I'm just going to outright say it. For some reason, DC cannot seem to get minority characters to work. It always comes off as tokenism. "HEY. Check out Blue Beetle/Batwoman. They're Hispanic/Lesbians". I have no idea why this is. Probably something to do with their advertising department. Marvel seem to pull it off quite nicely. Blade, Cage (in recent years and barring that godawful MAX series), Xavin, Victor(ious) and Eli all work great.
EDIT: Re-reading this post feels like I'm bashing DC. I'm not. I love DC (for the most part), but this is one of their faults.
Well, Blade and Cage were old characters who were brought to the forefront and given greater respect. I think what DC does comes off as tokenism because they're creating new minority characters, so there's always the question of whether or not these characters exist for any reason beyond diversity.
Xavin, Victor, and Eli are relatively new as well, but they're farther away from the mainstream than Cage and the new Blue Beetle so you can't say they're there just to make the company look better (no marketing whatevers to hype the characters up).
But anyway, I don't think this particular instance counts as tokenism. A minority wants to create a minority character? What's wrong with that? You don't think Stan Lee would've made Spider-Man black if he himself had been black?
Except for Cassie (who I still have my doubts about, but I expect Johns to at least explain what happened) it looks pretty awesome. Great to see Inertia and Match back.
I disagree with you regarding Blue Beetle. I don't think that his race is being crammed down anyone's throat. He lives in an area that has a lot of Mexicans, so *gasp* there are Mexicans in the book. The second I see Jaime behaving like a Mencia skit, I'll agree with you, no problem.
And we haven't seen enough of Batwoman yet for us to know anything about how she's portrayed.
And, wow, same thing with Atom. I just hate how he's always all ching-chong, wing-wong. And always doing math.
Well, Blade and Cage were old characters who were brought to the forefront and given greater respect. I think what DC does comes off as tokenism because they're creating new minority characters, so there's always the question of whether or not these characters exist for any reason beyond diversity.
Xavin, Victor, and Eli are relatively new as well, but they're farther away from the mainstream than Cage and the new Blue Beetle so you can't say they're there just to make the company look better (no marketing whatevers to hype the characters up).
But anyway, I don't think this particular instance counts as tokenism. A minority wants to create a minority character? What's wrong with that? You don't think Stan Lee would've made Spider-Man black if he himself had been black?
I think the media attention makes a lot of difference. There's gay characters in both new Marvel teen books, but it seems pretty natural. But Batwoman's a lesbian and they write about it in the frigging newspapers, and no one even gives a shit about Batwoman.
Well, Blade and Cage were old characters who were brought to the forefront and given greater respect. I think what DC does comes off as tokenism because they're creating new minority characters, so there's always the question of whether or not these characters exist for any reason beyond diversity.
Xavin, Victor, and Eli are relatively new as well, but they're farther away from the mainstream than Cage and the new Blue Beetle so you can't say they're there just to make the company look better (no marketing whatevers to hype the characters up).
But anyway, I don't think this particular instance counts as tokenism. A minority wants to create a minority character? What's wrong with that? You don't think Stan Lee would've made Spider-Man black if he himself had been black?
I think the media attention makes a lot of difference. There's gay characters in both new Marvel teen books, but it seems pretty natural. But Batwoman's a lesbian and they write about it in the frigging newspapers, and no one even gives a shit about Batwoman.
That's because Marvel got burned the last time it promoted the hell out of a gay character. So now they're quietly diverse. DC, on the other hand, is trying to out famewhore Marvel, who have become a bit of a media darling of late, and so are making a big deal out of things that might not deserve that kind of attention, like Batwoman's preference for the box lunch. And look at it. The PR is damaging the characters now, because people who haven't read her at all are demonizing her as a token.
And, wow, same thing with Atom. I just hate how he's always all ching-chong, wing-wong. And always doing math.
