TEEN TITANS #3
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
Pulls
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
Size: 32 pages
Price: 2.99
Definition
STEREOTYPE:
“something conforming to a fixed or general pattern; especially : a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment”
One of the awesome things about the new DCnU is the increased presence of gay and lesbian characters in prominent roles. It has taken years and a lot of pain and suffering for the LGBT community to reach a point where their rights as human beings are being addressed by the “moral” majority in this country. With each struggle won – the right to marry in certain states – another battle is lost.
Comic books have always been a mirror to the culture we live in. Talented writers over the years have used this medium to reflect our society. Wether it be Green Lantern and Green Arrow dealing with drug addiction, or Superman not sure how to handle spousal abuse, comics have their roll in teaching us.
Back in 1989 AIDS had the country in a grip of fear. I was in high school at the time and the prejudiced towards those “homos” that are spreading AIDS was horrible. I wrote for my school newspaper and decided that I needed to say something about this. And of course me being a huge comic book fan I wrote about a comic book called STRIP AIDS USA – a collection of comic work to benefit people with AIDS.
check out the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Strip-AIDS-USA-Collection-Cartoon/dp/0867193735
The article got me in hot water with the school administration but I felt proud that I had taken a stand in my small little town and spoke up at a time when speaking up wasn’t popular.
Which finally brings me to the Teen Titan Bunker. Do I support a gay Teen Titan? You’re damn right I do. I support that gay Teen Titan being a stereotypical flamboyant gay man that talks about his “cute butt”? Fuck no. Why does Bunker have be a reject from the GLEE set? Come on DC you can do better then this. Take a look at what J.H Williams is doing over on BATWOMAN? Kate Kane is a lesbian but that is only one aspect of her character and not something that defines who she is. She is gay, big fucking deal. She is also a superhero. This an example of a minority being written right and with care. Bunker is being written and portrayed much like African Americans were back in the 70’s – in a stereotypical fashion – in a way that the public sees them. For years blacks in comic books spoke jive and wore afros, oh and ALWAYS had the word “black” in their name – as if we needed it driven home that these heroes were black. And now, Bunker, a gay super hero, being shown as a well dressed, tight jean, butt jetting, fauhawk wearing, cute ass talking, homosexual person. Why make Bunkers sexuality an issue? Why bring it to the forefront? Because we NEED to be told that this a gay character. because no matter how far we come as a society prejudices and fear of things we don’t understand take precedent in our media. And it makes me sad.
Am I happy that Bunker is around, yes. Am I happy with how he is being protrayed? No.
Art: 3 - Good
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Some rights reserved.
It may make you sad, but I will say that most gay men I have met throughout the years definitely fall in line with this description of Bunker. I saw the promo shots of Bunker, and instantly thought of the hairdresser a few doors up from my job. I’ve met very, very few gay men who weren’t flamboyant.
But, also, personal experience is anecdotal.
The jury is still very much out for me on this Bunker character…There are Apollo and Midnighter who represent this rather hyper masculine gay archetype. Then there is Bunker, who certainly burns a little brighter. It’s difficult to determine if Scott Lobdell is being innovative or insulting to me as a reader. If you look at it one way, Bunker is a proud teen who isn’t conflicted by his sexuality and that’s awesome. One can also look at it and say he was created with broad flamboyant strokes and is like Glee transformed to comic form.
I am hopeful that there is more substance to Bunker which will be revealed as the series progresses. However, in saying that, I dont need him to be toned down. As a community, we encompass the gamut, and looking to the dandy’s that came before…the Quentin Crisps, the Charles Nelson Rileys…they were larger than life and oddly were both fond of the neckerchief but that’s another story. They paved the way and I argue it took more bravery to be exactly who they were and not the homogenous version that’s easily palatable to the public at large.
Being in school at the same time and not only witnessing the same fear of AIDS but also terrified at the time that this was somehow my destiny was overwhelming. I think it’s pretty awesome that you made a stand and my hat is off to you.
thank you. and thank you for a well thought-out and written reply.
I do agree with you and I suppose it’s going to be a “wait and see” deal with how Lobdell handles this character.
Wow, I don’t know what to say on this. I went and re-read TT #3, and I guess since I am not familar with Bunker in the past, I did not even guess that he was supposed to be a gay character. What I got out of the comic, that he was a bit immature and young, much like I would imagine a young super hero would act or would be. I could care less if he was gay or not, though I don’t agree with the lifesytle, I have nothing against anyone who is.
That aside, I really did enjoy this issue. I am not trying to compare this new version of the TT’s from what I was used to in the past.
I didn’t know he was gay either. I thought he was just a cocky bastard. I think this review is a bit of an overreaction.
I’m gay, and I’m proud as hell to have Lobdell not be afraid to show someone as flamboyant. Too often writers make a gay character act straight out of fear of not portraying them as a real person…well you know what, BUNKER exists in the real world and it’s ok for every gay character to not represent me. Lobdell creating a character like this legitimately means a lot to me so you can rest easy on the front lines there.
Like I said, I think its great to have gay men be represented in comics, but don’t kind of wish Lobdell introduced Bunker with just a bit more dignity?
And with all due respect, “resting easy on the front lines” isn’t in the cards for me when it comes to fighting for equal rights for all people – be it marching in the Pride Parade in SF, protesting CA law that won’t let my friends marry each other, or writing up a little review on iFanboy about the need to not stereotype LGBT characters.
I’m glad that Teen Titans has a gay character, it shows diversity that’s sorely needed. I see where people are on the fence with Bunker, he’s flamboyant and that portrayal of gay men has been WAY over done.
I agree with Ghostmann, I hope that his sexuality doesn’t define his character. He made an excellent point with Batwoman. I would add how Young Avengers showed Hulkling and Wiccan. They are gay but it doesn’t define their characters. I just hope that Bunker doesn’t turn into a joke/comic relief for the gay, flamboyant character.
You know what would really not be a stereotype? ……If he had sex with girls. Would that make you happy then? “Oh man! He’s totally not a gay stereotype. He does it with chicks!” Ghostmann, I’m talking to you. Who cares if he is swishy? Does that make him a bad person? Have you ever met a gay guy who acted gay? Should that type of person not be a superhero because he has mannerisms that you deem negative? Or should even the most feminine gay man have the right to be a hero? I guess risking your life for the greater good is only dignified if you’re straight.