Fox News Targets DC Comics For Using “Sex and Violence to Sell”

 

 

 

DC Comics launched the risky “New 52″ series back in August and much to my dismay, became quite a success. You can quote me on that. I thought the relaunch was risky. I thought it was foolish. I’ll even admit that I thought it wasn’t needed! But after reading all 52 first books and the other titles they’ve released, I applaud the ‘testicular fortitude’ DC Comics showed by pushing the relaunch.

The new 52 is bold. It’s intense. Classic DC heroes and villains have been remodeled and rebooted. Some origin stories have changed. There is a lot of commotion on the lack of female writers. There is an open ended story that flirts with the issues of homosexuality. Yes, there is some notched up violence and some sexual activity, but I think all of it is devilishly delightful!

A Few days ago, a Washington D.C. Fox affiliate has put DC in their sights and launched attack saying that DC overuses and sells “sex and violence”. Really Fox news? The Fox report is titled “Relaunched Comics Using Sex and Violence to Sell” on the affiliate’s website, correspondent Sherri Ly turns to child psychologist Neil Bernstein, who characterizes the much-discussed sex scene between Batman and Catwoman as, “sort of like a fictionalized Playboy for kids at its worst.”

Bernstein suggests that the comic may pose a danger to many young readers, as overexposure to sex and violence and could encourage aggression. Yes, really. “I think too many kids would be put in harm’s way or at risk,” he says.

Fox then turns its focus to Starfire whom many know from the Cartoon Network animated series, Teen Titans. Starfire is a key figure in the Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort book, Red Hood and the Outlaws.

Bernstein dissects the book, in which Starfire propositions Roy Harper for sex, later saying, “Love has nothing to do with it.” “We want our kids to think sex is an act between two consenting mature individuals who care deeply for one another,” he says. “That doesn’t really come across and it’s too easily to misconstrue things particularly for a kid.”

Growing up in an age where video game violence was born, where comic book violence and sex has been the new tactic to sell, and well, with HBO and Showtime specials, I don’t feel that any of what Fox reports affects the masses. When it comes to children issues with violence and sex, it always seems to stem from parental negligence. Only after then is when the media outlets like comics books fuel a young child. I’m sure child psychologist, Neil Bernstein is very credible and went to a prestigious school to get his degree, but as individual who was brought up during the internet boom, who was brought up through the cable television boom, I don’t feel that the exposure to sex and violence has had any effect on me. I can also say the same about many of my peers.

Here’s an easy fix to this issue is, Parents. If you’re child’s age is shown on a clock/watch. Then it’s your responsibility to monitor what they’re reading, what they’re playing and what they’re watching. Don’t go over to your local news station or school board and perform your greatest hissy fit. Fox news, stop being ridiculous. There are great things to focus on like the SOPA/PIPA bill or how about the upcoming president election? Or what about the severed heads showing up in Hollywood? Oh, is that too sensitive? Maybe someone should write a comic book about it to catch your attention. Sherri Ly, I’m sure that you’re an attractive Asian affiliate over at Fox news, but the comic books are going to stay.

People, there are a lot worse programing on television than there is in a 28 page comic book. Get real.

Here’s a good point of view from our friends over at CBM.

As an example of people bitching and moaning for decades about violence and believing children will become lords of Satan, just look at the video I included below the Fox video. It is of two men preaching that children that watch or read Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will turn into the anti-Christ.