History ValuesDissonance / ComicBooks

* ''Franchise/{{Tintin}} in the Congo'' has often been criticized as having racist and colonialist views, as well as several scenes of unnecessary violence against animals. Hergé said that he was portraying the naïve views of the time. When the album was redrawn in 1946, Hergé removed several references to the fact that the Congo was at that time a Belgian colony. This failed to mollify critics. Because of its controversial subject matter, the album was previously only published as a facsimile black and white edition in English. However, a color English edition was finally published in September 2005, by Egmont Publishing, with a foreword explaining the historical context (a similar move had been employed for the 1983 translation of ''The Blue Lotus'') and a collectors'-edition banner in red covering the main image over the front cover.
** When the album was to be published in the Nordic countries, the publishers objected to a scene on page 56 of the color album, where Tintin blows up a rhinoceros with a stick of dynamite. They asked the page to be redrawn, and Herge complied. Instead of blowing the animal to pieces, the rhino accidentally fires the gun of the sleeping Tintin, gets scared, and runs away. This page was also used in the English- and German-language translations.

A lot of long-running heroes from both Creator/{{Marvel}} and Creator/DCComics suffer this. MediaNotes/{{The Golden Age|OfComicBooks}} in particular has cringe-worthy racist and sexist moments, especially in MediaNotes/{{the Silver Age|OfComicBooks}}.

A lot of long-running heroes from both Creator/{{Marvel}} and Creator/DCComics suffer this. UsefulNotes/{{The Golden Age|OfComicBooks}} in particular has cringe-worthy racist and sexist moments, especially in UsefulNotes/{{the Silver Age|OfComicBooks}}.

* The dissonance in comics is mocked in the video game ''VideoGame/ComicJumperTheAdventuresOfCaptainSmiley.'' When he travels into UsefulNotes/{{the Silver Age|of Comic Books}}, he is immediately paired with a ching chongey Chinese stereotype and put up against a feminist villain. Even Captain Smiley's sidekick Star, who is a complete {{Jerkass}} throughout the game, [[EvenEvilHasStandards is offended]]. The game also points out how UsefulNotes/TheComicsCode forbade swearing, but allowed ethnic stereotypes.

** Archie comics have also touched on these on InUniverse from time to time, usually [[PlayedForLaughs for laughs]]. One issue had Jughead explaining that it was tradition in ancient tribes for a pair of friends as close as he and Archie to become BloodBrothers by [[BloodOath cutting themselves and mixing their blood]]. When Archie points out that by today's standards this is a {{Squick}}ey practice that carries serious health risks, Jughead is quick to point out he has a way that doesn't go against modern values:

** Some of the Moose-related stories of TheEighties and TheNineties have also aged poorly. In one story, Midge breaks up with him over his overly jealous behavior. Moose goes on a Hulk-like rampage, complete with property damage and assaulting everyone he encounters (including his closest friends). The Archie gang save the day by having Midge calm him down, and explaining to her that the incident proves how much he needs her. As if that seems like the foundation of a healthy relationship. In other stories, Moose blames Reggie for Midge's cheating behavior, but never confronts Midge herself.

* Racial stereotypes, especially black and Chinese caricatures, were pretty frequent in British Comics back in their early days although no strip with these sort of characters were particularly long-lasting. Some racial caricatures appeared in British Comics as late as TheEighties.
** The portrayal of Italians as bombastic, boastful, but prone to cowardice and instant surrender, began in [=WW2=] as a propaganda device alongside less-than-flattering NationalStereotypes concerning the Germans and the Japanese. These didn't die in 1945; super-soldier Captain Hurricane RM was still subjecting arrogant Huns, cowardly Italians and ape-like Japs to his Ragin' Fury style of fighting as late as TheSeventies and is still available in reprints.

** A story from the 1990s shows Lady McDeath listening to the story of a boy named Amasio, who died after doing everything to win a girl, only to find out that she had a boyfriend. In the end, Lady McDeath cries, feels sorry for Amasio and paints the girl as selfish. But today, it's not hard to see how sick Amasio's obsession with winning over a girl who had no obligation to reciprocate his feelings. By the way, she probably already had a boyfriend since the beginning of the story, making Amasio's pain even more ridiculous.

** ''ComicBook/BackToTheKlondike'' (one of Scrooge's origin stories), the saloon singer and con-woman Glittering Goldie spiked Scrooge's drink and stole his gold. He retaliates by kidnapping her and forcing her to work with him in his private mine, to repay him. While they developed romantic feelings for each other during their forced co-habitation, Scrooge is clearly benefiting from a crime here. Mr."I made my money square" (as he keeps insisting) earned money from kidnapping and slave labor.

* Racial stereotypes, especially black and Chinese caricatures, were pretty frequent in British Comics back in their early days although no strip with these sort of characters were particularly long-lasting. Some racial caricatures appeared in British Comics as late as the 1980s.

*** In-universe, there are published stories which question why would Betty, Veronica, and Cheryl even want to maintain relationships with Archie. There are boys who treat them better than he ever did, and who are less likely to cheat on them. In one story, Cheryl questions why Archie forgot to send her a Valentine Day's card, and wonders whether he feels neglected. Then she is casually reminded by other characters of the various favors and gifts which she offered him, and that he barely made an effort to return her affection. Cheryl realizes Archie's selfishness, but still fails to do more than offer him mild criticism. StatusQuoIsGod, but some of these stories are not comedic in nature.

* ''ComicBook/TheBoys'' has aged very poorly in regards to its depiction of stigmatized groups like LGBT and the mentally handicapped with slurs being thrown around very liberally and in situations where they don't really make sense, even if Hughie ends up calling Butcher out on using said slurs. Vic the Veep is a particularly insensitive portrayal of someone with Down's Syndrome, with having the same facial expression all the time, and has no sexual boundaries [[spoiler: at one point climaxing in an aide's face.]] The story can't decide whether his oafish behavior is funny or terrifying.

** The traditional Spaniard sentiment of disdain towards authority really shows in each album, starting with resident BadBoss El Súper, who is by far the greatest {{Jerkass}}. Real life politicians, wherever they show up, [[AcceptableTargets get absolutely no quarter]].