10 Comic Book Moments That Have NOT Aged Well
Image Source: Daily Advent
Okay. Cards on the table. This article will cover some weird stuff and some bad stuff. We are absolutely not making light of anything depicted in the below items. This is just an article looking back on things that either should not have been in a comic book, things that were handled poorly in a comic, or things that have just aged terribly.
A lot of these are a product of their time – and while that doesn’t excuse it, nor should we whitewash it.
Now before we begin here is a palate cleanser featuring Captain America.
10. Her-Oes
Image Source: Marvel Database
At best a misguided attempt to get “girls to read comic books” – spoiler mate they already do. At worst about a 50-year setback in feminism. Still, the 60s had different…oh, it came out in 2010? Never mind.
If it helps, it only goes downhill from here.
9. Batgirl Gets Run In Her Tights
Image Source: Pinterest
On numerous occasions, Batgirl has proven why she is a stalwart member of the Bat-family. So, when Robin is injured, and Batman takes on the Dexter gang with Batgirl nothing seems out of the ordinary. Well, a Billionaire dressed as a rodent, with underage sidekicks beating up the poor aside. But oh no! Tragedy has struck bat friends – Batgirl has a run in her tights – how can she go on?!
8. Wonder Woman's Weakness
Image Source: WhatCulture
Surely even at the time alarm bells must have been ringing. Not only was the only mainstay female characters weakness BEING TIED UP. It seemed to happen to her every other issue. Years later we would discover that the creator of Wonder Woman had a thing for BDSM…so that…makes…sense?
7. Sue Storm Spanking
Image Source: Marvel Unlimited
I had to burn my Mac after trying to find an image for this entry.
Three things:
Ben – That’s your best friend’s wife.
Reed – That’s YOUR wife.
Writers – Just no.
6. Ultimate Maximoffs
Image Source: Marvel Unlimited
It took a lot of energy not to call this entry just Twincest, and that is exactly what it sounds like. In the Ultimates Universe, Wanda and Pietro Lensherr are…romantically involved with each other. It’s ok though because when an Ultron unit who was in love with Wanda killed her with a DNA encoded bullet (I love comics). Quicksilver became …obsessed with his dead lover…and sister.
I was wrong. That is not ok. Ewwww.
5. Wonder Secretary
Image Source: Screen Rant
To be fair this list could have been entirely based on Wonder Woman. What role in the Justice League would be best suited for this daughter of a literal God, who is almost impermeable to harm? Justice League Secretary - nailed it.
4. Green Lantern’s Fridge
Image Source: Wikipedia
Every writer longs to make a cultural impact with their work, and this is possible through comics and Graphic Novels. However, if that impact is that you inadvertently cause the origin of the “Women in Refrigerator” phrase – that probably wasn’t your intention/ Giving Green Lantern a girlfriend is a good idea! We could explore the difficulties of maintaining a double life or having to hide your identity from a person you love. Or she could contribute nothing to the story and be killed horribly.
Now the real argument is what’s worse? This? Or nuking the fridge?
3. Pink Kryptonite
Image Source: Pinterest
This is a form of Kryptonite, that turns Superman gay. This is a literal plot point to a widely released comic book in which a piece of naturally occurring mineral – turns superman gay. And how does this manifest for our Man of Steel? He notices Jimmy Olsen’s fashion sense. This was 2003.
You know what? Use this more to really annoy the ardent homophobes out there.
2. The Punisher Turns Black
Image Source: Comics Alliance
Remember the time that Frank Castle, The Punisher, became a Black guy? Nah us either. But after being horrendously scared in a brawl escaping from Prison, Frank had to lay low. One appointment with a drug-addled doctor later and Boom - this. Fortunately within a VERY short time, the plastic surgery “wears off” and we are back to business as usual.
Man, the 80s was a lawless time.
1. Domestic Violence
Image Source: Comic Book Movie
Possibly one of the most famously controversial comic book moments is the physical abuse between Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne. It’s not well handled, it shouldn’t have been done, and Marvel has done well to relegate this to the annals of history.
Thought I should balance this out with an image that has aged quite well.
Image Source: The Washington Post
The best way to feel when looking back through these, and the many others like it, is to embrace how far we have come. How much more sensitive and tolerant we have become as a people.
To me, that is pretty super.
READ NEXT:
