Kink, Canon, Fanfic, and Double Standards

[nindulgence]

For anyone on my f-list who may have wondered what the heck I was on about in this comment on liviapenn's recent post about the egregiously-inappropriately-rated "Heroes for Hire" comic cover, I've clarified further in these two comments to hth_the_first's thoughtful response:

Kink, Canon, Fanfic, and Roller-Coasters [Hornblower fans will no doubt be utterly mystified

Comments

[thepouncer]

Oh, you're all thinky and articulate! I read that post, but didn't quite feel comfortable replying. I'd immediately thought of Clark writhing under the influence of Kryptonite, and LJ-based discussions around a Slate article reviewing Casino Royale had me pondering objectification of men last winter (my conclusion: in television, they're all for it if some bare torsos will bring in the female viewers. Smallville, Fastlane, and loads of others that I of course cannot remember now when I need them, have shown that over the past several years

Kink, Badfic, Fannish Desire, Commercialization, Canon

[nindulgence]

Oh, what a perfect icon for this discussion!

I read that post, but didn't quite feel comfortable replying.

Believe me, I didn't feel quite comfortable replying either. ;-)

I suspect I muddied the waters a bit by asking the question in the context of that particular cover, because there were two levels on which people were finding its subject matter offensive: on the one hand, they were condemning it as inappropriate for its stated target market (which it certainly is); and on the other, they were expressing disgust with the subject matter itself--the way it took these apparently skilled, kick-ass hero(in)es and depicted them as weak, sobbing, and hyper-sexualized in the face of an overtly sexualized threat...and that's the level on which, though my gut agreed, my brain responded with, "But...but

Bare Torsos, Fanboys, etc.

[nindulgence]

[...and part two, in which I attempt to reply to more than a single sentence of your comment. *g*]

I'd immediately thought of Clark writhing under the influence of Kryptonite, and LJ-based discussions around a Slate article reviewing Casino Royale had me pondering objectification of men last winter (my conclusion: in television, they're all for it if some bare torsos will bring in the female viewers. Smallville, Fastlane, and loads of others that I of course cannot remember now when I need them, have shown that over the past several years).

Yes, I think the bare-male-torso-as-fanservice has become more and more established in recent years. I have a mixed reaction to it, because, one the one hand, if you're going to have your female characters walking around in bathing suits, etc., then by all means, let's balance that situation out...but, on the other hand, I think it's often offered in place of narrative or character developments that I personally (and I realize other female viewers may differ in this) would find much sexier, even

Re: Bare Torsos, Fanboys, etc.

[nindulgence]

Oops, meant to say "put off by that statue and that cover."

~

SG Fan Awards

[anonymous]

Hi, :-)
You've been nominated in the 2007 SG Fan Awards but we need an email. Please contact me at sharong90@yahoo.com

Thanks and congrats n your nomination!

Shazz!
For the SG Fan Awards Team