The Five Most Controversial Moments in Comic Book History
Like any community that draws active fans, the comic world has its share of controversies. While each point of contention might not be enough to fragment the comic world and send it spiraling into cataclysm, they often stir the pot enough to send readers yammering on-and-on for months.
Collected here are some of the most interesting controversial comic occurrences from recent years. And as an added bonus illustrator Jeaux Janovsky has drafted original artwork to stir the pot a little on his own.
1. Nine Eleven Comic
Sept. 11, 2001 is a day we all remember. Various comic artists, writers and professionals from the comics industry came together to use art and comics to express their support and grief.
Comics of Note:
9-11: September 11th, 2001 (Artists Respond), Vol.1 was put together by Dark Horse, Chaos Comics, and Image Comics.
9-11: September 11th, 2001 (The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember) Vol.2 was published by DC ComicsMarvel Comics: Heroes (a poster book), A Moment of Silence (four wordless stories
inspired by true events of 911 of varying perspectives), The Amazing Spider-Man #36 (this issue shows how Marvel Universe Characters, such as Spider-Man, Captain America, DareDevil, Magneto, deal with the aftermath of the 911 attacks).
Alternative Comics published 9-11: Emergency Relief, talented creators in the Alternative and Independent Comics Scene banded together for this book with all profits going towards The American Red Cross.
Stan Lee received a letter from the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare requesting a story informing people about the dangers of drug usage. He responded with a controversial storyline in Amazing Spider-Man issues #96-98, in which the Green Goblin's son, Harry Osborn, is hospitalized for abusing LSD. The Comics Code Authority didn't like that and refused to put their seal on those particular issues due to Drug Usage. Never mind the fact that the storyline took an anti-drug stance. Stan Lee, along with Marvel Publisher Martin Goodman, gave the CCA a metaphorical middle finger and decided to run the storyline anyway, without the CCA Seal gracing their cover. The comics ended up selling
extremely well and were highly regarded for their socially conscious endeavors. The CCA later loosened their neckties and the code a little in order to permit negative depictions of drugs.
3. Infamous Green Arrow Heroin Storyline
The 70s were a time to confront drugs and their dangers. Marvel had their Spider-Man LSD story, DC had the infamous Green Lantern, Green Arrow storyline in which Green Arrow's Ward and Sidekick Speedy was addicted to Heroin. This ran in Green Lantern, Vol.2 in issues #85-86, and despite earning a congratulatory letter from the Mayor of New York (at the time), John Lindsay, the comic was received poorly probably due to the mature topic and artist Neal Adams' habitual trouble with deadlines. Ultimately, this all led to the cancellation of the book by issue #89 in 1972.
4. Northstar: First Openly Gay Superhero
Northstar resides in the Marvel Universe. Originally part of Alpha Flight, Canada's answer to the X-Men, Northstar later became a member of the X-Men — if only briefly. His special Mutant power is that he can fly and move at superhuman speed. Originally, his creators writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne imagined Northstar as being homosexual, and would occasionally allude to and insinuate his homosexuality. Though his character was created in 1979, Northstar didn't openly reveal his homosexuality until 1992 — that's 13 years. He came out in a storyline in which shortly after returning to Alpha Flight, following a stint in the Olympics, he adopts an orphaned baby who is unfortunately infected with HIV. After the child dies, he comes out to his teammates and the public that he
is gay.
Alpha Flight #106 caused quite a buzz, and attracted the attention of the mainstream press, and quickly sold out in a week. Unfortunately, it caused quite a controversy and was quietly buried under the rug until the series ended in 1994.
By the time Northstar joined the X-Men temporarily in 2002, views on Homosexuality changed tremendously. Writers were incorporating his sexual orientation into storylines ranging from a homophobic Juggernaut, to tackling Northstar's crushes on teammates Colossus and Iceman.
5. Mike Diana: First American Artist to be Convicted of Obscenity
Florida Artist Mike Diana's Controversial Zine, Boiled Angel, contained graphic and extremely shocking views of many of America's nightmares and problems. It dealt with issues of child abuse, date rape and religious corruption.
In March 1994, a Florida judge found Diana guilty of publishing, distributing, and advertising obscene material. They commented that his work "lacked serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value" because it didn't compare to such works as Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" or Picasso's "Guernica".
Diana was sentenced to 3 years probation, during which time his residence was subject to search and inspection , without warning or warrant, to determine if he was in possession of, or creating obscene material. He was to have no contact with children under 18, undergo
psychological testing, enroll himself in a journalistic ethics course, pay a $3,000 fine, and perform 1,248 hours of community service.
Mike Diana's story has inspired an off broadway play entitled, Busted Jesus Comix. The play borrows many particulars from the legal case and punishments meted out to Mike Diana, while the character of the comic artist in Busted Jesus and the background story are entirely
fictional.
