Change the opening quote (from the comic)
No My and I
Include quotes in the intro
Wednesday 16 December 2015
Thursday 10 December 2015
Write the introduction to your Critical Investigation essay.
With the arrival of Midnighter, has the era of the LBGT superhero finally arrived? If so, why?
‘Yes, it’s sad that one of the most prominent gay relationships in Wildstorm and DC’s comic history came to a close without us getting to witness it, but at the same time, it’s fascinating to see it.’- James Whitbrook. Comic books were first popularized in the United States during the 1930s, this was due to world war 2 as they were being used as propaganda. Comic books have been used as a front for an ideology of society put there by elites. This essay will be investigating in the belief they have been trying to push a picture onto the world of how it should be. For example X-men was inspired by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, this was due to representing the mutants as "coloured people" as mutants in Xmen are outcasts just as "coloured people" were at that time in history. This gave the idea that comic books are trying to push a message that being different is a good thing and differences should be embraced. This leads to the next point as to comic books have been trying to push LGBT messages to their audience and that it has finally been pushed with Midnighter the homosexual superhero created in 1998. Midnighter has his own comic book series which has become popular from start of 2015 which have created him as the icon of LGBT superheroes setting the scene for more LGBT superheroes to emerge in society such as (Scott Alan) Green Lantern and be accepted among fans. With this happening it has pushed Comic book companies like DC and Marvel to embrace these heroes and push them onto society. This would also represent that in comic books it has been rare to see a LGBT superhero because of society not being open to them due to an ideology among them. However because of gay marriage being allowed recently and trans genders happening more and more and being applauded such as Caitlyn Jenner's recent sex change, they have accepted this and it has become a thing that is now accepted by society and comic fans alike.
‘Yes, it’s sad that one of the most prominent gay relationships in Wildstorm and DC’s comic history came to a close without us getting to witness it, but at the same time, it’s fascinating to see it.’- James Whitbrook. Comic books were first popularized in the United States during the 1930s, this was due to world war 2 as they were being used as propaganda. Comic books have been used as a front for an ideology of society put there by elites. This essay will be investigating in the belief they have been trying to push a picture onto the world of how it should be. For example X-men was inspired by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, this was due to representing the mutants as "coloured people" as mutants in Xmen are outcasts just as "coloured people" were at that time in history. This gave the idea that comic books are trying to push a message that being different is a good thing and differences should be embraced. This leads to the next point as to comic books have been trying to push LGBT messages to their audience and that it has finally been pushed with Midnighter the homosexual superhero created in 1998. Midnighter has his own comic book series which has become popular from start of 2015 which have created him as the icon of LGBT superheroes setting the scene for more LGBT superheroes to emerge in society such as (Scott Alan) Green Lantern and be accepted among fans. With this happening it has pushed Comic book companies like DC and Marvel to embrace these heroes and push them onto society. This would also represent that in comic books it has been rare to see a LGBT superhero because of society not being open to them due to an ideology among them. However because of gay marriage being allowed recently and trans genders happening more and more and being applauded such as Caitlyn Jenner's recent sex change, they have accepted this and it has become a thing that is now accepted by society and comic fans alike.
Friday 4 December 2015
Bibliography
Books:
Queering Super-Manhood: The Gay Superhero in Contemporary Mainstream Comic Books by Rob Lendrum
Austen Chuck. The Uncanny X-Men 414-432. New York: Marvel Comics, 2002-3.
Julien, Isaac, and Kobena Mercer. "De Margin and De Centre." Stuart Hall: Critical Dialogues in Cultural Studies.
David Morley and Kuan-Hsing Chen. New York: Comedia, 1996.
Lobdell, Scott. Alpha Flight 1.106. New York: Marvel Comics, 1992. McAllister, Matthew P."Comic Books and AIDS." Journal of Popular Culture 26.2 (1992).
Medhurst, Andy. "Batman, Deviance and Camp."
The Many Lives of Batman: Critical Approaches to a Superhero and his Media.
Eds. Roberta E. Pearson and William Uricchio. New York: Routledge, 1991.
Morrison, Robbie. The Authority 2,1-7. La Jolla: Wildstorm Productions, 2003.
Nyberg, Amy Kiste. Seal of Approval: The history of the Comics Code.
Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1998.
Ross, Andrew. "Uses of Camp." No Respect: Intellectuals and Popular Culture.
New York: Routledge, 1989. Wertham, Frederic.
Seduction of the Innocent. Port Washington: Kennikat Press, 1972 (originally 1953).
The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration
“Where No X-Man Has Gone Before!” Mutant Superheroes and the Cultural Politics of Popular Fantasy in Postwar America, American Literature June 2011 83(2): 355-388;
Film and Comic books:
Gordon, I. (2007). Film and comic books. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
Rebecca A. Demarest (2010) Superheroes, Superpowers, and Sexuality
French, M. (2014). The surrounding storm: Constructing queerness through superhero fandom and socio-historical LGBT movements.
Mathew French, The Surrounding Storm: Constructing Queerness through Superhero Fandom and Socio-Historical LGBT Movements
LGBT Themes in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror
The new mutants : superheroes and the radical imagination of American comics - Ramzi Fawaz - New York : New York University Press, 2015.
Trans Representations and Superhero Comics: A Conversation with Mey Rude, J. Skyler, and Rachel Stevens Suzanne Scott, Ellen Kirkpatrick
Queering Super-Manhood: The Gay Superhero in Contemporary Mainstream Comic Books by Rob Lendrum
Austen Chuck. The Uncanny X-Men 414-432. New York: Marvel Comics, 2002-3.
Julien, Isaac, and Kobena Mercer. "De Margin and De Centre." Stuart Hall: Critical Dialogues in Cultural Studies.
David Morley and Kuan-Hsing Chen. New York: Comedia, 1996.
Lobdell, Scott. Alpha Flight 1.106. New York: Marvel Comics, 1992. McAllister, Matthew P."Comic Books and AIDS." Journal of Popular Culture 26.2 (1992).
Medhurst, Andy. "Batman, Deviance and Camp."
The Many Lives of Batman: Critical Approaches to a Superhero and his Media.
Eds. Roberta E. Pearson and William Uricchio. New York: Routledge, 1991.
Morrison, Robbie. The Authority 2,1-7. La Jolla: Wildstorm Productions, 2003.
Nyberg, Amy Kiste. Seal of Approval: The history of the Comics Code.
Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1998.
Ross, Andrew. "Uses of Camp." No Respect: Intellectuals and Popular Culture.
New York: Routledge, 1989. Wertham, Frederic.
Seduction of the Innocent. Port Washington: Kennikat Press, 1972 (originally 1953).
The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration
“Where No X-Man Has Gone Before!” Mutant Superheroes and the Cultural Politics of Popular Fantasy in Postwar America, American Literature June 2011 83(2): 355-388;
Film and Comic books:
Gordon, I. (2007). Film and comic books. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
Rebecca A. Demarest (2010) Superheroes, Superpowers, and Sexuality
French, M. (2014). The surrounding storm: Constructing queerness through superhero fandom and socio-historical LGBT movements.
Mathew French, The Surrounding Storm: Constructing Queerness through Superhero Fandom and Socio-Historical LGBT Movements
LGBT Themes in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror
The new mutants : superheroes and the radical imagination of American comics - Ramzi Fawaz - New York : New York University Press, 2015.
Trans Representations and Superhero Comics: A Conversation with Mey Rude, J. Skyler, and Rachel Stevens Suzanne Scott, Ellen Kirkpatrick
Thursday 3 December 2015
Essay plan
Introduction
‘Yes, it’s sad that one of the most prominent gay relationships in Wildstorm and DC’s comic history came to a close without us getting to witness it, but at the same time, it’s fascinating to see it.’
Write about the evolution of comic books
How society has changed where we are allowed to have gay marriage and to have transsexuals in the world.
This would be about how this can be how comic books have pushed this and have supported gay rights. Use example of Midnighter being homosexual and what he has pushed for audience.
Paragraph 1
- Society with LGBT superheroes and how popular they are and how they growing over the years
Constantine
Catwoman
Hercules
Talk about the creation of them and how they have been represented in the comic book universe.
- started in 1998 and however in 2014 became popular.
- Write about the origin of Midnighter, the relationship he is in with the 'homosexual superman' that the fans call it. but really the name is Apollo.
- Development of the character and why he was made for the fans.
- What represents to the LGBT community
Paragraphs 2 - 3
- LGBT community and what they are like in societ, give the recent news of deaths in the news because of people being LGBT
‘In Detroit, on the morning of 5 October, an African American gay man known simply as Melvin, 30, was found shot dead on a street in the Palmer Park area. At the time of his death, Melvin was wearing women’s clothing.’
