thequeermanfromavengersendgame

[thequeermanfromavengersendgame]

What if Batman were religiously Jewish? Black? Trans?

So! Let me be clear: This isn’t a recommendation that we should do this, nor do I want to sound presumptuous. I’m just speculation on the sociological and Intersectional observations and analyses we could have of the character in these cases.

What if Batman practiced Jewish religion? In 2006, DC “accidentally” make Batman Jewish by race when they confirmed his mother was Jewish. However, they’ve never once really talked about this is any format. Also, all of his children clearly hold no Jewish holidays or beliefs, and a few are known different religions, like his son Tim who is atheist. So, the general consensus is that Bruce Wayne is Jewish in race, but not religion. But what if he did practice the Jewish religion? Generally speaking, this would’ve been an awkward choice. Batman was created mere months before the start of WWII, and antisemitism was heavily ingrained in both European and Western cultures. Now, important note: both Batman’s writer, Bill Finger, and artist, Bob Kane, were Jewish, so there would never be any good faith accusations of this. But, I’m sure accusations would be made of antisemitic tropes, considering “vermin” or “rats” were common derogatory blasts for Jewish people. And well…bats are basically flying rats. Because of this, Batman’s Jewishness would always be controversial, despite the fact that, again, he was created by Jewish creators. That being said, Batman practicing the Jewish faith would be a distinctly interesting character trait. Several characters in comics are devout Christians, like Daredevil, Captain America, and Nightcrawler. It would’ve been a rather influential decision, that may have led to more religiously Jewish characters today.

What if Batman were Black? This is an interesting one. Batman was created during the US segregation, so this would’ve been a massively controversial decision, and I think critics would’ve killed Batman way before he became the most popular superhero of all time. But, let’s take the idea seriously. Batman’s no killing rule is one of the most identical and praised aspects of his character. Black men are traditionally characterized as violent, and while superheroes are violent by categorization, having a Black hero choose not to kill may be considered subversive, or at the very least the antithesis of common racial stereotypes and tropes. It’d also be interesting in the aspects of his secret identity. Black billionaires in America are relatively rare, and the vast majority of them are famous for entertainment, not business (though some branch out into business, like Oprah Winfrey). And while I don’t like real billionaires (tax the rich), portraying a Black man as overly intelligent and competent would also break stereotypes. The only worry is that common criticism that Black superheroes are too associated with the literal color black. Including Black Adam, Black Lightning, and Black Panther having the color in their names, and heroes like Blade, Storm, and War Machine wearing mostly (or at least very often) black attires. And since Batman is pretty notoriously always wearing black and gray, it may contribute to this odd trope. (For note, most criticisms don’t find this trope blatantly racist, it’s just perhaps a bit cartoonishly on the nose and boring, at least from what I’ve heard, but if anyone wants to correct me, please do).

(actually, several Batfamily members are or have been depicted as Black, like Tim Drake in the new Titans show, and Luke Fox and Duke Thomas always)

What if Batman were transgender? Another pretty nuanced one. Transmen are too often portrayed as unathletic or not-as-masculine. (Well, first of all, a trans character in the 1930’s is a pretty huge stretch of the imagination, but again, let’s pretend the world is a better place than it really is). In general, trans superheroes are extraordinarily rare. I can only name two off the top of my head, and neither is popular or well received by any means. Having a transman be extraordinarily masculine would be a welcome portrayal. It’d need to be nuanced however. Transness is often associated with trauma, usually in a negative light, by mainstream right-wing pundits. And with Batman being a character built around trauma, both as a child and adult, this association may have negative implications. Another note: Talia al Ghul, who was retconned (that’s a controversy for another day) to having sexually assaulted Batman would’ve been far more offensive in this case. Perhaps more realistic, as transmen are more likely to be sexually assaulted than cismen (including by ciswomen), but this could’ve been correlated with ciswomen being stronger or superior to transmen. Or perhaps fans would’ve seen it was in depth social commentary? It’s hard to know (again, this was a retcon, in the original storyline, it was consensual sex). Overall, this would’ve led to many nuanced conversations, and I think it’s a really interesting idea to play with.

[thequeermanfromavengersendgame]

What if Storm was Quare? Muslim?

So! Let me be clear: This isn’t a recommendation that we should do this, nor do I want to sound presumptuous. I’m just speculation on the sociological and Intersectional observations and analyses we could have of the character in these cases.

