So let's start with something nice and soft: Archie Comics.
General questions to consider for this:
Is there a room for religion in comic entertainment? Is there a need? For who?
First the boring stuff just to fill you in in case you've been living under a rock for the past few decades. Archie comics originated in America in 1941 when one of the founders was looking to create a character that was 'normal' who people could relate to. Archie is just your average guy with a few friends he occasionally gets into mischief with (and a couple of others he'd like to...) to entertaining ends. (Loads more info here).
Though the Archie Comics have been around for yonks, there was only really one pivotal moment regarding religion, and that was in the 1970s when 'Archie's something else' came into being. Although it purposefully contained a Christian message, one of the founders, John Goldwater (who was Jewish, funnily enough), okay'd it claiming Archie being Christian would fit in with the ''wholesome family image'' he was trying to create.
Here's where it all began (from here) :
And then others like this except here the reference to religion is just so subtle, its hard to tell... (!)
Nesteroff, American radio host says:
"I remember Betty Cooper praying in the cafeteria, and Archie is like, 'That's Betty Cooper. She's praying before her meal. We all pray in Riverdale.' I'd read probably 500 Archie comics at that point. I knew Archie pretty well so his statement that 'We all pray in Riverdale' made me mad. I was like, 'Archie you're lying! None of you pray!' I thought he was pretending to be a Christian.".
This guy became so obsessed with all this that he made a blog in which he wrote a 'detailed history of the Christian Archies'. Wow, how lame. Who would make an entire blog about cartoon and religion....
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oh wait : | .
Aaanyhoo, I'd like to know your opinions on those questions but a few other things to think about:
- Silberkleit was clear about the fact that he would hate for readers to expect to feel like they're being preached to- making a distinction between entertainment and religious teaching.
- If it made money, there is market perhaps?
- But aimed at Christians, so biased stat?
- Are religion related jokes just for insiders of a religion?
- Currently 60% of the audience is made up of girls age 6-12. Significant?
Religions are sometimes (perhaps most of the time) taken far too seriously and so religion comics can be good to lighten the "mood." They allow those outside of the religion to understand that religion isn't all serious and fanatical. And they also allow those within that particular religion to laugh at themselves and again not be too serious about the whole thing. So aiming the comics at those who are a part of the religion, the comics are portraying, isn't a bad thing. But I think the comics themselves should be illustrated in a way where those outside of the religion can also understand them and partake in the humour. As sometimes it can all become a bit too "alien" for the outsider.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as some people are "hypersensitive" to religious comedy and such things, it is difficult to say exactly whether this is a good genre or not. Perhaps, I need to wait to see what else you have to say on the matter and then I will make up my mind.
Hi, thanks for reading and commenting :D
DeleteTotally agree that it should appeal to both insiders and outsiders of religion, but I don't think there's anything wrong with only appealing to one at the same time- it's hard to please everybody.
Also agree about opening up to a lighter side of religion but then it becomes a question of where you draw the line... that's not really an issue here because the references etc in Archie are very tame and friendly but it will be more of an issue in future blogs when I cover other more controversial aspects of religion-related imagery.
Great stuff, I look forward to your comments :)
Yes, people take religion far too seriously sometimes. I understand it's important, perhaps the most important thing in a religious persons life and a little bit of humour has the ability to help take a step back and be amused, laugh and generally be a bit more positive about things. However, there is also a flip side to this-hate speech under the guise of humour or freedom of speech. For example, crude drawings of the Prophet Muhammad implying very candidly that he's a terrorist (etc, etc)...where do we draw the line of having a bit of a joke or amusing outsiders of a religion? Making fun of religious people is fine but the figures they hold sacred can be insensitive and I say no to racism/Orientalism/Islamophobia and general ignorance being justified in the name of freedom. But if people do decide to do such things then I don't think they should get killed over it! Peace.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I don't think having a sense of humour and being religious are mutually exclusive states. But oh no, spoiler alert D: I'm going to cover the Danish cartoon issue in a future blog, its going to have a whole one dedicated to it ;)
DeleteAnd I'll come back to your comment when I do :) x
I think religion is one of those few things that can inspire fierce, extreme and even dangerous reactions which can lead to *God* knows what... so maybe the whole idea of bringing religion into a comical sphere is treading on dangerous ground. What sort of reaction did these Archie comics get, i wonder? ..because the reaction to recent Danish ones was certainly fierce and dangerous o.0.. Looking forward to reading your blog about that.
DeleteHi, thanks for your comment.
DeleteHaleema pointed out the hypersensitivity when it comes to religion aswell, so I think you're really onto something with that, like maybe some lines you just do not cross? Saying that, racist/homophobic etc jokes have also become pretty commonplace so maybe the sensitive aspect is what makes it a target?
I quoted what I thought was a significant reaction in the blog, from what I've read people weren't so much offended as taken aback, not as anything too sinister. But I think a lot has happened and attitudes have changed dramatically over just the past couple of years so if it happened today imo the reaction would be quite different, I don't know about you?
Sensitive aspect making it a target.. interesting. I guess there will always be people *out there* who like picking at open wounds.
DeleteThe reaction to the Archies was reasonably mild... but perhaps the introduction of religion in the Archie comics paved the way and started the "trend" for every following religion-related comic there has been, both positive and negative? Clearly, these Archie comics were some sort of a revolution in the comic/religion world.
In light of recent, far more extreme religion related comics, i dont think there would have been a reaction at all for the Archie comics, but thats just my opinion.
I think there are a LOT of people out there like that, you even see it on mainstream television more and more frequently (e.g Frankie Boyle's joking about disabled children).
DeleteI guess you could be right but I don't think there have been any quite like Archie, who's just a normal guy (and remained one) who had a religious aspect associated to him. I think since then, most of this kind of thing focuses a lot more on religion as the main aspect of it.
You could be right, but I mean even with this comic, I've read some comments from people accusing them of brainwashing, pushing agendas etc
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ReplyDelete