Transgender Woman in Philadelphia shot
Gay man shot in Detroit
“For many LGBT people, participation in street economies is often critical to survival,” civil rights group Lambda Legal said in a statement in August, when supporting Amnesty International’s resolution to decriminalize sex work.
LGBT youth and transgender women of color face all-too-common family rejection and vastly disproportionate rates of violence, homelessness and discrimination in employment, housing, and education,” the statement continued.
many in the Detroit LGBT community hang out – specifically people who are low-income or experiencing homelessness. She feels such people are “targeted”.
Local officials told the Guardian no arrests had been made in either case and it was too early to confirm if hate was a factor. In Philadelphia, police confirmed they were investigating whether Jenkins’ gender identity played a role in her murder.
- Historical text
The killing joke (1988)
Batman: The Killing Joke is a 1988 one-shot graphic novel featuring the characters Batman and the Joker written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Brian Bolland, and published by DC Comics. Set in the fictional U.S. city of Gotham, Batman: The Killing Joke provides an origin story for the Joker, an established comic book super villain and nemesis of Batman. Taking place over two timelines, The Killing Joke depicts the Joker attempting to drive Jim Gordon insane and Batman's desperate attempt to stop him.This is my historical text as to being a relationship between a hero and villain, this is to symbolise the way batman doesn't want to kill the joker but he has no choice as to the horrific things the joker has done to people
(MIGRAIN)
The certain print of where it shows an Homosexual connection with other LGBT comics and how it relates to midnighter the censorship in 1988.
Paragraph 4-6
-Talk about different views on this which people believe and different websites. Use example of the first black gay character in Arrow which is a big change in society as they wouldnt allow this
This version of Mr. Terrific is also an LGBT character. How does that shape who he is?
I think it shapes who he is only in that that’s who he chooses to love. He’s married, he has a husband, but it’s not the most defining quality about him. It’s important, but he is a living, breathing character who happens to be gay … Rarely do people live their lives through their sexuality.
The “Arrow”/”Flash” producers are always great about including LGBT characters in their shows, which is awesome, but this is the first major LGBT superhero character in the world of these shows.
There’s been a wave of LGBT characters and storylines on television over the past few years as the LGBT movement in the real world continues to progress. And now it appears that progress in fiction has extended to the world of superheroes, as it’s been announced that “Arrow” has cast “Ben and Kate” actor Echo Kellum to play the series’ first-ever Black gay superhero.
“We’re often asked when we’re going to add another LGBT character to the show and our version of Mr Terrific happens to be gay for anyone that cares about that kind of stuff,” Guggenheim revealed in a statement.
Mr. Terrific also won’t be the only character on the show repping the LGBT community. The show already features openly bisexual Sara Lance/Canary (Caity Lotz) and the two are now reportedly TV’s only LGBT superheroes.
Mr. Terrific also follows a line of Black LGBT superheroes in the comic world like X-Men’s Storm, who was previously strongly implied to be bisexual, and Young Avengers’ Prodigy, who is also written as bisexual.
- Academic research essays talking about LGBT superheroes use examples of how they are going big on the LGBT and going to change society.
'The comic book industry has attempted to develop a more culturally aware attitude
toward the representation of its super heroes in recent years. DC and Marvel have begun
producing comics with homosexuals as lead or supporting characters. Titles such as The
X-Men, The Authority, and the Rawhide Kid employ different strategies of incorporation
into the economically dominant superhero genre, including: tokenism, camp and radical
alternative. This paper traces the historical origin of superhero masculinity and
interrogates its reconstitution within a space that includes homosexuality'
Paragraph 7
-Media magazine
Examples and how it links with LGBT
Media magazine 31
True blood is a show about vampires and other mythical creatures, they are represented as monsters and they do show the stereotype of what vampires do. The difference with the show is that it is a age 18 rated series with alto of sex and nudity. It is also filled with different sexuality of vampires and people.
'In the world of True Blood, vampires
have had to fight for recognition and citizenship
in much the same way as gay males and lesbians
have. The reaction of some humans to the rights
afforded to vampires in True Blood could be
seen to mirror the responses of some sections
of society to the rights recently afforded to gay
men and women.'
'Not only does True Blood
present a number of homosexual and sexually
ambiguous characters without drawing attention
to their sexual identities or giving them ‘token’
status, it offers a great many sexually explicit
scenes. Yet perhaps none of this would have been
possible without the pioneering Buffy.'
Media magazine 32
'The films of Cohen seem to have a slightly
more positive representation of homosexuality.'
In the movie bruno it is about Sacha Baron Cohen playing a gay Austriann looking for fame in America. Sacha Baron has does many gay positive scenes in his movies like Borat and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby where he plays a gay character and kisses Will Ferrel character at the end.
'The wrestling match where
Bruno and his assistant end up passionately
kissing in front of a jeering, psychotic, angry
crowd shows the awfulness of some American
attitudes to homosexuality.'
The stereotype can be sometimes too much as for the celebrity want to show positive gay people he exaggerates the stereotype to much in the movie.
'Bruno, on the other hand, is not a very nice
character. He is a highly-exaggerated stereotype
of a fashion-obsessed homosexual. His sex life is
portrayed as an exhibition of twisted creativity
and shocking acts of depravity; an exercise bike
with a dildo attached, a chair that catapults his
midget partner into him'
Media magazine 53
'TV drama features multiple lesbians, or looks beyond explicit sexual behaviour. Indeed, studies show that in the 20 most popular TV shows watched by young people, only 4.5% of the total programme time includes LGBT characters. For this reason, when shows feature multiple lesbian characters they are seen as a TV ‘event’, and this may immediately estrange audiences.'
This represents the views on television as to the type of characters they have used, the characters in the shows that are LGBT are very not common in Tv series but it is going to be pushed as to old TV shows like Ellen and Buffy the vampire slayer had Lesbians. Also the sitcom Happy endings had a gay character which lead for 3 seasons. This is to represent the percentage of a programme and it shows that it is not a big percentage but it will increase over time.
Media magazine 38
'Neil Patrick Harris, who, in direct
contrast to his fictional persona, is openly gay
and an active campaigner for gay rights.'
This is to show the LGBT actors who can play straight characters, This is to show that straight actors can play LGBT like Jared Leto and that LGBT actors can play any character they want as to being different. This links to the LGBT part of my investigation as to that these alternative way to see a character.
Media magazine 44
Talks about Transgender being on channel 4
'For some time now TV, and C4 in particular,
has got big audiences for ‘freak show’
programs – transsexuals,'
homosexual incest between the surrogate
brothers. Bond’s reply mocks his own image
‘What makes you think it’s my first time?’ he
responds to his tormentor.
Gives a range in the entertainment department as to giving more depth and including the LGBT range for viewers. This is good because only 4.5% are LGBT in Tv shows and shows that there can be a increase because of this.
Paragraph 8
LGBT statistics what the changes have been through time of superheroes. The historical and society thoughts on LGBT.
'Superheroes have a strong influence in our society, and as such we should look at the messages that they represent. To this end, I have examined the sexuality and gender roles that superheroes suggest through their appearance, the way they are written about, they way that they talk, the distribution of superpowers, and their relationships. I surveyed 63 Willamette University and Skyview Junior High students about their favorite superheroes and their reasons for liking that particular hero to begin my analysis, and branched from there to texts written by the companies who own the superheroes and other anthropologists who have examined the role of heroes in our society.'
Use this example as to the society part of influencing people (SHEP) cut this in detail as to what they mean about society and comics teach people
Conclusion
Overall comics changing socierty with the LGBT theme and what it means have Midnighter doing this.
Show the importance of why Midnighter is changing society view of LGBT
Talk about the impact of comic books overall and what it teaches people around the world.
‘Yes, it’s sad that one of the most prominent gay relationships in Wildstorm and DC’s comic history came to a close without us getting to witness it, but at the same time, it’s fascinating to see it.’
Write about the evolution of comic books
How society has changed where we are allowed to have gay marriage and to have transsexuals in the world.
This would be about how this can be how comic books have pushed this and have supported gay rights. Use example of Midnighter being homosexual and what he has pushed for audience.
Paragraph 1
- Society with LGBT superheroes and how popular they are and how they growing over the years
Constantine
Catwoman
Hercules
Talk about the creation of them and how they have been represented in the comic book universe.
- started in 1998 and however in 2014 became popular.
- Write about the origin of Midnighter, the relationship he is in with the 'homosexual superman' that the fans call it. but really the name is Apollo.
- Development of the character and why he was made for the fans.
