The Minority Report! Diversity In DC and the Nu52

[Double 0]

There was a long running thread for this in the Marvel side, and since this is a new CBR, I've decided to try this out.

This thread is dedicated to a CIVIL DEBATE(!) about diversity and Minority topics in DC and the DCU across the mediums. What DC is doing right and what more can be done in this area. Come in with an open mind and respect sensible opinions.

[Kasper Cole]

I've been saying for a while that DC actually does try at diversity, they're just inept at doing it. The New Wally West is a prime example. I was really rooting for the new Wally (especially in the face of the backlash) but they had to go and slapped a bunch of lame racial tropes on the character from the jump. At best that was just lazy and incredibly tone deaf.

[Joe Kalicki]

I think DC's diversity is pretty unquestionable. They're certainly far more diverse than Marvel is.

They have a whole wide range of minority characters, covering a vast amount of different experiences within those groups. And they keep introducing more.

[Dr. Poison]

I think DC has tried very hard to incorporate more diverse characters into their universe over the last 10 years. Shortly after Identity Crisis, we got new versions of the Atom(Ryan), Firestorm(Jason), the Question(Renee), and the Spectre(Crispus). In the New 52, we've had a slew of diverse characters receive their own series such as Mr. Terrific, Blue Beetle, OMAC, Static, Batwing, and the Ray. Besides those, there have been new additions to team books such as Bunker/Teen Titans, a homosexual Alan Scott, a Hispanic Kendra Sanders, Cyborg as a founder of the Justice League, and then there's the very diverse new team known as The Others.

[exile001]

Steel and Black Lightning ongoings. Now! It is nice to see that Steel will be used in the New Suicide Squad, but that isn't enough for me as he is one of my favorite characters. Steel, as one of DC's smartest weapon designers, needs to hurry up and figure out that full body armour does not protect his head... Arguably the area that needs the most protection.

I disliked Static Shock, but was into the set-up for Mister Terrific. I felt that book was cancelled while still finding its place in the DCU. I wouldn't have complained at a new writer, though.

I was enjoying Batwing until it was moved from Africa to Gotham, and an American was put in the suit (Lucius Fox's son, no less!).

Vixen's New52 introduction was poor and she was pretty generic.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Batwoman.

I really liked the fat guy (can't remember his name) from Dial H.

It is a shame that Ted Kord will probably be the Blue Beetle soon and Jaime Reyes will disappear.

Cyborg just does not work for me in JL, however, I think its partly because I have read all of Wolfman's Teen Titans, and Johns is largely retreading the same waters. I am also snarky that J'onn got the boot.

Jury is out on Wally West until I read a few issues. This change may have been mandated by Warner Bros, as I believe the Wests will be black in the new Flash show they are working on.

I do feel that overall DC is trying, but they have a long road ahead. The new titles have launched from Wave 1 to present does seem to be trending away from minority character leads, but there were a few exceptions. Unfortunately, Katana and Vibe were not very good.

[SAMURAI36]

Not to mention, DC has been the leader in diversity as far as women go. On both sides of the New 52, they have had no less than a dozen female-led titles for YEARS:

*Batwoman
*Wonder Woman
*Power GIrl (Now WF)
*Batgirl
*Catwoman
*Amethyst
*Zatanna (now leads JLD)
*Supergirl

And numerous more. Meanwhile, Marvel is barely catching up to this, and have NEVER been able to maintain a female character consistently in a lead role.

[ShaggyB]

Thread Topic Under Review

[henchmen]

........and Harley Quinn!

[Young Avenger]

Not to mention, DC has been the leader in diversity as far as women go. On both sides of the New 52, they have had no less than a dozen female-led titles for YEARS:

*Batwoman
*Wonder Woman
*Power GIrl (Now WF)
*Batgirl
*Catwoman
*Amethyst
*Zatanna (now leads JLD)
*Supergirl

And numerous more. Meanwhile, Marvel is barely catching up to this, and have NEVER been able to maintain a female character consistently in a lead role.

"Barely catching up" are not the terms I would use, considering that Marvel is currently ahead in female representation.

She-Hulk has definitely been consistently in a lead role before, and Captain Marvel is getting there, having had series for the past couple of years.

Actually, if you look at the list of current Marvel heroines with series or series that have been announced to be coming this year

Captain Marvel
Ms. Marvel
She-Hulk
Storm
Elektra
Black Widow

There are six books (and at least one more female led-ongoing is confirmed). They feature two POC and no LGBT characters.

