Sexuality in comics

An article on comics Alliance has highlighted the use of sexuality, good and bad, in comics. Even the comments on the article bring up great points. In it, John Parker really goes into Batwoman as using her sexuality and sexual prowess to her advantage. It a great analytical piece of subliminal messages, strategic placement of art, and body image. I want to read this run now!

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2009/08/24/superheroes-and-sex-the-ar...

Anyone have any other shares on how one could add to this to make it a unit? There's the classic cover of Thun'da King of the Congo #2 that one could really analyze. http://comicbookdb.com/graphics/comic_graphics/1/141/71213_20061116...

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Goble on November 2, 2009 at 3:26pm

Hey Sean, thanks as always for sharing these interesting articles. I must say I'm a huge fan of Fables and thought it would be incredible teaching fodder had it not been for the sex scenes :(

I haven't seen much on this specific issue but I do reckon there are lots of resources in the Identity: Gender, Race, Sexuality & Other Tricky Stuff group's discussion forum that would let you look at comics through the lens of gender issues in the non-cartoon world.

These threads come to mind:
FILM: Codes of Gender
ARTICLE: French propose warning labels for Photoshopped models
DAILY SHOW CLIP: Women's Rights Burka Satire

Hope this gives you some cool ideas!!

RRG:)

Permalink Reply by Marek Bennett on November 3, 2009 at 5:47pm

That Thun'Da is an AMAZING cover, all right...

I think SuperDickery.com might be a useful resource for you... Even though lately they've started featuring WAY too many risque ads that make the site pretty clunky, it's STILL an INCREDIBLY DEEP source for ... well, you'll see.

You'll probably want to check out these two GALLERIES first:

SUFFERING SAPPHO Index = Wonder Woman, bondage, gender roles, &c. .... EXAMPLES:

SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT Gallery = Batman & Robin & more... Some of this gallery relies on archaic word usage, but some of it is pretty intriguing gender/sexuality imagery for mainstream superhero comics.... FOR EXAMPLE:

Okay, okay, maybe not that one, but it's pretty fascinating to see the imagery & vocabulary that once passed for harmless juvenile entertainment and now has totally different overtones...

Permalink Reply by Marek Bennett on November 4, 2009 at 3:38pm

This may be a bit of a digression, but since I posted that, I got drawn into the PROPAGANDA EXTRAVAGANZA archive, which is a whole lot of UNBELIEVABLE wartime comics covers...

With some careful selection and preparation, these could cast new light on pop culture's roles in wartime...

Permalink Reply by Sean on November 4, 2009 at 3:42pm

Oh, I know, I did a whole unit on propaganda and stereotypes in comics. At first the kids thought it was funny, and then we get into it, and it's all kind of shocking then. I'm always shocked. That cover you posted is just rotten.

And thanks for the WW reminder! I forgot all about the bondage theme, even still with her lasso of truthand at times, even the sword being a sexual symbolic "extension." I don't think that it's the case so much anymore, especially with a woman (Gail Simone) writing.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Goble on November 5, 2009 at 4:57pm

Oh my, just came across this related article - maybe of interest....

Supergirls Gone Wild: Gender Bias In Comics Shortchanges Superwomen

Sexuality in comics

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