- What represents to the LGBT community
Paragraphs 2 - 3
- LGBT community and what they are like in societ, give the recent news of deaths in the news because of people being LGBT
‘In Detroit, on the morning of 5 October, an African American gay man known simply as Melvin, 30, was found shot dead on a street in the Palmer Park area. At the time of his death, Melvin was wearing women’s clothing.’
Transgender Woman in Philadelphia shot
Gay man shot in Detroit
“For many LGBT people, participation in street economies is often critical to survival,” civil rights group Lambda Legal said in a statement in August, when supporting Amnesty International’s resolution to decriminalize sex work.
LGBT youth and transgender women of color face all-too-common family rejection and vastly disproportionate rates of violence, homelessness and discrimination in employment, housing, and education,” the statement continued.
many in the Detroit LGBT community hang out – specifically people who are low-income or experiencing homelessness. She feels such people are “targeted”.
Local officials told the Guardian no arrests had been made in either case and it was too early to confirm if hate was a factor. In Philadelphia, police confirmed they were investigating whether Jenkins’ gender identity played a role in her murder.
- Historical text
The killing joke (1988)
Batman: The Killing Joke is a 1988 one-shot graphic novel featuring the characters Batman and the Joker written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Brian Bolland, and published by DC Comics. Set in the fictional U.S. city of Gotham, Batman: The Killing Joke provides an origin story for the Joker, an established comic book super villain and nemesis of Batman. Taking place over two timelines, The Killing Joke depicts the Joker attempting to drive Jim Gordon insane and Batman's desperate attempt to stop him.This is my historical text as to being a relationship between a hero and villain, this is to symbolise the way batman doesn't want to kill the joker but he has no choice as to the horrific things the joker has done to people
(MIGRAIN)
The certain print of where it shows an Homosexual connection with other LGBT comics and how it relates to midnighter the censorship in 1988.
Paragraph 4-6
-Talk about different views on this which people believe and different websites. Use example of the first black gay character in Arrow which is a big change in society as they wouldnt allow this
This version of Mr. Terrific is also an LGBT character. How does that shape who he is?
I think it shapes who he is only in that that’s who he chooses to love. He’s married, he has a husband, but it’s not the most defining quality about him. It’s important, but he is a living, breathing character who happens to be gay … Rarely do people live their lives through their sexuality.
The “Arrow”/”Flash” producers are always great about including LGBT characters in their shows, which is awesome, but this is the first major LGBT superhero character in the world of these shows.
There’s been a wave of LGBT characters and storylines on television over the past few years as the LGBT movement in the real world continues to progress. And now it appears that progress in fiction has extended to the world of superheroes, as it’s been announced that “Arrow” has cast “Ben and Kate” actor Echo Kellum to play the series’ first-ever Black gay superhero.
“We’re often asked when we’re going to add another LGBT character to the show and our version of Mr Terrific happens to be gay for anyone that cares about that kind of stuff,” Guggenheim revealed in a statement.
Mr. Terrific also won’t be the only character on the show repping the LGBT community. The show already features openly bisexual Sara Lance/Canary (Caity Lotz) and the two are now reportedly TV’s only LGBT superheroes.
Mr. Terrific also follows a line of Black LGBT superheroes in the comic world like X-Men’s Storm, who was previously strongly implied to be bisexual, and Young Avengers’ Prodigy, who is also written as bisexual.
- Academic research essays talking about LGBT superheroes use examples of how they are going big on the LGBT and going to change society.
'The comic book industry has attempted to develop a more culturally aware attitude
toward the representation of its super heroes in recent years. DC and Marvel have begun
producing comics with homosexuals as lead or supporting characters. Titles such as The
X-Men, The Authority, and the Rawhide Kid employ different strategies of incorporation
into the economically dominant superhero genre, including: tokenism, camp and radical
alternative. This paper traces the historical origin of superhero masculinity and
interrogates its reconstitution within a space that includes homosexuality'
Paragraph 7
-Media magazine
Examples and how it links with LGBT
Media magazine 31
True blood is a show about vampires and other mythical creatures, they are represented as monsters and they do show the stereotype of what vampires do. The difference with the show is that it is a age 18 rated series with alto of sex and nudity. It is also filled with different sexuality of vampires and people.
'In the world of True Blood, vampires
have had to fight for recognition and citizenship
in much the same way as gay males and lesbians
have. The reaction of some humans to the rights
afforded to vampires in True Blood could be
seen to mirror the responses of some sections
of society to the rights recently afforded to gay
men and women.'
'Not only does True Blood
present a number of homosexual and sexually
ambiguous characters without drawing attention
to their sexual identities or giving them ‘token’
status, it offers a great many sexually explicit
scenes. Yet perhaps none of this would have been
possible without the pioneering Buffy.'
Media magazine 32
'The films of Cohen seem to have a slightly
more positive representation of homosexuality.'
In the movie bruno it is about Sacha Baron Cohen playing a gay Austriann looking for fame in America. Sacha Baron has does many gay positive scenes in his movies like Borat and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby where he plays a gay character and kisses Will Ferrel character at the end.
'The wrestling match where
Bruno and his assistant end up passionately
kissing in front of a jeering, psychotic, angry
crowd shows the awfulness of some American
attitudes to homosexuality.'
The stereotype can be sometimes too much as for the celebrity want to show positive gay people he exaggerates the stereotype to much in the movie.
'Bruno, on the other hand, is not a very nice
character. He is a highly-exaggerated stereotype
of a fashion-obsessed homosexual. His sex life is
portrayed as an exhibition of twisted creativity
and shocking acts of depravity; an exercise bike
with a dildo attached, a chair that catapults his
midget partner into him'
Media magazine 53
'TV drama features multiple lesbians, or looks beyond explicit sexual behaviour. Indeed, studies show that in the 20 most popular TV shows watched by young people, only 4.5% of the total programme time includes LGBT characters. For this reason, when shows feature multiple lesbian characters they are seen as a TV ‘event’, and this may immediately estrange audiences.'
This represents the views on television as to the type of characters they have used, the characters in the shows that are LGBT are very not common in Tv series but it is going to be pushed as to old TV shows like Ellen and Buffy the vampire slayer had Lesbians. Also the sitcom Happy endings had a gay character which lead for 3 seasons. This is to represent the percentage of a programme and it shows that it is not a big percentage but it will increase over time.
Media magazine 38
'Neil Patrick Harris, who, in direct
contrast to his fictional persona, is openly gay
and an active campaigner for gay rights.'
This is to show the LGBT actors who can play straight characters, This is to show that straight actors can play LGBT like Jared Leto and that LGBT actors can play any character they want as to being different. This links to the LGBT part of my investigation as to that these alternative way to see a character.
Media magazine 44
Talks about Transgender being on channel 4
'For some time now TV, and C4 in particular,
has got big audiences for ‘freak show’
programs – transsexuals,'
homosexual incest between the surrogate
brothers. Bond’s reply mocks his own image
‘What makes you think it’s my first time?’ he
responds to his tormentor.
Gives a range in the entertainment department as to giving more depth and including the LGBT range for viewers. This is good because only 4.5% are LGBT in Tv shows and shows that there can be a increase because of this.
Paragraph 8
LGBT statistics what the changes have been through time of superheroes. The historical and society thoughts on LGBT.
'Superheroes have a strong influence in our society, and as such we should look at the messages that they represent. To this end, I have examined the sexuality and gender roles that superheroes suggest through their appearance, the way they are written about, they way that they talk, the distribution of superpowers, and their relationships. I surveyed 63 Willamette University and Skyview Junior High students about their favorite superheroes and their reasons for liking that particular hero to begin my analysis, and branched from there to texts written by the companies who own the superheroes and other anthropologists who have examined the role of heroes in our society.'
Use this example as to the society part of influencing people (SHEP) cut this in detail as to what they mean about society and comics teach people
Conclusion
Overall comics changing socierty with the LGBT theme and what it means have Midnighter doing this.
Show the importance of why Midnighter is changing society view of LGBT
Talk about the impact of comic books overall and what it teaches people around the world.
Wednesday 2 December 2015
Historical text
Batman: The killing joke
Batman: The Killing Joke is a 1988 one-shot graphic novel featuring the characters Batman and the Joker written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Brian Bolland, and published by DC Comics. Set in the fictional U.S. city of Gotham, Batman: The Killing Joke provides an origin story for the Joker, an established comic book super villain and nemesis of Batman. Taking place over two timelines, The Killing Joke depicts the Joker attempting to drive Jim Gordon insane and Batman's desperate attempt to stop him.This is my historical text as to being a relationship between a hero and villain, this is to symbolise the way batman doesn't want to kill the joker but he has no choice as to the horrific things the joker has done to people. The reason I compare this to Midnighter as to giving batman and joker this relationship where they are close and have a relationship where batman will not kill. This is the final moment that batman does show his care to the joker and that what hes doing is the greater good for Gotham.
