Alan Moore's Comic Book Creations

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer examines the charge that superhero comic books are invariably sexist in their production and speak to deep-seated and traditional gender stereotypes. Historically, the writer argues that this has been almost exclusively the case, with some notable, if controversial, exceptions such as Wonder Woman. However, content analysis of three works by Alan Moore, 'Watchmen', 'Tom Strong' and 'Top 10', illustrate that it is possible to appropriate the traditionally sexist imagery of the superhero genre and utilize it to call attention to the gender stereotypes that permeate much of the comic book industry. The writer notes that Moore's work has progressively satirized tropes in the superhero genre and have helped, inadvertently or not, through satire to call attention to the wealth of sexism apparent in portrayals of women in comics. The writer maintains that the implication of this hypothesis is that there may be an emerging trend toward the dissolution of traditional gender stereotypes in comic books.

Outline:
Introduction
Aim and Rationale
Content Analysis as a Methodological Approach
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings, Discussion, and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Content analysis is the approach by which one examines a particular cultural text, and critically examines it to unearth specific socio-cultural trends and realities. Some might question this as a viable research method. After all, how useful is a critical analysis of comic books, when one is talking about a pervasive problem such as sexism? How can content analyses of popular movies add anything pertinent to contemporary discussions of poverty in Western nations?"
"The reality is, however, that cultural productions--such as novels, movies, and even comic books--can be powerful, if unintentional portals into the manifestations of cultural trends. Culture and society is really little more than the way in which people interact with one another and the artifacts that they create in the process. These artifacts might be songs or books or movies or ephemeral speeches and behaviors. But what they all share in common is an innate reflection of the socio-cultural trends and attitudes possessed by their creators or society at large. In other words, targeted content analysis of items such as comic books can reveal important information about the attitudes and beliefs of the society in which those particular artifacts were created."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baughman, Linda. "A Psychoanalytic Reading of a Female Comic Book Hero: Elektra; Assassin." Women and Language 13.1 (30 Sept. 1990): 27.
• Emad, Mitra C. "Reading Wonder Woman's Body: Mythologies of Gender and Nation." Journal of Popular Culture 39.6 (Dec. 2006): 954-984.
• Glascock, Jack and Preston-Schreck, Catherine. "Gender and Racial Stereotypes in Daily Newspaper Comics: A Time-Honored Tradition?" Sex Roles 51.7/8 (Oct. 2004): 423-432.
• McIntyre, Jamie. "Cartoon General Gets Lesson in Sexism." CNN Interactive 6 July 1997. 18 Jan. 2007 <http://www.cnn.com/US/9707/06/beetle.bailey/>.
• Moore, Alan and Gibbons, Dave. Watchmen. New York: DC Comics, 1986.

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