The 'American Family Association' Attacks Comics?

[James Harvey]

I just read a fascinating article (http://www.newsarama.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000264;p=) over at Newsarama (http://www.newsarama.com) and I can't help but be a little bit shocked at this "AFA" group, specifically the following excerpt:

According to the AFA’s website and information released, representatives from the group attended the Pittsburgh Comic-Con, and attended Casino Night, the benefits of which went to the Make-A-Wish foundation. At the convention, the AFA member saw what she considered pornography and material unsuitable for minors being displayed in public areas, as well as adult models.

Randy Sharp, director of special projects for American Family Association, says, "The WPA/SWV Make-A-Wish Foundation has been asked to reject any money raised at the convention because of its close ties to the porn industry. Obviously, its not a problem issue with them."

Sharp says, "It is ironic that Make-A-Wish fulfills the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses, but uses money from an industry that devalues women and shatters families."

Reportedly, the Make-A-Wish offices received over 15,000 e-mails (convention organizers reported that only 8 and 10,000 people attended the event), but according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the chapter did not buckle, and said they would continue their partnership with the Comic-Con, leading the AFA to report: “Make-A-Wish defends chapter’s porn convention proceeds.”

Read the entire article. It is an amazing read and I really think we could get an interesting discussion from this topic. The article can be read here (http://www.newsarama.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000264;p=).

[czyznyck99]

Ah, nice to see that it took them them 15 years to realize what the comics industry has supposedly become. Someone should forward them that "guide" to getting anyone to read comic books that was given away on Free Comic Book Day. Mob stories, eye candy, social inequality. They would flip.

On the other hand, why doesn't the AFA question the validity of Make-A-Wish? Isn't that religious selfishness? Aren't the dying children going off to a better place anyway, so the money isn't necessary? Things like this make me sick, in that a group can be so damn insecure about themselves emotionally and obviously sexually. Comics do have a little problem with some overtly sexual themes at times, but when was the last time they read the heavily popular Ultimate Spider-man (before MJ's new look in issue 40 anyway :p ). Playing off ignorant public trust issues is offending every decent comic book fan who will ever read this article.

Later.

[Anthonynotes]

Hmm...

>>The AFA is a group formed in 1977 by the Reverand Donald E. Wildmon to promote traditional family values (read: generally conservative and Christian values) in the media. Historically, the group has targeted any and everything it considers pornography, the “homosexual agenda,” pro-choice groups, gambling, and promotion of any religion other than Christianity. Currently, the group is espousing boycotts against Disney (for their promotion of the “homosexual agenda”), a law requiring “In God we trust” to be put in every classroom in the country, a boycott of Kmart (for selling CDs with offensive content), placing content filters on computers at public libraries to prevent patrons from viewing “offensive content,” and of course, eliminate government funding of the National Endowment for the Arts.<<<

EDIT:
Wait a minute----*WILDMON*! The same guy who got the 80's "Mighty Mouse" series *canned*!! (Growling noises)

And:
>>>However, the AFA has had its eye on the industry for some time. An excerpt from a January 2003 AFA Journal report, warning parents against the content in comic books by Ed Vitagliano reads:


Inside the pages of Image Comics’ Laura Croft Tomb Raider, for example, are advertisements for trading cards from the popular comic book series Witchblade. The ad shows sensual, nearly naked woman posing as if for Playboy. Such sexual imagery is found throughout comic series such as The Darkness, Darkchylde and WildStorm – the latter of which even puts out a “swimsuit issue” of bikini-clad women. Industry catalogs like Previews are filled with such images.

Along with this hedonistic view of sexuality in comics comes a promotion of homosexuality. In a two-part Green Lantern comic, published by DC Comics, “gay” teenager Terry Berg is shown kissing his boyfriend. After three thugs beat Terry, the storyline turns into a blatant promotion of hate crime laws.

A variety of comic books have promoted the “gay” agenda, including DC Comics’ The Authority and Superman, and Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk, Alpha Flight, The Flash, Uncanny Xmen and Star Fleet Academy.

Beyond violence and sexuality, however, is the false religious atmosphere within the worlds created by comic books. The super powers of both heroes and villains often appear little different from powers associated with the occult, and any positive portrayal of religion is usually from a New Age perspective.

These ideas are not limited to storylines. For example, the last page of one issue of Eek! The Cat was a full-page primer on the “underlying principles of Hinduism and Buddhism.” Kids could turn the page and read that the principle of “karma” holds that “a person’s actions in this life account for the soul’s ultimate purification and ability to transmigrate to a higher plane of existence.”