This represents batman first time showing his care to joker that it can be different they can get along if he just doesn't do crimes or kill each other. This is like a relationship that people thought was a man and man loving each other as to showing a connection between. In the comics Batman main villain is the Joker and thats because he wants the Batman attention and he is always trying to get it.There are other texts too where Joker flirts with the Batman as to saying "aww you do think abouit me" that would be from the comic book Under the Red Hood which was a separate comic of this. In 1988 they were trying to show the connection between hero and villain, this would be portrayed as homosexual innuendo as to in this comic it does show batman letting the man who has killed over 500 people live and giving him the chance but the joker says he would never change therefore making batman do what he has never wanted to do.
This compares to Midnighter as the relationship he has with Apollo as to the relationship now but in the killing joke it is shown different. This would be the way they talk at the end of the comic book saying that they have to do this and that it has to end .The killing joke is the connection which shows them together and gives the representation of man and man having so much respect and love between each other but shown in a different friendship kind of way.This was 1988 so they couldn't show the connection they have. From my research I also learnt that Batman need Joker and that Joker needs Batman. It goes without saying that Batman and The Joker are sworn enemies. The polar opposite nemeses have been at each other’s throats across various media since they first encountered each other in Batman #1 in April of 1940. Their rivalry is destined to continue for many years to come, if not indefinitely.
However, there’s actually a lot more to their relationship than the casual comic book fan might think. It’s the epitome of a love-hate relationship as, not only are they undoubtedly the proverbial thorns in each other’s sides, they actually require each other’s existence in order to function and go about doing what they do. The Joker wouldn’t be The Joker without Batman and Batman wouldn’t be Batman without The Joker. This is a fact that is evident across all Batman media. The Killing joke is a big example of this.
The political side of this would be the reason of relationship between man and man would not be allowed to show how close they are. We are suppose intentions that Batman is the man stereotype of not having emotions to show and that he does the job. In Midnighter it shows the difference of a gay superhero who is like Batman and has a gay lover who is like Superman. The difference between them is that in 1988 they were not allowed to show how Joker and Batman are close and they keep going because Joker does the crime to get Batman attention and Batman fixes the problem catching Joker.
Wednesday 25 November 2015
Academic research and bibliography
Queering Super-Manhood: The Gay Superhero in Contemporary Mainstream Comic Books by Rob Lendrum
Austen, Chuck. The Uncanny X-Men 414-432. New York: Marvel Comics, 2002-3. Julien, Isaac, and Kobena Mercer. "De Margin and De Centre." Stuart Hall: Critical Dialogues in Cultural Studies. Eds. David Morley and Kuan-Hsing Chen. New York: Comedia, 1996. Lobdell, Scott. Alpha Flight 1.106. New York: Marvel Comics, 1992. McAllister, Matthew P. "Comic Books and AIDS." Journal of Popular Culture 26.2 (1992). Medhurst, Andy. "Batman, Deviance and Camp." The Many Lives of Batman: Critical Approaches to a Superhero and his Media. Eds. Roberta E. Pearson and William Uricchio. New York: Routledge, 1991. Morrison, Robbie. The Authority 2,1-7. La Jolla: Wildstorm Productions, 2003. Nyberg, Amy Kiste. Seal of Approval: The history of the Comics Code. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1998. Ross, Andrew. "Uses of Camp." No Respect: Intellectuals and Popular Culture. New York: Routledge, 1989. Wertham, Frederic. Seduction of the Innocent. Port Washington: Kennikat Press, 1972 (originally 1953).
'The comic book industry has attempted to develop a more culturally aware attitude
toward the representation of its super heroes in recent years. DC and Marvel have begun
producing comics with homosexuals as lead or supporting characters. Titles such as The
X-Men, The Authority, and the Rawhide Kid employ different strategies of incorporation
into the economically dominant superhero genre, including: tokenism, camp and radical
alternative. This paper traces the historical origin of superhero masculinity and
interrogates its reconstitution within a space that includes homosexuality'
'Apollo and Midnighter's relationship does not threaten the heteronormative tone of the book. However, the couple does succeed in opposing dominant understandings of masculinity, as well as offering an alternative to the stereotypes, such as Northstar. The gay superhero opens space for a plurality of masculinities and offers an alternative model to the dominant heterosexual superhero.'
Midnighter and Apollo are a gay married couple featured in the DC/Wildstorm title The Authority. Again, parental responsibility is central to their code of ethics as the two have an adopted daughter
Austen, Chuck. The Uncanny X-Men 414-432. New York: Marvel Comics, 2002-3. Julien, Isaac, and Kobena Mercer. "De Margin and De Centre." Stuart Hall: Critical Dialogues in Cultural Studies. Eds. David Morley and Kuan-Hsing Chen. New York: Comedia, 1996. Lobdell, Scott. Alpha Flight 1.106. New York: Marvel Comics, 1992. McAllister, Matthew P. "Comic Books and AIDS." Journal of Popular Culture 26.2 (1992). Medhurst, Andy. "Batman, Deviance and Camp." The Many Lives of Batman: Critical Approaches to a Superhero and his Media. Eds. Roberta E. Pearson and William Uricchio. New York: Routledge, 1991. Morrison, Robbie. The Authority 2,1-7. La Jolla: Wildstorm Productions, 2003. Nyberg, Amy Kiste. Seal of Approval: The history of the Comics Code. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1998. Ross, Andrew. "Uses of Camp." No Respect: Intellectuals and Popular Culture. New York: Routledge, 1989. Wertham, Frederic. Seduction of the Innocent. Port Washington: Kennikat Press, 1972 (originally 1953).
'The comic book industry has attempted to develop a more culturally aware attitude
toward the representation of its super heroes in recent years. DC and Marvel have begun
producing comics with homosexuals as lead or supporting characters. Titles such as The
X-Men, The Authority, and the Rawhide Kid employ different strategies of incorporation
into the economically dominant superhero genre, including: tokenism, camp and radical
alternative. This paper traces the historical origin of superhero masculinity and
interrogates its reconstitution within a space that includes homosexuality'
'Apollo and Midnighter's relationship does not threaten the heteronormative tone of the book. However, the couple does succeed in opposing dominant understandings of masculinity, as well as offering an alternative to the stereotypes, such as Northstar. The gay superhero opens space for a plurality of masculinities and offers an alternative model to the dominant heterosexual superhero.'
Midnighter and Apollo are a gay married couple featured in the DC/Wildstorm title The Authority. Again, parental responsibility is central to their code of ethics as the two have an adopted daughter
The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration
“Where No X-Man Has Gone Before!” Mutant Superheroes and the Cultural Politics of Popular Fantasy in Postwar AmericaAmerican Literature June 2011 83(2): 355-388;
Film and Comic books
Film and Comic books
Gordon, I. (2007). Film and comic books. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
Rebecca A. Demarest (2010) Superheroes, Superpowers, and Sexuality
'Superheroes have a strong influence in our society, and as such we should look at the messages that they represent. To this end, I have examined the sexuality and gender roles that superheroes suggest through their appearance, the way they are written about, they way that they talk, the distribution of superpowers, and their relationships. I surveyed 63 Willamette University and Skyview Junior High students about their favorite superheroes and their reasons for liking that particular hero to begin my analysis, and branched from there to texts written by the companies who own the superheroes and other anthropologists who have examined the role of heroes in our society.'
French, M. (2014). The surrounding storm: Constructing queerness through superhero fandom and socio-historical LGBT movements.
Mathew French, The Surrounding Storm: Constructing Queerness through Superhero Fandom and Socio-Historical LGBT Movements
LGBT Themes in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror
Talks about the theories of LGBT in different contents as for example in mythology stories and how it has adapted and evolved with books and TV shows.
AN ANALYSIS OF EMBODIMENT AMONG SIX SUPERHEROES IN DC COMICS
This study analyzes the changes in physical presentation of several DC comic book superheroes, finding that the bodies of superheroes have become far more sexualized, exaggerated, and unrealistic in recent years. The comic reader’s “gaze” upon the bodies of the characters produces an intersection of spectacle and narrative that cannot be disconnected from both the physical body and the costume of the hero. Literature on the bodies of male and female bodybuilders reveals a connection to the hyper-embodiment of male and female superheroes, which represent the ego ideal of Western representations of “perfect” gendered bodies. The study concludes by asking if contemporary comic books must shift from the “Modern Age” to the “Postmodern Age” in order to break out of their practices of reaffirming gender binaries. The argument expands on work by Jean Baudrillard and Judith Butler.
The new mutants : superheroes and the radical imagination of American comics - Ramzi Fawaz - New York : New York University Press, 2015.
