Creator politics

[Horrorfan]

I was just thinking, does anyone know the political sides of comic creators? I don't wanna turn this into a heated debate or anything, I just wondered because there aren't many conservative writers that I know of.

It doesnt matter too much I was just curious. I know Mark Millar is liberal but what I love about him is his characters aren't all liberal like a lot of times it is. He can keep it balanced and fair and that's the mark of a great writer imo. I know Joss Whedon is liberal too and I was wondering about people like Grant Morrison, Judd Winwick, Chris Claremont, etc.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Ennis is a liberal. Someone in another thread just told me that Mark Waid is a Republican. I don't know anyone else's politics, but based on their respective bodies of work, I'd guess both Judd Winick and Joe Kelly lean more to the left.

 

[rubio]

PAD and JMS are definitely liberal. Both have talked politics quite a bit in PAD's blog/Usenet.

 

[Elijya]

John Byrne's a loudmouth, he's probably announced his political feelings before

Alex Ross is definitely a democrat. Everyone remember that Village Voice cover?

 

[iloveclones]

Alex Ross is definitely a democrat. Everyone remember that Village Voice cover?

I had that as my desktop for the longest time. I just thought it was hilarious. (My employer is part of the federal government, so I'm sure they thought it less so....)

I think it's fairly safe to say that Mark Millar is liberal.

 

[Elijya]

all the brits are

 

[The Question]

Steve Ditko is a staunch conservative objectavist. Denny O'Neil is rather left wing in many of his polotics. Interestingly enough, Ditko created The Question and Denny O'Neil wrote him when DC bought the charcter.

 

[iloveclones]

Forgot all about Ditko. Ayn Rand stalker of the century.

 

[Dwarf lord]

I would say that Mark Waid is a republican. Mostly because of him hating the direction the country was going in under the Clinton administration (Man Without Country). But, I like writers who write the characters in the political lining of the character. Geoff Johns always wrote Wally as a conservative, but a lot of his JSA characters seemed more liberal. I always liked that.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

It'd be nice if creators wrote each character according to the character's political views rather than their own. I think most try to. Most characters don't seem to have clear politics, though. They're less likely to alienate readers that way. I can only think of a handful who have clear, consistent political leanings.

 

[Andy C.]

It's rather rare to see conservative or traditionalist thinking in any form of creative arts, partially because the whole concept of creativity lends itself more to questioning or rejecting the "establishment" than enforcing it. The social, religious, or political values of the majority are almost always seen as somehow oppressive or dull-witted, and therefore most people who wish to be 'free thinkers' avoid them. Essentially, for the artistic community at least, the entire draw of the Left Wing is simply that it's not the Right Wing.

I myself just find it irritating as hell that every artist or comedian or actor or writer in the world just decides that he needs to make his medium a personal soap-box.

 

[Elijya]

first paragraph: agree completely

second paragraph: um, but all those professions are about expressing yourself. Unless you're satisfied being lumped in with, like, Carrot Top or somebody

 

[TheCorpulent1]

It's pretty much impossible to separate someone from their politics anyway, artist or creator or comedian or just regular person. They're a part of what shapes a person--in the case of guys like Ennis and Millar, they're a really, really big part, too.

 

[Horrorfan]

I myself just find it irritating as hell that every artist or comedian or actor or writer in the world just decides that he needs to make his medium a personal soap-box.

I agree with that to an extent- when it's their views but with a character who thinks the same, its fine, but having a character with completely different views spouting what the creator thinks, thats what hurts a story and makes it obvious that the book is nothing more than an excuse for the creator to try and spread his own agenda.

For example, Mark Millar is an excellent writer who seems to have the characters in their right political mindsets, rather than his point of view- but there was one issue where Nick Fury kinda lamented the death penalty. I really really dont think Nick Fury , of all people, would be against it. But thats the only time I have really seen him do it. He is probably the best writer I have seen for balancing character politics. I didn't even know he was a liberal till I read an interview with him, whereas with worse writers its glaringly obvious.

 

[cerealkiller182]

first paragraph: agree completely

second paragraph: um, but all those professions are about expressing yourself. Unless you're satisfied being lumped in with, like, Carrot Top or somebody

I think he is referring more to the musicians who stop a concert and voice his opinion. I hate that. If they write a song then thats fine, but a few comedians and musicians have been preaching lately. (P. DIddy, Springsteen)

I remember Springsteen said he had a free speech and that he could say whatever he wanted on stage. NOT TRUE!! People payed $100 for tickets to hear him sing not b**** about politics.

 

[iloveclones]

That's even better than free speech. It's paid speech!

Seriously though, earning a buck does not take away that right. If people don't like what he's saying, they can "Dixie Chick" him. Otherwise, they can object all they want, but they're still filling his pockets.

