Comments on: DC’s Social Media MVP? Gail Simone

By: Lance

Lance — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:19:19 +0000

The issue still isn’t being addressed. Yes, DC is making everyone younger and yes, Babs is the original (and most iconic) Batgirl.

What has me upset is how unnecessary it was to remove Oracle from the DC Universe. She represented too much to have the void be ignored, even more so since this is happening when DC is claiming to increase the amount of diversity in its books. That draws a line that, unless Oracle is still present, says that people with disabilities aren’t cool enough.

Babs didn’t have to go back to being batgirl just because she’s being returned to a younger self. Dick wasn’t restored to the only Robin and Hal isn’t the only Green Lantern. However, this does bring a lot of attention to the post-Flashpoint universe.

Gail did say some things in her exchange with Jill that give me reason to hope. Specifically that no one’s said that Oracle won’t be coming back. I fully believe that someone who wasn’t Batgirl could fill that void who does effectively represent people with disabilities and successfully integrates his or herself into the world of Superheroes and remains present and relevant.

By: Gail

Gail — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:31:43 +0000

Holy crap, you know the industry is in trouble when *I* am an ambassador.

YIKES.

Jeff, I don’t remember defending anything misogynistic, and I hate the pointless violence porn of a lot of DC (and other books) and always will. I think violence and shock are perfectly valid storytelling tools, but they have to have meaning, they have to be represented by character and there should be repercussions. In short, they should evoke an emotion other than, “Wow, look at the blood spatter!”

I think there’s an audience for that, but I have no interest in reading it or writing it.

Thank you for the kind words, everyone. I wish I could be more helpful, but there’s a lot I don’t know, and a lot I can’t say. Hopefully, DC will be rolling out more information soon!

By: JillPantozzi

JillPantozzi — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:00:02 +0000

For a second Graeme, I thought you meant *I* deserved a raise. Harumph.

By: Supermutant

Supermutant — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:25:35 +0000

By the way it’s not Mr. Terrific or Static I have problem with. I like them. I am glad they are getting a chance. It’s things like Batwing and random diverse characters instead of Miss Martian or someone in titans. Some horror titles have a problem with too but I forget about them a bit. I, Vampire is like someone said I, Zombie is working name so lets do vampires but in regular dcu.

By: Molnek

Molnek — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:08:26 +0000

I think Supermutant is saying DC is getting rid of existing to characters to make room for new diverse ones. Batwing is a new character, and him getting a book over other well established and loved characters, especially when he’s just another Batman inspired hero is bti of a thumb nose.
There’s a difference between putting diverse characters front and centre and creating ones so you can say “See! See! We’re diverse and modern!” Same with Superboy’s and Mr Terrific’s tattoos. It’s “See! See! We’re cool and badass!”

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:09:16 +0000

If you mean that DC’s much-touted commitment to diversity doesn’t jive with what they’re actually offering, I agree. I’m not sure that’s what you’re saying though.

I like the idea of Mr. Terrific, Batwing, and Static getting all their own books (be nice if some women got their own books too…), and will probably try at least one of them out just because they look better than what’s happening elsewhere. The characters I’m most surprised are getting their own titles are most of the horror titles announced on Tuesday.

By: Supermutant

Supermutant — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:03:17 +0000

I have no problem with Gail. I like her writing but she to much towing DC’s line. I’m sorry but there is no reason why characters like Batwing and Frankstein (both books won’t be around more then 12 issues) are getting series while books I like and others like are being canceled. Characters just being thrown away or not being again like Shazam Family, Wally West, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Miss Martian. They seemingly being thrown away to tow some diversity line that makes no sense.

By: Matt Sager

Matt Sager — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:29:30 +0000

Seems like Gail’s been Social Media MVP – and creative MVP – since at least 2004.

By: BrianC

BrianC — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:17:48 +0000

Jeff I have to disagree – Gail has consistently talked honestly to fans, whether or not she has agreed with decisions made in the past. While she hasn’t trashed her employers before, one can tell when she is displeased with a editorial move (the All-New Atom’s demise comes to mind).

Ms. Simone continues to offer a unique, fun, progressive voice to DC comics and I hope more and more fans find her work.

(fingers still crossed about Secret Six).

By: Jeff Mace

Jeff Mace — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:49:58 +0000

Of course she’s going to bat for DC. She’s been their in-house apologist ever since the Didio/Johns era of misogyny and pornographic violence began; why would anyone expect that to change now?