Gail Simone's Blog, page 1084
February 2, 2012
I've Gotten A Ton Of Emails That Are Essentially Saying...
…yes, it's a problematic cliche rape in Watchmen but it's:
1) Ironic
2) Pointing out cliches in comics
3) Okay, because all the characters are screwed up.
Sorry, guys. You are entitled to your opinions. But a brilliant book can still have a huge turd in it, and that's what the whole rape subplot is for me in that book.
It's my opinion, disagree all you like. But I don't buy any of these excuses for a moment.
Are you coming to toronto any time soon?
Hmmm. I don't think so, I haven't been invited this year, which is a shame as it's one of my favorite cities. I will be at the Hal-con, I think that's my only Canadian convention this year. SORRY!
wonderwomanv2:
The awkward moment when the corset model you...
The awkward moment when the corset model you were drawing just absolutely has to be Jeannette from Secret Six and you just have to draw her and lovingly render her gorgeous face.
You drew this? It's lovely!
unlicensedsuperhero:
Booster, I cannot allow you to risk either...
Booster, I cannot allow you to risk either your or Catman's pretty, pretty face in a fight. That would be just too fucking tragic.
It could be all body blows!
goodlesbianbooks:
gailsimone:
goodlesbianbooks:
The Darkest...
The Darkest House arrived today, along with Villains United and Unhinged. My cat approved.
We have a review of The Darkest House up here and a full overview of the Secret Six (and every lesbian moment in it) here
(I should probably clarify that they didn't come in the wrapping paper. My cat was just busy approving of that at the same time.)
Why does this picture bring me so much joy?
Because there is a cat in it. Cats add 20% coolness and 70% adorability factor to any picture. Also shiny goldish wrapping paper. Shiny stuff adds an extra 15% coolness and a 12% wow factor.
In fact, if those random books weren't in the way, the whole picture would have at least 15% MORE SHINY. Darn. If only those random books weren't in the way. Unfortunately the cat wouldn't let me move them.
*****************************
Agreed, and can I just say I really appreciate your site. Please keep up the great work.
Internet Winnage: Someone Asked...
[Trigger warning: discussion of rape, rape culture, rape-related tropes found in Watchmen.]
…so here we go.
One of my big problems with Watchmen is how stupidly the near-rape is handled. And it's EPIC stupid.
It's full of every dumbass cliche there is,…
Really? Silk Spectre I falls in love with him after he tries to rape her and beats the shit out of her. SS II specifically states how cool he is, and flirts with him openly. Ozymandias respects him. Rorschach praises him, that leaves almost no POV characters left who don't openly express admiration for him. And, this stuff doesn't happen in a vacuum…using rape cliches isn't excused because the writer is talented, unless the cliche is subverted or presented in some manner that illuminates the characters in a new way. This doesn't. In my opinion, of course. The victim falling in love with her rapist is a hoary cliche and there's nothing here to elevate that cliche away from its crappy peers. Brilliant book. It doesn't mean it's without problems.
I always thought it was MEANT to be full of cliche, since the book was about comic books, more than about their characters.
I just figured everything and everyone was a trope in Watchmen, they were cardboard characters to emphasize the cardboardness comics can have and are sometimes assumed to have, a commentary as much as any kind of story- also a commentary on how un-heroic heroes often get written as in the name of gritty-dark-background possibly.
So it didn't really reduce my personal opinion of the book, although it still definitely had me cringe a little*- I just figured it was more purposeful cliche served in "Golden and Silver Age" cheese sauce.
*Ok I cringed a LOT.
Given the pervasiveness of dumb rape cliches in Moore's other work of the time, I don't see how we can assume ironic intent. He Leary seems to be going for a big deep moment, and if it wasn't so hideous, it would be completely laughable.
Love the man, love his work, he's a genius. But a lot of his earlier work with female characters is full of this stuff.
February 1, 2012
Sonic, Summer Shangri-la-la land: Someone Asked...
[Trigger warning: discussion of rape, rape culture, rape-related tropes found in Watchmen.]
…so here we go.
One of my big problems with Watchmen is how stupidly the near-rape is handled. And it's EPIC stupid.
It's full of every dumbass cliche there is,…
This is all just my opinion, I don't expect everyone to agree.
Internet Winnage: Someone Asked...
[Trigger warning: discussion of rape, rape culture, rape-related tropes found in Watchmen.]
…so here we go.
One of my big problems with Watchmen is how stupidly the near-rape is handled. And it's EPIC stupid.
It's full of every dumbass cliche there is,…
Really?
Silk Spectre I falls in love with him after he tries to rape her and beats the shit out of her. SS II specifically states how cool he is, and flirts with him openly. Ozymandias respects him. Rorschach praises him, that leaves almost no POV characters left who don't openly express admiration for him.
And, this stuff doesn't happen in a vacuum…using rape cliches isn't excused because the writer is talented, unless the cliche is subverted or presented in some manner that illuminates the characters in a new way. This doesn't. In my opinion, of course.
The victim falling in love with her rapist is a hoary cliche and there's nothing here to elevate that cliche away from its crappy peers.
Brilliant book. It doesn't mean it's without problems.
"I tend to think that during slavery, slaves were considered a part of the family. Like the family..."
I tend to think that during slavery, slaves were considered a part of the family. Like the family dog or something like that. Not nearly as cruel as people present it.
Gaaaaah.
I think of this guy as the family chimp.
"-
Racist Guy in my English Class (via shitracistpeoplesay)
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