Sex And Relationships In Comics

[Sutekh]

Yes, yes, I'm replying to a 2 year old post. I'm old and senile (and the internet is forever!), I can do that.

I think it's because in a lot of fiction the marriage is the end of the story. In some romantic comedies, sitcoms, fairy tales...the guy finally gets the girl so the story is over. Plus, like you say, in cape comics, marriage means you're old and setting down. You can't just go running off at the drop of a hat to have an adventure.

I do wish there were more successful adventuring couples, out there. The old Hart to Hart TV show comes to mind, or the married-adventurers that were Ralph and Sue Dibney, or Reed and Sue Richards, or Mr. Miracle and Big Barda, or the Hawk-peeps, back in the day.

Most of the power couples in comic books have either been sidelined (Reed and Sue), split up (by death or divorce, Vision and Wanda, Ralph and Sue Dibney, Clint and Bobbi, Scott and Jean (or Scott and Emma), Hank and Janet, Dick and Kory, etc.) or otherwise are no longer relevant. (And I do prefer 'power couples' to a situation where a super-person and a non-super-person are together, as it's more fun, I think, to see them on-panel together, and neither of them having to be sidelined while the other is out adventuring, as is sometimes the case with a Lois or Mary-Jane or Kyle Jinadu or whomever is the non-powered-half of the couple. I prefer stories where Mary-Jane or Lois have some sort of powers, or at least action-adventurer-y reasons to be in the thick of it next to their super-spouse, even if some of them do hold their own and aren't 'built-in hostages.')

Gah, and now I have the horror that is Terry Long (non-powered husband to Wonder Girl/Donna Troy, of the Teen Titans) stuck in my head. There aren't a lot of characters that I can say that I'm glad they're dead, but he's one of them.

There are a few, like Black Bolt and Medusa, or Aquaman and Mera, that seem to be making it work, and books like Renew Your Vows and Super-Sons suggests that there might finally be a bit of a turning point going on, where the big 2 are willing to experiment with (AU versions of, at least) big-name heroes in long-term marriages and / or committed relationships.

[Old Man Ollie 1962]

I absolutely loved the golden and silver age Hawks, husband and wife crime fighting duo ... Miss that relationship and those adventures. I miss Arthur and Mera, Ollie and Dinah, Scott and Barda. I miss them all.

I'm old school and a bit old fashioned. Sue me.

[Spike-X]

It shouldn't get to the point that people are made afraid to say that there are benefits to having both parents fully involved in the love and care of their offspring. It seems to me that we can't call anything good without it being offensive to someone somewhere. We literally can not argue that it's good for both parents to care for their children. I wish I could have had both my father and my mother there for me full time. I saw my mom occasionally and I only remember seeing my dad once or maybe even twice while I was growing up. I can help but think having them both raise me the way I'm trying to raise my children would have been ideal. I can't not say that because someone else is offended by it.

You weren't arguing that it was good. Nobody could disagree with that. You were arguing that it was inherently better.

[Spike-X]

Wut, where did this come from?

America (the country, not the comic).

[Rogue Star]

You weren't arguing that it was good. Nobody could disagree with that. You were arguing that it was inherently better.

The post you're responding to here is a response to your comment that people might be offended by my question.

My argument has not changed. Earlier I asked a question.
You said you disagreed with my opinion. For the sake of context, I'll put the question here: Taking everything I said into consideration, especially assuming the parents in question are loving and not destructive, why wouldn't a two parent situation be healthier than a single parent family situation?

If you don't agree with my opinion that it's healthier (better) then that's that.

If people are offended by (me) saying that I think it's better/good, I can't not say what I believe because of them.

[Rogue Star]

Yes, yes, I'm replying to a 2 year old post. I'm old and senile (and the internet is forever!), I can do that.



I do wish there were more successful adventuring couples, out there. The old Hart to Hart TV show comes to mind, or the married-adventurers that were Ralph and Sue Dibney, or Reed and Sue Richards, or Mr. Miracle and Big Barda, or the Hawk-peeps, back in the day.

Most of the power couples in comic books have either been sidelined (Reed and Sue), split up (by death or divorce, Vision and Wanda, Ralph and Sue Dibney, Clint and Bobbi, Scott and Jean (or Scott and Emma), Hank and Janet, Dick and Kory, etc.) or otherwise are no longer relevant. (And I do prefer 'power couples' to a situation where a super-person and a non-super-person are together, as it's more fun, I think, to see them on-panel together, and neither of them having to be sidelined while the other is out adventuring, as is sometimes the case with a Lois or Mary-Jane or Kyle Jinadu or whomever is the non-powered-half of the couple. I prefer stories where Mary-Jane or Lois have some sort of powers, or at least action-adventurer-y reasons to be in the thick of it next to their super-spouse, even if some of them do hold their own and aren't 'built-in hostages.')

