Episode 179 - Token representation in comics

There's no question in my opinion as to whether representation of different kinds of people in fiction matters. Having spent my childhood poring over superhero comics in which the girl's job is usually to turn invisible and press a button or something, I remember being impressed and delighted by some of the badass female characters in The Spirit. Lady-people could be cool, too?!
Is it insulting when comics add token characters to their line up, or does it really make a difference? And what makes a token character anyways?
-HippieVan.

Banes, HippieVan and I focus on the subject of token representation in media, mainly comics. This discussion was inspired by a newspost HippieVan made in response to a new character in the Archie comic, which got a lot of interesting responses.

 

Topics and Show Notes:

Featured comic:
Dinnersaurus Rex - http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Dinnersaurus_Rex/

Token newspost:
Here - http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2014/jul/10/friday-newspost-representation-in-comics/

Special thanks to:
Banes, resident male stripper - http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes/
Gunwallace, music wizard 1st class - http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Gunwallace/

The musical theme this time was for Attack of the Robofemoids - http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Attack_of_the_Robofemoids/ by Bravo1102