The Eternal Road to Asgard or the Eternal Road to a Hot Body?

Are Thor and the lovely lady standing on the Eternal Road to Asgard or the Eternal Road to a rocking bod?  Well regardless of their mission at this point, one thing stands clear- they are the main focus; not the fact that they are now on the Rainbow Bridge, the Eternal Road to Asgard. The way the panel was drawn focuses on the two masculine figures, they are our center of attention. Even with the curvy Rainbow Bridge in the background, that make us “feel more secure or comforted” (Bang, 70), our attention is still drawn on the two flawless characters. Their bodies are built vertically, which, according to Molly Bang, “are more exciting and more active. Vertical shapes rebel against the earth’s gravity. They imply energy and a reaching toward the heights or the heavens.” (44) And this is exactly what is happening in the panel. Thor and the lovely lady are literally defying earth’s gravity and this is why we feel drawn to them, but honestly is that the only reason why we’re drawn to them? Of course not! Just look at Thor’s vast muscles, even hidden under a cape still attract attention to the viewer. Thor is also flanked by his beautiful counter part, who is a perfect, unrealistic mix of both femininity and masculinity.

And that right there is the answer to the question, they’re obviously on the Eternal Road to Asgard. Not because they’re standing on the Rainbow Bridge, because they already have a rocking bod and why would you be on the Eternal Road to a rocking body if you already have one?

Unbelievable Male Bodies in Comics

In the picture above from the Jack Kirby Exhibit, you can see these superheroes that are trapped in a force field prison. To begin, by drawing these heroes in the middle of the comic, they are automatically the center of attention. The diagonal lines found on every side of the force field prison are portraying movement as the heroes are trying to escape this impenetrable box. Even with all their shredded muscle, they are unable to break free. The sharp edges in the corners of the box show the heroes are in the presence of danger.

For me, the picture shows how difficult it is for society not to incorporate superheroes as these perfect bodied beings. Over the years, the impractical body images for male superheroes in comics have grown to be more and more absurd. It has become evident that the size of muscles in our childhood heroes have increased over the generations. These growths in muscle are taken to bizarre lengths. The matter of the fact is that it looks like these ripped heroes will never have to work out again to stay in peak physical condition. But, have you ever imagined these heroes with the body of a normal human being? Lets be realistic. These superheroes we are seeing now do not even portray half of the population. According to research, 81 percent of children are afraid of being fat. While this has decreased the amount of obesity in the US, it has also increased the amount of eating disorders that we are facing today as a country.

Feminists and Spider-Woman

     "Here's a simple rule: If it's inappropriate for a male character, it should also be inappropriate for a female character" states Charlotte Allen. In the article, "The Great Spider-Woman Sexist Derriere Scandal", Allen talks about the fact that female superheroes are generally portrayed in a more sexualized way then male superheroes. Her article also serves to counter argue some feminists who "[shoot] from the hip about sexism and double standards in superhero comic books". But the more important point that she mentions in her article is that "[Superheroes are] essentially nude, like Greek gods and goddesses in classical art, with every muscle of their perfectly toned bodies in high definition", which leads us to the group topic, Superhero Body Image. This quote is important because it reminds us what superheroes look like, and their influence on younger boys and girls. Could we say that comics enhance the "double-standards" and "sexism" since such "pornographic" comics are read by many teenage boys? Well, Allen quotes Maddox's statement that when Spiderman was drawn in the same physical position as was the new Spiderwoman (pornographic, almost impossible to take, position) and when that issue was out "Nobody cared or even noticed". The article explains that no one noticed because it was Spiderman and since he is a man, then it is not such a big deal that he is holding an inappropriate position.
     Okay, but when it comes to women and their perception of Spiderwoman's body image, for example, this is what we see: "She looks like she's wearing body-paint, and that's a big no-no for an industry still trying to remember that women exist and may perhaps read comics and also don't want to feel completely gross when they do so..." as Rob Bricken says in Allen's article. Would you agree with this point? I would. This quote gives me the image of a person illustrating female superheroes constantly taking "pornographic" poses within the comics' frames, and young boys buying such comics exactly for that reason... That is gross, ladies and gentlemen!

