|
|
Post by J Sylar on May 30, 2006 10:46:48 GMT -5
So I just read in the New York Times that over in 52, the new Batwoman is gonna be a lesbian. How trendy. And that China will have its own superteam.
I'm a bit tired of the recent trend of touting diversity in comics. Far as I can recall, they've ALWAYS had minorities in comics. Northstar was gay, Storm's led the X-men, and there's been Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Hispanic, etc. Why make such grand proclaimations now? I dont see the NAACP picketing the DC offices any time in the near future.
This just made me laugh, though (from the article):
"The Chinese government-controlled Great Ten, making their debut next month, should prove less contentious. The team includes the Celestial Archer, with ties to Chinese mythology; Mother of Champions, who can give birth to a litter of 25 super-soldiers about every three days..."
What if they're female? Do they throw those in a dumpster?
|
|
cosmicspidey
Main Eventer
Remove Joe Quesada
Joined on: Feb 18, 2003 3:07:12 GMT -5
Posts: 4,037
|
Post by cosmicspidey on May 30, 2006 11:46:45 GMT -5
As long as the characters are people first, minorites second, I'm all for adding a alittle diversity into comics. Like Dan Didio said over at www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72016, DC and comics in general have never been very representative of America's popualtion. The biggest minority superhero is Storm. Until recently, most minority superheroes were C-listers that only showed up when the Avengers or the JLA happened to be in their area fighting a villain. Sure, they've always been there, but they should have been there a lot more. If superheroes did start springing up, the powers wouldn't only go to white folk. Assumedly, the number of minority super humans should be proportionate to the number of minority humans. This diversification of superheroes start to be a problem when a character becomes a soapbox for a writer to display their personal beliefs or when the character becomes defined by their minority. Northstar was never anything more than the gay superhero. Renee Montoya, on the other hand, is a disillusioned cop and an alcoholic before the lesbian part even factors in. Black Panther (according the Reginald Hudlin) is the black superhero who doesn't trust white people. Mr. Terrific is an essential member of the JSA and a trusted aide of Alan Scott. Race isn't even an issue. The new Blue Beetle is Hispanic, but he's just like any othe American teenager (except for that scarab thingie). If Batwoman becomes the lesbian superhero, if the new Atom becomes the Asian superhero, then I'll have a problem with it. Until then it's fine. Hell, I'd say it's good, even great. And I don't think China having it's own superteam has anything to do with race. If America has it's own teams, why wouldn't other countries? |
|
|
|
Post by youngjeezy420 on May 30, 2006 13:18:25 GMT -5
What if they're female? Do they throw those in a dumpster? serve them as a side when they have mutt-mignon? im sick of them making such a big deal out of characters of big races and trying to fill holes. if a teams an international team then put some other races on it, if you have the American All Star team put whoever but i wont be suprised if they put black people on the china team since theyll fill two wholes. characters should be characters first but some arent and thats the problem when theyre the BLACK green lantern. and even the black panther is too full of himself and has a chip on his shoulder the size of texas; not even just against WHITE DEVIL but against essentially the entire human race sans his tribe. |
|
|
|
Post by J Sylar on May 30, 2006 13:42:30 GMT -5
I dont like when they parade them out like its something new. "ooh, look at our BLACK people!" I find that more offensive then their absense. I also share the sentiment that using them as a soapbox makes me ill, especially when they shoehorn it into other stories, kinda like a certain DC writer who had to make a point that Green Arrow will allow gay marriage in Star City. Even when Winnick ISN'T on a soapbox he's on a soapbox. He's one of the worst offenders. Hudlin is just as bad. Not only is Panther preachy, it's often boring because of it.
By telling us your new Batgirl is gay before we even read about her shows what you're trying to sell us: an agenda. Not a GAY agenda, but an agenda that screams "Look at us! DC stands for Diverse Community!" Let us read about Batgirl and then say she's gay. Montoya is a great example. She's lesbian, but it's an aspect of her character, and it wasnt the first thing we're exposed to.
DC might as well make a new book: TOKEN LEAGUE of AMERICA! There is a way to introduce new characters of color into comics. DC is just being very clumsy about it. Look at Young Avengers. Patriot is black and they didn't feel the need to tout that too much beforehand.
