Should sex be openly depicted in comics?

[Miss Webb]

There's been much talk recent years about the 'abolishment' of ANY comic code...remember when they used to show that symbol on covers? There's much implied intimacy going on, and people often make threads fantasizing about what their heroes look like in the buff. Question is, would you really want to see anything graphic? Some books out now really push the envelope, although they are generally rated mature. Most of the time its tastefully done without showing anything exactly, but what if some crazy editor (hmm. JQEI, perhaps?) decides to start controversy with this would you buy the book? it might make the peepers happy, but would it 'push' across a wide audience?

BTW, I never understood the letter of the law regarding the comic code. You know, like what is allowed and what isn't? There must be a guideline somewhere.

 

[PhotoJones]

Mainstream comics? No, definitely not. Adult comics like MAX and Vertigo? Probably not. It's too much of a fine line and can potentially be a slippery-slope. It's easier to just say no.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Mainstream books should definitely stick to PG sex. The primary aim of both of the big 2 publishers is to expand their readership, and it's tough to do that if your content automatically excludes a lot of the people who'd be naturally interested in your books.

Books already labeled "Mature Readers"? Sure, why not? If a writer or artist thinks the story is best served by showing anal penetration in graphic detail, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to. They show explicit sex scenes in some indie movies now, too.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Agreed with Photojones and Corp.

 

[PhotoJones]

Mainstream books should definitely stick to PG sex. The primary aim of both of the big 2 publishers is to expand their readership, and it's tough to do that if your content automatically excludes a lot of the people who'd be naturally interested in your books.

Books already labeled "Mature Readers"? Sure, why not? If a writer or artist thinks the story is best served by showing anal penetration in graphic detail, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to. They show explicit sex scenes in some indie movies now, too.

I always get uncomfortable if I'm in a theater and an explicit scene like that comes on. Not for myself, but I feel bad for the other people that might feel embarrarssed. I hate being around people I don't know if they feel uncomfortable. Does that make any sense?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Not really. I'm no psycholomawhatsit, but it sounds like you're projecting.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

I always get uncomfortable if I'm in a theater and an explicit scene like that comes on. Not for myself, but I feel bad for the other people that might feel embarrarssed. I hate being around people I don't know if they feel uncomfortable. Does that make any sense?

I feel pretty much the same way.

 

[PhotoJones]

When I'm at home, or with people I know, I'm not phased by it. I just always get the feeling there's an old couple in the theater and they're horribly offended. I don't really want old people to be offended. It makes me sad.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I lol at offended old people.

I don't really get what you mean still. I tend to feel awkward if I see explicit sex scenes in a movie theater because it feels like I'm watching porn with other people, which is just weird.

 

[PhotoJones]

I lol at offended old people.

I don't really get what you mean still. I tend to feel awkward if I see explicit sex scenes in a movie theater because it feels like I'm watching porn with other people, which is just weird.

You're going to get old one day Corp, and you're going to be offended by things and some punk kid laughing at you isn't going to help anything. Old people, while they may smell funny, are still good people.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I look forward to those days, actually. I'll finally be able to be legitimately grumpy all the time and no one'll be able to give me **** about it.

 

[PhotoJones]

You're a sad thing.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

But one day I'll be an old sad thing.

 

[fifthfiend]

I look forward to those days, actually. I'll finally be able to be legitimately grumpy all the time and no one'll be able to give me **** about it.

People will totally still give you **** about it, it's just that you won't care, cause you're a grumpy old man and **** them.

 

[PhotoJones]

But one day I'll be an old sad thing.

That's not something I'd look forward to.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

That's your loss, chief.

People will totally still give you **** about it, it's just that you won't care, cause you're a grumpy old man and **** them.

Really? Damn, then I guess I'm already halfway there, 'cause I'm grumpy and I don't give a **** now...

 

[PhotoJones]

Really? Damn, then I guess I'm already halfway there, 'cause I'm grumpy and I don't give a **** now...

Anubis in training.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Nah, Anubis isn't grumpy, he just doesn't give a ****.

 

[LexCorp]

There's been much talk recent years about the 'abolishment' of ANY comic code...remember when they used to show that symbol on covers? There's much implied intimacy going on, and people often make threads fantasizing about what their heroes look like in the buff. Question is, would you really want to see anything graphic? Some books out now really push the envelope, although they are generally rated mature. Most of the time its tastefully done without showing anything exactly, but what if some crazy editor (hmm. JQEI, perhaps?) decides to start controversy with this would you buy the book? it might make the peepers happy, but would it 'push' across a wide audience?

BTW, I never understood the letter of the law regarding the comic code. You know, like what is allowed and what isn't? There must be a guideline somewhere.

Well the comic book from Superman/Batman had a nude Supergirl. Which was great as it showed only good things.

 

[Tropico]

I've never understood some people's obsession with seeing comic book characters naked. It's like women who complain about racy outfits but not about the full body skin tight ones. If you switch out the colors of a lot of hero and heroine's costumes to flesh they'll be naked. I don't see why fantasize about that.

Up 'til know I've felt that the few Marvel Max stories that I've read that have depicted nudity have done so with no real reason. They went for a topless scene just because they could. How can the story be served by an explicit sex scene? I really can't think of any reasons. The only reason I can think of is of some character that uses tantric energy and even then it's pushing it really hard.

Do we need to know what Piotr sexually did to Kitty to make her lose control to the point that she phased involuntarily? Do we really need any more info than what we got to know that she had a hummer of an orgasm? I'm sure many of us can conjecture on what they do and if there are mutant powers involved and other nerdgeek stuff that's mostly inappropriate to the medium, but I don't see the need for that to be published. I don't see a story being served by that.

 

[PhotoJones]

Nah, Anubis isn't grumpy, he just doesn't give a ****.

He's always grumpy towards me.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Nub needs to quit drinking that Haterade, man.

I've never understood some people's obsession with seeing comic book characters naked. It's like women who complain about racy outfits but not about the full body skin tight ones. If you switch out the colors of a lot of hero and heroine's costumes to flesh they'll be naked. I don't see why fantasize about that.

Up 'til know I've felt that the few Marvel Max stories that I've read that have depicted nudity have done so with no real reason. They went for a topless scene just because they could. How can the story be served by an explicit sex scene? I really can't think of any reasons. The only reason I can think of is of some character that uses tantric energy and even then it's pushing it really hard.

Do we need to know what Piotr sexually did to Kitty to make her lose control to the point that she phased involuntarily? Do we really need any more info than what we got to know that she had a hummer of an orgasm? I'm sure many of us can conjecture on what they do and if there are mutant powers involved and other nerdgeek stuff that's mostly inappropriate to the medium, but I don't see the need for that to be published. I don't see a story being served by that.

I agree for the most part. There are still exceptions, though. The fact that Jessica Jones takes it up the ass definitely added something to her character at the time.

 

[RockSP]

Should sex be openly depicted in comics?

It is openly depicted. In "adult" comics, that is.

 

[LexCorp]

It falls in to the celeb thing. Needing to see a celeb nude just because the are famous.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

There are plenty of celebrities that I'd never want to see nude.