Of course, the one religion to be openly disrespected is always Christianity. In a January 2003, issue of Marvel’s Uncanny Xmen, the blue-skinned Nightcrawler is shown in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, railing against Jesus Christ. The cover of the comic shows Nightcrawler, who has a distinctly demonic appearance, perched on a cross.
<<<


Charming people. Didn't realize that there was an "agenda" to "Green Lantern" or "Superman" comics beyond, um, meeting next month's sales goals... :-x

-B.
Who notices these groups seem to have a problem with the word "gay" (vs. constant use of "homosexual")

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,


(quoting the AFA: ) After three thugs beat Terry, the storyline turns into a blatant promotion of hate crime laws.

Yes, because clearly, Jesus came down INCREDIBLY hard on any kind of law that would suggest that hating someone is a BAD thing.

Neil Gaiman's comment (http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/journal.asp) was that this could be the turning point for the Pittsburgh Comicon and/or Make-A-Wish. The AFA wrote a letter to him stating they were planning a boycott of the Sandman. Shortly after, the comic's sales numbers started climbing and never looked back, becoming a bona fide sales hit.

I'd go slam Wildmon some more, but there are better uses for my time than wasting it on him, like picking out toe cheese or something.

-- Ed/Ace

[Catlover]

Of course, the one religion to be openly disrespected is always Christianity. In a January 2003, issue of Marvel’s Uncanny Xmen, the blue-skinned Nightcrawler is shown in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, railing against Jesus Christ. The cover of the comic shows Nightcrawler, who has a distinctly demonic appearance, perched on a cross.

I don't read Comics much, but I loved X-men:TAS. From what I remember of that show, wasn't Nightcrawler catholic?(excuse my spelling) These people must not research anything at all.

[BCVM22]

I don't read Comics much, but I loved X-men:TAS. From what I remember of that show, wasn't Nightcrawler catholic?(excuse my spelling) These people must not research anything at all.

Nightcrawler was indeed depicted as a devout Catholic during the X-Men animated series. In addition, he was shown living in a monastary during the episode, and made constant religious references throughout the story. No small feat, I'd imagine, for a Saturday morning "children's show" of the era.

[wonderfly]

The person (or persons) quoted in the article do make some good points. But as usual, the message gets lost among the hateful retoric.

After all, I think we can agree that there has been in recent years an over abundant sexualization of women in comics, (though I think that trend is going down a bit now, as more comic fans nowadays prefer a good story over super sexy artwork...I know I do).




Hmm...


Of course, the one religion to be openly disrespected is always Christianity. In a January 2003, issue of Marvel’s Uncanny Xmen, the blue-skinned Nightcrawler is shown in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, railing against Jesus Christ. The cover of the comic shows Nightcrawler, who has a distinctly demonic appearance, perched on a cross.
<<<





While I didn't exactly like that issue of Uncanny Xmen, I have no problem with Nightcrawler, (one of the most religious characters in comics) having a 'questioning God' moment. Life can be pretty crappy sometimes, and you have to be a pretty strong individual to not have a moment where you look to the Heavens and say "WHY GOD?" That part I had no problem with it. But then Chuck Austen, (the Uncanny Xmen writer) went the extra step and connected Nightcrawler's falling out with the Church to the Priest sexual abuse scandal. And it's rightafter Kurt voices his complaints about that scandal the Priest up and asks Kurt to leave, (instead of offering comfort to Kurt). Not that this scandal doesn't need criticized, but it had nothing to do with Kurt's situation. This came across to me as a bit to much "Anti Catholic" or perhaps Anti Christianity more specifically. Of course, in the latest issue, we're learning that Kurt may have not been a member of a Catholic branch at all, and was hypnotized by some strange Anti Mutant cult...so maybe all can be forgiven...

But my point is: I for one would have to agree that sometimes, some of these writers are going to far and writing Anti Christian retoric, which often comes across as Politically correct garbage.

Take the example given of the Green Lantern issue where the gay kid gets beat up. I haven't read that issue, so I can't pass judgement, but if the entire story is written so that it sounds like "Evil Christians are out to kill all homosexuals, and should be frowned upon" then that's wrong. But if it's written with taste, then that's different.

I got no problem with gay storylines, or other social commentary stories. Going back to Chuck Austen's Uncanny Xmen, I'm loving his treatment of Northstar, (an openly gay character). This is a great representation of a gay character, (though how anyone can develop a crush on Iceman is beyond me, Bobby's such a prick).


But as I mentioned above, sometimes the good Christian message can be lost in the hateful retoric. It sounds to me like those people would have comics banned altogether! What type of Nazi thinking is this? Get over it people!

[shogunthethird]

didja ever notice how few of these organizations preach open dialogue and instead take the blind obedience approach?

[RockItShipper]

Take the example given of the Green Lantern issue where the gay kid gets beat up. I haven't read that issue, so I can't pass judgement, but if the entire story is written so that it sounds like "Evil Christians are out to kill all homosexuals, and should be frowned upon" then that's wrong.

There's no mention of religion in the comics about Terry's attack. Obviously, all 3 attackers had major insecurities- perhaps one or more being a closet case himself... and the cops who questioned GL's alter ego did appear to let their biases slip.