Books DC Batgirl Cover Pulled...

unlurking · 03-19-2015, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC

DC Comics (owned by Time Warner, which also owns CNN) said in a statement late Monday that artist Rafael Albuquerque's cover was going to be pulled.

"Regardless if fans like Rafael Albuquerque's homage to Alan Moore's THE KILLING JOKE graphic novel from 25 years ago, or find it inconsistent with the current tonality of the Batgirl books -- threats of violence and harassment are wrong and have no place in comics or society," they said.

ummm, wut?

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/17/entert...led/index.html

tomahawk kid · 03-19-2015, 07:34 AM

Yeah - I own an original copy of the Killing Joke, and read it before I probably should have (from an age perspective).

At the time (believe I was like 4-5 grade), it was the most disturbing thing I'd read / seen up until that point.

This cover is definitely pays homage to that storyline and the events that happened in said graphic novel. To me, its all the way in which this version is marketed.

The original Killing Joke shouldn't have been marketed to kids (and I don't know that it was) - but I bought one at a Comic Convention with little to no issue. I just thought, "Sweet - another Batman / Joker Annual!". The vendor happily took my money.

If this version of the cover isn't put out on newstands or racks where kids can easily access it - then I don't really see the issue.

**Ragged Robin** · 03-19-2015, 07:26 PM

I'm pretty sure everyone crying about being too PC doesn't even read comics or, at the very least (and most important) isn't going to buy this issue anyway. Knowing DC, they're probably pushing for this to be a story/controversy as they're dying for any sales at this point

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Yeah - I own an original copy of the Killing Joke, and read it before I probably should have (from an age perspective).

At the time (believe I was like 4-5 grade), it was the most disturbing thing I'd read / seen up until that point.

This cover is definitely pays homage to that storyline and the events that
happened in said graphic novel. To me, its all the way in which this version is marketed.

The original Killing Joke shouldn't have been marketed to kids (and I don't know that it was) - but I bought one at a Comic Convention with little to no issue. I just thought, "Sweet - another Batman / Joker Annual!". The vendor happily took my money.

If this version of the cover isn't put out on newstands or racks where kids can easily access it - then I don't really see the issue.

they later revealed that moore/bolland actually implied he also raped her in the original artwork

tomahawk kid · 03-20-2015, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragged Robin

I'm pretty sure everyone crying about being too PC doesn't even read comics or, at the very least (and most important) isn't going to buy this issue anyway. Knowing DC, they're probably pushing for this to be a story/controversy as they're dying for any sales at this point

they later revealed that moore/bolland actually implied he also raped her in the original artwork

Yeeeeeeeeeeup.

DaveNull · 03-20-2015, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragged Robin

I'm pretty sure everyone crying about being too PC doesn't even read comics or, at the very least (and most important) isn't going to buy this issue anyway. Knowing DC, they're probably pushing for this to be a story/controversy as they're dying for any sales at this point

they later revealed that moore/bolland actually implied he also raped her in the original artwork

Here's an article about the original artwork.

I re-read Killing Joke while I drank my coffee this morning. It holds up.

Jamie · 03-20-2015, 02:03 PM

The original artwork doesn't imply rape to me any more than the printed artwork did. The only image that's altered is the one in the center of the third panel. She's more explicitly naked, but she was obviously naked in the printed art.

**Ragged Robin** · 03-20-2015, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNull

Here's an article about the original artwork.

I re-read Killing Joke while I drank my coffee this morning. It holds up.

"Morrison’s claim that the Joker kills Batman at the end of the story is clearly only one way of reading an intentionally vague scene. Obviously, DC would never let them actually kill Batman in the story, but the fact that the ending could be interpreted that way enriches the twenty-five-year-old comic. "

They have this COMPLETELY backwards. I didn't read the rest of the article but clearly this guy has no idea what the **** he's on about

**hometeam** · 03-19-2015, 07:53 AM

This PC shit makes me sick.

Bunch of ****ing pussies this country has turned into.

Just because something is offensive to some person or group doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

kcxiv · 03-19-2015, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometeam

This PC shit makes me sick.

Bunch of ****ing pussies this country has turned into.

Just because something is offensive to some person or group doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

same here man! Growing up in the 80's and 90's everyone said everythign and no one got offended. At least they seemed not too. I know the way my friends and i joked around back then is so different, if we did that now as a kid, we would be considered a POS and if it ever got to somethign like youtube, that shit would get on twitter trending about how bad of people we are! lol

DaveNull · 03-19-2015, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometeam

This PC shit makes me sick.

Bunch of ****ing pussies this country has turned into.

Just because something is offensive to some person or group doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

Of course you could also take the cynical view that once anyone said anything negative about it, DC snatched the PR opportunity and ran with it.

I've had more than one muggle ask me what I though about the situation today.

Sure-Oz · 03-19-2015, 11:12 AM

So would've it been a better cover if she looks pissed instead of crying or scared? Its an optional cover...don't see the big deal

Jamie · 03-19-2015, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

So would've it been a better cover if she looks pissed instead of crying or scared?

Actually, yeah. Could you imagine ever seeing a cover like that with a male superhero? Like if it was Batman and Bane, or Superman and Doomsday?

unlurking · 03-19-2015, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

Actually, yeah. Could you imagine ever seeing a cover like that with a male superhero? Like if it was Batman and Bane, or Superman and Doomsday?

Jamie · 03-19-2015, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlurking

He's not exactly crying in fear there.

unlurking · 03-19-2015, 04:29 PM

I completely understand the fact that Batgirl has changed focus, and is now targeted at young females. I understand that the variant doesn't fit that new focus. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't understand the response this got (especially since it is a variant cover) and the response from DC. Just thought it was strange.

03-19-2015, 07:34 AM	#2
tomahawk kid Drunk in the Neighborhood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Beating the War Drums Casino cash: $10001837	Yeah - I own an original copy of the Killing Joke, and read it before I probably should have (from an age perspective). At the time (believe I was like 4-5 grade), it was the most disturbing thing I'd read / seen up until that point. This cover is definitely pays homage to that storyline and the events that happened in said graphic novel. To me, its all the way in which this version is marketed. The original Killing Joke shouldn't have been marketed to kids (and I don't know that it was) - but I bought one at a Comic Convention with little to no issue. I just thought, "Sweet - another Batman / Joker Annual!". The vendor happily took my money. If this version of the cover isn't put out on newstands or racks where kids can easily access it - then I don't really see the issue.
Posts: 5,974

03-20-2015, 02:03 PM	#6
Jamie Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Casino cash: $-1000000	The original artwork doesn't imply rape to me any more than the printed artwork did. The only image that's altered is the one in the center of the third panel. She's more explicitly naked, but she was obviously naked in the printed art.
Posts: 1,507

03-19-2015, 07:53 AM	#8
hometeam Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Casino cash: $1511956	This PC shit makes me sick. Bunch of ****ing pussies this country has turned into. Just because something is offensive to some person or group doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.
Posts: 10,768

03-19-2015, 04:29 PM	#15
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	I completely understand the fact that Batgirl has changed focus, and is now targeted at young females. I understand that the variant doesn't fit that new focus. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't understand the response this got (especially since it is a variant cover) and the response from DC. Just thought it was strange. __________________
Posts: 10,620