Violence in comic books

Another topic I am considering studying for my 10,000 word dissertation is the topic of violence in comic books. Violence is a topic that is hotly debated over in the realm of the media. Both film and comic books are often the first points of call for references of violence in the media.

                

    Wolverine in the X Force comic

Hit girl in the Kick Ass comics

(All images courtesy of google images)
An interesting article that ties into this theme is an online article by Tom Chivers, a writer for the Guardian online newspaper.  Chivers explains how new research by American psychologist, Dr Sharon Lamb, has shed light on an avenue of thought regarding the modern day superhero as a bad role model for young children.  The article argues that the 'modern' superhero is directly violent and aggressive. She writes-
'Today's superhero is too much like an action hero who participates in non-stop violence. He's aggressive, sarcastic and rarely speaks to the virtue of doing good for humanity.'
 

• Chivers, T. (2010, August 17). Superheroes, please, not positive role models. Retrieved October 6, 2010, from Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/7949516/Superheroes-please-not-positive-role-models.html
• DeTora, L. Heroes of Film, Comics and American Culture [Book]- London: McFarland Inc, 2009
• Nyberg, A K. Seal of Approval, The history of the comics code [Book]- Jackson: Mississippi University Press, 1998

I have found that this article and other early texts that I have recently read (see above) focus on this idea of the superhero as a role model. I believe that this would be quite an interesting path to take in regards to superheroes, comic books, violence and the media.