Week 3: Terry and the Pirates
Terry and the Pirates
The start of this comic is very odd to say the least- westerners are wandering around China, close to a war zone during WW2. It was prefaced that this was to engage American readers in the war, as it at times seemed so far away.
Despite the plot taking place in China, all the main characters are white westerners, which are ultimately representative of 'good' in the story. They are taking care of Chinese orphans, after all what could be more 'good' than taking care of orphans? These Chinese children are the only positive representation of the native people, as the Chinese adults who were tasked with taking care of the orphans all disappeared to join a gang of bandits. What could be more 'bad' than abandoning orphans? All native adults are portrayed in a negative light- which is a little odd considering the Chinese were our allies during this war.
This seems to be a typical action/adventure comic in which there is a smart, capable, and handsome white man (Terry) at the forefront of all the conflict, heroically running head first into danger. Certainly he is what every man strives to be, while there are only two women in the story. Both are attractive, young, and potential sexual partners for the protagonist. All other male characters are old and unattractive, which keeps our attention on Terry the hero.
The women in the story don't seem to have a lot in common aside from the fact they're both attractive. It turns into the age old blonde vs brunette dynamic, and hints at their rivalry for the only sexually viable male character around. The blonde is perfectly capable; she totes a gun around to protect the resources for the children. She is a mother figure as well as a soldier, and her only mission is to protect the children. She is a good representation of women taking charge during war time, which changed the fabric of American society forever. Women were doing everything from working to playing professional sports because the men were away. She really gives Terry no sexual attention whatsoever, while the brunette is a meeker and weaker representation of femininity who really only seems to care about how Terry views her.
Despite the plot taking place in China, all the main characters are white westerners, which are ultimately representative of 'good' in the story. They are taking care of Chinese orphans, after all what could be more 'good' than taking care of orphans? These Chinese children are the only positive representation of the native people, as the Chinese adults who were tasked with taking care of the orphans all disappeared to join a gang of bandits. What could be more 'bad' than abandoning orphans? All native adults are portrayed in a negative light- which is a little odd considering the Chinese were our allies during this war.
This seems to be a typical action/adventure comic in which there is a smart, capable, and handsome white man (Terry) at the forefront of all the conflict, heroically running head first into danger. Certainly he is what every man strives to be, while there are only two women in the story. Both are attractive, young, and potential sexual partners for the protagonist. All other male characters are old and unattractive, which keeps our attention on Terry the hero.
The women in the story don't seem to have a lot in common aside from the fact they're both attractive. It turns into the age old blonde vs brunette dynamic, and hints at their rivalry for the only sexually viable male character around. The blonde is perfectly capable; she totes a gun around to protect the resources for the children. She is a mother figure as well as a soldier, and her only mission is to protect the children. She is a good representation of women taking charge during war time, which changed the fabric of American society forever. Women were doing everything from working to playing professional sports because the men were away. She really gives Terry no sexual attention whatsoever, while the brunette is a meeker and weaker representation of femininity who really only seems to care about how Terry views her.
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