This is about the bad and goods of superheroes and what they represent in society and the book describes them as a good worthy increase in society to sexuality and race.
Trans Representations and Superhero Comics: A Conversation with Mey Rude, J. Skyler, and Rachel Stevens
Suzanne Scott, Ellen Kirkpatrick
2014 was a landmark one for discussions surrounding the (in)visibility of trans characters in comics, from the first transgender panel at San Diego Comic-Con International to the celebrations and controversy surrounding the introduction of trans characters in mainstream superhero comics like Batgirl (DC Comics, 2011–). To address the state of trans representations in superhero comics, we convened a roundtable of noted bloggers on this topic to discuss the past, present, and future(s) of trans comics characters. Mey Rude is a trans lesbian Latina, the trans editor at Autostraddle, and author of the weekly column “Drawn to Comics.” J. Skyler is a black trans woman and the LGBT visibility columnist for Comicosity. Rachel Stevens is a staff writer for Women Write about Comics and a white transgender lesbian.
Rebecca A. Demarest (2010) Superheroes, Superpowers, and Sexuality
'Superheroes have a strong influence in our society, and as such we should look at the messages that they represent. To this end, I have examined the sexuality and gender roles that superheroes suggest through their appearance, the way they are written about, they way that they talk, the distribution of superpowers, and their relationships. I surveyed 63 Willamette University and Skyview Junior High students about their favorite superheroes and their reasons for liking that particular hero to begin my analysis, and branched from there to texts written by the companies who own the superheroes and other anthropologists who have examined the role of heroes in our society.'
French, M. (2014). The surrounding storm: Constructing queerness through superhero fandom and socio-historical LGBT movements.
Mathew French, The Surrounding Storm: Constructing Queerness through Superhero Fandom and Socio-Historical LGBT Movements
LGBT Themes in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror
Talks about the theories of LGBT in different contents as for example in mythology stories and how it has adapted and evolved with books and TV shows.
AN ANALYSIS OF EMBODIMENT AMONG SIX SUPERHEROES IN DC COMICS
This study analyzes the changes in physical presentation of several DC comic book superheroes, finding that the bodies of superheroes have become far more sexualized, exaggerated, and unrealistic in recent years. The comic reader’s “gaze” upon the bodies of the characters produces an intersection of spectacle and narrative that cannot be disconnected from both the physical body and the costume of the hero. Literature on the bodies of male and female bodybuilders reveals a connection to the hyper-embodiment of male and female superheroes, which represent the ego ideal of Western representations of “perfect” gendered bodies. The study concludes by asking if contemporary comic books must shift from the “Modern Age” to the “Postmodern Age” in order to break out of their practices of reaffirming gender binaries. The argument expands on work by Jean Baudrillard and Judith Butler.
The new mutants : superheroes and the radical imagination of American comics - Ramzi Fawaz - New York : New York University Press, 2015.
This is about the bad and goods of superheroes and what they represent in society and the book describes them as a good worthy increase in society to sexuality and race.
Trans Representations and Superhero Comics: A Conversation with Mey Rude, J. Skyler, and Rachel Stevens
Suzanne Scott, Ellen Kirkpatrick
2014 was a landmark one for discussions surrounding the (in)visibility of trans characters in comics, from the first transgender panel at San Diego Comic-Con International to the celebrations and controversy surrounding the introduction of trans characters in mainstream superhero comics like Batgirl (DC Comics, 2011–). To address the state of trans representations in superhero comics, we convened a roundtable of noted bloggers on this topic to discuss the past, present, and future(s) of trans comics characters. Mey Rude is a trans lesbian Latina, the trans editor at Autostraddle, and author of the weekly column “Drawn to Comics.” J. Skyler is a black trans woman and the LGBT visibility columnist for Comicosity. Rachel Stevens is a staff writer for Women Write about Comics and a white transgender lesbian.
Wednesday 18 November 2015
Tutorial 18/11/15
Analyse representations of my textual analysis of my extracts.
Compare to hetreosexual relationships
Conventrions - framing, angles, types of shots and Mise-en-scene
Compare to hetreosexual relationships
Conventrions - framing, angles, types of shots and Mise-en-scene
Textual Analysis
https://scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/3899536.html
This would be an extract i am doing the textual analysis on, this is from the storm watch series with Midnighter and Apollo two LGBT superheroes. This is a part of a mission that Midnighter and Apollo are looking hoodlums and at the time of this they start flirting about Midnighter Spike chin. Its at that point you realise that Apollo is showing feelings for Midnighter as to flirting. the line ' You have such a cute face too' shows the affection he has for Midnighter. The pictures are shown as to looking like normal comic with these two superheroes looking for an object. Then we have the second strip which shows him touching th chin where it gives the signal that there is a homosexual attention happening and it gives the aducience the meaning that they are having a relationship happening. This is also shown from the l;ast strip of Apollo the white costume supherhero put his hadn on Midnighter this would be to show the love and the attention they have for eachother. From the psychographic i believe this is for reformers who see a different meaning of comic books and i believe that it will still hit the mainstreamers as to people who would follow the comic books. This goes with theory like uses and gratification as to personal relations as to relate to Midnighter of being homoseuxal and yet being strong and different.
Another meaning would be the fact that when Martian the man hunter shows up they go back to act like they are notthing going on with them. 'You still care that people know about us' This is to show the fact that they are hiding the fact they are in a homosexual relationship and they're facing the fact that its okay to be in one and i believe that it is okay for that. The comic strip shows the alternative versions of them as to the stereotype being alternative as to Midnighter dark black costume and Appolo look a big masculine character. This represents the alternative that LGBT superheroes can be shown different than the avarage stereotype and it is represented very well because of this. It keeps the audience going as to the reason of how the superheroes are still heroes. The story of there relationship is interesting as to them not wanting people to know yet or people knowing being okay. Another idea would be that for them they are represented as superheroes still as to the martian coming in the middle showing he doesnt care about whos attracted to eachother they have a mission and a obligation. The Martian represents it as no matter what gender, sexuality or race that they are still a hero. Detective Comics gives a grim and happy look into these superheroes as to starting off with a natural superhero dark story and then slowly showing the connection between these characters are good.
To me the key to a good run on the Authority is treating the characters with respect, which means treating Apollo and the Midnighter like actual people instead of meaningless background characters or violent stereotypes. It shows them explaining in one of the comic strips that Midnighter our main investigation is on has a heart and doesnt want his lover to die. This is to represent the version of them as to being these grim and powerful characters who cant be stopped have feelings for eachother and that they have this connection. From the background it is showing the feeings of the atmosphere as to the yellow back ground it is representing the fear and the love and that they are. The reason I picked to show this is because it gives us a insight when Midnighter was most vulnerable because he is losing the one person he loeves and doesnt want it to happen. This is suppose to be represented like Batman and Superman as to if they were LGBT characters. From this we can the the action and the eye contact they have for eachother are strong as to they are never going be serparated by anything.
The stereotype of them are alternative because they are superheroes no matter what, it gives the steroptype of lovers as to using the queer theory and how these to lovers do interest the audience because they are shown 'cool'. In addition this is also shwon to be a strong emotional moment for the audience as their beloved sueprhero may die in the comic. This scene in the comic makes the audience feel like its just another love seen with a man and woman and it shouldnt matter what gender they are. From the lines 'You'll die' gives the reaction that Midnighter our strong, powerful and dark anti hero is not ready to lose the one he loves and that he willl fall apart from this. With the arrival of Midnighter it does show that LGBT has a era in the comic book series and that the theme will be large because his story is very unique and symbolic it would go with the psychographic group of the reformers who want to see something different and it would go with the mainstream comic book lovers. This is representing Midnighter at his lowest point and the real person he is because from the other images he is shown killing and that he has no emotion. Giving the audience emotion of this character shows that he is more than that and that his only weakness is his lover and because his lover is a superhuman and industritable it would mean that he wouldnt have a wekaness of losing his lover. Appolo is also shown as a masculine chracter at this point as to being homosexual still shows the alternative as well and a big persona of saving the world no matter what happens. At the end of the day it shows how a superhero comic would be but with a man and man loving eahcother and its the same feeling you want them to stay together.
Thursday 12 November 2015
Media lecture notes
What has the internet done for me?
-Learning
-Friendship
-Information
-political action
-Caritas and Campaigning
- 'Internet is very permissive'
- 'tool for free expression, not oppression'
- Use the net for:
-Learning
-Friendship
-Information
-political action
-Caritas and Campaigning
Downsides to the internet
-Context Collapse
-The dark web
-Bullying
-The dark web
-Bullying
-Abuse
-Fraud
-Conspiracy theories.
-do you research
-don't be afraid to leave
-it's a very small industry
-The competition is fierce
-congratulate others
- always a market for good stories well told
-Conspiracy theories.
