Comic Book Discrimination

[GreenLanternGrl Sinestro's Sparring Partner Find all posts View Profile Close GreenLanternGrl]

Have any of you ever experienced the general feeling from other people (who dont read comics) that comic books are low-brow or junky?

I'm out at my grandmothers and she has directly told me that I should be reading textbooks to prepare for my next semester in college instead of reading comics.

"I thought you read better books." <= direct comment from her. She's also the person that threw away my uncle's comic books from the 60's when he moved out of the house, which wouldve been worth a bit of money now I think. (Wouldn't they of been?)

ALso I just get the general feeling from people who dont read comics that what I read is junky.

My observations have led me to believe that the people who have these opinions don't know what they are talking about because they havent taken the time to explore the genre.

I think the sterotype is a shame. Why has this come about and what do you think we can do to change it if anything? OR is it completely justified?

Your thoughts?

[Marvelous Iggy God Of Turtles Find all posts View Profile Close Marvelous Iggy]

It's just the way things are, certain people will always be elitist towards comic readers and there thinking is that comics are nothing but tits and men fighting and nothing more. . However at least from what I've seen it's not as bad it was before. Keep reading your comics girl

[Spider-Lantern Corps Honor Guard Find all posts View Profile Close Spider-Lantern]

Thanks to comic book movies and stuff, I like to think comics are slowly becoming more culturally acceptable. I doubt I'll ever see may father pick up an issue or trade of Batman or Invincible Iron Man, but I know he loved the movies about them.

[Dr. Naysay Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Dr. Naysay]

I think most people assume that ALL comic books fit into the category of MOST comic books.

That is to say... that they're pandering, shlocky, fantasy fodder aimed at socially awkward children/young adults.

Which is GENERALLY speakin... completely accurate.

It's the same phenomena as people (like SpySmasher) who will complain about the general lack of quality in modern music or people (like Razorgod) who will complain about the general lack of quality on television.

Like any artform there are hidden gems, fair to middling works and, of course, the endless sea of relatively worthless crap that panders to the lowest common denominator and is designed to keep the masses mindlessly entertained by 'splosions, boobies and "epic bad-assery". *cough* Blackest Night *cough*






















But let's face it... comic books are mainly for kids. Being an adult and passionately reading your "average" comic book IS kind of pathetic.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

Does she own a TV?
I get people who are surprised but since I can quote Shakespeare, Dickens, and the Bible too, they usually don't have much to say.
It can be fun to remind people where some of the greats, like van Gogh, Shakespeare, and Mozart, ranked in the social structure of their day. Perhaps in 400 years grandmothers will be bugging their granddaughters to stop watching trash and pick up a classic like "Watchmen."

[Wolden Spoons Alan's Drycleaner Find all posts View Profile Close Wolden Spoons]

But then everybody should read Watchmen, at least twice (yes including all the extra bits).

In fact, it should be part of the school curriculum. It should have to be studied. Also great opportunity for the jocks to cheat and watch the film instead

[Rotten2thecorps Alpha-Lantern Find all posts View Profile Close Rotten2thecorps]

My experince is usually diffrent. I usually have someone see a comic movie and then seek my sage like knowldge about that comic. Or sometimes people will ask me wich movie superhero would win in a fight in the comics,or if there has been a comic where they have fought.

[The_Brightest_Day Guy's Drinking Buddy Find all posts View Profile Close The_Brightest_Day]

I've never gotten it from family members because everyone in mine reads them.

I have gotten it from strangers, though. I guess they figure because life didn't pan out the way they wanted to, you should be miserable along with them. Since comics are an escape from said misery, it makes them unhappy.

Since I am an artist who can draw the characters I read about, I have gotten snippy comments about how what I do isn't really art from so-called real artists like painters and others.

But to them I always say 'There are far more starving artists out there who are painters, than there EVER will be comic book artists.'

How many countless Superman and Batman cartoons are there out there? Now name me an animated series based on the exploits of Van Gogh or Donatello.

