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[Frank Randle]

Comics may cause incurable "algolagniacal urges"

Link to the book: The Case Against Comics - Gabriel Lynn

[Andrew999]

I think Mr Lynn overeggs the pudding somewhat but I think there is a kernel of truth in what he says - applied to American comics at least.

It does seem to me that most American comic books (and movies) are full of personal violence, clouded in a cloak of superhero fantasy - moreso today perhaps than even in the Golden Age. The concept of action is equated with crude violence.

There is little sense of personal development, allegory or irony as you might find in the Greek, Hindu or Nordic  myths from which they were derived. American superhero mythology is a degraded mythos.

The contrast with European comic books is very stark. European comic books do have superheroes but the majority of publications are based on humour, action heroes (with no super powers), story-telling and characterisation.

I am, of course, stretching the point - setting myself up as an Aunt Sally to be knocked down in the interests of debate - but I do worry about the impact on young American minds of all that normalised violence. Is there a link with a nation so insecure, it's military is ten times larger than any other?

[Electricmastro]

I think Mr Lynn overeggs the pudding somewhat but I think there is a kernel of truth in what he says - applied to American comics at least.

It does seem to me that most American comic books (and movies) are full of personal violence, clouded in a cloak of superhero fantasy - moreso today perhaps than even in the Golden Age. The concept of action is equated with crude violence.

There is little sense of personal development, allegory or irony as you might find in the Greek, Hindu or Nordic  myths from which they were derived. American superhero mythology is a degraded mythos.

The contrast with European comic books is very stark. European comic books do have superheroes but the majority of publications are based on humour, action heroes (with no super powers), story-telling and characterisation.

I am, of course, stretching the point - setting myself up as an Aunt Sally to be knocked down in the interests of debate - but I do worry about the impact on young American minds of all that normalised violence. Is there a link with a nation so insecure, it's military is ten times larger than any other?

After much consideration, I get the feeling that on the parents

[Robb_K]

I think Mr Lynn overeggs the pudding somewhat but I think there is a kernel of truth in what he says - applied to American comics at least.

It does seem to me that most American comic books (and movies) are full of personal violence, clouded in a cloak of superhero fantasy - moreso today perhaps than even in the Golden Age. The concept of action is equated with crude violence.

There is little sense of personal development, allegory or irony as you might find in the Greek, Hindu or Nordic  myths from which they were derived. American superhero mythology is a degraded mythos.

The contrast with European comic books is very stark. European comic books do have superheroes but the majority of publications are based on humour, action heroes (with no super powers), story-telling and characterisation.

I am, of course, stretching the point - setting myself up as an Aunt Sally to be knocked down in the interests of debate - but I do worry about the impact on young American minds of all that normalised violence. Is there a link with a nation so insecure, it's military is ten times larger than any other?

American entertainment, including films, TV, radio, books, and comic books, is based on individual freedom at all cost, leading to an unfeeling, irresponsible stress on capitalism, and the goal of gaining as much wealth as possible, which leads to the lowest common denominator of perceived taste, which leads to an extremely low level of product quality and worth as a learning device, or as entertainment.  And that tact leads to extreme stifling of artistic expression.  Thank goodness for The Internet and the new ability to self-publish!