Nerd Alert: What Is Going On With Superman!?
Filed under: Politics & Issues, Random Reads, Tommy D, Totally GAY!
Author: Tommy D
Date: Feb 20, 2013
Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear we have a problem fellow gay nerds. A couple weeks ago it was released the author Orson Scott Card is going to be writing a new Superman story that starts in April. No big deal right? WRONG! Orson Scott Card is a big homophobe, and this has everyone (myself included) in a big tizzy because Superman is the defender of the little guy, of the oppressed, and Orson Scott Card is a villain in real life.
“But someone’s personal views shouldn’t matter when writing a comic book,” some might say. Sure, you can use that argument but it doesn’t work in this case. This is SUPERMAN! Superman loves all, he protects all. This author is a known activist against homosexuality and gay marriage and he’s got to go. So what do we do?
DC Comics has gone on record to say that are sticking by their decision, which is crazy but there you have it. The only way to get it across to them is to not purchase this story digitally or in hardcopy. Also TWEET THEM (@DCComics) and let them know how you’re feeling, because trust me this is not okay.
I want you all to take a moment and read this amazing write up, it’s was inspired me to write this here and to get the word out even more. It’s by a fellow gay nerd and it is absolutely incredible.
Check it out here and leave your comments below!
MAN OF TOMORROW: Superman, Orson Scott Card & Me
Come on DC Comics, you gotta get with the times here. He is no champion of the oppressed, nor should he be writing the man who is.
Shame.
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- Tags: comic book, dc comics, homophobic, orson scott card, superman
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Tyson
February 20th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
To be fair, if an outwardly pro-gay writer took the helm, you’d be for it and the anti-gays would be writing a post similar to this. If the writer openly bashes LGBT in his comic, then we have a problem. Otherwise, like it or not, he’s still a writer regardless of his beliefs. If the company wants to alienate a particular demographic by hiring this guy, that’s fine. But let them see that this choice will affect readership numbers rather making this barely interesting character any more relevant. It takes strength to stand up and shout, but sometimes even more to sit down and let the chips fall where they may.
DouggSeven
February 20th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
I’m confused. Are they writing an anti-gay storyline? Unless they do – there’s no need to go into a tizzy. But until then, you can’t try and take away someone’s job just because of their homophobic personal beliefs. Otherwise, the unemployment lines would be astronomical.
Steve-O
February 20th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
There is precedence for comic book writers expressing their homophobia in mainstream comic books.
Back in the early 90s Bill Mantlo was so pissed at having to write about gay superhero Northstar in his run on Alpha Flight he had the character succumb to a ‘mysterious disease’ intending to kill him off with AIDS. The plan was scrapped by Marvel bosses and Mantlo was forced to ‘cure’ Northstar, but to get back at the execs he created a ‘secret origin’ story for the character by making him related to Asgardian Elves. Essentially what he was saying was ‘OK he’s not dying of AIDS, but he’s a F***ing fairy’.
Not long after the plot line he was hit by a car in a roller skating accident that caused severe brain trauma and he is now in full time care with only basic cognitive functions. Its very sad, but i can’t help but think that karma is a bitch.
TAKE NOTE ORSON SCOTT CARD!!!
Adam
February 20th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
Tommy: tizzy WELL appropriate.
Comic books and the creation of heroes for the downtrodden and particularly the origination of things like the X-men as hated “others” have SO long been a source of comfort and support for gays in a society that still by and large hates them. To open this exalted position of writer of superman (and I agree with you that he so specifically embodies love and protection for all) to someone (now this part i’m assuming you’re right in saying he’s a known homophobe- I don’t follow this world closely enough) who has hate for a group of people in his heart and people who so strongly are connected to this comic book world is atrocious.
I think letting chips fall where they may is fine but fuck bigots and fuck homophobes. I wouldn’t hire someone who hated me for how I was born and enjoy the unemployment line! Continue to spread this word and thanks for pointing out such an odd decision by these owners for allowing in someone who so alienates their base.
And to Tyson, while you’re right an out writer would piss off the anti-gays… umm GOOD. Piss them off: they’re assholes and are in the wrong and should be angered if we can get them there.
justin
February 20th, 2013 at 8:24 pm
i guess its more on the long the lines of employing a man who openly has a prejudice for a group of people based on nothing but prejudices and false information getting to do something amazing. i understand if people are pissed off for such a bad person to get an amazing position but it happens all the time.
i think people made the great argument of lets see if his biases will be put in the story and tries to basically talk shit about people with the comic. can he make a good superman story without the prejudice and bias he has or known to have.