- 'Digital info hard to control'
- 'Code is law'
- 'If you don't know the code of the internet, you have no power'
- 'Teen internet users demand privacy - older generations don't get that'.
- 'Dark Web - secure network - people can't track you.
- News of the world phone hacking
- Media power over: media content, audiences, journalists
- Power to: censor, mislead, set the agenda
- media and democracy
- 'Healthy media is the life blood of democracy- Gives audiences diversity and plurality of views'
- 'Hold the power to account'
- Journalist field - norms around objectivity
- explosion of platforms - free news, rolling news etc
- business model struggling to keep up
- Cut and Paste Journalism - news being copied - disrupts diversity
- 'click bait'
- Internet can give audiences power - freedom - public movement
- 'prosumers' people who create their own info/news
- dispersed/fragmented news media - changed the meaning of politics
- 'Hack Gate' (phone hack) - based on the corruption of power
- Phone hacking came from institution wanting to be competitive
- Chris Jeffries
- Who has the power? is it visible?
- 'We the audience have less power than we think'
- 'Press intimidate democratic practice' - hegemony
- Media defining deviance
- 'Was and is about media power'
- HSBC tax evasion went unreported
- Media de-democratises society
- 50% of national UK papers sold controlled by Jonathan Harmsworth and Rupert Murdoch
Film Production:
- Producer - overall control of every aspect of the films production
- Sound design is important
- Best stories are the ones only you can tell
- Risk assessment
- Be conscious of the story
- Keep it short, don't overstay welcome
- make it art
- Collaborative effort
- 10 things to remember:-you need to eat
-do you research
-don't be afraid to leave
-it's a very small industry
-The competition is fierce
-congratulate others
- always a market for good stories well told
Script writing
- book adaptations
- musical adaptations
- play adaptations
- newspaper headlines
- what is stories
- personal stories
- random ideas
- research read before written
- worked in the background before hand
- met family and friends before happened
- actress carefully chosen
- had cut stuff out
- closely focuses on the main character
- how much violence to show?
- writing comes out different when filmed
- lots of resources
- Society don't make sense
- 'Our news media is failing badly'
- unfair society
- young people punished
- rent too high property left vacant by rich people
- home life can cause problems
- society still discriminates
- banks get bailed out by the public
- we had to fight for what we wanted
- press is run by small group of the rich
- get singled out by the press
- middle class journalists don't understand the lower class
- media full of people from privileged backgrounds
- "power conceives nothing without a demand, it never has and it never will"
Tuesday 3 November 2015
Notes and quotes
Notes and Quotes
‘Midnighter is The Best Portrayal of a Gay Superhero in Mainstream Comics’
http://io9.com/midnighter-is-the-best-portrayal-of-a-gay-superhero-in-1715225013
‘Yes, it’s sad that one of the most prominent gay relationships in Wildstorm and DC’s comic history came to a close without us getting to witness it—but at the same time, it’s fascinating to see it.’
Talks about Midnighter relationship with Apollo and it was said to be a perfect relationship to see between gay couples. The difference was in the new 52 comic series they had to change it so they were not together and did not know each other sexuality.
If you’re looking for a great new superhero comic series to read, you should be picking up Midnighter—not just for the fact it’s actually a damn fun series, but because it gives us a fascinatingly humanized gay lead.
Midnighter normalizes all that for a gay character, in a way that is rarely shown in the pages of comic books. And it manages to do that while also balancing the personal drama with the superhero sci-fi antics you know and love from the character.
Midnighter go on dates and sleep with a number of different men. Our introduction to the character in Midnighter #1 is actually though a shot of his Grindr profile (a popular social app used by Gay and bisexual men to meet.
Comments:
One of the pleasures of reading Midnighter (when he’s good, so this comic in particular) is that he’s crazy and embraces his particular flavor of crazy. Sexuality too, but the two go in hand in terms of consistency in his character. He wouldn’t be comfortable if he weren’t a little nuts, and when he’s trying on not-crazy for any given reason, he’s especially vulnerable. It’s nice reading, and his one-liners are spot-on.
I still wish he wasn't referred to dismissively "the gay Batman."
Kinda unavoidable considering the circumstances of his creation. But I’m glad he’s getting a good book. It makes room for a gay hero who isn’t an obvious pastiche/commentary.
LGBT news
Two LGBT murders within 24 hours leave community in 'state of emergency
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/11/lgbt-murders-within-24-hours-philadelphia-detroit
‘In Detroit, on the morning of 5 October, an African American gay man known simply as Melvin, 30, was found shot dead on a street in the Palmer Park area. At the time of his death, Melvin was wearing women’s clothing.’
Transgender Woman in Philadelphia shot
Gay man shot in Detroit
“For many LGBT people, participation in street economies is often critical to survival,” civil rights group Lambda Legal said in a statement in August, when supporting Amnesty International’s resolution to decriminalize sex work.
LGBT youth and transgender women of color face all-too-common family rejection and vastly disproportionate rates of violence, homelessness and discrimination in employment, housing, and education,” the statement continued.
many in the Detroit LGBT community hang out – specifically people who are low-income or experiencing homelessness. She feels such people are “targeted”.
Local officials told the Guardian no arrests had been made in either case and it was too early to confirm if hate was a factor. In Philadelphia, police confirmed they were investigating whether Jenkins’ gender identity played a role in her murder.
Celebrity views
Andrew Garfield Is Still Campaigning For A "Pansexual" SPIDER-MAN On The Big Screen
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=124885
"I'm excited to get to the point where we don't have to have this conversation, where we can have a pansexual Spider-Man."
"The richness of the world we're in, the diversity of the world we're in; you look at the animal kingdom and you see it reflected. You look all over," he continued. "What are we so scared of? Why are we so, 'No, it has to be this way, a man and a woman.' Why is that even a conversation? We're scared of things that aren't us. Love is love. Skin is skin. Flesh is flesh. We're all wrapped in the same thing. I have no preference. The beauty about Spider-Man, for me, is that he's covered head to toe. That's why everyone thinks it could be them in that suit. You don't see skin color. You don't see sexual orientation. You don't see how old the person is, gender, the whole thing. I celebrate that. Anyone can be a hero in their own lives."
Comment:
100% agreed. I'm not on board with race changes for ANY character (i.e. someone like Bruce Wayne probably NEEDS to be a white male), but it has to make sense. And with Spider-Man, it probably makes the most sense actually. A recurring theme (if not THE recurring theme) of the character is that he represents the every-man. None of this "prophecy" or "destiny" bullshit (looking at you, TASM 1 and 2!). Literally anyone could be under that suit. Why not reflect that through Peter Parker himself? What about being white is somehow inherent or a core characteristic of the character?
Does Marvel have a problem with LGBT superheroes?
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/08/03/do-marvel-have-a-problem-with-lgbt-superheroes/
The company has made attempts to be inclusive of a number of character’s gender and sexuality in the past – for example, it was recently revealed that long time X-Man Iceman is gay.
However, their attempts to promote diversity and include LGBT characters have often been slammed by fans and critics alike, who claim the company is simply trying to increase sales.
fans were quick to highlight that Hercules bisexuality was a very natural progression for the character, especially considering he is inspired by Greek Mythology – in which the demigod Hercules was also bisexual.
Fans were hoping that the hero’s sexuality would be further explored in the recently announced Hercules series
DC Comics Gives Us A Crash Course In LGBT Superheroes
http://www.newnownext.com/dc-comics-gives-us-a-crash-course-in-lgbt-superheroes/06/2015/
One of the first gay characters the company produced was hardly worth celebrating: The magician Extraño was flamboyant comic relief whose sole arch villain was an AIDS “vampire” named the Hemo-Goblin.
But more diverse and three-dimensional characters were quickly added to the fold, from the bisexual Constantine and a lesbian Batwoman to a gay green lantern and Batgirl’s transgender roommate, Alysia Yeoh.
‘Arrow’ Star Echo Kellum on How His Character Becomes DC Superhero Mr. Terrific
https://www.thewrap.com/arrow-echo-kellum-curtis-holt-dc-superhero-mr-terrific/
http://rollingout.com/2015/08/04/arrow-casts-first-black-gay-superhero/
This version of Mr. Terrific is also an LGBT character. How does that shape who he is?
I think it shapes who he is only in that that’s who he chooses to love. He’s married, he has a husband, but it’s not the most defining quality about him. It’s important, but he is a living, breathing character who happens to be gay … Rarely do people live their lives through their sexuality.
The “Arrow”/”Flash” producers are always great about including LGBT characters in their shows, which is awesome, but this is the first major LGBT superhero character in the world of these shows.