I think the reason why so many people stick their nose up at comics is because of what they inspire people like you and me to do. And they're jealous of that. Because to them, it would be pretty damn hard to do the right thing all the time no matter what. And if someone like that existed in real life (me), they'd question about ulterior motives and assume that I think that I'm better than they are. So to them, the concept of what Clark, Bruce, Diana, Hal, Barry or whoever else, or what have you is completely absurd.

Batman swore on the grave of his parents that he would rid Gotham of the evil that took their lives. But he doesn't kill anyone.

That's absurd in some of the eyes of people that I know. To them, no one like that exists. They'd just as soon kill the bastard responsible and walk the line of the Punisher.

It's kinda like the West Wing. A show that I'm just now watching. While I admire it for it's hopefulness and willingness to teach people that there's a better way, a president like Bartlet would be assassinated in real life, because there would be people that wouldn't tolerate that he couldn't be bought.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I have experienced comic book discrimination. Although, the question is kinda funny. Because I'm black. I guess that's one of the strikes I hear I have against me. The other 2 being that I'm well spoken and that I'm well, black.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I have experienced comic book discrimination. Although, the question is kinda funny. Because I'm black. I guess that's one of the strikes I hear I have against me. The other 2 being that I'm well spoken and that I'm well, black.

You also break another stereotype then. The usual "image" of comic fan is dweeby white guy (like me . I think it's great that comic book readers aren't what they're pegged to be.
As far as "reading something better," my experience is that comic fans are usually quite literate. If they weren't, they'd watch TV programs based on comics, not read them. And comics make tons of references to classic works, mythology etc.
I admire Japanese culture, which I hear is accepting of the idea of business men reading manga on the subway and such.

[Trey Strain Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Trey Strain]

Nobody seems to think comic book MOVIES are junky. The damned things tend to make a fortune.

[Orion Pax Iolande's Bodyguard Find all posts View Profile Close Orion Pax]

Meh, I donīt care. Kinda reminds me of a time when I bought a couple of Transformers for my collection. The cashier asked if they were for nephew or something. I said with a straight face "No, these are for me." and walked off.

Moral of the story, donīt give a fuck about critics, as long as you keep this or any other hobby healthy and still be able to have a personal life outside said hobby, you should do ok.

[GreenLanternGrl Sinestro's Sparring Partner Find all posts View Profile Close GreenLanternGrl]

Nobody seems to think comic book MOVIES are junky. The damned things tend to make a fortune.

Good point!

[Darth_Primus Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Darth_Primus]

I admire Japanese culture, which I hear is accepting of the idea of business men reading manga on the subway and such.

Japan rocks! Been there, and even official goverment signs uses anime like drawings.


Comic books do have a stigma of being low brow and child-like in the United States. However, the stigma doesn't bother me. I'm nearly 40 and read comic books on the subway. Once in awhile, people ask me what's going on in the book I'm ready. They're generally interested.

In high school, my English teacher was disappointed in me going from reading Shakespeare to Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles. I shook it off. I realize the most people that look down on comic books don't even read them. Their views on comic books are bias and ignorant; such is most discrimination.

[Power Ring Torch Bearer Find all posts View Profile Close Power Ring]

The people who usually shit on them are usually those who don't, or have never, read them, and assume they know what they're about, and still as "childish" as they once were. Some still are , sure, but a lot changes over time.

My mother, aunt (hell, all my rels) constantly shit on my comic habit, telling me I should have "outgrown that stuff by now", that "comics are for kids". How would they know? They never even read them. I enjoy them, plus, I actually learned a lot of things from reading them.

Apparently comics are a waste of time,l but wasting money on 9000 pairs of shoes, getting high/drunk every night, or pretty much anything else isn't. Meh, the world is filled with hypocrites who think they know better than you. Fuck em. I enjoy it, and no one is hurt. There is no down side.

[Lantern A-train Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Lantern A-train]

Here is the simple solution I use when people tell me comics are kiddie and childish. I just hand people and issue of Kick Ass. That usually shuts people up. The scene with Ares being ripped in half helps too.