- Jeaux Janovsky
Jeaux, I think this was a great post, but I'm dying for some links to some or all of the stuff you mentioned... maybe you can link to some Amazon or Wikipedia or comic book pages where we can see some of this good stuff?
Great post, a good read even for someone not usually interested in comics.
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If these are the 5 MOST controversial, I'd have to say comics aren't too controversial...or the writer needs to do a little more research.
Thankgod. Something on the Internet that's NOT about the iPhone or The Transformers.
That is just crazy that guy got hassled for just a comic!
Footsore,
If you can think of some other controversial moments, put them down in the comments section. Who knows? Maybe we can post up the 5 most controversial comics to you up on PS. These aren't right or wrong choices. These are just the major ones that stuck with me, as a comic book fan.
-JX!
Okay, how about the Death is Superman, the voting for the death of robin, R Crumbs ZAP comics (or any of a hundred other things he did), and God knows I could delve into the indy world and find real controversial subjects. Thats just off the top of my head. I'd say the Deaths of Superman and Robin were far more controversial and captured far more media attention than any of the items you listed.
blah blah blah footsore. That shit you mentioned is only controversial to fanboys such as yourself. Death of the big blue school boy was stupid. He's still alive aint he? Came out with a stoopid movie didn't he? And don't get me started on Robin. Crumb was great tho.
Okay, so footsore's definition of "controversial" is essentially "hyped DC/Marvel event that no one cares about and is reversed in continuity within a few years." Jeaux, this list isn't perfect, but it's a good start and well thought-out, if a bit heavy on the superhero books. I would put a bunch of other stuff in there, but why quibble?
Wow!
No Fredric Wertham and Seduction of the Innocent.
No EC Comics.
No Senate Judiciary Committee.
No Air Pirates Funnies.
No Mad Magazine.
I've never heard of Mike Diana, but I'm glad I have now. Amazing to hear that someone was punished for expressing themselves constructively. Thanks for the knowledge, time to try to find his comics!
Actually I was using the definition that jeux was apparently using, media attention. There are far more controversial subjects brought up in the indy comics all the time from a social perspective. Wertham is sort of a poor example, because when you really looked at his book, and the examples he cited in his testimony, it was just bad psychology and fearmongering that the media and congressional hearing made a big deal of. Much like videogames were in the 80s and 90s. and the music industry was in the 60s and 70s (anyone remember people burning beatles albums?)
I dont see whats controversial about the 9-11 comics at all. They were more of an homage' or remembrance to the heroes and victims. The most controversial thing about Diana's legal issue was that the legal defense fund was wasting money on him, his work was crap and probably deserved prosecution, first degree poor taste and bad judgement. 12inch this isnt a troll forum, keep your vulgar insights to yourself.
I love comics.
I love my girlfriend.
I love your girlfriend too.
Interesting, checking out the last one - what a hypocripsy on freedom of speech.
And what about Preacher?
As a proud owner of a copy of Mike Diana's "Boiled Angel," let me state that this comic is raunchy, crude, perverted, anti-everything and as funny as hell. One of the few comics ever to have me laughing my butt off with its over-the-top sex and gore. Too bad he can't get a movie deal for this!
I'm suprised that none of the graphic moments in Savage Dragon made it. They were purely gratuitous and widely mentioned in Wizard Comics.
I have to agree that not including Wertham, Seduction of the Innocent and EC Comics on this list was a glaring mistake.
On the other hand, the inclusion of the judicial travesty visited upon Mike Diana is commendable.
hey Allen!
believe it or not, the EC comics tale was on my original list! it was a coin toss between that & the mike diana story.
All of you have brought up such great moments I forgot to mention, that I think for sure will make it into the 5 MORE Controversial Moments in Comics History at some point in the near future!
Thanks Allen and everyone for such great advice, suggestions, and comments!
-JX!
the article is amazing, I like the way the mike diana part came across, I am him by the way. Keep fighting censorshits!!
as far as controversy goes, i'm with QCZA. If you ain't read Preacher and you're British, take a look at some old 2000ad. Then read Preacher again. If that's not controversial then you may need to seek some help.
I think if we look back a little farther there are more controversial issues. Here are a few off the top of my head: Disney's attack on the Air Pirates, Disney's theft of Osamu Tezuka's Jungle Emperor, perhaps most notorious was the National Comics Publications v. Fawcett Publications lawsuit which Wikipedia calls "It is notable as one of the longest running legal battles in comic book publication history."
Aww, what of paper plate bubbles and menstrual blood?
What is controversial at all about the 911 related comics? Absolutely nothing that I can see.
Making money off of a national tragedy?
Isn't that the American way?
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Jeaux,
What's your basis for listing 9/11 as the #1 most controversial moment in comic history? It was more a memorial than anything else, don't you think?
You complete forgot about the publishing of Seduction of the Innocent and how it brought about the CCA and the downfall of EC. That should inarguably be #1!
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