Honestly, I figured the big reason why minorities stay local to their areas is because that's what they do in real life. Hate to say it, but that's true.
|
|
cosmicspidey
Main Eventer
Remove Joe Quesada
Joined on: Feb 18, 2003 3:07:12 GMT -5
Posts: 4,037
|
Post by cosmicspidey on May 30, 2006 15:40:20 GMT -5
Honestly, I figured the big reason why minorities stay local to their areas is because that's what they do in real life. Hate to say it, but that's true. 90% of Marvel comics are set in NYC, though. That's not 9 million white people living there. |
|
|
|
Post by J Sylar on May 30, 2006 16:10:38 GMT -5
Honestly, I figured the big reason why minorities stay local to their areas is because that's what they do in real life. Hate to say it, but that's true. 90% of Marvel comics are set in NYC, though. That's not 9 million white people living there. Got me there. The thing is if you think about it, only a real handful have regular series and they're all solo or small teams anyway. FF, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Punisher, Avengers, and X-Men. That's really all the main heroic circles. DC has wider coverage, so I see why they might take steps to open that diversity more. The only "ethnic" hero I'm bothered by is the new Atom. I see why the original might not want to came back after his wife went all crazy and tried to destroy reality, but it seems more sensible to just leave Palmer's character dead until he returns. Taking the opportunity to jam a minority into a vacant position just feels forced. |
|
|
|
Post by Crimson Arrow on May 31, 2006 7:34:56 GMT -5
It was in my paper this morning too. I've never seen a comic mentioned in it before (they get all hyped over the movies in their entertainment section but so does everyone).
All it mentioned was that she was a "Busty Lesbian". No mention of the company, the comic, the issue nothing... other then that she drinks from the furry cup.
Oh and the current Black Panther writer annoys me. I can't wait till he's replaced.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Sam Kinnison Corps on May 31, 2006 9:56:09 GMT -5
So, were you pissed when Alpha Flight first came out?
|
|
|
|
Post by J Sylar on Jun 1, 2006 11:25:36 GMT -5
So, were you pissed when Alpha Flight first came out? You mean Northstar? Actually, yeah, a little bit and for much the same reason. Look, I dont care what a character's sexual orientation, race, religion is if it leads to interesting stories. Doing it for the sake of doing it or for cheap publicity just irks me. Morrison was trying to inject levity into his X-men when Beast hinted at the possibility he may be gay and fandom went ballistic. Personally, I didn't like it either, but only because Beast has never been shown to have gay tendencies or the desire to satisfy curiosity. I'd be more inclined to accept Scott being sexually confused, or Emma because of her attitudes. Even in the recent post Kim just did, this new Batwoman is getting press simply because she's a lesbian. That's the worst thing possible. Is she even interesting? We don't know, and likely won't because they'll be too wrapped up in making sure that we know she's all kinds of gay. They've let the dragon out, but now they have to continue to appease it. |
|
|
|
Post by youngjeezy420 on Jun 1, 2006 12:05:18 GMT -5
DC might as well make a new book: TOKEN LEAGUE of AMERICA! There is a way to introduce new characters of color into comics. DC is just being very clumsy about it. Look at Young Avengers. Patriot is black and they didn't feel the need to tout that too much beforehand. I'd buy 2 copies of that book a month. Hudlin's black, isn't he? Itd make sense if he was. I find that with Firestorm as well the writer is blaming the white man in his work. not completely, but you can just see the chip on Rusch's shoulder in some stories (even though his best friends white IIRC) you can see his anger come through in a few nasty remarks. It bugs me when people are stuck on the slavery thing IRL (in real life) and it bugs me in comics too. Yeah it sucked, but it was 200 years ago and we don't owe you for something our ancestors did. Don't forget about it or let it happen again but don't hang on to it and use it as an excuse. Most blacks aren't even like that but when you meet one that its really frustrating. BTW, Montoyas a great character. Like you said shes a lesbian but its not her main selling point. Shes a character thats had a semi rough time recently with the death of her partner and her lover leaving her when she became an ALCOHOLIC. The main part of that is her being an alcoholic, and then her lover left her. Not the other way around. Thats the way it should be, not "Look at this character hes black read his comic or youre a racist!". |
|
|
|
Post by The Sam Kinnison Corps on Jun 1, 2006 12:59:45 GMT -5
So, were you pissed when Alpha Flight first came out? You mean Northstar? Actually, yeah, a little bit and for much the same reason. Look, I dont care what a character's sexual orientation, race, religion is if it leads to interesting stories. Doing it for the sake of doing it or for cheap publicity just irks me. Morrison was trying to inject levity into his X-men when Beast hinted at the possibility he may be gay and fandom went ballistic. Personally, I didn't like it either, but only because Beast has never been shown to have gay tendencies or the desire to satisfy curiosity. I'd be more inclined to accept Scott being sexually confused, or Emma because of her attitudes. Even in the recent post Kim just did, this new Batwoman is getting press simply because she's a lesbian. That's the worst thing possible. Is she even interesting? We don't know, and likely won't because they'll be too wrapped up in making sure that we know she's all kinds of gay. They've let the dragon out, but now they have to continue to appease it. I just meant Alpha Flight as a Canadian team . . . since Great Ten seems to be getting your panties in a knot. |
|
|
|
Post by J Sylar on Jun 1, 2006 13:36:15 GMT -5
Oh no, I don't care about that. I was just being sarcastic about the chinese baby births.
