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10 Of The Most Offensive Superheroes In The History Of Comics

Started by Dr Chaos,

39 posts in this topic

stroszek

stroszek

Posted
Posted
The Enchantress?!

 

I don't understand that one either. Certainly nothing in the entry explains it. She uses her powers to make people do what she wants them to do.

 

Of course she's my favorite villain so maybe I'm a little biased.

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Cat-Man_America

Cat-Man_America

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Having read the list/article I was embarrassed for the author's ignorance.

 

It's bad enough to turn a critical eye toward comics and history while overlooking the context of the times, but to get so much wrong information-wise and in the process miss better examples that might make sense is either shoddy journalism or ineptitude on a grand scale.

 

When did "Whitewash" (Young Allies) turn superhero & become Captain America's sidekick? Bucky & Golden Girl held down that position in the 40's. Am I missing something here?

 

Plenty could be said about the way Japanese were depicted during the war years, but given America's nationalistic fervor after Pearl Harbor, it's entirely understandable and in context, a valuable teaching tool. That goes for Superman's stateside patriotic propaganda as well.

 

Granted, Will Eisner's Ebony character is an offensive stereotype. Even a compassionate reading of the character can't remove the exaggerated symbolism designed for comic relief, but neither The Spirit nor Ebony wore costumes or had superpowers, so why include them in this article?

 

For her purpose, a better example might've been Chop-Chop, the meat-cleavor wielding Chinese member of the Blackhawks. Of course, he wasn't a superhero either, but changes made to this character over the years demonstrate how public awareness of offensive stereotypes improved cultural sensitivity. Alas, positive examples that resolve controversy apparently isn't in the author's wheelhouse.

 

Detective #1 was a pre-superhero book, so I'm not sure why the author targeted early 'Tec. Is Fu Manchu an overtly racist depiction of asians or simply a popular character in books, film, pulps and comics of the era? No doubt "yellow-peril" stereotypes are offensive, but smart, crafty villains have to come from some place. Anyway, Dr. Fu Manchu doesn't fit the definition of a superhero, offensive or otherwise.

 

Perhaps the author's real objective was finding a way to make comparatively mild-mannered DC a more viable target for criticism/controversy since Timely/Marvel allowed much more latitude in objectionable stereotypes (again, not shocking given the context of the time). Who knows what the rationale was with this article, but her knowledge of comics seems woefully lacking.

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Ken Aldred

Ken Aldred

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In wartime it's common practice to demonise and dehumanise the opposition and tolerated as a motivational strategy that meets the needs of the situation. Extreme conditions and extreme measures, sadly. :(

 

If DC were to be seen publicly to support the cause, not too surprising that such an OTT cover was eventually published for one of their most high-profile, big-selling Golden Age titles.

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Bill1

Bill1

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No, he actually said that.

 

 

Hooper: Always some white boy gotta invoke the holy trilogy. Bust this: Those movies are about how the white man keeps the brother man down, even in a galaxy far, far away. Check this mess: You got cracker farm boy Luke Skywalker, Nazi poster boy, blond hair, blue eyes. And then you got Darth Vader, the blackest brother in the galaxy, Nubian god!

Banky Edwards: What's a Nubian?

Hooper: Shut the up! Now... Vader, he's a spiritual brother, y'know, down with the force and all that good mess. Then this cracker, Skywalker, gets his hands on a light saber and the boy decides he's gonna run the in' universe; gets a whole clan of whites together. And they go and bust up Vader's hood, the Death Star. Now what the do you call that?

Banky Edwards: Intergalactic civil war?

Hooper: Gentrification! They gon' drive out the black element to make the galaxy quote, unquote, safe for white folks. And Jedi's the most insulting installment! Because Vader's beautiful black visage is sullied when he pulls off his mask to reveal a feeble, crusty, old white man! They tryin' to tell us that deep inside we all wants to be white!

Banky Edwards: Well, isn't that true?

[Hooper pulls out his gun, shoots Banky]

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Speedy-D

Speedy-D

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No, he actually said that.

 

 

Hooper: Always some white boy gotta invoke the holy trilogy. Bust this: Those movies are about how the white man keeps the brother man down, even in a galaxy far, far away. Check this mess: You got cracker farm boy Luke Skywalker, Nazi poster boy, blond hair, blue eyes. And then you got Darth Vader, the blackest brother in the galaxy, Nubian god!

Banky Edwards: What's a Nubian?

Hooper: Shut the up! Now... Vader, he's a spiritual brother, y'know, down with the force and all that good mess. Then this cracker, Skywalker, gets his hands on a light saber and the boy decides he's gonna run the in' universe; gets a whole clan of whites together. And they go and bust up Vader's hood, the Death Star. Now what the do you call that?

Banky Edwards: Intergalactic civil war?

Hooper: Gentrification! They gon' drive out the black element to make the galaxy quote, unquote, safe for white folks. And Jedi's the most insulting installment! Because Vader's beautiful black visage is sullied when he pulls off his mask to reveal a feeble, crusty, old white man! They tryin' to tell us that deep inside we all wants to be white!

Banky Edwards: Well, isn't that true?

[Hooper pulls out his gun, shoots Banky]

Yeah man, it's called jokes. Comedy jokes.

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Ken Aldred

Ken Aldred

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The author could also have pointed out that the creators of Extrano ripped off the name and the appearance of the Master of the Mystic Arts and misused the references for an extremely -poor character.

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