A while back (see here) I did a blog entry about some of the
negative elements of the comic book fan community. Specifically the number of
racists there seem to be part of this group to which I proudly consider myself
a member (the fan community, not the racist community). With the recent announcement of changes being made to several Marvel
characters, and the negative reactions to some existing characters, I decided
it was time to revisit this sensitive topic and explain why the racist fans are
not only wrong, but not even true fans.
If you haven’t been reading recent issues of Captain
America, a lot has been going on with the character. First he got stranded in
an alternate dimension for several decades where he faced off against old enemy
Arnim Zola, adopted a son whom he later lost, lost the love of his life Sharon
Carter, gained a new sidekick (who has a whole different controversy revolving
around her that I might do a separate blog entry on) and lost all sense of
purpose. While trying to find his new purpose in life he did battle against an
ancient evil known as The Iron Nail. While Cap was able to defeat the Iron
Nail, he did so at the cost of the super soldier serum that made Steve Rogers
the Star Spangled Soldier that he is. So the big question became: Who will be
the new Captain America?
It’s not the first time this question has been asked. A few
years ago in the wake of the mega crossover Civil War (in which the super
heroes took sides and fought each other) Captain America was killed (he got
better). In the wake of that even there were several contenders to be the next
Cap. Even the Punisher was briefly considered for the job. Ultimately the man
who picked up the shield was Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers’ former sidekick and
recently resurrected Winter Soldier. Fans were happy with BuckyCap, so much so
that when it came time to make a sequel to the Captain America film they chose
to adapt the storyline where Bucky comes back (Spoiler Alert: Bucky is the
Winter Soldier).
This time around the powers that be at Marvel decided to
choose a different person to take the mantle of Captain America. This time the
role goes to Cap’s long time partner and friend, Sam Wilson aka The Falcon.
While public reaction over BuckyCap seemed to be lukewarm to mildly amused (if
you don’t read comics you probably didn’t even know he existed), the
announcement of a Black Captain America seems to have inspired every one to
give there two cents on the subject. And sadly most of it has been negative.
While everyone certainly is entitled to their opinion (no
matter how negative or hateful it may be) on this subject I have to say the
naysayers are just wrong. The whole reason why someone needs to step up and
take on the mantle of Captain America is because Cap is more than just Steve
Rogers. Cap is a symbol. Someone for heroes to rally behind and charge into the
fire with. That is because they know they are being led by a man who is truly
noble in his deeds and actions. Who better to emulate the behavior of Steve
Rogers than his closest friend? His ally. Someone who has many times followed
Cap into the fire. That is Sam Wilson. Captain America and The Falcon have been
a crime fighting team since the Seventies.
Second only to Bucky Barnes, The Falcon is Captain America’s
oldest ally. So associated with the character of Cap, he was even featured in
the recent Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie (played by Anthony Mackie,
who in my humble opinion stole the show). It seems like more of a controversy
for him not to be the natural choice to pick up Cap’s shield. Beyond being just
an ally to Captain America, he has proven himself to be a capable hero in his
own right.
So I have to come to the conclusion that given the obvious
qualifications of Sam Wilson to take on the role of Captain America, the people
objecting to his taking up the mantle are doing so solely due to his race. In
fact I have seen the more honest racists come right out and say so. For some
reason they feel that Captain America must be a white male. Not Steve Rogers,
but someone definitely of his race. Which is bullshit. America is not just
white people. America is a nation made up of many races and cultures that have
come together. Captain America is not Captain America because he has blonde
hair and blue eyes. He is Captain America because he fights for the ideals that
make this country great. Ideals that constantly evolve as the country continues
to grow and prosper. In a world where we have a black President, it seems only
right we have a black Captain America (and don’t get me started on how many
comments there are online blaming Obama for this. He won. Get over it).
Though part of the negative comments being thrown about in
the comic book fan community is due to the fact that the Captain America change
was not the only major shake up happening at Marvel. The same week that Joe
Quesada, Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Comics, announced that Cap was black, he
also announced that Thor, another key member of The Avengers, was going to
become a woman. For some reason sexism and racism tend to go hand in hand and
the blood boiled in the fan community.
While the negative ire directed at Cap was ridiculous
enough, I found the vitriol spewed at Thor to be downright ridiculous. Thor has
undergone many incarnations throughout his (soon to be her) comic book career.
This is a character who for one famous story actually became a frog. And the
entire nature of the character allows for many versions. Thor’s power comes
from his hammer, which bares the inscription “Whosoever holds this hammer, if
he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.” Now while the original quote
does have a male pronoun, that can be chalked up to a wording issue and not a
rule. There have been women who have possessed the hammer before. Storm of the
X-Men even famously once held the hammer. And in a cute moment in the DC vs.
Marvel crossover, Wonder Woman picked up the hammer and effortlessly handed it
back to Thor (if you’re not worthy you’re not even supposed to be able to lift
it). 
And ignoring the history of the character himself (herself?
I’ll probably get this blog up before the change so that’s why I’m using male
pronouns) we have but to look at the supporting cast of the character.
Specifically, Thor’s long time nemesis (and adopted brother) Loki. For nearly a
year the character of Loki was portrayed by a woman. And while female Thor has
received complaints and criticism, Lady Loki (as the version of the character
is lovingly called) was embraced by fans. Still fondly there will be cosplayers
who don the Lady Loki costume, keeping the character alive.
I have to admit I am giving too much blame to my fellow
fans. I know that while there is a minority of fans that have problems with
these changes, in truth most of the negative commentary is coming from outside
the fan community. There seems to be an odd phenomenon where people are
constantly hovering just outside the fan community looking for things about it
to pick apart, but never becoming a part of the community themselves. I saw one
blogger who admitted having not read a comic book since he was a young child
and yet he wrote a long diatribe about how these changes were destroying
comics. If you don’t read comics, why do you care? I do read them and am cool
with it.
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