I have no problem with nationalistic teams at all, as long as they feel authentic. The Great Ten needs to feel like a Chinese superteam, not just in name and looks. That often befalls many teams of other countries written by American and British writers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hulkamaniac on Jun 1, 2006 19:49:51 GMT -5
I don't see why race has to be an issue at all. I'm Chinese, but growing up I never once said, "Hey, wait a minute. Batman is white and so is Superman. The Flash is a white guy. Spiderman is a white guy. I shouldn't be reading this entertaining stuff." I think it's crazy. I was a big fan of DC comics as a kid. I really can't get on board with any of the characters any more. It seems everyone gets killed off and comes back 6 months later or they debut a new character only to kill him off before you even get a chance to care about him. Honestly, Marvel's Ultimate "insert character here" series seem more appealing to me than the stuff DC has put out lately.
|
|
|
|
Post by kareem on Jun 1, 2006 20:17:09 GMT -5
There have been plenty of gay characters. Hell, Hulkling is gay, and Walmart is selling his action figure. It's no different a publicity stunt than Superman's death, Batman's broken back, and Wolvie losing his adamantium.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hulkamaniac on Jun 1, 2006 20:32:25 GMT -5
There have been plenty of gay characters. Hell, Hulkling is gay, and Walmart is selling his action figure. It's no different a publicity stunt than Superman's death, Batman's broken back, and Wolvie losing his adamantium. True, but there's a difference between saying, "Buy this comic and see Superman die." and "Buy this comic because the lead character is gay." |
|
|
|
Post by Crimson Arrow on Jun 2, 2006 4:09:32 GMT -5
There have been plenty of gay characters. Hell, Hulkling is gay, and Walmart is selling his action figure. It's no different a publicity stunt than Superman's death, Batman's broken back, and Wolvie losing his adamantium. Hulkling and Wiccan... two gays in a boxset!  |
|
|
|
Post by kinglear on Jun 2, 2006 4:47:48 GMT -5
I don't see why race has to be an issue at all. I'm Chinese, but growing up I never once said, "Hey, wait a minute. Batman is white and so is Superman. The Flash is a white guy. Spiderman is a white guy. I shouldn't be reading this entertaining stuff." I think it's crazy. I was a big fan of DC comics as a kid. I really can't get on board with any of the characters any more. It seems everyone gets killed off and comes back 6 months later or they debut a new character only to kill him off before you even get a chance to care about him. Honestly, Marvel's Ultimate "insert character here" series seem more appealing to me than the stuff DC has put out lately. In general, I don't particularly care to understood why ethnicity in media gets so much press. I suppose it's because I grew up in Hawaii, a cultural playground, and ethnicity was never an issue; unless we were harrassing/beating up white people.  |
|
|
|
Post by Hulkamaniac on Jun 2, 2006 9:54:32 GMT -5
I don't see why race has to be an issue at all. I'm Chinese, but growing up I never once said, "Hey, wait a minute. Batman is white and so is Superman. The Flash is a white guy. Spiderman is a white guy. I shouldn't be reading this entertaining stuff." I think it's crazy. I was a big fan of DC comics as a kid. I really can't get on board with any of the characters any more. It seems everyone gets killed off and comes back 6 months later or they debut a new character only to kill him off before you even get a chance to care about him. Honestly, Marvel's Ultimate "insert character here" series seem more appealing to me than the stuff DC has put out lately. In general, I don't particularly care to understood why ethnicity in media gets so much press. I suppose it's because I grew up in Hawaii, a cultural playground, and ethnicity was never an issue; unless we were harrassing/beating up white people. Me neither. I don't know why people care so much. There is a small segment of the population who is blatantly or not so blatantly bigoted and discriminates against other people because of their race. I don't think the majority of people are like that. |
|
|
|
Post by T R W on Jun 16, 2006 7:03:41 GMT -5
I read this week's issue last night, and I am not sure I know what the hell is going on. Maybe it's because I read it while in bed, getting ready to go to sleep, but still.
|
|
