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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Mary Sue” is an epic card of the Memes World series 70, number 20941 of the collection, and the 130th best-known meme of its 243 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Mary Sue” meme mean?
This word expresses literary criticism regarding the construction of a protagonist lacking human depth. It points out narrative narcissism: a hero who succeeds at everything, pleases everyone, and resolves conflicts without effort or failure. The resulting emotion is frustration over predictable plots or a lack of genuine dramatic tension.
Where does the “Mary Sue” meme come from?
The expression appeared in 1973 in the paper fanzine *Menagerie*, dedicated to *Star Trek*. Paula Smith, its editor, created this concept in a parody titled "A Trekkie's Tale". The text mocked fan stories featuring an ideal young heroine, Mary Sue, aged fifteen and a half. This heroine seduced the *Enterprise* crew and saved main characters when they failed. Smith and Sharon Ferraro then used "Lieutenant Mary Sue" as a shorthand label for this specific type of story. The term thus emerged outside digital media, directly from 1970s paper fandom culture.
- 1973Publication of the original parody in the Menagerie fanzine by Paula Smith.
How to use the “Mary Sue” meme
- Use this card to criticize a fanfiction where the protagonist instantly masters all magical skills.
- Employ it when a movie character seems too lucky and never faces difficulties due to their mistakes.
- Use it to highlight that an author projects their own success fantasies into a secondary role.
Also searched as
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- Lieutenant Mary Sue
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The “Mary Sue” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 20941 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | Memes World series 70 |
| Fame | 77/100 · #130 of 243 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Mary Sue” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Mary Sue comes out of the Memes World series 70 as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Mary Sue”
More cards of the Memes World series 70
Frequently asked questions
What does Mary Sue mean?
It refers to a fictional character, usually female, lacking credible flaws. This type of hero often serves as an idealized projection of the author into the story.
Who created the term Mary Sue?
Paula Smith, editor of the Star Trek fanzine Menagerie, invented the expression in 1973 in a satirical parody about fan writings.
Does Mary Sue come from a TV show?
No, the term did not originate from a television broadcast. It comes exclusively from an independent paper fanzine published in 1973.
Is Mary Sue an insult?
The term is pejorative because it criticizes a lack of narrative realism. It can be contested if used to unfairly dismiss a female character.
How do I get the Mary Sue meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Mary Sue” is an epic card of the Memes World series 70. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Mary Sue card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: The Women Who Coined the Term 'Mary Sue' - Smithsonian Magazine · Mary Sue - Wikipedia · Mary Sue | Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki | Fandom · checked on October 11, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.