Aging and superheroes are two words we never want to hear in the same sentence. I remember how utterly in denial I was when it was curtains for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Much worse when Marvel’s last trip at the Box Office just ended with my favourite saviours in ashes.
The thing is, you never want to see these heroes die. But would you be open to seeing them live a happy, relaxed life, wrinkly-skinned and still rocking their superhero suit in old age?
Maybe if you have a look at Russian artist Lesya Guseva’s series of illustrations of aged superheroes, your answer might just be “Hell yeah!”
Wait, is that the First Avenger, Captain America, using his shield to shield Snow White from the rain in Disneyland? So adorable, Cap!
Titled ‘Pensioners’, which sounds like an excellent play on ‘Avengers’, the series showcases some our favourite superheroes from both Marvel and DC Universe, wearing not just their superhero costumes but also old age, wrinkles et al, with elan! And do they look adorable or what?
Turning these superheroes old has definitely been gold for Guseva, because people are loving it!
From Hulk to Harley Quinn, he’s illustrated them all doing cute, homely things that normal, senior citizens would do. But you know, old superhero habits die hard!
1. Like this one Agardian God Of Thunder, Thor Odinson, who just had to use his Mjolnir as an actual nail hammer!
Cannot get over how cute he, and Loki in the frame on the wall, look!
2. Speaking of Loki, he should know better than to try and sneak ahead of the Hulk and the Black Widow in a queue outside the doctor’s clinic!
Grandpa Hulk’s temper clearly grows worse with old age! As for Loki, well, age hasn’t made him any wiser!
3. Guess what Amazing business Spider-Man and his MJ are up to in their old age?
Well, the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man is saving locals from cold, one knitted garment at a time! Spinning a web, knitting, it’s all the same for Spidey!
4. Is it strange that Disney’s Genie is playing chess with Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the sky above New York? Maybe that’s what old age does to people!
I wonder who won, though? Considering Doctor Stranger has ‘time’ on his side, the game’s gonna be a while!
5. I knew it! I knew age would just make Deadpool even more mischievous!
Still messing with the Avengers, I see?!
6. Clark Kent/Superman, finally getting the retirement he deserves, with Lois Lane? The idea doesn’t seem too alien to me anymore!
7. What do a Kryptonian and an Amazon have in common? Well, they both make for excellent superheroes and love to gossip on a park bench! Amirite, Superwoman and Wonder Woman?
8. Bat signal? Gotham needs saving? Sorry, DC! But Grandpa Batman’s sound asleep!
He is finally getting a Dark Night full of sleep that he needs and deserves! Also, he’s BFFs with The Joker now so!
9. So in an alternate timeline, Catwoman refused to help Batman, and lived her long and happy life out as an old woman with cats.
A cat lady. A Cat-Woman, literally! Not too bad, eh?
10. If you’re wondering what Daddy’s Lil Monster’s up to in her old age, Harley Quinn has morphed into an adorable grandma!
11. Okay, Joker wearing Batman boxers, and getting ready for a date with Harley Quinn was not what I pictured his life to be!
But hey, I’m not complaining! It sure puts a smile on your face, no?
12. I’m Barry Allen, and I’m the fastest Grandpa alive! And clearly, I hate my medicine!
Sorry Nurse, but the Speed force is strong with this one!
13. I don’t know why Aquaman was not a part of this series, but I would like to believe that the hot Jason Momoa is ageless and will continue to set water on fire!
Did you not love these adorable old superheroes and this version of their retired, happy lives?
Guseva’s Instagram showcases some of his other amazing work too, where he illustrates characters from fairy tales, TV shows, movies and even celebrities!
It’s an absolute delight to skim through his feed!
Like this cute Spock fan who is a genius, loves ‘His Spot’ and cannot help but knock thrice on the door! Heya, Dr Sheldon Cooper!
And that’s Mickey and Minnie celebrating their 90th birthday, whoa, at Disneyland!
What I cannot stop gushing over though is how amazingly real this illustration of Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes looks like!
Those cheekbones that Irene Adler would’ve loved to slap are so perfectly captured!
Wondering which other superhero is on Guseva’s list next?