Comic Book Thursdays: Close Minded Adults, Open Minded Teens

 

Astonishing X-Men 51, variant cover

When I was a teenager, I bought tons of comics. Teen Titans and Young Justice immediately come to mind and even X-Men occasionally graced my shelves as well though I never got into it. Most of these stories were watered down versions of the regular, more adult titles and some were downright silly but occasionally they touched on serious issues. It was the 90’s after all and even though some subjects weren’t taboo, it still shocked people when things like drugs were in teen oriented stories.

  Considering how politically correct the world is nowadays, it’s strange that teen oriented storylines touch on issues adults avoid. Even more intriguing, is how open minded teenagers are to these sorts of issues.

  Let’s take an overused (and by overused, I mean everyone has posted some opinion on it) hot topic right now. Homosexuality in comics isn’t new, yet every time a character comes out; it’s cause for a moral panic. In 2006, Batwoman was announced to be a lesbian and people went ballistic. As a subtle joke, both her identities shared a name with a female Batman character designed to dispel gay rumors in the 50’s. Before the book was even out; people criticized it on every level. The same thing happened with Northstar and Kyle's wedding issue of the X-Men. People actually objected over the marriage and sexual preferences of fictional characters, citing them as immoral.

Batwoman's first appearance on 52, #7 (2006)

   In teen oriented titles it was different. The New 52 Teen Titans were joined by Mexican native Miguel Barragan, also known as Bunker. Marvel had Wiccan and Hulkling in the Young Avengers, who became the poster boys for homosexuality in comics. All three were accepted into teen circles as well written characters. Teens, unlike their adult comic reading counterparts, embraced these characters for who they were, not exclusively because of their homosexuality. Parents tended to only see the homosexuality, instead of their personalities.

  Homosexuality is far from the only controversial issue. Mia Dearden, the second teen sidekick of Green Arrow named Speedy, was rescued from forced prostitution and later diagnosed with HIV. Parents immediately found her offensive. The revelation of her condition to the Teen Titans in the comics had a surprising reaction. In the book, her team mates accept her and admit that it may be a little uncomfortable at first for them but their foremost priority is to ensure that the team gets proper care if they get hurt. They thank her for letting them know because now she can be given proper care if an emergency struck. It mirrored the reaction most teens had. It’s not that they didn’t care, but it was unfair to ostracize Mia for something she couldn’t help.

Green Arrow no. 44, 2005.

  Strange than whenever something groundbreaking happens in comics, the voice we hear the least is the target audience. Parents complain about fictional gay marriages, heroes with life threatening conditions and drug-addicted characters, but we rarely hear articles and opinions from actual teens. Even though they are mainly the ones who identify with characters, praise these comics and put them on the best seller lists. With racism being the hot topic now, the release of the new Ms. Marvel comic, featuring a Muslim Pakistani-American teen named Kamala Khan, is already under fire.

  And yet I’ve haven’t seen a single teenage founded hate group against it.

  As adults, it’s our job to think of the children. However, in a world where racism and bigotry are as much in fashion as the latest pop single, we have to wonder if perhaps the kids should be thinking of the adults instead. After all, it’s not them having a fit over drugs, equal rights, diversity and racism. It’s the adults. It’s always been the adults.

  But yes, let’s create a world where homosexuality is evil, HIV is still a stigma, drug addiction is swept under the rug and diversity of any kind is a curse. Let’s ignore their voices and reactions. They are children after all.

Part of the Marvel Now! campaign, issue #1 of the new Ms. Marvel, featuring Kamala Khan. 

  Except that at the end of the day they sound more reasonable to me than adults boycotting a fictional gay wedding. But maybe that’s just me.

Currently Listening To: Histeria- La Ley

Book on My Nightstand: Isaac Asimov- The complete stories

On my TV: Nip/Tuck (season 3) 

Currently Retro gaming: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (How the hell do you level up the ghost familiar?)

Random Pop Culture Thought of the Day: "Alucard from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the ultimate hero. He can fight with pretty much every weapon ever, can turn into a poisonous fart cloud and if he gets bored enough he can mate with bats. Also, he had fabulous hair in an age where that was kind of difficult. You go, Alucard. You go on with your bad self."