While "woke" has become a term used to describe a heightened awareness of social issues like race, gender, and identity, it’s important to consider that comics have been engaging with political and social commentary for decades.
To fully grasp how and why certain comics are perceived as "woke" today, we need to trace the roots of comic book storytelling and examine the cultural forces that shaped their narratives across generations.
The Origins of Social Commentary in Comics
Comic books have always been more than just escapism. From their inception, they have reflected societal anxieties, hopes, and conflicts. One of the most famous comic book characters of all time, Superman, was created by two Jewish immigrants, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, in the late 1930s.
The story of an alien who protects humanity from destruction can be seen as a metaphor for the immigrant experience and the desire to fight injustice during a period of rising global fascism.
In the 1940s, Captain America punched Hitler on the cover of his debut issue, signaling that even in their infancy, superhero comics were engaging with real-world political issues. Comics served as a rallying cry for American values and a response to global conflicts, especially during World War II.
This isn't unlike today's comics that take on modern-day villains—whether they be corrupt politicians, oppressive regimes, or environmental crises.
The Civil Rights Era and Feminism in Comics
The 1960s brought a wave of social change, and comic books were not immune. Marvel’s X-Men, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, is often interpreted as an allegory for the civil rights movement.
Around the same time, DC Comics introduced Wonder Woman as a feminist icon. Created in 1941, Wonder Woman's storylines during the second-wave feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s highlighted issues of female empowerment, breaking away from traditional gender roles.
These examples suggest that "woke" comics—those that focus on social justice, equality, and activism—aren't a new phenomenon but part of a long tradition of using the medium to reflect and critique societal issues.
The Shift in the 21st Century: A New Kind of "Woke"?
The term "woke" has more recently become associated with contemporary social movements, including Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights, climate activism, and MeToo. As these movements gained cultural prominence, they inevitably influenced comic book storytelling.
In the 2010s, Marvel and DC started featuring more diverse characters and storylines. Miles Morales, a biracial Spider-Man, and Kamala Khan, a Muslim Pakistani-American who becomes Ms. Marvel, are examples of this shift. Some readers welcomed these characters as a reflection of a more diverse and inclusive world, while others accused the industry of "pandering" or pushing a political agenda.
The backlash to "woke" comics often stems from a feeling that these stories are prioritizing social messages over good storytelling. Critics argue that identity politics have overshadowed character development or plot, turning comics into vehicles for activism. However, this critique raises another important question: Why is addressing diversity and social issues perceived as detracting from storytelling, when those very themes have been part of comics for decades?
Why the Controversy Now?
One reason for the heightened debate around "woke" comics is the way social media amplifies these discussions. Fans and critics now have platforms to instantly voice their opinions, leading to polarizing debates.
The culture wars of today are fought on Twitter (now X) threads, YouTube comment sections, and Reddit forums, with comics becoming a battleground for broader societal tensions.
Some readers feel that their beloved comics are being "hijacked" by contemporary political ideologies. For others, these changes represent progress and the natural evolution of an art form that should reflect the world in which it exists.
The fact that comic book characters like Superman or Captain America were once seen as fighting for justice against Nazis or corrupt governments seems consistent with modern characters standing up against systemic racism or environmental degradation.
Engaging with the Debate
The idea that comic book stories "became woke" at a specific point in time oversimplifies the complex relationship between comics and social commentary. If anything, the medium has always been woke—if by woke we mean an awareness of societal issues and the use of storytelling to advocate for justice and equality.
However, the conversation should not end with a binary judgment of whether woke comics are good or bad. Instead, the real discussion lies in what makes good storytelling.
Are these socially aware comics resonating with audiences because of the characters and narratives they present, or are they falling short in other ways? Can a balance be struck between reflecting the social issues of our time and maintaining the creative freedom that fans crave?
Ultimately, comics are a mirror of society. As our world changes, so too will the stories we tell. Whether or not you believe comics have "become woke," the evolution of the medium offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on how we, as a society, grapple with issues of identity, power, and justice. Rather than rejecting these changes outright, perhaps we should be engaging with them, asking what they tell us about the times we live in and where they might take us next.