Representation is a huge area when studying comics. Many people believe that representations aimed at young readers (as many, if not all, comics are, of course) can do harm; see, for example, the oft-stated link between pictures of skinny models and the incidence of anorexia in teenage girls.

Look at this image of Superman and his girlfriend, Lois Lane. Make notes on how the representations are constructed.



Representations are constructed using SIGNS. Here, such things as Superman's muscles, his steely gaze, his strong facial features and so on act as SIGNS of his hyper-masulinity. Conversely, Lois's secondary sexual features are emphasised - breasts, buttocks and lips. Her eyes are often wide and childlike. She is being represented as innocent yet sexually appealing (a common dominant representation of women - Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, every CantoPop star in the world...); it would be appropriate to apply Laura Mulvey's MALE GAZE theory here, which suggests that, in a male-dominated media, we must not be surprised that most representations, male and female, are designed to flatter and appeal to men. Finally, as usual, Superman is rescuing Lois; according to John Ellis' notion of NARRATIVE IMAGE (that is, even still images can have a narrative), Propps's theory is obviously being used. Superman is the hero, Lois (obviously) the damsel who (as ever) needs rescuing. We could examine other representations also; Superman's red and blue costume is very much supposed to connote the American flag - he is, essentially, a personification of supposed American values of patriotism, decency, masculinity and honour. In other comics, we might analyse such things as the representation of different ethnicities, sexualities, nationalities, youth or age, or of violence.

As such, then, DOMINANT representations are being transmitted here - men are strong and dominant, women weak and passive, and they exist primarily as the man's 'reward'. These representations, arguably, also transmit dominant IDEOLOGIES - that men and women SHOULD be like this, if they are to be 'normal' Do you think that this ideology accurately reflects modern thinking? Do you think that such comics could be harmful? (See here for some notes on the effects debate.)



TASK:


Write a comparative analysis of the representations evident in these comic book / magazine covers.







TASK:


Design a comic book character aimed at a young teenage audience. Justify your choices.

Also see HERE for a defence of 'traditional' British girls' comics like 'Bunty'.