A Batman image offended China. Its removal has angered fans worldwide
DC Comics needs a superhero to save it from itself. The pop-culture giant is in political hot water over a drawing that’s been linked in mainland China to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests and is now at the center of a global debate about state censorship and corporate complicity in chilling free speech.
The image in question, which DC removed from various social media accounts it runs, is undeniably compelling. Created by artist Rafael Grampá for writer Frank Miller’s graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child, to be released on Dec. 11, the drawing shows a youthful superhero holding a Molotov cocktail. In the background are the words: “The future is young.”
****
Chinese social media users took offense at what they said was a clear reference to pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong (and) sparked a backlash against DC that the company tried to quell by taking down the image without any explanation.... The self-censorship only angered fans around the world, who questioned DC bowing to pressure and urged it to go in the opposite direction.