New Superman title

[bleit1701]

I saw a new Adventures of Superman book in the May DC solicits. The cover caught my eye because he has his red briefs on. It looks like an anthology series about key stories in Supes past. Chris Sprouse is one of the artists in the first issue.

I haven't bought the new 52 stuff but I will check this out.

[thunderbolt]

Its digital first, like the Legends of the Dark Knight series.

[madmarva]

I've not tried the Legends of the Dark Knight series yet, but I think it's a good idea for DC to have Superman and Batman titles out that aren't complicated by a bunch of continuity and crossovers like the ones that have dominated both the Superman and Batman books of late.

There is some controversy over the Superman book because one of the writers (Orson Scott Card I believe is his name) has taken a Biblical stance on homosexuality. There is a petition with 6,000 signatures asking DC not to employ the writer and a comic store in Dallas has said it won't carry the comics written by the writer, according to articles I read on bleedingcool.com.

[Earth 2 Chris]

As long as he doesn't put his beliefs into his Superman stories, why should anyone care? I never understood this type of thinking, not matter what the subject is.

That aside, any book that features the classic versions of the characters is worth looking into for me.

Chris

[madmarva]

Yeah, I agree, Chris. If I had to agree with the beliefs of every artist or writer or musician to enjoy their work, I wouldn't be able to read, listen or watch very much.

I don't care about the personal lives of entertainers, artists or authors, just their work. If it's entertaining or thought-provoking, I'll give it a shot.

[ctc]

>There is some controversy over the Superman book because one of the writers (Orson Scott Card I believe is his name) has taken a Biblical stance on homosexuality.

I'd be more worried that Card is an old, crusty sci-fi writer from a-ways back. (He did the "Ender's Game" series.) Sounds like stunt casting (probably 'cos an Ender film is in the works) of an author past his prime, and possibly out of touch with the subject matter.

Don C.

[torgospizza]

As long as he doesn't put his beliefs into his Superman stories, why should anyone care? I never understood this type of thinking, not matter what the subject is.

It's about control and punishing those of opposing views. About 5500 of those petitioners wouldn't have purchased it, anyway. I'm with madmarva, but take it a bit further--I'd rather not know anything about writers, musicians or actors. Every time they speak, I'm disappointed.

[palitoy]

From what I gleamed, I think the problem isn't Card's beliefs but that he is kind of an activist. There are lots of artists whose world views/religions I don't agree with, two of my favourite performers I think are kind of dicks in real life but I guess there is a line that can be crossed. I don't believe in petitions, I believe in voting with my wallet.

[SeattleEd]

From what I gleamed, I think the problem isn't Card's beliefs but that he is kind of an activist. There are lots of artists whose world views/religions I don't agree with, two of my favourite performers I think are kind of dicks in real life but I guess there is a line that can be crossed. I don't believe in petitions, I believe in voting with my wallet.

Yup.
Here is an article from Wired about it.

DC Comics Under Fire for Hiring Anti-Gay Author Orson Scott Card to Write Superman

Ahead of the release of this summer’s Superman film Man of Steel, DC Entertainment is launching a new digital anthology of short comics starring the last son of Krypton entitled Adventures of Superman. Unfortunately, the series is being launched with a story written by Ender’s Game author and outspoken homophobe Orson Scott Card, leading to an online backlash against both the project and the publisher. After all, doesn’t Superman stand against such bigotry?

News of Adventures of Superman broke last Wednesday, with Card listed as co-writer on the first two installments (Aaron Johnston, who has previously worked with Card on Marvel’s Ender’s Game comics as well as a number of science fiction novels, is the other writer, with Chris Sprouse and Karl Story illustrating). Almost immediately, internet reaction condemned Card’s involvement in the title, suggesting that it was tantamount to DC supporting his views on homosexuality.

Card, who is a board member of the National Organization of Marriage, a political non-profit that works against the legalization of same-sex marriage, has been outspoken about his homophobic views for decades. In 1990, Card argued that “laws against homosexual behavior should remain on the books … used when necessary to send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society’s regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens within that society.” In 2004, he wrote that equal marriage rights for gay people could “strike a death blow against the well-earned protected status of [my], and every other, real marriage” as well as American civilization itself.

In the same essay, Card asserts that “the dark secret of homosexual society — the one that dares not speak its name — is how many homosexuals first entered into that world through a disturbing seduction or rape or molestation or abuse.” This conflation of homosexuality with rape and sexual abuse would surface again later in 2011 after the republication of Card’s novella Hamlet’s Father, which recast the dead King in Shakespeare’s famous play as a gay pedophile who sexually abused Horatio, Laertes, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when they were children. Several critics have asserted the book implies those characters become gay as a result of the abuse, although Card disputes that interpretation.

These beliefs align with Card’s larger, fiercely conservative worldview, which has inspired essays arguing that President Barack Obama was reelected last year because the media conspired to help him win a second term and that America’s public school system is “brainwashing” children through selective history lessons in order to create an army of Democratic Party voters – or as he calls them, the “Leftaliban.”

In response to Card’s involvement with the series, All Out, an international campaign for LGBT equality, has created an online petition calling for the writer’s removal from the title that has already surpassed its first target of 5,000 signatures and is now aiming for 10,000. This has, in turn, been characterized as “censorship” by others, with Kick-*** creator Mark Millar going so far as to describe it as “fascistic,” suggesting issues with his understanding of the term. (Hint: A public petition asking a company to do something may not actually fall under the dictionary definition of fascism).

The issue has already inspired boycotts and parodies, bleeding from internet fandom into reports at mainstream news outlets like The Huffington Post, NPR, USA Today and The Guardian, which may help push DC into taking action. The publisher has recently been willing to reverse unpopular decisions based on fan reaction, after all.

When contacted for comment, DC Entertainment’s Courtney Simmons gave Wired the following statement: “As content creators we steadfastly support freedom of expression. However, the personal views of individuals associated with DC Comics are just that — personal views — and not those of the company itself.”

Adventures of Superman launches digitally in April, with a print edition following in May.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Okay, maybe I can kind of understand why they are up in arms over this guy.

You think DC would have thought about this before hiring this guy. But Didio has been starstruck since he first took over DC, and the tradition continues.

Chris

[palitoy]

Okay, maybe I can kind of understand why they are up in arms over this guy.

You think DC would have thought about this before hiring this guy. But Didio has been starstruck since he first took over DC, and the tradition continues.

Yeah, I don't want this thread to spin political but you'd think DC might have thought this guy was at best, polarizing before hiring him.

Of course, this may have been the intent, I mean it hit my radar and I'm not actively seeking comics news.

[Godzilla]

Card is a great writer. It's a shame he just can't shut up and write.

[SeattleEd]

Yeah, I don't want this thread to spin political but you'd think DC might have thought this guy was at best, polarizing before hiring him.

Brian,

I hope it doesn't. Wasn't my intention when I posted that article. We saw/read this yesterday and my Jennie was livid. Turned to me and said don't I dare buy that book. Glad she didn't say not to support any DC products of the new Man of Steel movie. LOL.

[MIB41]

I think DC hired Card because he has a great gift for writing. This idea that he can't perform a job because of his personal beliefs is nothing short of discrimination. It would be no different than demanding someone step down because they are gay. Do gay people not attend rallies and participate in activist groups? Where's the tolerance for the other side? I thought that was the point? Learn to live with opposing views. This petition is just trying to put this man down for a view some don't agree with. You can't advocate tolerance if you don't live by example. Last I heard, Superman was a comic book character. Hopefully no one uses this source for identity development.

[The Toyroom]

Didn't this dude write Iron Man at Marvel before? I wasn't impressed...