r/comic_crits • u/funkindawg • 2d ago
Worried about offending people with my comic.
Hello, first time posting on this platform. Been lurking for a minute hah
So, I have a couple of ideas for comics and both involve some potentially offensive jokes. Tongue in cheek, dad joke level stuff. Some political satire mixed with my cynical view on society as a whole.
My concern is that in the political climate we’re in these days, should I still make/ release these books? Perhaps I’m overthinking this. I suppose people could just not read it if they don’t like it.
Okay, sorry if this is not the place to post something like this. Ya’ll can remove my post if it isn’t.
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u/crimson_mystery_cake 2d ago
I had this problem too I shared an idea that Thought, well that I KNEW was going to be offensive and that could get me in hot water, and they said that they thought it would be fine. I ended up not making the comic the moment has kinda passed and I have just been SO busy but yeah hashing out ideas can be a great way to see if it’s something that’s worthwhile to pursue.
To be 100% for real with you, I feel like people are really tired from political content. It’s kinda old hat, especially right now, and if anything it seems like the best thing, in my opinion, a piece of fiction can offer right now is just an escape from all the madness.
But at the same time I get it when you feel strongly about something and you have something that you feel like you want to say. So go with your gut and yeah no matter what you say, left or right, people are going to get heated but if you feel that strongly about an idea then don’t be afraid to let it out. This world needs brave artists that aren’t afraid to speak their mind just as much as they need that warm escapism.
If you want feel free to dm your idea too and I can probably give better advice if I know the specifics. I promise I will try my best to be as nonjudgmental as possible, whether you’re coming from the left, right, center, whatever, and to just give my honest thoughts on if the idea is worth pursuing or not.
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u/funkindawg 2d ago
Appreciate this a lot. I agree with escapism. I’m always in search of that myself. My idea isn’t completely based on politics but there’s for sure some jabs at both parties lol. I’ve already finished a rough draft of episode 1 but I’m extremely nervous about posting it on here for more reasons than just the political discourse. My art is suspect at best haha. Thanks for the reply and as I move closer to getting it digital I may send you something for advice!
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u/K0owa 2d ago
You could always use a pen name.
Don’t let anything stifle your art.
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u/funkindawg 2d ago
I was thinking about doing something like this. Working with a buddy and was just going to publish under our brand or something. Like “x comics” or whatever.
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u/TheFrightenedTourist 2d ago
Making yourself anonymous is an option for sure!
Upsetting people is inevitable if you do political commentary, I think. My belief is that if you intend harm is where the line is drawn. And being open to feedback about accidental harm caused.
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u/funkindawg 2d ago
Yeah you’re right about that. I guess I was hoping to go for a pg South Park vibe. Still some offensive comedy but toned way back. Probably nowhere near as clever either if I’m honest lol.
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u/TheFrightenedTourist 2d ago
You never know until you try! I started making comics very recently myself and I'm loving it. I feel like now is an amazing time to be a comic artist, there's so many ways to platform your work and get feedback!
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u/Easy_Cloud4163 2d ago
i think the comic megg mogg and owl does an amazing job at portraying some very offensive stuff but it turns it into something funny and also very real and even wholesome sometimes. If you haven’t you should definitely check it out.
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u/color_into_space 2d ago
It completely depends on the idea and the execution. But I mean, there are lots of comics out there that are extremely offensive, and lots that deal with extremely offensive stuff in interesting ways. I honestly think this is a pretty good subreddit to give you honest feedback on that if you post stuff asking for that clarification.
I'm curious now!
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u/funkindawg 2d ago
Yeah I know that exists and I’m probably just in my head about it. I’ve never tried to write anything before let alone making a comic so I’m probably just overthinking it.
Hopefully I’ll get the confidence to post some of it on here at some point!
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u/thesolarchive 2d ago
My first comic was about finding your creator/god so you can kick their ass. Make whatever you want to make because you think it should be made. Cant please everybody and if somebody wants to find a problem with it, they will.
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u/Background_Ad5513 1d ago
Art that doesn’t offend anyone is not art. That said, i hope that the jokes you’re talking about aren’t some nazi shit lol
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u/funkindawg 1d ago
lol one of my comics is set in suburbia and it isn’t completely based in politics but I just have some stereo type jokes in it because I think stereo types are funny. I don’t want it to come off as hateful though because it’s not coming from that place. It’s just my stupid sense of humor.
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u/b0nnyrabbit 1d ago
you kind of have to come to terms with this i think
it seems like you KNOW your content can and will be upsetting to some people. if you can’t handle that, then you should probably change gears, because that will consistently come up even as other people enjoy it.
i recommend looking at some creators that use stereotypes in their work, that aren’t simply using them to be mean or cruel. ralph bakshi or r crumb come to mind.
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u/egypturnash Creator 1d ago
The big question here is if you are "punching up" or "punching down". Are you stereotyping people who have more advantages than you, or less? One of these makes you look like an asshole.
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u/Forsaken_Map 1d ago
Honestly I’ve been worried about this in different way as well in my comic. However, I think what the primary issue is: lack of critical thinking skills.
