Pop Culture Freaks by Dustin Kidd

Author:Dustin Kidd [Kidd, Dustin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780813349138
Publisher: Westview Press

The field of literature would seem to be the richest space for research on gay representations. Thus far, however, sociologists have largely left that work to their colleagues in the English department. Although literary analyses of gay characters can help us to better understand the role of sexuality in literary history, we need to apply the methods of sociology to really make claims about the frequency of different types of representations, the practices through which these representations are produced, and the deployment of these representations by audiences engaged in the process of meaning-making.

Neil Shyminsky (2011) offers a queer analysis of comic book heroes and their sidekicks. He begins with the premise that the many male superheroes are gay enough that they produce queer anxiety, from their S&M-themed costumes to the superpowers that make them mutants and freaks. But the superhero must be affirmed as the very model of modern masculinity, which is where his sidekick comes in. Although the sidekick creates an ambiguous homosocial relationship, he also serves as a foil for the failed masculinity of the superhero. The ambiguity of the superhero/sidekick relationship is comedically celebrated and mocked by the Saturday Night Live animated shorts “The Ambiguously Gay Duo.” Shyminsky pays particular attention to the relationships between Superman/Clark Kent and his “cub reporter” sidekick Jimmy Olsen, and between Batman and the three men who stepped into the Robin role over the years of that comic. Both Jimmy and Robin are presented as feminized men, which allows them to affirm the masculinity of the superheroes they serve. Jimmy Olsen frequently wears drag to go undercover to investigate a story, but just as frequently puts himself in danger’s way and needs Superman to save him. Robin foolishly wears the flamboyantly red, green, and yellow costume and arrogantly thinks he can take down the villains on his own (see Image 5.2). The role of Robin, the sidekick, has been played by three alter egos over the years since he was first created in 1940. The original Robin, Dick Grayson, eventually went to college. The second Robin, Jason Todd, was killed by the Joker. The most recent Robin is Tim Drake, who operates as the Red Robin. According to Shyminsky, these sidekicks serve as the less ambiguous half of the gay superhero/sidekick duos, distracting queer anxiety from the superhero.

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