There’s been a wave of LGBT characters and storylines on television over the past few years as the LGBT movement in the real world continues to progress. And now it appears that progress in fiction has extended to the world of superheroes, as it’s been announced that “Arrow” has cast “Ben and Kate” actor Echo Kellum to play the series’ first-ever Black gay superhero.
“We’re often asked when we’re going to add another LGBT character to the show and our version of Mr Terrific happens to be gay for anyone that cares about that kind of stuff,” Guggenheim revealed in a statement.
Mr. Terrific also won’t be the only character on the show repping the LGBT community. The show already features openly bisexual Sara Lance/Canary (Caity Lotz) and the two are now reportedly TV’s only LGBT superheroes.
Mr. Terrific also follows a line of Black LGBT superheroes in the comic world like X-Men’s Storm, who was previously strongly implied to be bisexual, and Young Avengers’ Prodigy, who is also written as bisexual.
These LGBT Character Charts Are the Perfect Guide to Out and Proud Superheroes
http://moviepilot.com/posts/3409017?lt_source=external,manual
As the world becomes increasingly accepting of LGBT communities and individuals, so too have comic book universes expanded their representation of previously overlooked identities. With different writers taking control of even some of the most iconic superheroes, you may be surprised at just which characters have recently come out of the closet.
Flame Off: Will Gay Superheroes Ever Make the Leap to Movies and TV?
http://screencrush.com/gay-superheroes-movies-tv/
Q&A. A kid, maybe in his late teens, makes his way up to the mic and addresses a question to Garfield himself. Identifying himself as a gay Asian American, he wanted to know if the actor felt any pressure in making his stance on LGBT equality known, referring to previous comments made by the actor.
Earlier that year, a set visit report on ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ was published in Entertainment Weekly, which quoted Garfield as saying, "Why can’t we discover that Peter is exploring his sexuality?," even pointing out the "charismatic and talented" Michael B. Jordan could join in for some "interracial bisexuality."
To the applause of many at Comic-Con, Garfield addressed the question by saying, “Spider-Man stands for everybody: black, white, Asian, gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual.” This has been the appeal of superheroes since the early generation of geeks dropped dimes for the latest issue of Action comics, but when it comes to the movie iterations, many minorities are left out. Garfield, while valid in his statements, even backtracked a bit, saying, “It wouldn’t make sense if, in the next movie, I was suddenly with a black guy.”
It's now a year after this panel took place, on our way to another Comic-Con, and the question of why there aren't more LGBT superheroes -- or even characters -- in these comic book movies and TV shows are continuously met with the same excuses.
While major strides are being made in the 'Arrow' universe -- the hit CW series featured a lesbian character through Katrina Law's Nyssa Al Ghul, while 'The Flash' spinoff series will feature two gay characters in the first season alone, on top of openly gay actor Wentworth Miller portraying DC villain Captain Cold -- there is still no identifiable LGBT character taking the reins for a major role, or even a major recurring or supporting role. When the opportunity for this came with NBC's 'Constantine,' producers of the series stated at a recent Television Critics Association panel that they had "no immediate plans" to address the Hellblazer's bisexuality, despite John Constantine's depiction as such in the original comics. Executive producer Daniel Cerone even acknowledged the character's background, though seemingly suggested his sexual orientation didn't matter in regards to Constantine as an individual.
In those comic books, John Constantine aged in real time. Within this tome of three decades [of comics] there might have been one or two issues where he’s seen getting out of bed with a man.
LGBT characters out of this superhero cinematic arena seemed admirable in its progressive nature, it's now a broken record the community has heard one too many times. Dare I say it, but maybe a character's sexuality should matter more.
exual identity serves is to further demean and reduce him to a stereotypical shell of a person. His presence only serves as comedic relief, a role gay characters frequently serve, while his "outing" is the final nail in the coffin, as if to say, "He got what he deserved by succumbing to 'prison bitch' life."
Apparently, when it comes to having more positive gay representations on the superhero-dominated big screen they won’t allow it to be shown
When might, say, 'Constantine' finally start addressing the character's sexual identity? In executive producer Daniel Cerone's own words, "In those comic books, John Constantine aged in real time. Within this tome of three decades there might have been one or two issues where he’s seen getting out of bed with a man. So [maybe] 20 years from now?" But on the opposite spectrum, one of the most prominent offenders, Marvel, is already beginning to mend its ways. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige recently told our own Mike Ryan, "We’re going to keep bringing the movies out the way we envision it and the way we believe in it — and that includes diversity in all of the active films." While he's most likely referring to 'Captain Marvel' and 'Black Panther' films, it's certainly a start.
Media magazine
Media magazine 31
True blood is a show about vampires and other mythical creatures, they are reopresented as monstoers and they do show the stereotype of what vampires do. The difference with the show is that it is a age 18 rated series with alot of sex and nudity. It is also filled with different sexuality of vampires and people.
'In the world of True Blood, vampires
have had to fight for recognition and citizenship
in much the same way as gay males and lesbians
have. The reaction of some humans to the rights
afforded to vampires in True Blood could be
seen to mirror the responses of some sections
of society to the rights recently afforded to gay
men and women.'
'Not only does True Blood
present a number of homosexual and sexually
ambiguous characters without drawing attention
to their sexual identities or giving them ‘token’
status, it offers a great many sexually explicit
scenes. Yet perhaps none of this would have been
possible without the pioneering Buffy.'
Media magazine 32
'The films of Cohen seem to have a slightly
more positive representation of homosexuality.'
In the movie bruno it is about Sacha Baron Cohen playing a gay Austriann looking for fame in America. Sacha Baron has does many gay positive scenes in his movies like Borat and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby where he plays a gay character and kisses Will Ferrel character at the end.
'The wrestling match where
Bruno and his assistant end up passionately
kissing in front of a jeering, psychotic, angry
crowd shows the awfulness of some American
attitudes to homosexuality.'
The stereotype can be sometimes too much as for the celebrity want to show positive gay people he exaggerates the stereotype to much in the movie.
'Bruno, on the other hand, is not a very nice
character. He is a highly-exaggerated stereotype
of a fashion-obsessed homosexual. His sex life is
portrayed as an exhibition of twisted creativity
and shocking acts of depravity; an exercise bike
with a dildo attached, a chair that catapults his
midget partner into him'
Media magazine 53
'TV drama features multiple lesbians, or looks beyond explicit sexual behaviour. Indeed, studies show that in the 20 most popular TV shows watched by young people, only 4.5% of the total programme time includes LGBT characters. For this reason, when shows feature multiple lesbian characters they are seen as a TV ‘event’, and this may immediately estrange audiences.'
This represents the views on television as to the type of characters they have used, the characters in the shows that are LGBT are very not common in Tv series but it is going to be pushed as to old TV shows like Ellen and Buffy the vampire slayer had Lesbians. Also the sitcom Happy endings had a gay character which lead for 3 seasons. This is to represent the percentage of a programme and it shows that it is not a big percentage but it will increase over time.
Media magazine 38
'Neil Patrick Harris, who, in direct
contrast to his fictional persona, is openly gay
and an active campaigner for gay rights.'
This is to show the LGBT actors who can play straight characters, This is to show that straight actors can play LGBT like Jared Leto and that LGBT actors can play any character they want as to being different. This links to the LGBT part of my investigation as to that these alternative way to see a character.
Media magazine 44
Talks about Transgender being on channel 4
'For some time now TV, and C4 in particular,
has got big audiences for ‘freak show’
programs – transsexuals,'
homosexual incest between the surrogate
brothers. Bond’s reply mocks his own image
‘What makes you think it’s my first time?’ he
responds to his tormentor.
Gives a range in the entertainment department as to giving more depth and including the LGBT range for viewers. This is good because only 4.5% are LGBT in Tv shows and shows that there can be a increase because of this.
Thursday 8 October 2015
Critical investigation proposal
With the arrival of Midnighter, has the era of the LBGT superhero finally arrived? If so, why?
Angle
The impact of this text is looking at how society now represents LGBT superheroes, this would be by the reason of how 10 years ago they wouldn't allow content on this. In today society we live in a world where its okay but some people go against this as to being Homophobic or not accepting it. Andrew Garfield is one of the people who are okay with it he wants there to be a pan-sexual spiderman and people not to comment on it.
The main point is that the impact of Midnighter is he started in the late 90s this would mean that he got his big solo series in start of 2015 taking his character to take long for society to accept a gay superhero. Midnighter was inspired by the peoples favourite superhero batman and the comic designer though the difference was to make him homosexual and this content wasnt shown until start of 2015.
Hypothesis
My hypothesis is that LGBT superheroes are getting more recognized and getting the spot light like any normal superhero are like. This would be by LGBT superhero Midnighter who is becoming popular as to starting his big issue in start of 2015 even though been created since 1998 and now getting popular in batman and nightwing comics.
