Written by Jeaux Janovsky

Like any community that draws active fans, the comic world has its share of controversies. While each point of contention might not be enough to fragment the comic world and send it spiraling into cataclysm, they often stir the pot enough to send readers yammering on-and-on for months.

Collected here are some of the most interesting controversial comic occurrences from recent years. And as an added bonus illustrator Jeaux Janovsky has drafted original artwork to stir the pot a little on his own.

1. Nine Eleven Comic

Sept. 11, 2001 is a day we all remember. Various comic artists, writers and professionals from the comics industry came together to use art and comics to express their support and grief.

Comics of Note:

9-11: September 11th, 2001 (Artists Respond), Vol.1 was put together by Dark Horse, Chaos Comics, and Image Comics.9-11: September 11th, 2001 (The World’s Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember) Vol.2 was published by DC Comics

Marvel Comics: Heroes (a poster book), A Moment of Silence (four wordless stories
inspired by true events of 911 of varying perspectives), The Amazing Spider-Man #36 (this issue shows how Marvel Universe Characters, such as Spider-Man, Captain America, DareDevil, Magneto, deal with the aftermath of the 911 attacks).

Alternative Comics published 9-11: Emergency Relief, talented creators in the Alternative and Independent Comics Scene banded together for this book with all profits going towards The American Red Cross.

2. Stan Lee Defies the Comics Code Authority

Stan Lee received a letter from the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare requesting a story informing people about the dangers of drug usage. He responded with a controversial storyline in Amazing Spider-Man issues #96-98, in which the Green Goblin’s son, Harry Osborn, is hospitalized for abusing LSD. The Comics Code Authority didn’t like that and refused to put their seal on those particular issues due to Drug Usage. Never mind the fact that the storyline took an anti-drug stance. Stan Lee, along with Marvel Publisher Martin Goodman, gave the CCA a metaphorical middle finger and decided to run the storyline anyway, without the CCA Seal gracing their cover. The comics ended up selling
extremely well and were highly regarded for their socially conscious endeavors. The CCA later loosened their neckties and the code a little in order to permit negative depictions of drugs.

3. Infamous Green Arrow Heroin Storyline

The 70s were a time to confront drugs and their dangers. Marvel had their Spider-Man LSD story, DC had the infamous Green Lantern, Green Arrow storyline in which Green Arrow’s Ward and Sidekick Speedy was addicted to Heroin. This ran in Green Lantern, Vol.2 in issues #85-86, and despite earning a congratulatory letter from the Mayor of New York (at the time), John Lindsay, the comic was received poorly probably due to the mature topic and artist Neal Adams’ habitual trouble with deadlines. Ultimately, this all led to the cancellation of the book by issue #89 in 1972.

4. Northstar: First Openly Gay Superhero

Northstar resides in the Marvel Universe. Originally part of Alpha Flight, Canada’s answer to the X-Men, Northstar later became a member of the X-Men – if only briefly. His special Mutant power is that he can fly and move at superhuman speed. Originally, his creators writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne imagined Northstar as being homosexual, and would occasionally allude to and insinuate his homosexuality. Though his character was created in 1979, Northstar didn’t openly reveal his homosexuality until 1992 – that’s 13 years. He came out in a storyline in which shortly after returning to Alpha Flight, following a stint in the Olympics, he adopts an orphaned baby who is unfortunately infected with HIV. After the child dies, he comes out to his teammates and the public that he
is gay.

Alpha Flight #106 caused quite a buzz, and attracted the attention of the mainstream press, and quickly sold out in a week. Unfortunately, it caused quite a controversy and was quietly buried under the rug until the series ended in 1994.

By the time Northstar joined the X-Men temporarily in 2002, views on Homosexuality changed tremendously. Writers were incorporating his sexual orientation into storylines ranging from a homophobic Juggernaut, to tackling Northstar’s crushes on teammates Colossus and Iceman.

5. Mike Diana: First American Artist to be Convicted of Obscenity

Florida Artist Mike Diana’s Controversial Zine, Boiled Angel, contained graphic and extremely shocking views of many of America’s nightmares and problems. It dealt with issues of child abuse, date rape and religious corruption.

In March 1994, a Florida judge found Diana guilty of publishing, distributing, and advertising obscene material. They commented that his work “lacked serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value” because it didn’t compare to such works as Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” or Picasso’s “Guernica”.

Diana was sentenced to 3 years probation, during which time his residence was subject to search and inspection , without warning or warrant, to determine if he was in possession of, or creating obscene material. He was to have no contact with children under 18, undergo
psychological testing, enroll himself in a journalistic ethics course, pay a $3,000 fine, and perform 1,248 hours of community service.

Mike Diana’s story has inspired an off broadway play entitled, Busted Jesus Comix. The play borrows many particulars from the legal case and punishments meted out to Mike Diana, while the character of the comic artist in Busted Jesus and the background story are entirely
fictional.