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-spider-woman-variant-cover-20140911-story.html

Superhero Body Image Affecting Younger Generations

This article from The Atlantic talks about how cultural ideals are a disservice to our society due to their anxiety inducing traits. While talking about the pressure young girls are feeling, researchers are now realizing the affects that younger boys are feeling due to the bulky and masculine body types of their favorite superhero. Studies have shown that about eighteen percent of boys are immensely concerned with their physique. This concern of their body image has lead to an increase in depression, binge drinking, and use of drugs. Dr. Allison Field, associate professor at Boston Children's Hospital and lead of the study, believes that children should be worried enough about their weight to make healthy decisions. She says that these children should not be "...so concerned that they're willing to take whatever it means...to achieve their desired physique." 

Studies have shown that about half of the boys concerned about their weight, were only concerned about gaining weight in muscle. Similar to the girls in our society, the boys have been externally influenced to look a certain way because of what they grew up with. In this case, it is their favorite superhero. However, unlike the girls, these boys growing up are not worried about losing their weight, it is about gaining weight. 

One of the biggest concerns today, is the increase of boys that are taking are these "natural" shakes. Many are taking supplements with ingredients like anabolic androgens, and have no idea of the detrimental effects that these drugs cause. Having hopes of having the shredded upper body and thick legs of superman, teens are also taking steroids in order to increase their testosterone levels and muscle growth. However, many do not know of the long term effects of these drugs. Taking steroids could lead to rage attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety. These drugs take an enormous negative effect on children who are at a younger age because they are in the crucial stage of growth and development.

Impacts of superheroes on self-esteem!

  Well hello again! I'm here to discuss once again the idea behind superheroes and their roles and how it effects society/others. In this article The impact of superheroes on self-esteem, with emphasis on individuals of color offered many great points on how children and even adult look up to superheroes and more specifically superman "This research believes we chose superman because of his ability to triumph against seemingly insurmountable odds." we choose superman because he has extraordinary powers and a great morality he is a great role model for  kids as well as the perfect image as how many see him,  white, super enhanced body and gifted unlike many of us regular people. Those images certainly lower our self-esteem when we see ourselves and seeing that we look nothing like superman or do anything he does. I agree that superman is a great role model for kids as to what he does his sense of selflessnes but on the other hand he isn't the perfect man and shouldn't be looked upon his color or the way he looks and thats how many see him. They don't see him as clark kent but as superman who actually gets lois lane's heart.
This article's point is that " the good guy among comic book characters usually wore white and the bad guys wore black( Zorro was a rare exception)." I certainly disagree with this statement making it seem like being a different color, the way you look makes you bad and being like superman white and strong is who you should want to be. Well that should never be the case everyone is different and just because a comic book makes you think you're different well don't let it. Comic book represent many biases that subliminally represent either right or wrong, good or evil and those things get to our heads and thats when we start seeing ourselves as outcasts when we shouldn't be. We don't have to be like superman we can be what we choose to be and not let what social media is putting as "our role model' superheroes.

Comics and Gender-Linked Roles

            “The Superhero Body: Body Politics in Comics” is an article written by Alexandra Enache, the assistant coordinator at the PAVILION Center for Contemporary Art and Culture is an article that not only discusses the body types of Superheroes, but also the gender roles and gender identity in the comic book world. In the beginning of the article, Enache outlines the premise of her argument by stating that comic books have influence on the media whether they were intended for it or not.  She believes that comics are used to promote messages such as identity, gender, and several other problems within our society; although, the major problems Enache focuses on in this article is how comic books influences gender roles and the influences and attitudes of male and female superheroes to their perspective reader. In the second paragraph of the article, Enache describes the symbolism of the hyperphysical superhero body. She explains that the iconic superhero suit symbolizes more than just the comic book; the superhero suits also symbolizes the superhero’s identities and beliefs regarding their genders.  Enache believes that superheroes are placed into the accustomed category for their genders. As an example, she describes the traditional male superhero body as masculine and how their masculinity is directly associated with the superhero’s specific culture. For the other side of the house, the female superheroes are held to a western standard of beauty expected to have slim thick bodies with suits, or lack of suits, that are tight and revealing. Enache concludes her article questioning how comic book superheroes, with a broader audience than before, are still sexualized and objectified.

