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Originally Posted by AshleyO
My GF and I have a thing for Harley Quinn. We adore the classic Harley design and are really bothered by the New 52 design which basically just makes her a sexy Hot Topic gothling. We're left thinking... yo, you got Catwoman and you got Poison Ivy. Does every female character in the DC universe have to be some titillating sex bombshell? Harley's clownish design was part of her charm, was what made her so attractive and likable in the first place. She was cute and funny and a real foil to the seriousness of the DC universe as opposed to the Joker who is now just a monster I guess. I dunno if I get it anymore.
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In
Supergods Grant Morrison wrote:
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Superman began as a socialist, but Batman was the ultimate capitalist hero, which may help to explain his current popularity and Superman’s relative loss of significance. Batman was a wish-fulfillment figure as both filthy-rich Bruce Wayne and his swashbuckling alter ego. He was a millionaire who vented his childlike fury on the criminal classes of the lower orders. He was the defender of privilege and hierarchy. In a world where wealth and celebrity are the measures of accomplishment, it’s no surprise that the most popular superhero characters today—Batman and Iron Man—are both handsome tycoons.
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I think Batman also kinda represents cynicism and individualism. Because of his success, DC is trying to make everything even more dark and sinister and "edgy". Its not enough that Harley is in an extremely abusive relationship, her entire personality and look has to scream "dark and edgy". Wonder Woman can't be from a feminist utopia, they're baby murdering feminazis. Superman too has to be dark and angsty and have no faith in the greater good, and he can't have Lois, his emotional connection to humanity. The disgrace of the Amazons and the inability of Superman to connect with humanity are testaments against idealism.
Marvel has a lot going for it. There isn't particularly ONE super super popular superhero. They're all pretty unique and
allowed to be fun. Deadpool's popularity shows that people don't want dark gritty noirs all the fucking time, for example. Superman Returns and Green Lanterns were bombs, and the success of the Batman films makes DC think that Batman is all we want.
And with or without Wonder Woman, its why I have low expectations. Batman and Superman's dynamic in World's Finest worked because they were opposites, now that they're both dark edgy and angsty, how does it work?