We examine why complaints about forced diversity in comics mischaracterizes the evolving comics industry in the 21st century.
There are several topics that can completely ruin a comment section.
Popular culture and nerd culture in particular are expanding as the internet makes the world smaller.
This shift means that it is time to change some characters to appeal to new readers.
Yet,ThorwriterJason Aaron toldThe Wall Street Journalin 2014that Thors gender-swap was all my idea.
Any woman will do.
This was me having a very specific story in mind.
Such changes arent exclusive to Marvel.
The success of series likeGotham Academyat DC orLumberjanesat Boom!
speak volumes as well.
DC has seen success by shifting its focus to more of its female characters.
Shannon Watters, the writer ofLumberjanes, says that the solution to expanding diversity lies in hiring practices.
Hire more marginalized people to tell their stories, Watters saidin an interview withWatchPlayRead.
That is the number one thing you’re free to do.
There are plenty of examples of stock characters with zero personalities that are just there to be there.
This is an entire industry realizing that the world is changing, and they need to adapt as well.
While some comic fans hate change, many of the original characters havent left.
While Laura Kinney might be Wolverine, Logan is still in the Marvel Universe.
While Jane Foster might be Thor, the original Thor still exists.
For the moment, sales seem to be backing up the idea that the industry is desperate for diversity.
In addition to the early success ofMs.
None of this takes into account digital sales numbers, which skew heavily towards female dominated titles.
Not all of these experiments are going to work.
There is no agenda forcing political correctness.
There are new creators bringing new ideas to appeal to an expanding audience.
I know that the change wont happen right away, but that shouldnt stop us from trying.