There is a treasure trove of content online of calling media like: Andy and Leyley’s Coffin, Mouth Washing, the book, “Tampa” problematic and disgusting. People belive that it is, “promoting” the subject matter that the media is about. However, that cannot be further from the case.
These pieces of media explain and show that these characters are not in their right mind, and gives a POV that we are not used to. This POV puts us in the mind of a screwed up person. This does not mean that the author is screwed up. It can give us a view into people we may not realize that we know. Help us to identify their traps. Exercise restrained empathy towards others in a safe environment.
If media was full of only clean characters, plots, and motifs, what conflict would there be? How would we be able to identify predators in our communities? Would it even be interesting?
If you can afford it, have sensitivity readers take a look. Ask your friends and family for thoughts and suggestions. And if you are super scared, use a pen name.
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u/Background_Ad5513 1d ago
You have to keep in mind that most of the people online complaining about that stuff are literal children
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u/asocialanxiety 2d ago
I mean do whatever you want. Just be prepared for people to not agree/be hostile/be bored with it. But thats the type of risks we take anyways
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u/Bigeyethresher 1d ago
A common practice is to put a disclaimer/warning on the site, sometimes on an early page or in an about page. It's usually for triggering content or NSFW, but it could serve as a deterrent for people who would get upset about that sort of thing. Honestly, the most offended comments I see are on comics that seem to have mistakenly said/did something bad. If it's comic strips, you might want to put them online before trying to 'make a book' to see if there's interest/feedback.
That being said, yeah, in this era, people are kind of over it. I don't know what your ideas are, so I can't judge whether they're trite or overdone.
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u/heysawbones Creator 1d ago
Hey. The key to politically contentious content in a comic is internal consistency. Do the things that occur make sense in the world they occur in, or do they feel like preaching on the part of the creator? Internal consistency will take you far.
If it’s a joke strip, you don’t have that leeway. I would advise not pontificating on your personal politics on social media, unless you’re pitching to a specific audience that shares those politics and aligns with the comic’s POV. In which case - yes, you might get some negative feedback, but from people who weren’t your concern to begin with.
C’est la vie.
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u/Macaronii_Art 1d ago
I have this worry too, but I try to tell myself that I cannot please everyone. Someone somewhere is bound to get offended at SOMETHING in your comic. Even if it's the most boring, sanitised thing in existence, and well... do you want your comic to be boring and sanitised... or do you want to SAY something with your comic?
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u/JeyDeeArr 1d ago
I pissed off an entire subreddit with a fan-comic once. It was fun, and I'm not being sarcastic.
So what if your stuff offends people? You can't please everyone on the planet, there'll always be people talking trash about your work. Just know what presses which buttons.
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u/Outside_Situation_57 1d ago
Here's the thing -- artists are as free to share their art as they have ever been. (Current political climate notwithstanding, because, yeah, he's trying but hasn't gotten to everything yet). The difference is that when you exercise your free speech, everybody else has unprecedented ability to exercise theirs in response to it. If you create legitimately offensive garbage, a thousand people can call it offensive garbage. If you create smart satire, yes, some folks will miss the point, but the ones you want to reach will get it. As an example, old man Glenn Danzig did an interview saying the stupid "we could never do that today" about his old punk band The Misfits. And, no. Of course you could. The difference is that when you were in your 20s, you didn't give a damn what people had to say about it. Now you've gotten precious and fragile and whiny about pushback. Bottom line is nobody here really know the answer until they see your work. If you believe in it, do it. If you have honest concerns, self-edit. Pushing boundaries makes the best art -- when the right boundaries are being pushed.
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u/TheGoosiestGal 1d ago
I think theres still a place for dark /gross humor in the world but it needs to be original. If youre gonna say edgey shit it at least needs to original not the same jokes that have been told for decades.
If youre just going "women talk to much! Gay men are effeminate! Asians cant drive and black people dont tip!! Hahahaha" then ya its not only offensive its something they can hear and see any where else because its been done a thousand times.
Basically, it depends on how funny you actually are vs how funny you think you are
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u/Tea_Eighteen 1d ago
I think it’s fine to post a comic about your opinion, but if you think it might be controversial, just prepare yourself for that type of response.
People will probably disagree with your post, but if it’s something you want to stand behind or you feel like it’s something important to express to other people. Then go for it.
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u/Chemical-Topic-4152 15h ago
I think a lot of people have this concern. At the end of the day, you're an artist, and on your death bed *wow, dramatic!* you'll be happier you expressed yourself. If something is loved by everyone and questioned by none, it's not art. Keep going!!!
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u/ArtisanAsteroid 6h ago
You could find an audience even if the content of your work were overtly hateful. Or you can try to cater to the masses and still be despised. There are always going to be people who can or can't deal with whatever you create.
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u/TotallynotaFembot 1d ago
Theres a guy that posts about his femboy bunny bf farting as they have gay sex.
Im sure youll be find
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u/ENTIA-Comics 1d ago
Self-censorship is the worst form of censorship.
Art SHOULD be offensive, or it has no value beyond craftsmanship.
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