Also a propos of Butt Is It Art below, I'll point our readers at What a Girl Wants #12 and What a Girl Wants #14, which discuss a recent sexual assault by one of comics' "old soldiers" and, more generally, some of the sexual harassment that seems to be endemically directed toward women in mainstream comics.
Several of comics' black creators have discussed grotesque, overt racism in the industry as well. Most easily accessible are Christopher Priest's essays (primarily "Good Morning Mr. Chips" and "I'm Telling You for the Last Time").
The pictures that emerge from the experiences of women and minorities are incredibly disturbing. I suppose, given the crude way that comics have always treated their creators, we shouldn't be surprised that some creators would encounter abuse in a form tailored to their identity. It seems inevitable that there are revolting stories about anti-Semitism waiting to be told. In all likelihood, if you are a member of any identifiable group, you probably took shit from some comics bigwig on that basis.
Still. These people are the custodians and editors and writers and artists of superheroes. Aside from the fact that sexual harassment and racism are flatout, no exceptions, no debate, unacceptable from a social and business perspective, they're also unacceptable from the superhero perspective. If there are sexist, racist assholes in place at superhero comic companies, it's a double betrayal because they're violating what they're preaching.
It's wrong, it's hypocritical, and it's disturbing. Frankly, I will cheer the day that somebody decides they can't take it anymore and walks out of a courtroom with a gazillion dollars. (No one has so far because til now, every victim has had more love of comics than anger and attitude.) But even more, I will cheer the day that the old boys' network is destroyed by the public ouster and shaming of the people who have perpetrated and perpetuated this unnaturally-extended state of affairs.
Maybe that's just liberal outrage speaking. You'll notice that I'm conveniently in a position to do nothing to effectuate my outrage (short of popping the next guy in the nose I see honking some woman's tit--but then they never pull that shit where there are witnesses).
But, dammit, I was raised on comics. Superman and Spider-Man wouldn't stand for that. Their bosses shouldn't either.
Posted by Greg at January 9, 2006 6:13 PM