 

[cerealkiller182]

That's even better than free speech. It's paid speech!

Seriously though, earning a buck does not take away that right. If people don't like what he's saying, they can "Dixie Chick" him. Otherwise, they can object all they want, but they're still filling his pockets.

THe point I was getting across is that there's a time and place to voice your opinion specifically with celebs. In the case of a musician, a coment here and there i dont mind, but from what i heard, Springsteen went on a fairly long rant(I could be wrong) which is completly unfair to the fans. You even used the Dixie Chicks. If he wants to rant he can go on the news, Bill Mahr even.

I agree that it doesnt take away the right to free speech, but it certainly doesnt give you the right to cheat your fans out of live music which is why there there. Look at Henry Rollins. He sings and has a band, I'm sure his concerts arnt comment free, but he has seperate concerts where he does go on rants which people pay for and want to hear. So again theres a time and place for everything.

 

[Horrorfan]

Exactly. It's like that guy at Rosa Park's funeral who tried to turn it into an anti Bush parade. I am no means a Bush fan but damn, a funeral is not the place for that crap.

 

[Lackey]

I remember Springsteen said he had a free speech and that he could say whatever he wanted on stage. NOT TRUE!! People payed $100 for tickets to hear him sing not b**** about politics.

their fault for going to a Springsteen concert in the first place

 

[iloveclones]

What? We're supposed to have 'protest zones' for entertainers now too? I'm sorry, but I completely disagree with that. That little phenomenon disgusts me, and I'd rather not see it bleed into other areas of American life.

I don't get this whole backlash against celebs. I don't put any more credence in what they say than any other person. I prefer to get my news on my own. I can't control that people are so disconnected that they need Urkel to tell them how to feel about Darfur.

 

[Harlekin]

For example, Mark Millar is an excellent writer who seems to have the characters in their right political mindsets, rather than his point of view- but there was one issue where Nick Fury kinda lamented the death penalty. I really really dont think Nick Fury , of all people, would be against it. But thats the only time I have really seen him do it. He is probably the best writer I have seen for balancing character politics. I didn't even know he was a liberal till I read an interview with him, whereas with worse writers its glaringly obvious.

He's got the political views of the characters right, but I'm surprised you were unable to pick up on his own preferences while reading the Ultimates. The stories practically revolve around his political views, especially the current one.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Haha, I wasn't going to say anything, Harl. Yeah, Millar's pretty ultra-lefty, despite the fact that he tends to write a lot of right-wingers. If you notice, the people with insanely high power like the Authority tend to be right-wingers under Millar, and the things they do are never pretty. Ultimate Cap is pretty clearly a lefty's view of the right in the current American political climate--abrasive, imperialistic, and violent with an oversimplified world view. I hate politics enough to try and intentionally stay ignorant of them, and even I picked up on that one.

Also, for anyone who doubts that Ennis is a lefty, read Punisher: The End. If ever there were a comic book soapbox, that's it. Big business is responsible for the downfall of the entire world in there.

 

[Horrorfan]

I guess maybe its because of my own views , I view Cap in ultimates differently. To me, he is a great hero. He is dignified, is polite and a great guy at heart. He takes no **** and kicks ass when it's needed, no b.s and no dicking around. He just gets in, does the job, and gets out. So if he's trying to paint Cap in a bad light, well, I don't see it. Nick Fury is the same too. Not as great a guy at cap, but someone who does what needs to be done to protect his country and ultimately the world. Like I say maybe it's all about perspectives.BTW I knew Millar was lefty when I got round to reading the Ultimates, it was just for some of his other stuff.

 

[cerealkiller182]

What? We're supposed to have 'protest zones' for entertainers now too? I'm sorry, but I completely disagree with that. That little phenomenon disgusts me, and I'd rather not see it bleed into other areas of American life.

I don't get this whole backlash against celebs. I don't put any more credence in what they say than any other person. I prefer to get my news on my own. I can't control that people are so disconnected that they need Urkel to tell them how to feel about Darfur.

Its not about what celebrities think, its about when they say it. If your on stage dont stop your set to rant about politics. If you hate it that much, write a song, stop preaching to the audience.

The same goes for any proffession. I dont want a bank teller to stop in the middle of a transfer to rant about politics, i dont want a waiter to not take my order because he is ranting about politics. When its time to do your job, do your job. And if an entertainer wants to rant he can write a song/make a movie/paint a picture/whatever, or just wait til after.

Speaking your mind is something I hav nothing against, but do it on your own time.

 

[Hairlesswookie]

Allan Heinberg would probably a leftie.
Whoever wrote Pitt would probably be on the right... he actaully killed "Slick Willie"