Given the outcry surrounding the slimming of Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad #1, I’m surprised that I haven’t seen anyone really comment on the “new” Morgan Edge from this week’s Superman #1. He’s also become younger and sexier, but where’s the upset?
It makes me wonder where the line is for internet condemnation in this kind of thing: Is Morgan Edge too minor a character for people to care that much about? What about Perry White, who’s also slimmed down, to a lesser degree? Is it only problematic when it happens to female characters? Has the internet decided to recharge its outrage batteries in light of last week’s Catwoman and Red Hood?
September 29th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
I think Amanda Waller got more press because a lot of us non-DC readers who picked up the books had her impressed on us by Justice League Unlimited. I just don’t think that Morgan has much of any name recognition from non-DC readership. I think that’s also the reason you’re seeing such a stink around Starfire too.
September 29th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Never heard of this character.
Is he like the DC version of that gaming chick, Morgan Webb?
September 29th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Morgan Edge was always pretty young when he was sleeping with Cat Grant and running Intergang. The only real difference is that he’s black now, and he’s not been around for years so it really makes no difference.
Glad to see Ron Troupe taking what looks to be a more prominent role, though.
September 29th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Come on. Do we really need to clarify why this isn’t the same thing?
If so, the battle is already lost.
September 29th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Seriously? You don’t see the difference?
September 30th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Well, were I reading any of the comics being criticized, or this one, and a male character went from the size of an SUV (the amazing Amanda Waller) to a buff dude, I’d think that stinks, too, because that would show a bias against heavy people.
But since I haven’t really read Superman books for a while, other than Supergirl, I’m still trying to get over the fact that Morgan Edge is now black. Which is kinda cool, actually.
September 30th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
If you have to wonder about the lack of outrage, then you don’t understand the problem. The problem is altering characters who are representative of marginalized groups, such that they no longer represent (or represent well) said marginalized gropus. So turning the billionth white dude in a comic book to a black guy at least promotes some diversity.
October 2nd, 2011 at 3:28 pm
The main problem is that I don’t know who Morgan Edge is. I know he was in Superman comics but I don’t know when and for how long, and so on. Amanda Waller punked Batman on Justice League Unlimited. (I thought it was lame, but I’m sure someone cheered.)
But no one’s going to care that a dude slimmed down and changed colors. First of all, he’s now black and that’s a good thing because we need more color in comics, right? And he’s a guy. When a guy slims down its a good thing. When a woman slims down it’s indicative of yet another man reducing a woman to a sex object because men are shallow creatures who think all women need to be models.
I’m not actually sure if I’m being sarcastic or not here, but that’s mainly because my thoughts on this are pretty apathetic overall.
October 2nd, 2011 at 3:43 pm
I remember seeing his name somewhere just couldn’t remember the character, so this doesn’t bother me at all. Amanda Waller on the other hand i believe they were trying to change her character all together so she would be more appealing and that is just wrong. Starfire being turned into a forgetful sex crazed bimbo on the other hand is terrible and a down right shame since she was a great character.
October 2nd, 2011 at 3:51 pm
It kinda doesnt matter what any of us think or care about at all. DC has made it pretty clear that our opinions don’t matter to them. They spent decades making us care about a shared continuity only to NOW tell us that we shouldn’t have bothered. As much as I wanted Barbara Gordon back as Batgirl, I COMPLETELY understand the outrage over the loss of Oracle. I completely understand the loss of a larger Amanda Waller. Its being able to see yourself or people like you in the media you choose to consume that builds loyalty. Don’t go getting used to any of the DCNu…..years from now we will be told it doesnt matter.
October 2nd, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Here’s my beef.
They’re calling this a “reboot” but we still have Dick Grayson as a well grown Nightwing and all the other “ever-been” and current Robins at their old DC ages… WTF?
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:38 pm
It’s because people only make a fuss about female characters.
October 3rd, 2011 at 5:02 am
See this is the problem with both companies such Marvel and DC. There are sooooooo many characters running around. Now that the reboot is finally here. Who will make the cut. But i feel the reboot is a good thing. It leaves the door open to explore new stories and better takes on certain concepts as well as different takes on certain characters. Also I hope this time around there won’t be too many characters just a core group.
October 3rd, 2011 at 6:11 am
You really have nothing else to write about, do you?
October 3rd, 2011 at 11:46 am
Change top dog white male to black: check.
Introduce powerful Latina character: check.
Make Lois Lane powerful 70s “i can bring home the bacon / fry it up in a pan” chick-in-charge who is clearly having sex with someone other than CK: check.
Introduce Asian character: check.
Eliminate doughy authoritative older white male/change to buff gruff non-fatty (not allowed in new DCU): check.
Make Jimmy Olsen clearly JustinBeiberfied for all the young girls (no doubt mirroring the upcoming movie): check.
Insert references to “digital” and “twitter/tweeting” to show how hip and cool and for “modern audiences” comic is: check.
Mission accomplished!