Chapter 4 - From Pop Culture to Woke Culture? Law and Politics in the X-Men Saga

Summary

Comics, Politics and Law

In a viral interview with Syfy.com, comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick addressed fan criticism regarding the alleged ‘woke’ political turns in her comics: ‘I’m sorry to break it to you, but Captain America is a social justice warrior. I understand you mean that as an insult, but that's exactly what he is.’

The topic is not brand new. We live in highly polarised times, and comics make no exceptions. Some people are calling for greater diversity and inclusion, urging a ‘cultural awakening’ in society to address social justice, inequity and systemic discrimination. Grounded in academic studies like Critical Race Theory, terms such as ‘woke culture’ or ‘wokeness’ have become familiar in public discourse and media. The term originally emerged in the early twentieth century to describe an awareness of the sociopolitical challenges facing Black Americans. However, in recent decades, it has evolved significantly, gaining broader meaning and influence, impacting journalism, advertising and visual arts. Entertainment companies sometimes actively promote this message, integrating it directly into their movies or TV shows. As highlighted by the Disney website, ‘stories matter’ because they ‘shape how we see ourselves and everyone around us. So as storytellers, we have the power and responsibility to not only uplift and inspire, but also consciously, purposefully and relentlessly champion the spectrum of voices and perspectives in our world’.

According to proponents, this policy could lead to a new form of storytelling that challenges conventional norms and highlights the struggles of under-represented communities. In comics, for example, it has recently altered the narratives of traditional and beloved characters such as Superman, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man and Captain America, changing aspects of their origins, race or gender. However, especially in the United States, this shift has sparked strong reactions from more traditional segments of society, fuelling what some describe as a ‘culture of complaint’, which deepens societal tribalism. While some advocate for greater diversity in comics, others express concern, arguing that such changes could lead to the desecration of traditional heroes. Sometimes, this clash also leads to social campaigns aimed at boycotting or ostracising specific companies, with some fans expressing frustration by asking, ‘Would you please get your politics out of my comic books?’