Hmm, I didn't really feel that vibe. From what I've gathered, he's lived in China for a time before moving to the United States, working his way through college and getting a professorship. Moments like the Chinese food scene were pretty honest and amusing. I had quite a few native Chinese and Korean friends in college and they'd always poke fun at the Americanized chinese food we'd scarf down during study sessions and junk.
I disagree with you regarding Blue Beetle. I don't think that his race is being crammed down anyone's throat. He lives in an area that has a lot of Mexicans, so *gasp* there are Mexicans in the book. The second I see Jaime behaving like a Mencia skit, I'll agree with you, no problem.
And we haven't seen enough of Batwoman yet for us to know anything about how she's portrayed.
And, wow, same thing with Atom. I just hate how he's always all ching-chong, wing-wong. And always doing math.
Yeah. If you go to/read any panels at any of the cons where this issue was discussed, all the writers are very careful about avoiding tokenism.
i think it comes off as tokenism in the way they're advertised, but not the way the actual characters are written in the story.
I'm not sure about the new Atom yet. I want to like him, but they aren't giving me anything to like. Or dislike.
I like all the new teen superheroes introduced in the pictures. Alot of them seem like they could be really cool. Talon vs Robin would/will no doubt kick ass. Also its kinda cool that there inserting characters created for the show into the comic. Mas y Menos could be really cool now that they're not midget kids. Molecule could be kinda cool, even though Atom did his thing on the Teen Titans a few years ago.
I like all the new teen superheroes introduced in the pictures. Alot of them seem like they could be really cool. Talon vs Robin would/will no doubt kick ass. Also its kinda cool that there inserting characters created for the show into the comic. Mas y Menos could be really cool now that they're not midget kids. Molecule could be kinda cool, even though Atom did his thing on the Teen Titans a few years ago.
I don't know. I think I'll get an incest vibe from two brothers who run around holding hands now that they're post-adolescent.
Mas y Menos could be really cool now that they're not midget kids.
They wanted to have Mas Y Menos as they were in the cartoon, but it was just a bit too creepy having two young toddlers drawn running around in skin tight white costumes.
I dont think they were touching in the picture. Maybe they got better control of their powers or somehting. Maybe they just have to be near eachother or something.
Retcon on
Screw you guys. I'm going home !
0
Garlic Breadi'm a bitch i'm a bitch i'm a bitch i'm aRegistered User, Disagreeableregular
edited September 2006
Yeah, they're just near each other in the picture.
Mas y Menos could be really cool now that they're not midget kids.
They wanted to have Mas Y Menos as they were in the cartoon, but it was just a bit too creepy having two young toddlers drawn running around in skin tight white costumes.
I just saw an episode of Legion of Super Heroes on Kids WB. Seems like an okay show, but I'm gonna have to see a few more episodes before I pass judgement on it.
There is no way that Miss Martian is the traitor, after having read #39. She's way too awesome, first of all. Second of all, she's the one who discovered who the traitor was. If the traitor had been her, that wouldn't have happened.
I'm thinking it's Bombshell. It looked like Raven was taken in by a military unit at the end of #38, and they were speaking English. Also, Bombshell was really proactive about trying to make everyone suspicious of Ravager.
There is no way that Miss Martian is the traitor, after having read #39. She's way too awesome, first of all. Second of all, she's the one who discovered who the traitor was. If the traitor had been her, that wouldn't have happened.
I'm thinking it's Bombshell. It looked like Raven was taken in by a military unit at the end of #38, and they were speaking English. Also, Bombshell was really proactive about trying to make everyone suspicious of Ravager.
First thing I thought of after reading that page. She was all too helpful at pointing a finger at the "obvious" traitor.
Bad Karma on
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Bloods EndBlade of TyshallePunch dimensionRegistered Userregular
edited September 2006
Hmm. Did anyone notice that on the panel where Miss Martian is hearing peoples thoughts
[spoiler:5e1c46ca0c] Theres a line where someone goes "Aunt Kathy is in Gotham? I wonder if Nightwing has a girlfriend yet?"
