Last we checked, “Cops” and “Live PD” had been taken off the air, and the writers for fictional cop shows were taking a step back after the death of George Floyd (remember him?) and reconsidering the way they portrayed police on television. Oh, and LEGO sent out word to its stores to hold off on advertising police-based sets (and also the White House set). “Paw Patrol” got called out for portraying a dog police officer as the good guy. In other words, the usual suspects overreacted in the race to virtue signal.
Now TIME is offering up the hot take that superheroes are basically just cops in capes, and we have to have a conversation about how superheroes are portrayed on film.
We're having a much-needed conversation about how Hollywood portrays cops. Now we've got to talk about superheroes, who are basically cops with capes https://t.co/3zBE3yDmMF
— Eliana Dockterman (@edockterman) June 29, 2020
Most of the blockbuster Marvel and DC comics movies skirt the issue of who should define justice for whom. Captain America: Civil War and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice briefly float the idea of superhero oversight but both devolve into quip-filled CGI fistfights. (In fairness, the Civil War storyline in the Marvel comics more thoughtfully plumbs the depths of that socio-political debate.)
What’s more, given that the creators and stars of these movies have historically been white men, it’s hardly surprising that so few reckon with issues of systemic racism—let alone sexism, homophobia, transphobia and other forms of bigotry embedded in the justice system or the inherent biases these superheroes might carry with them as they patrol the streets, or the universe.
We’d always thought “The Avengers” was missing something — the fight against transphobia in the justice system.
Did the Joker write this https://t.co/38VceM8yB1
— Harry Khachatrian (@Harry1T6) June 30, 2020
I thought the same thing.
— Mon (@monwindemaker) June 30, 2020
— Kimberly Muffley (@kimmie_can) June 30, 2020
— Katiebug (@God_Country2020) June 30, 2020
Madness, as you know is like gravity…all it takes is a little push pic.twitter.com/7YMURIHtU7
— William Marshall (@William97880773) June 30, 2020
— R. M. S. Thornton (@RMSThornton) June 30, 2020
Although I respect the reference, it’s would fall more in line with Lex Luthor pic.twitter.com/M24XXuHn1Z
— CheshireC@ (@CheshireC6) June 30, 2020
After reading this… pic.twitter.com/RaEVRUy67X
— eich bin ein VFLer (@GermanVol) June 30, 2020
Well Marvel Studios. You had a good run. ?♂️
— Totally Not Anon (@TotallyNotAnon1) June 30, 2020
Hollywood is done! They followed the mob and have written themselves out of a job ? idiots
— JaneyKat (@janey_kat) June 30, 2020
— Lawyer Cat* (@LawyerCat_) June 30, 2020
Are you a parody account
— ab_sandbars (@HGSmith4) June 30, 2020
None of these conversations are needed.
— CORDENTHUSIAST (@cordenthusiast) June 30, 2020
OMFG. STOP. JUST STOP.
— What Now? (@PowerToolsRule) June 30, 2020
You people are absolutely exhausting.https://t.co/5dr2y5aGc9
— BonkPolitics (@BonkPolitics) June 30, 2020
It’s amazing how many of the responses I’ve gotten totally ignore the undeniable fact that the **vast** majority of onscreen superheroes—enforcing their particular version of justice with violence—have been white dudes
— Eliana Dockterman (@edockterman) June 30, 2020
Yeah, we know. What’s amazing about that? And who can’t wait for Marvel’s next phase to “fix” that problem?
For every movie that venerates cops, there is a movie about corruption in law enforcement. You have some pretty serious confirmation bias going on. And your view on comic characters demonstrates cursory knowledge and unnuanced understanding at best. Yes, heroes tend to be…
— Mathew Carson (@MathewCarson11) June 30, 2020
… white males, and that is indicative of the prejudices of the times that the characters were created. However, there is a ridiculous amount of storylines exploring the consequences of being a superhero. It’s your fault for not being knowledgeable enough to realize that.
— Mathew Carson (@MathewCarson11) June 30, 2020
Enjoy your echo conversation with yourself.
— Pouncing Coder Brad (@bradcundiff) June 30, 2020
Related:
It never ends: Male critics asked to ‘sit this one out’ and let women review ‘Captain Marvel’ https://t.co/sN72je1gI1
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) March 6, 2019
Join the conversation as a VIP Member