Absolute Magnitude

I should probably mention that a comic I co-created with Martin Morazzo, ABSOLUTE MAGNITUDE, is competing right now on Zuda.com. If you'd head over there and vote for it, that'd be swell (even if you only hit this blog entry after searching for any of the following traffic-generating words -- lohan hilton free porn madonna shark anus diet -- vote for it even then).

A guy talks about it here; another guys talks about it here; a lot of folks talk about it here. So, y'know, vote for it and stuff.

A Strong Woman... Literally

Superhero comics are often described as being white adolescent male power fantasies, which is, in my opinion, exactly what they are. That’s one bit of conventional wisdom that seems clear. Exactly what it means in terms of having, say, a woman in the lead role, however, is less clear. Does one need to subvert the traditional male power fantasy and create, instead, a female power fantasy? Do women even have power fantasies?

It seems to me that most women do have power fantasies (and the ones that don’t probably aren’t reading superhero comics). If we take as a given that superhero stories are, at least in part, power fantasies, is there a basic power fantasy common to both the male and female (as well as people of other colours, cultures, and sexual orientations) variations?


It seems to me -- again -- that there is, and that the commonality is the very thing intrinsic to all superheroic fiction: the presence of characters with extraordinary powers, talents, or psychological traits. Where the story goes from there -- who has the power, what they use it for, and how the super individual relates to the world around them -- is where most of the differences come in.

We all, though, I think, can agree that being invulnerable could have its uses. Being able to turn invisible, too (though whether this one breaks down as females fantasizing about turning invisible so as not to be seen, and males fantasizing about turning invisible so they can look at women -- though not the invisible ones, of course -- or if those generalizations don’t really apply, is an open question). Most of us, I think, have wondered what it might be like to fly.



In The Matriarch, the webcomic I do with Steven Yarbrough about a superhero who is also a single mom, the power fantasy plays out largely as having the power to help the ones you love. Again, this is something I think most of us can relate to (although it doesn’t strike me as a particularly adolescent trait). Sherry, our protagonist, enjoys having and using her powers. There are times when she gets into trouble, of course -- times when things go poorly despite her making all the right choices -- but, generally speaking, having power beats having had no power.

We’ve been running for about a month now -- updating every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday -- and the majority of folks I’ve gotten feedback from (facebook, blogger, MySpace) are female (though that may be sample bias owing to the relatively small sample size).

As a writer, the most interesting thing about superhero stories (which, again, I see as largely white male power fantasies) is seeing what happens with someone else in the driver’s seat, whether it’s a woman, old people, or even an alien pet. But ultimately, in terms of expanded horizons (both for comics as a medium and for human beings), do we want to expand white male power fantasies to include everybody, or do we need to erect new fantasies reflecting the needs, wants, and desires of other people with other experiences? Are we ultimately more alike than we are different, or are we more different than we are alike?

women comics feminism feminist matriarch webcomic

The Matriarch

This is a place for comments on my webcomic, The Matriarch, which updates every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday -- leave some, so I won't feel embarrassed!



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The project that wouldn't die...

The July 2008 Zuda contest is going to feature ten strips from previous months that didn't win their respective contests. The ten strips will be selected based on recommendations from readers, so send your list of up to ten previous competitiors -- including, I hope, Urbis Faerie -- to feedback@zudacomics.com.

'Kay?

Urbis Faerie

Urbis Faerie, is up at Zuda.com: view it, vote for it, love it! Zuda is a monthly competition, and the comic with the most votes wins a contract with DC Comics for a full year's worth of stories. Check it out and, if you like what you see, vote for it.

Some people shine with a special light (while others seem naturally inclined to scowl and scurry from that light). In the world of Urbis Faerie, all human beings are the direct descendants of various fantasy races, so that beautiful girl with the long blonde hair and glittering eyes may actually be an elf… or a fairy.

Urbis Faerie is a town founded as a haven for those in whom the old bloodlines run strong; a fresh start away from the old feuds and the tyranny of the Masters. Lauren hasn’t been in town long, but she’s fallen in love with her life here. When she receives a summons from her parents via their terrifying henchman, Mr. Hound, Lauren has to decide whether to leave Urbis Faerie and those she just might love, or risk the destruction of the town itself at the hands of her parents. But people are changing –- becoming more like their fantastic ancestors –- and unravelling the riddle of just who is descended from what will allow Lauren to stop the town from destroying itself… but only if she sticks around long enough to figure it all out!