I think that's Bette Kane, Flambird. And that would mean that they they are doing the whole Batwomen/Batgirl silver age thing. It really doesn't have any point, but I thought it was neat.[/spoiler:5e1c46ca0c]
There is no way that Miss Martian is the traitor, after having read #39. She's way too awesome, first of all. Second of all, she's the one who discovered who the traitor was. If the traitor had been her, that wouldn't have happened.
I'm thinking it's Bombshell. It looked like Raven was taken in by a military unit at the end of #38, and they were speaking English. Also, Bombshell was really proactive about trying to make everyone suspicious of Ravager.
First thing I thought of after reading that page. She was all too helpful at pointing a finger at the "obvious" traitor.
Great... I can't wait to hear how much Ravager complains now after being labeled a traitor. And about Ms. Martian, there's no way DC would let a commodity that hot (pardon the pun) be a bad guy. I think we'll be seeing a lot of her in the future. Or at least more of her.
Sentry on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wrote:
When I was a little kid, I always pretended I was the hero,' Skip said.
'Fuck yeah, me too. What little kid ever pretended to be part of the lynch-mob?'
Hmm. Did anyone notice that on the panel where Miss Martian is hearing peoples thoughts
[spoiler:bfa17dd2dd] Theres a line where someone goes "Aunt Kathy is in Gotham? I wonder if Nightwing has a girlfriend yet?"
I think that's Bette Kane, Flambird. And that would mean that they they are doing the whole Batwomen/Batgirl silver age thing. It really doesn't have any point, but I thought it was neat.[/spoiler:bfa17dd2dd]
[spoiler:bfa17dd2dd]It's not necessarily a Batwoman / batgirl thing. She is Flamebird in current continuity, and was with the Teen Titans during 52.[/spoiler:bfa17dd2dd]
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Bloods EndBlade of TyshallePunch dimensionRegistered Userregular
Hmm. Did anyone notice that on the panel where Miss Martian is hearing peoples thoughts
[spoiler:04fb6264d9] Theres a line where someone goes "Aunt Kathy is in Gotham? I wonder if Nightwing has a girlfriend yet?"
I think that's Bette Kane, Flambird. And that would mean that they they are doing the whole Batwomen/Batgirl silver age thing. It really doesn't have any point, but I thought it was neat.[/spoiler:04fb6264d9]
[spoiler:04fb6264d9]It's not necessarily a Batwoman / batgirl thing. She is Flamebird in current continuity, and was with the Teen Titans during 52.[/spoiler:04fb6264d9]
I know that, I just meant that they're going to be related like in the silver age, instead of two different characters.
And about Ms. Martian, there's no way DC would let a commodity that hot (pardon the pun) be a bad guy. I think we'll be seeing a lot of her in the future. Or at least more of her.
And about Ms. Martian, there's no way DC would let a commodity that hot (pardon the pun) be a bad guy. I think we'll be seeing a lot of her in the future. Or at least more of her.
She's a green skinned Sailor Moon.
:^: :^: :^:
best teen titan ever.
She'll be looking cute all the time, and then a battle goes badly and they're about to lose and WHAM she's a white martian and slaughters everything.
And about Ms. Martian, there's no way DC would let a commodity that hot (pardon the pun) be a bad guy. I think we'll be seeing a lot of her in the future. Or at least more of her.
She's a green skinned Sailor Moon.
:^: :^: :^:
best teen titan ever.
She'll be looking cute all the time, and then a battle goes badly and they're about to lose and WHAM she's a white martian and slaughters everything.
This will happen at least twice per year.
Just like Species! Remember that flick?
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Sars_BoyRest, You Are The Lightning.Registered Userregular
edited October 2006
I'm relieved that the initial reaction to at least some of these "sidekick" heroes is positive. Seriously though, Zatarra.
Posts
EDIT: Re-reading this post feels like I'm bashing DC. I'm not. I love DC (for the most part), but this is one of their faults.
