The hacktivist group Anonymous has joined in as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. And with it comes their members sporting Guy Fawkes masks like scene in V for Vendetta. The mask has become a real political symbol of discontent and been popular in it’s use with the group. There has been some blow back as Warner Bros. does make money off each mask sold, doh!
While DC‘s post Flashpoint reboot/relaunch plans have been interesting and so far the only thing that’s bothered me is the plan to return Barabara Gordon as Batgirl, even in the capable hands of writer Gail Simone. The reason this hasn’t set right is that Barbara Gordon is currently in a wheelchair and goes by the name Oracle. Instead it looks like in this reboot/relaunch she’ll be getting back the ability to walk. In general a slap in the face to those with a disability.
Fans have taken up the cause with a Tumblr blog called Oracle Create-a-Thon. Comics Alliance succinctly puts it as a website dedicated to “fan art, fanfiction and activism to maintain awareness of the physically challenged and to make the feelings of Oracle fans known to DC Comics.”
Created by Yamino (aka Elena Barbarich), the blog encourages fans to speak up with artwork, photos, essays, whatever. Expect a petition in 3…2…1…
Image via Wikipedia
With a bat-shit insane Pastor making news about burning some holy book, the history of book burning has cropped up more than a few times in the news over the past week. Comic books have a nice history when it comes to this form of public protest.
CBC has a great article covering the history of book burning.
That year residents in Binghampton, N.Y., went house-to-house gathering and burning comic books they feared would spread moral depravity among American youth.
“Groups of students continued to burn comic books in school yards around the country, some under the sway of their parents and teachers, some in concord with them,” writes David Hadju in his 2008 book The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America. (Bookforum has a long excerpt and a photo of a Binghampton burning.)
Another wave of comic book burnings followed the publication of Seduction of the Innocent, by American psychiatrist and comic book foe Fredric Wertham in 1954.
Couldn’t make it to the counter protest of geeks against the hate filled Westboro Baptist Church? Now you can see all the fun that transpired at San Diego Comic-Con thanks to the intertubes!
[vodpod id=Video.4086642&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]
[vodpod id=Video.4086656&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]
[vodpod id=Video.4086685&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]
[vodpod id=Video.4086704&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]
They came, they saw, they kicked their ass! The jackasses of Westboro Baptist Church lead by Reverend Fred Phelps decided to protest San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday and the geeks met them head on with a counter protest.
The Westboro minions didn’t seem to know what hit them as there was a rather eclectic mix of the usual fun folks you’d find at geek conventions.
The crowd responded to the hate speech of the church with such chants as “WHAT DO WE WANT” “GAY SEX” “WHEN DO WE WANT IT” “NOW!”
There’s some great photos from other sites covering the interesting sites of the protest.
Bleeding Cool – God Loves Gay Robin – Comic-Con Vs Westboro Baptist Church
Comics Alliance – Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church
[vodpod id=Video.4077989&w=425&h=350&fv=%40videoPlayer%3D207674901001%26amp%3BautoStart%3Dfalse%26amp%3BplayerID%3D10032373001%26amp%3BoverrideAds%3Dtrue%26amp%3Bdomain%3Dembed%26amp%3B]
The Westboro Baptist Church best known for protesting at the funerals of dead U.S. soldiers with signs such as “God Hates Fags” are coming to San Diego Comic-Con (they’ll be the one larping as assholes). What’s the reason? We’ll let them do the explaining:
Are you kidding?! If these people would spend even some of the energy that they spend on these comic books, reading the Bible, well no high hopes here. They have turned comic book characters into idols, and worship them they do! Isaiah 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: 9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not. It is time to put away the silly vanities and turn to God like you mean it. The destruction of this nation is imminent – so start calling on Batman and Superman now, see if they can pull you from the mess that you have created with all your silly idolatry.
1:15pm till 2pm on the Thursday, 22nd July, they’ll be picketing outside the convention.
It’s been a busy month for these nutcases. They’ve also been picketing Justin Bieber, Lady GaGa, the Jewish Holocaust Museum and Al Gore. Should be a fun time as the unwashed geeks meet the unwashed crazies.
I’m thinking some of the cosplay alone will cause the church members to have a stroke.
Captain America #603
Narrator – Traveling on a bus from New York to Idaho… the man you would be Captain America learned a lot about the changing face of his country. The empty houses and unemployment lines reminded him of the world of his youth. He saw the Great Depression end as the war brought a wave of industry to America. Now, the factories were closed, and the wars abraod made no difference… he didn’t understand that. He remembered President Eisenhower, remembered the ideals of the ’50s… Remembered an America that had the best schools, the best worked… a great country.
Dark Avengers #14
Miss Hand – I want Norman Osborn to lead. I want you to lead our country into a place where Americans can live peaceful, fearless lives of comfort.
DoomWar #1
Desturi leader – — and now we are secure. All Ambassadors have been expelled. All borders closed, all press sent packing. All foreign nationals have been given twelve hours to leave the country, no exceptions made.
and
Press – Reaction from the world leaders has been mixed and cautious. White House sources say that President Obama is expected to make a statement later today.
and
Desturi leader – There is no epidemic, this is classic protest behavior.
and
Black Panther – The takeover of the Wakandan government is a criminal act. We offer you one chance to stand down and avoid bloodshed. One chance. If you disarm and stand down, I offer clemency and justice. We will allow representatives of the Desturi to participate in our political process, to have a voice in council.
Incorruptible #3
Max Damage – You’re right Armadale. This town’s a wreck.
Det. Armadale – And I still don’t know why you care. It’s like listening to Katrina apologize for New Orleans.
Resurrection #8
Sara – Well, this is a comforting thought. The country is in shambles, human civilization as we know it is over. But political correctness is alive and well.
President Clinton – I can only hope, Miss Lisco. I can only hope.