            According to Enache, “…it is expected that the representation of the male and female characters in the media to influence attitudes and beliefs in viewers’ perceptions regarding gender identity” (1).  I agree with Enache completely because I believe regardless the gender of the reader, the reader will do whatever it takes to become one with their hero, and the first step to becoming someone is looking like them. Enache views that, “The superhero body – design, costume, posture – is not only a symbol of the comic book as a commodity, but, as any other type of media message, it generates a set of implications in the way in which identities, attitudes and beliefs regarding gender are constructed.” (1). By this she is stating that a super suit stands for more than just the superhero; regardless of gender, a super suit stands for what the super is fighting for, who the superhero is, and why the superhero does what he or she does.  Finally, she states, “Their hyper-feminization in a world of male superheroes epitomizes the idealization of masculinity” (1).  Enache’s point is that the male and female superhero body types are dependent on one other. For instance, you can’t have a masculine male without a over sexualized female- and that is how society accepts it.

           

Curvy Cat Woman

http://www.giantbomb.com/images/1300-757573

Hello! Do you see some vertical and diagonal lines in the picture above? Yes, of course, you do! The diagonal lines (the ropes, the angles of Cat woman's legs) imply that there is some sort of movement happening in the frame. That is because Cat woman is flying (or maybe hanging, not quite sure) on these ropes. The vertical lines, her arm hanging down, for example, add a bit of excitement, as Molly Bang points out in her book "Picture This". The picture is, indeed, exciting, I mean Cat Woman is hanging up in the air only holding herself on ropes; it is night, it is dark, she is isolated, and there is a dark shadow of Batman in the background behind her. All of this happening at once within this one frame is exciting and provokes a sort of tension within the viewer. The darkness of the night and the black-colored shadow of Batman emphasize on the feeling of danger, according to Molly Bang, who explains the meaning of colors in her book. 

Another interesting thing that Molly Bang explains in "Picture This" is that "Objects placed in the top half often feel more spiritual". That is interesting because in the top half of this picture frame there are two stars shinning much brighter than the rest of the stars in the sky; when we, the viewers, focus on these brighter stars, we feel a sense of hope.. These stars are like "antagonizers" ( I am making up words now...but you understand) of the darkness and tension that the frame otherwise builds up. That happens because, as Molly Bang has stated, light colors make us feel safe and hopeful. Another detail from this picture frame that antagonizes the danger of the night, is the curvy lines of Batman's shadow. I know it gets a bit ironic since his black shadow foresees a sense of danger at first, but then if we look at it more closely, the tension starts to disappear because his shadow is curvy and "curved shapes embrace us and protect us" as stated in "Picture  This". We are reminded that Batman is the good guy so we feel safe with him. But then, there are sharp edges at the end of his curved wings at the bottom half of the picture frame, which brings tension again. This tension, however, is maybe directed towards Cat Woman...

Speaking of Cat Woman, do her curvy body lines protect and embrace us? In context of the comic maybe... but if we go back to the last post that talked about the influence of heroines' body types on the female side of society...now maybe not so much. She is in the center of the frame; she is the most important, therefore her body is the audiences focus. And, of course, her body is drawn to be sexualized, thin, curvy, muscular...unrealistic. Just think for a second about what my last post was about, and then look at this picture again. It definitely promotes females the wrong idea for a "perfect" body image.