8 features

February 23, 2011 + Over the Edge

RESPECT WN COMICS

What lurks below the surface?

BIANCA CHORABIK
CLUBS EDITOR

Society influences the media and in turn the media influences society. The ideologies held
by the world are reinforced and maintained through such sources as television, movies,
commercials, books and comics. But, I’m not here to tell that the media influences us,
because we all know this. I’m here to demonstrate how views of reality have shifted and the
evidenced is ever-present within a particular media | am most familiar with; comic books.

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‘Two face. How does he represent societie’s view the mentally insane?

Have you ever noticed that the villain is hardly ever “the norm?” He’s covered in
scars; she’s kissing girls, etc. This is because the villain is what we are afraid of,
we are afraid of what we do not understand. We are afraid of what is different from us,
thus we label it “villain” and make it our enemy. The hero, on the other hand, is what
we look up to and strive to be. The hero is what society labels as the “ideal being.”

Our view of hero has slowly changed over the years. | will explore this matter, by referring
back to the topics disused in Respect Week: gender, sexuality, heritage and illness.

Gender:

When Comic books first appeared in the early 30s, they were divided into gender specific
categories: action comics for boys and romance comics for girls. Within the genre of action
comics, we can still, however see the changes within society’s perspectives of women.

It is quite obvious that the first heroes of our nation were men. In 1932, Superman
showed up. Wearing his nation’s red, white and blue he was there to save the
world, and Lois Lane, from peril. He was everything anyone could wish for in a
hero, a white male with unlimited powers continuously saving a damsel in distress.

Nearly ten years later (1941), Wonder Woman joined the “Justice Society” becoming
the first significant heroine in comic book history. Though she started out as minor
character, within the span of one year, she became known to the world. This was quite
the deviation from the norm and brought attention to it self. She, a comic book hero,
became a symbol of gender equality and feminism. This was especially important in
accordance with the women’s revolution in the work force during both world wars.

Oddly enough, the Comics Code Authority, which was established in 1954, made woman
powerless again. During this era, the primary male character within comics always
had to be the one to solve the case, women weren't allowed to look a certain way and
characters such as the strong, independent Catwoman seemed to disappear. This once
again caused a struggle for gender equality, however, the Code has been edited since its
first edition and powerful women are more prevalent in comic now then ever in the past.

Sexuality:

For the longest period, deviations in terms of sexuality were not discussed; everyone
was heterosexual according to comic books. In the early 80s, however, homosexuality
first emerged. Many villains came out of the closet, but heroes seemed to fear the idea.

When Pied Piper (villain) revealed that he was gay, Flash (hero) felt awkward and
immediately left. Within the same issue (Flash issue 53), either because the Flash
felt threatened or because the writer knew that a hero “couldn’t” be gay, the Flash
gawked at topless women on a beach. Flash’s masculinity and heterosexuality thus
reaffirmed, he could now battle the issue’s villain and save the day (LonelyGods.com).

The Joker, who has repeatedly been acknowledged as the #1 villain, is also the

epitome of sexual deviation. His sexuality is specifically defined, but he’s illustrated
having sex with men and women. He wears make-up and occasionally he’s seen in
a dress. He finds sexual pleasure in pain and so on and so forth. This was clearly done
on purpose. People find sexuality to be the greatest sin, something that is disgusting
and shouldn’t be mentioned, thus a villain of such caliber is depicted in such a form.

However, more recently, people have learned to see sexuality and sexual orientation as
something more positive. In the summer of 2006, Batwoman, a lipstick lesbian got her
own series. Prior to this moment male and female heroes had been open about their
sexualities, but this was a significant moment for she gained her own series and news
reports investigated the situation as though it were still something to be surprised about.

Heritage:

Germans and men of colour were depicted as _ villains since the origin of
comics. The first notable African American male to become a superhero was
the Black Panther in 1966 and the first female was X-Men’s Storm in 1975.

Thecontroversy aroundheritage, especially ofAfrican’s, incomicbooksrelatestothe associations
of the characters to the jungle or ghetto stereotypes. Vexin, for instance, is a shapeshifter
and is only seen transforming into jungle related animals, such as lions and elephants.

Black people also tend to play sidekicks and/or label themselves according
to their colour. For instance: Black Lighting, Black Manta, Black Cat, Black
Spider, Black Racer, and Black Talon. Also, that’s just off the top of my head!

Illness:

Mental and physical illnesses are not things that should be seen in a negative light.
People shouldn't be discriminated against for something of this nature, but comic book
do. And when | state “comics do this,” | must repeat that | mean “society does this.”

Mental illness is vastly present within the ranks of the villains. Titles such as
Spiderman and Batman, label all of their villains as insane. Their villains go to

an asylum, not jail. Mental illness is depicted as humorous, lowly or criminal.
Same goes for the physical. Heroes are painted with beautiful, unblemished
bodies, whereas villains carry disease, _ illness, scars  and_ imperfection.

Two-Face is the perfect exemplar of illness being viewed in a negative light. Harvey Dent
(his right side) is beautiful and pure. That’s the “good” side of Dent, the one that follows
and enforces the rules of society. Two-Face (his right side) is scared and evil. This
is the side that makes all of his bad decisions, the insane, chaotic and murderous side.

As I’ve previously stated, it’s important to realize that what is depicted in the media is the
society enforcing their views upon malleable children. When lies are masked for the truth and
the truth is hidden from children, they become ignorant. Children mold their ideals and beliefs
to suit those of their idols. When they see their pure, white, heterosexual hero fighting an ill,
black, homosexual villain, they associate those traits as either being “good” or “evil.” The traits
then associated with the villain become traits they despise within themselves and view as sins.

It is important for people to acknowledge and appreciate the changed being done

in the comic book industry. With the change of even one medium, we become one
step closer to ridding the world of ignorance and becoming a place of equality.

Fan

Black super heros are a rare sight