Canary Islands to support its partnership with Disney. The controversy over Captain Durag has sparked intense debate online about how children’s media handles representation.
Some fans continue to defend the character, while others call for changes or retooling. Whether Disney permanently alters or removes Captain Durag remains unclear, but the discussion highlights the challenges of creating inclusive content in today’s media landscape.
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