Gah, and now I have the horror that is Terry Long (non-powered husband to Wonder Girl/Donna Troy, of the Teen Titans) stuck in my head. There aren't a lot of characters that I can say that I'm glad they're dead, but he's one of them.

There are a few, like Black Bolt and Medusa, or Aquaman and Mera, that seem to be making it work, and books like Renew Your Vows and Super-Sons suggests that there might finally be a bit of a turning point going on, where the big 2 are willing to experiment with (AU versions of, at least) big-name heroes in long-term marriages and / or committed relationships.

Yeah, I hope we take a turn this way.

[Rogue Star]

REPOSTING THIS FROM THE GAMBIT AND ROGUE THREAD:

Apparently Batman has proposed to Catwoman (WOWZER!)

The article makes me think though, especially as it relates to other relationships in comics (especially Gambit and Rogue) - yeah, why not try that? Why does it have to be bad for both?

http://www.cbr.com/rebirth-batman-ca...e-explained/3/

"Rather than being the “victim” of Bruce’s undeniable, brooding masculine magnetism — a Bond Girl style vixen who just “can’t help herself” but fall for the dangerous and strong hero even though she knows better — Rebirth Selina is an active player in the “game” she and Batman had established between themselves. Bruce isn’t an object of uncontrollable lust for her, he’s not a reluctant participant in the crosshairs of Selina’s performative sexuality, he’s the other half of a conversation happening across Gotham City’s rooftops, gargoyles, and crime scenes.

This incarnation of Selina’s femme fatale tropes isn’t invested in making the reader believe that her sexuality has a one to one ratio with her physical strength, but takes the time to build a believable case for mutual attraction and mutual gain between the two parties involved. For Batman, Selina represents an exit sign on a very long, very dark highway — the potential to escape his endless crusade, despite the innate knowledge that he’ll never be satisfied with calling it quits. For Catwoman, Batman represents the ultimate conquest, a shot at stealing away the love and attention of the Dark Knight, the most valuable thing in Gotham, despite the unmistakable understanding that she’ll never be able to hold on to it for too long.

It would be inaccurate to say that it’s a mutually beneficial relationship on the table, but it’s certainly mutual, and that’s what matters. The power is evenly distributed. And maybe more importantly, that distribution of power doesn’t force Selina to sacrifice or compromise her autonomy or her sexuality. It’s her decision, within the narrative, when, how, and why she should weaponize any aspects of herself — and she does so to serve the story she exists in, without the added baggage of performing for a target demographic of readers.

So, can a relationship between The Bat and The Cat work? Certainly. The bones of a romance have been written into these two characters from day one. It’s just been a matter of mining their marrow, stripping out the failings of seventy plus years and sequencing the DNA into something new — something successful that serves to bolster both characters. This is something Rebirth Batman has done to great effect over the past year, with painstaking attention to detail and restraint. It doesn’t just work, it works well, for maybe the first time in almost seventy years."

I hope this works out!!! I'm keeping the faith for Rogue and Gambit too. Writers with actual talent can pull it off. Way to go, DC!!!

[Hypestyle]

there's not enough portrayals in comics of men and women with deep social anxiety and how that can lead to social/sexual frustrations about either never having had a dating life or having one that is extremely unfulfilling.

[Rogue Star]

there's not enough portrayals in comics of men and women with deep social anxiety and how that can lead to social/sexual frustrations about either never having had a dating life or having one that is extremely unfulfilling.

Jessica Cruz (Green Lanterns) is such a case. She saw her friends get killed and that lead to her having severe social anxiety. She locked herself in her apartment for three years and now she's forced to come out into world and be a Green Lantern. You might be interested in reading her books.

[Rogue Star]

Anyone know if Vision's series is still going? I know he has a family in that one so I'm interested in reading it. I can't tell if it was only one volume available for sale so far or if that was all there is to the series.

[Spike-X]

Anyone know if Vision's series is still going? I know he has a family in that one so I'm interested in reading it. I can't tell if it was only one volume available for sale so far or if that was all there is to the series.

There were twelve issues, collected into two trade paperbacks - Little Worse Than A Man, and Little Better Than A Beast.

[Rogue Star]

There were twelve issues, collected into two trade paperbacks - Little Worse Than A Man, and Little Better Than A Beast.

Thanks. For some reason I only see one on Marvel's site.

[Spike-X]

Thanks. For some reason I only see one on Marvel's site.

That's odd. I have both, so they're definitely real!

[ed2962]

The Godshaper mini wrapped up a couple of months ago. It's the story of people with who have personal spirit like gods that help and a man without a god but who has the power to "shape" other people's gods to various ends. Bringing it up here because of the interesting representations of race and LGBT people.

[ed2962]

There's been some interesting back and forth in recent issues of Deathstroke between Rose and Tara about Tara supposedly being some sort of escort ( although Tara says it's a forth). But it's just interesting that it's heavily implied that Power Girl has not had sex yet.