This is from Robert Burke Richardson, Martin Morazzo, Carolina Cesare, and Robt L. Snyder, the team behind Elf-Help (now free at Wowio.com!)

Tags: comics, webcomics, DC, Zuda, Zuda.com, Nietzsche, romance

Urbis Faerie Character Profiles: Lucas

(Vote for Urbis Faerie at Zuda.com!)

Lucas: Hair Where There Wasn't Hair Before!

Urbis Faerie Character Profiles: Chris

(Vote for Urbis Faerie @ Zuda.com!)

When you’re fated to be the bad guy, what kind of life can you hope to lead?

Chris’s father rejected the proud traditions of his people, and Chris doesn’t want to end up a snivelling coward like his dad… but embracing the savagery of his line would mean jail or worse in this modern age. Is Chris bad because of his ancestry, or because he’s just a jerk? Does he excel at football because of the violence… or is he really a team-player at heart? Does he even actually think about any of these issues, or are we just projecting?

Chris is with Nikki right now, but he wants to be with the new girl, Ariel. And Nikki. Preferably at the same time.

Fun Facts about Chris:

Favourite Tea: Beer.
Hates: That dorky reverend, Cat.
Year Book Quote: “FREE PORN!!!”
zuda

Urbis Faerie Character Profiles: Theodora

(Vote for Urbis Faerie at Zuda.com!)

The last time a woman from Theodora’s bloodline fell in love, fourteen thousand people died.

Theodora turned seventeen last month…

Urbis Faerie Character Profiles: Mister O

(Vote for Urbis Faerie at Zuda.com!)

He’s small. He’s Irish. He loves Lucky Charms. Can you guess what race of mythological creatures Mister O’Shannon’s descended from?

If I had to guess, I’d say… werewolf. Or maybe some type of spider-thing.

Mister O’ has walked the Earth a long time, and no one seems to know just how old he really is. He traveled the world – twice – before settling in Urbis Faerie, and has a vast knowledge of both teas, and eastern philosophy. His diner, “O’Shannon’s,” is the spiritual center of the town. The Portuguese egg tarts come highly recommended.

Fun Facts About Mr. O:

Interests: Shelley Paley
Activities: Shelley Paley
Secret Hobbies: Shelley Paley
Biggest Crush: Noelia

Nietzsche on Zuda

An interview with Friedrich Nietzsche (brought to you by Urbis Faerie)

RBR: Thank you so much for being here, Mr. Nietzsche. In all honesty, I was a little surprised when you accepted my request to interview you on this topic. I had no idea you were so passionate about comics.

Nietzsche: Oh, I love comics. (Or Graphic Novels -- I call them Graphic Novels so I won't lose my bookstore cred.) Remember, I invented Superman.

RBR: You invented Superman? But I thought --

Nietzsche: Jerry and Joe made some tweaks, to be sure. But it's clearly my concept of the Ubermensch. All the super hero books are based on my ideas.

And all the other books, too.

RBR: I see…

What do you make of something like Urbis Faerie, which deliberately misreads your study in On the Genealogy of Morals on the origin and historical development of the words we use to refer to the concepts of "good," "bad," and "evil," to posit an ancient and sinister group called The Masters who dominated the various mythological creatures modern humans eventually evolved from?

Nietzsche: It's all good as long as the characters talk about me a lot.

RBR: And the concept of Zuda itself? What do you think of the idea of handing over such a significant chunk of the editorial control to the masses?

Nietzsche: Well, they've basically killed God -- or the God's-eye-view, or the concept of a single, right and true perspective -- haven't they? They've obliterated the foundations of objective truth, and banished clarity forever; never again will we have more than a screaming plurality of voices.

All of which means I approve wholeheartedly, of course.

RBR: Of course. So... why aren't you dead?

Nietzsche: The zombie craze, my friend. We're all here now. I had lunch with Zombie Shakespeare this afternoon.

RBR: So, can I count on your vote for Urbis Faerie?

Nietzsche: Beware the desire to rule --

I have found strength where one does not look for it: in simple, mild, and pleasant people, without the least desire to rule—and, conversely, the desire to rule has often appeared to me a sign of inward weakness: they fear their own slave soul and shroud it in a royal cloak (in the end, they still become the slaves of their followers, their fame, etc.) The powerful natures dominate, it is a necessity, they need not lift one finger. Even if, during their lifetime, they bury themselves in a garden house!

RBR: Uh, all right then. Maybe it's better if you don't vote for me...


tags: zuda, interview, dc, comics, webcomics, philosophy, zombies

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