Gorilla City thoughts and questions

[SiegePerilous02]

The fact that the City is among the most advanced societies on earth makes it a little better, and the more you dig into the place and actually read the stories the more you realize that there isn't really anything innately racist in the concept, but at a glance it *looks* questionable.

Especially when Marvel has Wakanda in comparison.

Most people in this day and age are not going to look deeper into Gorilla City when the initial casual glance comes off as very poor in comparison to what Marvel has.

[Multiverse]

I think my favourite version of Gorilla City isn't even from the mainstream continuity; it's the "Young Justice " Animated Series. In the comic-book tie-in, Gorilla City is a series of quonset huts created by the Brain and Ultra-Humanite. It's there where Monsieur Mallah is created, Ultra-Humanite got his new body; and we got to see not only Grodd and Solovar, but their mates Primat and Boka, their children/kin Simeon, Nnamdi, and Ulgo; and other denizens like Malavar, Kamau, Nzame, and Tolifhar (this version becoming the Ultra-Humanite's new body). Even other DC Gorilla characters got incorportated into it like Djuba (Bwanna Beast's ally) and Toto (original name for Superman rogue "Titano")

Young Justice.jpg

[Samm]

You seem not to be acknowledging though, that Gorilla City isn't just the most technologically advanced culture in Africa, it's the most advanced culture in the world*. It's so far beyond the US, it isn't even funny. Well, actually, it can be a bit funny.


*Well, advanced beyond the real world. There are some other fictional societies in DC that give it a run for its money.

Marvel has Wakanda
DC has Gorilla City

Lol you can’t even make this stuff up anymore...

[John Venus]

-Gorilla City exists in another dimension and one of it's portals just happen to be in Africa this time.

-Gorilla City is a floating autonomous city and they are always moving from one spot to another.

Take your pick.

[The Cool Thatguy]

Marvel has Wakanda
DC has Gorilla City

Lol you can’t even make this stuff up anymore...

Except it wasn't created in response to Wakanda, and does little more than exist as a place to explain Gorilla Grodd or for Flash to visit every now and then.

[Ascended]

Except it wasn't created in response to Wakanda, and does little more than exist as a place to explain Gorilla Grodd or for Flash to visit every now and then.

And that's why Gorilla City only *looks* racist at a glance. It's not, but the optics are easily twisted up.

[LifeIsILL]

Marvel has Wakanda
DC has Gorilla City

Lol you can’t even make this stuff up anymore...

Pretty sure Gorilla City came before Wakanda.

I'm just more curious to their advanced tech....we've rarely ever see any of their tech in action.

[DrNewGod]

In and of itself, nothing. But calling black people "apes" or "gorillas" is an old timey term and super racist, like using the n-word levels of racist. So the most advanced place in Africa being populated by apes? It's a little screwy. I'm not saying that was done with racist intentions or anything, but the optics aren't great.

The fact that the City is among the most advanced societies on earth makes it a little better, and the more you dig into the place and actually read the stories the more you realize that there isn't really anything innately racist in the concept, but at a glance it *looks* questionable.

People were flipping that at Michelle Obama, so not so old timey. That said, I agree with your points.