Disney series to star ‘Batman with personality disorder’

DISNEY has announced its first major character with a mental health condition, described as “Batman with multiple-personality disorder”, who will star in its forthcoming Marvel series.

Marc Spector, the protagonist in Moon Knight, plays a former CIA agent who becomes an international mercenary after becoming disillusioned with the organisation.

He dies during a mission to an archaeological site in Egypt, but is visited by the Egyptian god Khonshu and granted super strength in a second life.

However, he soon displays the symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder – including erratic behaviour and social impairment – when he begins to hear the voices of Khonshu in his head. He goes on to develop several other alter egos, ranging from a millionaire playboy to a cab driver, as he takes on street-level villains while grappling with his affliction.

Although other well known Marvel characters, such as Daredevil, have battled with their inner demons in the past, Moon Knight is among the first to be defined by them so explicitly.

In the description of his character, Disney said: “He knows several martial arts, is a talented athlete and gymnast, and can speak several languages. Unfortunately, these abilities are balanced by an uneven mental state that manifests itself in bouts of depression and multiple identity disorder.”

It comes as the entertainment giant attempts to modernise its image by including a more diverse range of lead characters for its new streaming service, Disney+.