The Controversial 'Batgirl' Variant Cover (Photo : DC Comics)
Social media won again as it urged DC to pull out a controversial comic book cover that suggest sexual assault on the heroine "Batgirl".
The cover for an upcoming comic book this June shows the "Joker" painting a smile on the terrified heroine "Batgirl," while holding her beside him like a hostage.
The disturbing image stirred different criticisms and opinions from comic geeks and fans all over the social media. This prompted the hashtag #ChangeTheCover on Twitter, began to spread as members of the comic community shout out their disappointment to DC comics.
Disappointed fans voiced out their disgust on DC's act of glamorizing sexual assault.
According to Mashable, fans thought that reducing the heroine into a victim, leaving her terrified and helpless is perceived by many as an act of violence against and it has no place in the comics nor in the society. Even if the cover is to pay homage to a story from the past they believe that some things in the past are best left there.
The cover artist's Rafael Abuquerque revealed that the artwork was to pay homage to the classic comic book story by Alan Moore "The Killing Joke". The Independent reports.
"I couldn't avoid portraying the traumatic relationship between Barbara Gordon and the Joker." Abuquerque said.
Threatened by the social media outbreak might affect the comic book's sales, DC pulled out the cover and replaced it with a new artwork illustrated by artist Cameron Stewart.
The replacement of the cover also caused comic artist to express their dismay. Some of them didn't like the idea of having their artistry crippled and auto-censored by fear of society's response.
Fans who are supporting the controversial cover, also put up their own hashtag #SaveTheCover to urge DC to bring back Abuquerque's artwork.