It's important to note that only two of those characters are directly spun-off from male characters.

Marvel also has the all-female X-Men, countered by the all-female Birds of Prey (although I think they have male member now - Condor?).

DC's list of ongoings or announced ongoings with female leads

Catwoman
Supergirl
Batgirl
Wonder Woman
Batwoman

Interesting to note that three of those are directly spun-off from male characters, and Catwoman could be argued to be a spin-off from Batman as well. They feature no POC and one LGBT character.

You could count World's Finest to match Marvel's six, although it is important to note there also that both leads are directly spun-off from male characters.

[wisesonAC]

I think DC has tried very hard to incorporate more diverse characters into their universe over the last 10 years. Shortly after Identity Crisis, we got new versions of the Atom(Ryan), Firestorm(Jason), the Question(Renee), and the Spectre(Crispus). In the New 52, we've had a slew of diverse characters receive their own series such as Mr. Terrific, Blue Beetle, OMAC, Static, Batwing, and the Ray. Besides those, there have been new additions to team books such as Bunker/Teen Titans, a homosexual Alan Scott, a Hispanic Kendra Sanders, Cyborg as a founder of the Justice League, and then there's the very diverse new team known as The Others.

have you ever read this article? http://comicsalliance.com/the-racial...-storytelling/

also the ray wasnt in the new 52.

and for context.

Mr.terrific, static, and omac were all cancelled after 8 issues. Blue beetle at 16. and they are all being used dismally now.

[Joe Kalicki]

One of the things I've been waiting for from DC is Vixen getting her own solo book. She hasn't had a chance at a solo book since 1981, and THAT was cancelled even before the first issue was released because one of their subsidiaries shut down.

She did have a mini about five years ago.

have you ever read this article? http://comicsalliance.com/the-racial...-storytelling/

also the ray wasnt in the new 52.

and for context.

Mr.terrific, static, and omac were all cancelled after 8 issues. Blue beetle at 16. and they are all being used dismally now.

The Ray is part of the New 52 universe.

Books get cancelled when they don't sell. All those characters besides Static have been kept alive in the DCU. Vibe and Katana were given high-profile launches and didn't catch on.

[jade_nova]

DC is hands down the best there is at diversity. They've got something for everyone. And even if they don't feature it with their main line they have digital firsts and other titles to satisfy every need.

There is no way DC isn't the absolute best at diversity as things are right now. Something for women and minorities and penned by women and minorities.

Way better than Marvel.

Can we get some examples on this?

He might be sarcastic because now we have to think happy thoughts or we'll get sent to the cornfield.

[wisesonAC]

The Ray is part of the New 52 universe.

where is he then? where is his book? the new ray had a mini in 2011 before the relaunch.

Books get cancelled when they don't sell. All those characters besides Static have been kept alive in the DCU. Vibe and Katana were given high-profile launches and didn't catch on.

[/QUOTE]

they all arent.

Mr. Terrific is background fodder in earth 2. he barely has speaking parts. hopefully futures end changes that.
blue beetle isnt being used currently.
i think omac was recently used in suicide squad.
other characters like Voodoo havent been touched as well.
vibe yes but katanna no. people just couldnt get over the fact the Ann norcenti was writing it.

[Holt]

Meet Marvel’s newest Avenger: White Fox.

According to ICv2, Marvel Senior Vice President C.B. Cebulski announced today at the DICON conference in Seoul that a character created for a licensed Korean webcomic series titled Avengers Electric Rain would soon be folded into Marvel’s main continuity. Created by Korean comics creator Young hoon Ko, White Fox was introduced as a member of the Avengers and was reportedly based on Kumiho – a nine-tailed fox from Korean mythology.

ICv2 reports that Marvel was prompted to fold the character into its main universe due to the widespread popularity of the comic series in Korea. Currently six installments of Avengers Electric Rain have been released, with White Fox’s origin story planned for the ninth installment.

This comes hot on the heels of word that Marvel’s superheroes would be crossing over with the hit manga series Attack on Titan in Japanese manga magazines, part of a larger push for Marvel into Asian markets.
http://www.newsarama.com/22776-marve...-s-comics.html

[Rac7d*]

I like to think about why they put cyborg on the team. It most lilky becasue he was their most popular Black male chracter at the time of putting a new team together.