What if Storm was Quare? So, for those of you knew, Quare is commonly cited as a AAVE pronunciation of Queer, at least etymologically. With that said, Quare Studies is a little bit different than Queer Studies, though not inconsistently so. Quare refers to the racialized sexuality and the sexualized race of queer people of color. So, the question remains, what is Storm was quare? Storm is a deeply storied character, but a notable point is she really doesn’t have a classic love interest. She’s been with Wolverine, Black Panther, and Angel here and there, but it’s not like Cyclops and Jean Grey, or Rogue and Gambit, or Nightcrawler and Scarlet Witch. Storm’s love interests come and go. This could be read as her not fully allowing herself to get close to men? Perhaps she’s sapphic. Storm has certainly been both a femme and a butch over her history. Perhaps she’s not sure who she loves, or how she loves? Also, when you consider her proudness of her body, that certainly correlates with the excitement many transwomen have to show of their bodies. Plus, as an African woman, Storm would have an already harder time relating to white queers, so Quare as a racialized identity may be appealing to her? And perhaps she takes the classes and Teaches Quare Studies as an elective at the Institute? Maybe

Butch Storm

Femme Storm

What if Storm was Muslim? This is an interesting one. First thing, let’s address Islam and Africa. Storm is originally from Kenya, and Islam makes up about 6% of Kenyan’s religious beliefs, so it’s not impossible she’d get it there. Though more likely, she’d have picked it up in Egypt during her years as a homeless pickpocket (many people turn to religion during times of hardship). Now, let me be clear, I’m fully aware not all Muslim Women wear hijabs, but if Storm did, it’d be a very interesting take. Storm’s white hair is iconic, but its also been one of the biggest criticism of the character over the years. It’s mostly straight, being devoid of Black hair texture, and even keeping a Black woman from having dark hair at all has been criticized. So if a modern writer gave Storm a hijab, it’d be…not a fix exactly, but perhaps an acknowledgement of that criticism. That being said, Storm was worshipped as a goddess when she returned to Kenya, and I doubt a practicing Muslim would let that happen, so that would be a conflict (unless of course she converted as an adult)

Couldn’t Storm wear this with a hijab over it?

[thequeermanfromavengersendgame]

So, why the gay guy from Avengers Endgame?

Bobby, or “The Grieving Man,” played by Gozie Agbo, is the MCU’s “first openly gay character.” He’s there for one scene in a support group ran by Captain America. Shining example of diversity, huh? A gay white guy with like, 3 lines. Well, yeah, it’s not much. In fact, it’s barely anything. But is it bad?

I think a lot of people realize that big representation matters more than little representation. Marvel needs a queer superhero, it needs many queer superheroes. But does that mean this random queer side character is bad?

Let’s look at him a little closer. First of all, there is an immediate good thing. Captain America is okay with him being queer. That alone is good enough, (there’s more, but we’ll get to that). Captain America is an always will be associated with the most crucial of American values, some of which are bad (imperialism) and some of which are good (compassion). Also, he’s kind of a big symbol of the “Patriotic” superhero fan. Like, you know how cop-bootlickers love Punisher? White Supremacists love Cap. So Cap being clearly queer affirming reclaims Cap from prejudicial fans. In fact, in this case, it reclaims the MCU entirely from queerphobic audiences. Homophobic Marvel fans gots nowhere to go it Cap says they’re not in! (this is further reinstated in the comics, with a new gay man as Captain America, Aaron Fischer)

But lets focus more on Bobby himself. The only real things we know about Bobby is: A, he’s queer, MLM in some way. And B: he’s in a support group. This is important. It’s been said before, but the queer community and the mentally ill are a highly overlapping group. That includes PTSD and depression diagnosees. Showing a queer man who is seeking help for mental illness does have some value. I’m being serious. Too often in media, gay people aren’t allowed to be ill. Queers are sanitized down to pristine, perfect, middle class people. Any depiction of mental illness is seen as “stereotyping” or “demonization,” but let’s be clear: Characters can have mental illness. And especially queer characters. Queer mental illness is a serious issue, and in terms of actual death tolls, the biggest threat to the queer community in America. I think showing a queer mentally ill man is more progressive than some of you give credit for.

Obviously this isn’t enough. I’m not claiming that. But for a side character, this is a really, really good one. I think we should praise this character and respect him, and keep his design and thematic purpose in mind when we demand more queer characters in superhero media.

[thequeermanfromavengersendgame]

What’s this blog?

First of all, I’m making this blog for my Queer Pop Culture class at university, so keep in mind: This blog is approaching Superheroes and Queer Pop Culture from an academic perspective, not a fandom perspective. This is meant to be analysis, and thought. I’m not just saying “Let’s make this character gay so I can ship them!” I want to seriously analys what’s happening.

So! What’s going on! 

Superheroes are exactly what the tin says. Heroes. Come on, we’ve all wanted to be heroes at some point, don’t lie. We’ve all wanted to save to day. Especially little kids. I truly think that people underestimate just how much kids like superheroes, and relate and idolize them. I think if we could really see a lot of diversity in superheroes, it would give more little kids hope and self-love than perhaps any other genre.

Post directory here!