So sick of the "they don't read our comics or play our games so they have no right to talk about it" B.S.
The idea that everyone who reads the comics either automatically agrees with the variant cover (wow, we're still talking about that!) or is somehow obligated to agree and waives their right to protest is just asinine. In addition to having little to no bearing on reality, of course. The acknowledgement that a few such people are out there but they don't really matter is only slightly less so, because hey at least it's acknowledgment.
Yes, critics who read comics and play games and point out sexism and racism in those media are a lot more viable and interesting than ones who just stand on the sidelines and say "that's offensive!" before finding their next target. Because they understand the medium and WANT to see it succeed despite its flaws. They want to make it better. But those critics are rare, and there's a reason for that.
And that reason is that they're afraid that the fan community will tear them apart. And they like the fan community, they know some cool people there. People who would turn on them like Hyenas if they ever uttered a concern of "sexism". And then there would be the obnoxious would-be fan guardians trying to investigate to find out if they're "fake" fans with an "agenda" like Joe friggin' McCarthy investigating un-American activities.
So unfortunately, the criticisms of sexism etc. usually come from outsiders, people who don't read comics or play games. Not because they're the only ones who care--they're not. They're just the only ones with nothing to lose by doing so. And thus, the heavily mistaken perception that the only people who care are non-player/non-reader types.
The idea that everyone who reads the comics either automatically agrees with the variant cover (wow, we're still talking about that!) or is somehow obligated to agree and waives their right to protest is just asinine. In addition to having little to no bearing on reality, of course. The acknowledgement that a few such people are out there but they don't really matter is only slightly less so, because hey at least it's acknowledgment.
Yes, critics who read comics and play games and point out sexism and racism in those media are a lot more viable and interesting than ones who just stand on the sidelines and say "that's offensive!" before finding their next target. Because they understand the medium and WANT to see it succeed despite its flaws. They want to make it better. But those critics are rare, and there's a reason for that.
And that reason is that they're afraid that the fan community will tear them apart. And they like the fan community, they know some cool people there. People who would turn on them like Hyenas if they ever uttered a concern of "sexism". And then there would be the obnoxious would-be fan guardians trying to investigate to find out if they're "fake" fans with an "agenda" like Joe friggin' McCarthy investigating un-American activities.
So unfortunately, the criticisms of sexism etc. usually come from outsiders, people who don't read comics or play games. Not because they're the only ones who care--they're not. They're just the only ones with nothing to lose by doing so. And thus, the heavily mistaken perception that the only people who care are non-player/non-reader types.