If nothing else, the Heroes for Hire/hentai controversy proved one fact beyond a shadow of a doubt - Joe Quesada is a Grade-A horse’s @$$.
Confronted with fans understandable discomfort with the image, the master of the Q Continuum replied:
This one I can answer to. First, I think people are reading way too much into that cover than was ever intended. I heard terms such as “tentacle rape” being thrown around when that in no way is what’s happening, nor does it happen in the book. Those tentacles are the arms of the Brood who appears in the issue and is a major story point, the Brood have tentacles, sorry about that.
Secondly, the concept for that cover, soup to nuts came from a female artist. Thirdly, not being a deep follower of manga, I have no idea what recurring theme people are referring to or concerned with. While I appreciate the sentiment and the feelings that some may have about this, I honestly feel that there is way too much being read into this cover.
Also, HFH is a book that features two strong, lead female protagonist who kick major ass; somehow folks have forgotten to focus on that.
When the Keeper earned his living as a newspaper editor, we learned an important lesson straight off the bat: Once people interpret an image or word a certain way, the argument is lost.
Phrases and (especially) pictures carry great symbolic weight. Publishers - even those who produce comic books - should possess enough self-awareness to at least question whether a line has been crossed.
Nothing is produced in a vacuum. Assuming readers will interpret content the “right way” is flirting with disaster.
As to the fact that the image was drawn by a woman, the Keeper questions how much autonomy a female employee has in a male-dominated industry.
Whether fans like it or not, sexually charged imagery sells. “Good girl” comics have a history of profitability, a fact that keeps hacks like Michael Turner swimming in money.
Does a lone female artist really have the power to swim against the tide? Would she still get work after raising a stink?
Finally, the notion of Misty Knight and Colleen Wing being portrayed as kick-@$$ heroines deserves some consideration. Say what you will about Chris Claremont and John Byrne, but they added depth to both characters during Iron Fist’s moment of Bronze Age glory.
Sure, the Daughters of the Dragon were tough as nails. However, that wasn’t the end of the story. Colleen Wing wrestled with her share of personal demons while Misty Knight demonstrated great compassion on more than one occasion.
We admittedly loved the Daughter’s mini-series a year or so back, but the Heroes comic has been a great disappointment. Along with Billy Tucci’s porno stylings, two great female characters have been reduced to “sassy” (Misty) and “flirty” (Colleen).
Is that really progress?
Coincidentally, this controversy arose the same week we purchased a copy of Adam Warren’s Empowered. The comic’s protagonist is an inept heroine who finds herself in classic “good girl” dilemmas (i.e. tied up while wearing the skimpiest clothing possible).
Although Warren created the character while sketching “damsel in distress” pictures for quick cash, he found the character wouldn’t settle for existing as pure wank material.
Empowered developed into a character who is fully aware of her shortcomings, yet tries to do the right thing. Sadly the would-be heroine’s efforts are often thwarted by her so-called “Super Friends,” who are portrayed as insensitive bullies with their own esteem issues.
In short, Empowered is the perfect comic for anyone who ever tried - and failed - to fit in with the “cool kids.”
Warren also possesses the skill - and humor - to unveil the implicit sexuality of the super-hero genre without preaching to or creeping out readers.
The book is genuinely funny, but never loses its sympathy for the protagonist. In the end, Empowered is a much deeper character than the generic bad-asses Marvel and DC promote as “strong women.”
Since Quesada is known to employ Warren from time to time, the Keeper hopes the EIC will pick up Empowered and learn a thing or two about engaging sexually explicit themes without insulting readers’ intelligence.
We won’t hold our breath, though.
