Grace Randolph's Between The Pages - Catwoman Porn
From Midtown Comics in Time Square, New York, Grace Randolph and Alan Kistler discuss Catwoman and the Fox 5 News of Washington DC's report that labelled it pornography, for the Think About The Ink vblog, Between The Pages.
Naturally, they are not totally 100% on Fox's side.
Grunge isn't Dead, Just indifferent
I just don't get way people care so much about how fictional characters dress and how much skin they reveal.
Have you seen some of the anime coming out of Japan?
Look, I don't particularly care...I don't think that 13 year old kids or creepy comic store types (let's be honest here) jacking off to Black Cat or Catwoman or what not is harmful in any real way...kids have been stealing playboys or looking at bikini calendars for decades...but let's also just be a little honest here and stop pretending that the reason that Tigra wears a freaking bikini to do battle in (see Avengers Academy) has anything to do with artistic license or plot...it's because 13 year olds and creepy comic dudes want to jack off thinking about it...
So...no harm done...but let's be honest about why an orange furred cat woman does battle in a string bikini hunh?
why is Grace Randolph wearing a mega-tight Nike workout shirt? Certainly there is a Bebe store near by with more suitable boob attire.
Disclaimer: I'm going to assume this response will be unpopular. Fine. It's my opinion, which I have given a lot of thought to, and am entitled to.
There seems to be an astonished, even indignant, reaction of sorts to this news article. Someone at the news station either discovered on their own, or was tipped off to the fact that comics are much racier than when we all were kids, did an article on it, an now comics fans are feeling like some "civilian" is trying to sensationalize the content of the comics, and create a public outcry.
I think there SHOULD be. I have been saddened for years that I can't go into the comics store and pick up the latest issue of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, etc. and hand it over to my kids, without being certain that there are no scenes of sex, extreme violence, or , in the case of rape, both. Do I like "mature" comics? Hell yeah. I love League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Watchmen, the Authority, and the like. Not for kids, certainly. But, I feel I should be able to buy a well-crafted, intelligent comic featuring DC's greatest heroes, with incredible art, and have my kids enjoy it with me.
Now you're thinking... as Grace and her friend stated... that DC HAS a line of kids comics. Correct. But, find me a 12 year old kid that wants to read Tiny Titans, or finds the style of art in Young Justice as appealing as that of, let's say, Superman. I'm not saying the "DC Animated" art style is bad... to the contrary. I greatly appreciate the visual language Bruce Timm wrought, and now every DC "kids" products derive from. But to a 12 year old, that which the Bryan Hitch's of the world are putting forth represents "real" comics, and the modern state of the art form. Old stuff won't cut it either. My kids have seen modern console games, and expect the same level of production value in all forms of entertainment.
Here's where I see DC going down a path of diminishing returns.... they are making a CONCERTED EFFORT to up the content of sex and violence of their books. This has crept in slowly in the past 15 or so years, but since the reboot, it is apparent it is an edict from on high. Where are they going with this? Are they trying to bring in more female readers? I don't see how they are going to be attracted to the kind of juvenile titilation they are producing. Are they trying to bring in younger readers? Maybe younger MALE readers... I could see that. BUT - What 50 year old marketing genius at DC thinks that having Catwoman's bra peeking out, during "maybe" sex with Batman for 4 dollars a pop is going to compete with the cornucopia of free soft core and hard core porn available for free on the internet? Of real people, incidentally. And if you re-read that sentence, you have to agree it is FUCKING SICK they are publishing comics depicting the characters on your kid's bedsheets fucking on a rooftop.
DC comics has about a thousand character Intellectual Properties. At least. Can't they present some of their flagship characters (you know, llike the ones on Underoos) in a more youth-friendly light? Hell, Catwoman features prominently in the upcoming movie... I'm guessing Nolan won't be presenting any of the juvenile and intentionally sensationalized scenes from her comic. Just a guess. No, He and his writers are too clever, and work too hard to have to rely on 2 dimensional characters and soft-core scenes to put asses in seats in the theater.
I once met with a Marketing genius from a giant toy company. His greatest piece of advice for us was the following: "There is no such thing as bad publicity." I think this is where DC is going. I think this is EXACTLY the type of mentality behind some of the changes in the DCU, Go back and read about William Gaines and how he dealt with testifying before congress about violence in comics in the 50's. He, too, followed this creed. He saw it as one big game, and free publicity for his comics and company. The result? Comics were nearly eradicated over the next 10 years. Not saying it was right, just saying it happened.
Go back and re-read Catwoman # 1, and tell me it deserved multiple printings. It's about quality over crap. But if people keep buying this stuff (by the MILLIONS) crap is what we will be left with.
That or because this is fictional entertainment and shouldn't be taken so seriously.
Originally Posted by bobchonger
It kind of reminds me of Samus Zero Suit.
neither of which are bad thingsIt kind of reminds me of Samus Zero Suit.
I honestly just don't get it. I have kids my self and they like comics and they get FROM ME the kids comics when they get old enough and if they are still into comics i will give them something more grown up or let them get what they want. What i do is a Parent my kids. i explain to my boys what it is to respect women. My little girl is still not old enough for much beyond her favorite Disney movies. But i will talk to her as i do my sons about what she will see when she gets older.
But what i really Don't get is why Grace said she felt ashamed for buying new x-men and green lantern OR why she blamed the Catwoman comic for the Attention it got. That is silly. If some one looks at a COMIC BOOK DRAWING and decides to pass judgment on you as a person that not a YOUR PROBLEM that is THEIR Problem. we need to stop looking at these hypocrites to decry every thing in pop culture as the reason for how bad things are and we need to start putting the responsibility on the individuals who can't function in society.
Something else i don't get is why thinking a woman is sexy is such a bad thing, If i may Grace Randolph is incredibly sexy to me. That dose not mean i don't respect her intellect or her opinion. I just don't spend too much time trying to reconcile the fact that as a man i find women attractive or enjoy sex. I just read my comics, enjoy what i read and live life the best i can. and try to be the best man i can.
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