Xavin, Victor, and Eli are relatively new as well, but they're farther away from the mainstream than Cage and the new Blue Beetle so you can't say they're there just to make the company look better (no marketing whatevers to hype the characters up).
But anyway, I don't think this particular instance counts as tokenism. A minority wants to create a minority character? What's wrong with that? You don't think Stan Lee would've made Spider-Man black if he himself had been black?
a breakdancing leprechaun probably
And we haven't seen enough of Batwoman yet for us to know anything about how she's portrayed.
And, wow, same thing with Atom. I just hate how he's always all ching-chong, wing-wong. And always doing math.
I think the media attention makes a lot of difference. There's gay characters in both new Marvel teen books, but it seems pretty natural. But Batwoman's a lesbian and they write about it in the frigging newspapers, and no one even gives a shit about Batwoman.
Hmm, I didn't really feel that vibe. From what I've gathered, he's lived in China for a time before moving to the United States, working his way through college and getting a professorship. Moments like the Chinese food scene were pretty honest and amusing. I had quite a few native Chinese and Korean friends in college and they'd always poke fun at the Americanized chinese food we'd scarf down during study sessions and junk.
Yeah. If you go to/read any panels at any of the cons where this issue was discussed, all the writers are very careful about avoiding tokenism.
i think it comes off as tokenism in the way they're advertised, but not the way the actual characters are written in the story.
I'm not sure about the new Atom yet. I want to like him, but they aren't giving me anything to like. Or dislike.
They wanted to have Mas Y Menos as they were in the cartoon, but it was just a bit too creepy having two young toddlers drawn running around in skin tight white costumes.
PSN: OrneryRooster
...aaaaaaannnnd that's not the correct voice coming out of Cyborg's mouth.
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
They have the "trailer" for it here:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0816671/trailers
Faggy? Disco is coming back bitches..
and its name is Nightwing.
PSN: OrneryRooster
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
Teen Titans #39 - Zatarra is a dick
[spoiler:db95930906]She was too cute to be true, I knew it.[/spoiler:db95930906]
[spoiler:ff60cebb86]It's a trick. She's a white martian, but she'll totally be a hero anyway. She's the new Drizzt Do'Urden.[/spoiler:ff60cebb86]
I had to google that
you are a fucking nerd
I know the DnD stats of his weapons.
Fuck.
I'm thinking it's Bombshell. It looked like Raven was taken in by a military unit at the end of #38, and they were speaking English. Also, Bombshell was really proactive about trying to make everyone suspicious of Ravager.
First thing I thought of after reading that page. She was all too helpful at pointing a finger at the "obvious" traitor.
PSN: OrneryRooster
[spoiler:5e1c46ca0c] Theres a line where someone goes "Aunt Kathy is in Gotham? I wonder if Nightwing has a girlfriend yet?"
I think that's Bette Kane, Flambird. And that would mean that they they are doing the whole Batwomen/Batgirl silver age thing. It really doesn't have any point, but I thought it was neat.[/spoiler:5e1c46ca0c]
Great... I can't wait to hear how much Ravager complains now after being labeled a traitor. And about Ms. Martian, there's no way DC would let a commodity that hot (pardon the pun) be a bad guy. I think we'll be seeing a lot of her in the future. Or at least more of her.
[spoiler:bfa17dd2dd]It's not necessarily a Batwoman / batgirl thing. She is Flamebird in current continuity, and was with the Teen Titans during 52.[/spoiler:bfa17dd2dd]
PSN: OrneryRooster
I know that, I just meant that they're going to be related like in the silver age, instead of two different characters.
She's a green skinned Sailor Moon.
:^: :^: :^:
PSN: OrneryRooster
best teen titan ever.
She'll be looking cute all the time, and then a battle goes badly and they're about to lose and WHAM she's a white martian and slaughters everything.
This will happen at least twice per year.
Just like Species! Remember that flick?
PSN: OrneryRooster
What a douche. Plus, in love with Eddie.
he's going to show up at the Titans Tower, it'll be pouring outside, and Kid Devil's gonna open the door