Linked production piece
The linked production idea is different because I want to do a documentary on what people opinions are on LGBT superheroes and what they really see with them. However I was thinking of doing a LGBT superhero short film but dont know if the people i get would be comfortable about it.
MIGRAIN
Midnighter is dark, gritty and homosexual this is because of him being created he was suppose aim for the same audience but all another new generation and chunk who can relate. The denotation is about a character who believes that justice is corrupt and needs to do something about it. He is shown as a very high skilled tactical man who wants to just stop the bad guys. He is married to the character Apollo who was inspired like superman but is homosexual. The difference with this superhero is that he is homosexual representing a alternative homo sexual.
There is not really a shot of midnighter or any LGBT character in a movie or in a animation film. The shots taken are in comic strips so this would lead to many shots of close ups of the character face of being gritty and bloody from fighting. Midnighter clothing is a black costume this would be by black everything with a bullet proof chest and a trench coat. The props used would be the guns that he has when he fighting people as he is a tactical person. The facial expressions to people are dark and gritty but too children he is nice he represents him self as a alternative stereotype because of this. When he sees his lover he is happy and dark at the same time.
DC comics is what made the character and who fully developed Midnighter by Warren Ellis.This was made for the genre first LGBT theme comic book series which increased awareness. The promotion used for this is just posters and marketing as its a comic book. The way it gets distributed is by the method of getting stores to sell them or comic book stores. You can also get comics online making it very easy to get now. Genre is that its a LGBT theme comic books and it has action and thriller to it making you get attracted to the story.
Representation of Midnighter would be a alternative stereotype of a homosexual man. When he is in character he is a dark and gritty character which just wants justice. Love and sexuality is shown non existent with this character as he laughs at violence and believes he can take people down. He is constructed in a way to make himself seem straight and a 'man' by the way he acts how ever he is represented soft around children and his husband/
Audience is aimed for Comic book mainstream lovers as to what they love is the same/ The audience is for a LGBT audience to as to giving the content to understand that its okay with society/ The age would be 16-25 as to being a dark and gritty comic how ever it has inappropriate content it is for C1,C2, D demographic as to being for students and comic book lovers/ Gender would be 70% male and 30% female as to the reason of male reading comic books regularly read by mean than women.
Narrative is about a gay superhero wanting to protect and save lives of people in a city. Midnighter is a married superhero whos purpose it is to save the save the city he loves from evil people so the world doesnt go corrupt .
SHEP
Comic books teach people about the realism of the world that its not easy and that there is not always a good place. Martin Luther King was represented as Professor X from X-men as saying mutants were like Black people. This would convey on comic books being that they aim to go for realistic events and go for real events but show what there view is.
Andrew Garfield want a pan-sexual spiderman to be not commented on and audience to be okay with it and wants society to accept it. It is about the sexuality of superheroes that they dont want to get judged anymore and you can tell by giving alternative stereotypes of the superhereos by making them seem not like that and still treated the same.
Another piece of content is that comic books has censorship and they were not allowed to show content because of this but people did understand what they meant when read comic books. Another view of this is that people believe it was there but were not allowed be pointed out and i am one of those people who believed that they hinted by this and was trying to push LGBT for years but society wasnt ready for it.
Issues/Debates
This creates regulation and censorship rule back 20 years ago where comic book content couldnt be inappropriate because of children and the age of not being ready for it but they did try to point it out as visible as they could. The view on this is that censorship for comic books were strict and there was content you was not allowed to show.
Representations and stereotyping is big in this as to being shown a alternative version of LGBT meaning that they show a tough character and they would be homosexual making the audience see no difference and i like that making it a effect that people understand they are the same superhero who just care about saving lives.
Technology is one of these debates as comic books are now electronic and the content is allowed but it will be restricted on who can read them. This is good that its on electronically but its the internet which will make horrible comments on people who are against this. This is good for LGBT themes as people can relate
Media effects is a big debate because comic books puts real problems in and it can actually do with the real world but not tell the audience. Like racism linking to the X-men and how mutants shown or the gender equality of the superheroes. It is the away of showing that society are ready to do this but what stops this is audience and what they like as comic books get funded by the fans and if they dont like it they cant do anything.
Ownership and Control the institution has control over the comic books and to what they can show. They would have to get authorized when showing a comic book and to see if its right because of law and copy rights so would have to look to detail what can show and not to show. This is important because they dont want comics being a threat or even being a problem to readers to understand.
Theories
Uses and gratification is one of the theories used in the LGBT comic books ass for example It gives personal Identity as to people who feel like these characters and are being judges by them. Another would be person relation as to you know someone like this and understand them or that you know you want to talk to someone about this.
Another theory would be with stereotypes as to being shown an alternative stereotype. This would be by the stereotype of Homosexual men shown as acting like women and very feminized as to do with fashion. However Midnighter is this alternative where is this big man who will kill and fight for justice even though hes homosexual.
Psycho-graphics I would say are the reformers as for example they would see it as a different and interesting text. It would be a way to show they are okay with this as its a different theme of comics books going for a different kind of audience, This would also go for main streamers as for the reason of comic books that they will still read it and that it will be important to them still. They will stick to comics books because of the narrative and story and as long as it gets them interested.
I would put the female gaze by Dyer, this theory is about finding Midnighter attractive to a LGBT audience as to the strength and intelligence he shows in the comic books. This is female gaze because men like a specific part of person but because traditionally it women this is shown different as to men who are homosexual liking Midnighter. However this is also a male gaze because women can still like the way character is as to being strong and also shown as a confident character in the comics.
Research plan
Academic texts/books
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qzDHmQEACAAJ&dq=lgbt+superheroes&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qzDHmQEACAAJ&dq=lgbt+superheroes&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y
LGBT superheroes book on google books
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gbpIbqiEy2sC&pg=PA30&dq=society+of+sexuality&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CC8Q6AEwA2oVChMIgpzf6ZO1yAIVR28UCh1z8AF-#v=onepage&q=society%20of%20sexuality&f=false
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gbpIbqiEy2sC&pg=PA30&dq=society+of+sexuality&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CC8Q6AEwA2oVChMIgpzf6ZO1yAIVR28UCh1z8AF-#v=onepage&q=society%20of%20sexuality&f=false
The Gender of Sexuality: Exploring Sexual Possibilities
The New Mutants: Superheroes and the Radical Imagination of American Comics
Internet links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3UF-KDlhGs
This is about the new gay big superheroes, this video explains the popular superheroes who have been developed to different sexualities. This video explains the fun side of the characters and the good side of this. This explains Midnighter as this strong character who is a different sexuality and that its okay and that it would be fun to look at. The video explains that it was a mount of time to do this as for the reason of fan art and also a type of audience who want the LGBT theme to be popular because of this.
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=124885
In this article actor Andrew Garfield is campaigning that it doesn't matter what sexuality Spiderman is and will enjoy that one day we don't have to have a problem with sexuality of superheroes or in real life. He gave the example that he would like to see a version of Spiderman which is pansexual and nothing being wrong with it. The interview was about how Spiderman or anyone can be any sexuality its also about how we shouldn't be scared of people who want to change and let men or woman like what ever they want as it doesnt change them in society as they are still the same skin colour, gender and sexual orientation meaning any one can be a hero in their own lives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_themes_in_comics
This is just showing the meaning of how in comics the new concept of LGBT themes. It talks about how comics had censorship and not allowed to do this because society wasn't ready. It describes that LGBT started in the 1970s as they had grown mostly at that time of 1990s though making it mainstream it grew.
http://www.comicvine.com/profile/bumpyboo/lists/lgbt-characters/41243/
Has all the list of superheroes origins and what sexuality they are. it gives more information about the background and time they were issued. Talks about character evolution of why the writers made the character a different sexuality and when it was introduced.
Example of a superhero s Alan Scott as he is the first Green Lantern to be Gay and evolved in modern day society as being okay with it.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/midnighter-is-the-gay-comic-book-youve-been-waiting-for#.xeXWe1XwP
Article about Midnighter being launched as a comic book series in 2008. Its about how the writer thought it would be good as it goes with modern society and it reflects where we are okay with it. It describes that Midnighter is still a normal super hero like all the others. He was shown to be like Batman but just homosexual and people still love him as he is dark character.
The first issue of DC's new superhero comic Midnighter debuted last week.
http://mashable.com/2015/07/19/lgbt-comic-book-superheroes/
Its about superheroes you would need to know about as they're big in the comics books now. This is to show the sexuality of superheroes and explain to them how good they are. The website gives the secret identity, powers, first appearance and who published it. The fun facts is what tells use the sexuality and what is good and what's actually interesting about them.
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