By Monique
There are quite a few stereotypes in comic books. Take, for instance, this:
@GraphicNovice @BadIdeasPodcast @josephsdsu Uh Oh-Bad Indigenous and Hispanic stereotypes in the same comic pic.twitter.com/27i3yiEAnL
— Desmond Hassing (@Dhassing) January 29, 2016
Or this:
Here’s the most racist thing that I saw today: a real comic book sidekick from the days of yore. #botd #thewizzer… pic.twitter.com/KyVqwHBIKD
— Mike Maples (@bloodoftheduck) December 31, 2013
Or this craziness:
Most racist comic book panel ever https://t.co/xQR2CfdtnR #ftw #soterrible pic.twitter.com/XuvYSOUNbe
— Roger Colby (@RogerDColby) February 2, 2016
Or books that are steeped in both appropriation and stereotype:
I can’t decide if this a a legitamite comic book or some kind of 17th Century Propaganda pic.twitter.com/f8J2hMBD5F
— Peter Koersvelt (@PKoersvelt_VIII) February 20, 2016
Terrorist propaganda is out of control! ISIS has their own comic book for Christ’s sake! pic.twitter.com/wL94JgTeuj
— The Supreme Trump (@TheSupremeTrump) February 19, 2016
Even the best of intentions caused this:
@RandyS0725 @DCComics #Convergence: Awful Stereotypes #1 …I do love them, but I think their time has passed pic.twitter.com/NjhDb2P8Ae
— WeirdScienceDC (@WeirdScienceDC) May 23, 2015
Nowadays, we’re getting a wave of superheroes who are not just non-white and/or non-male, but are also complex and richly-developed beyond racial, cultural, and ethnic tropes. Like these guys:
This plus-size superhero is here to save us all from lame comic book stereotypes: https://t.co/UJOtm8nqNx pic.twitter.com/CRtHSdNb2m
— Space (@SpaceChannel) November 11, 2015
In other news though I am still irked that Marvel didn’t go with a Miles Morales Spiderman in their universe. 🙁 pic.twitter.com/ckQS03KN4Y
— Dylan (8BitHomo) (@8bithomo) February 25, 2016
Why Other Superhero Comics Should Be Like Kamala Khan’s Ms. Marvel https://t.co/VvNUsiKLfu pic.twitter.com/aOFv1Dry11
— Sheena Goodyear (@SheenaGoodyear) March 6, 2016
And we’re even getting fascinating stories interweaving cultural elements into existing characters, like this awesome moment with Groot:
Yo soy Groot: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ gives Groot Puerto Rican roots in this new comic https://t.co/dDP8K37Zrw pic.twitter.com/b5zPLWLSKC
— Mic (@micnews) March 12, 2016
One documentary is aiming on discussing stereotypes in the comic book industry and how the industry is working to become more inclusive. Je Suis Superhero, directed by Harleen Singh, features Eileen Kaur Alden, co-creator of the comic book Super Sikh, Vishavjit Singh, also known as Sikh Captain America, and cartoonist Keith Knight.
Singh told NBC News one of the reasons why comic books are the subject of this project. “Comics are an excellent lens on the society,” he said. “The incorporate storylines that reflect the times, but they also propagate stereotypes for their super heroes. It’s the perfect back drop for getting the message across about how generalization is not the best thing.”
Alden also told NBC News how comic book creators are now empowered to create more diverse stories. “It’s not just about slapping a diverse character into an old trope. I think what people are really craving is really diverse stories, something that’s not quite so focus grouped or old and familiar.” Alden said that comics featuring diversity were once considered “outsiders,” and now these properties are part of the mainstream.
Je Suis Superhero has reached 80 percent of its Kickstarter goal; to lend your support, click here.
Julian 