While I agree in a general sense, I disagree with their execution and implications.
The comic is an ad absurdum argument, which is hilarious, but their logic fails.
First off, sexual assault is a very serious issue. But, it’s also a real issue, and should never be put away or chided simply because it causes discomfort. It bothers me when people treat it like a taboo subject and don’t deal with it like the adults we’re masquerading as.
But their specific example falls utterly short of anything other than a rant.
When you apply the idea of sexual assault against Mario, sure it’s stupid and ridiculous. But, he’s a cartoon character. Lara Croft was cartoony because that’s how they could do the graphics back then—she was always supposed to represent a real person. That would be like having a sexual assault scenario for Pac Man. That’s like comparing My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic to Urotsukidoji—because, hey, all animation is for kids! (I did get my copy of Kite, Ninja Scroll and La Blue Girl from Suncoast, from their kid’s section.)
If we apply their logic, we need to apply it to a similar, male, character from the same era . . . which is, sadly, lacking. But MonkeyFist gives me an excellent, modern, example: Nathan Drake from the Uncharted franchise. Is it so absurd that someone would sexually assault him? How about Isaac Clark from the Dead Space franchise or how about Jack, from BioShock?
The better way of putting is:
“If there is more than one way to get a specific character development, take the less-rapey one. Unless that’s what you’re looking for.”
I have a story where the main character spends a good deal of time getting raped and dealing with the emotional ramifications. But, it’s not about “sex” it’s about people exerting power over her because they can. It is an examination of how the character deals with their “life” and how to deal with the events.
Poor Carmen is a very messed up girl.
The comic is an ad absurdum argument, which is hilarious, but their logic fails.
First off, sexual assault is a very serious issue. But, it’s also a real issue, and should never be put away or chided simply because it causes discomfort. It bothers me when people treat it like a taboo subject and don’t deal with it like the adults we’re masquerading as.
But their specific example falls utterly short of anything other than a rant.
When you apply the idea of sexual assault against Mario, sure it’s stupid and ridiculous. But, he’s a cartoon character. Lara Croft was cartoony because that’s how they could do the graphics back then—she was always supposed to represent a real person. That would be like having a sexual assault scenario for Pac Man. That’s like comparing My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic to Urotsukidoji—because, hey, all animation is for kids! (I did get my copy of Kite, Ninja Scroll and La Blue Girl from Suncoast, from their kid’s section.)
If we apply their logic, we need to apply it to a similar, male, character from the same era . . . which is, sadly, lacking. But MonkeyFist gives me an excellent, modern, example: Nathan Drake from the Uncharted franchise. Is it so absurd that someone would sexually assault him? How about Isaac Clark from the Dead Space franchise or how about Jack, from BioShock?
The better way of putting is:
“If there is more than one way to get a specific character development, take the less-rapey one. Unless that’s what you’re looking for.”
I have a story where the main character spends a good deal of time getting raped and dealing with the emotional ramifications. But, it’s not about “sex” it’s about people exerting power over her because they can. It is an examination of how the character deals with their “life” and how to deal with the events.
Poor Carmen is a very messed up girl.