Can we talk about Russel Hobbs?
Russel is a cartoon character, but he’s so important.
This is a man who watched his friends die.
A man who lost his best friend and soul mate.
He’s been plagued with spirits invading his mind and soul, turning him vulnerable and depressed.
He suffers from extreme paranoia and is struck with so much fear and misery.
Russel was kidnapped by Murdoc, and thrown into even more chaos than before.
He has seen the grim reaper. He was almost killed. He was trapped in a glass cage and treated like a monster.
He’s troubled by the memory of his best friend, and is constantly afraid and not all that sure of where his head is at.
He has tried to kill himself.
Russel has been through genuine hell.
He’s so tired.
He’s such a tragic character with a heartbreaking and terrifying backstory.
And yet, he’s such an inspiring character as well.
Russel is a fat black man. But he’s not always tough, or loud, or masculine, or whatever stereotype some people throw around.
He’s insecure. He’s not mentally stable. He’s caring and honest and scared and funny and strange and gentle and he doesn’t back down and he’s tired and vulnerable and brave and polite and intelligent and kind.
He loves animals, especially cats.
He doesn’t take Murdoc’s shit and he protects 2D.
He loves taxidermy, and music, and fashion. He cares so much for the ones close to him, especially Noodle.
Russel has been through so much, but he’s still trying.
Trying and trying and trying to make a difference in the world.
He’s been struggling since he was young, and he’s still struggling today.
He’s 42 years old. He’s a good man that has had a shit life, but still continues to be a good man, and still hasn’t let life destroy him.
He’s inspiring and loveable and interesting.
He deserves to be happy, and he deserves to be appreciated.
