History UncannyValley / Comics

-->Captain Marvel mills about, his eerie smile carving a swath though Batman's ranks. No one breathes in his presence "what is ''thinking?''" they wonder "what will he do ''next?''". To them he is shark trawling for prawn. I have heard called the world's mightiest mortal. No doubt. The intimidation his mere presence exudes ''is uncanny''.

* If you ever wondered why certain characters e.g Franchise/{{Batman}} have BlankWhiteEyes in their masks, it’s actually meant to invoke this. Dating back to Lee Falk the artist behind the ComicStrip/ThePhantom who claimed he was inspired to give The Phantom white eyes thanks looking at Greek statues. Falk said there was a “inhuman” effect which suited a masked vigilante.

** Creator/AlexRoss' art tends to invoke this, due to how ridiculously detailed he makes his characters. Kingdom Come did it in context with the BrainwashedAndCrazy [[{{ComicBook/Shazam}} Captain Marvel]].

** Creator/AlexRoss' art tends to invoke this, due to how ridiculously detailed he makes his characters. Kingdom Come did it in context with the BrainwashedAndCrazy ComicBook/CaptainMarvel.

*** But hey do you know what's even more disturbing than Joker grinning? The whole [[TheTeam Justice League]] getting infected by the Joker gas and [[https://animesuperhero.com/comics/images/images/solicitations/2015-06/DC/JUSTL_Cv41_Joker_var.jpg grinning evilly]]. It's especially uncanny in ComicBook/BatmanEndgame because the League (minus Batman) don't instantly have the smile on their faces but it's clear there's [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11/111336/4643759-0606576258-5c64b.jpg something wrong with them]]. And when Superman does [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/10/106890/4152065-0532780980-10634.jpg crack a grin]] like a madman, Batman knows immediately whose behind it.

* Similarly, when DC decided to do crossovers of ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' characters with the main DC universe, this kicked in--particularly with the Lex Luthor[=/=]Porky Pig Special #1. [[https://i0.wp.com/www.comicsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Lex_Luthor_Porky_Pig_1.jpg?resize=2067%2C3130 Behold and shudder.]] (Lex's UnmovingPlaid suit isn't helping, either.)

** Still this trope has backfired a lot with Spider-Man as his design is near universally loved being the most marketable superhero. It's extremely common to see children dress up as Spidey in and out of universe, so it’s more likely because Spidey is distrusted by the public (since he doesn't look like the archetypal superher)o that he causes the Uncanny Valley effect on people. However out of universe, he's the flagship character of Marvel universe so he generally avoids this trope.

* If you ever wondered why certain characters e.g Franchise/{{Batman}} have BlankWhiteEyes in their masks, it’s actually meant to invoke this. Dating back to Lee Falk the artiest behind the ComicStrip/ThePhantom who claimed he was inspired to give The Phantom white eyes thanks looking at Greek statues. Falk said there was a “inhuman” effect which suited a masked vigilante.

*** But hey do you know what's even more disturbing than Joker grinning? The whole [[TheTeam Justice League]] getting infected by the Joker gas and [[https://animesuperhero.com/comics/images/images/solicitations/2015-06/DC/JUSTL_Cv41_Joker_var.jpg grinning evilly]]. It's especially uncanny in ComicBook/BatmanEndgame because the League (minus Batman) don't instantly have the smile on their faces but it's clear there's [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11/111336/4643759-0606576258-5c64b.jpg something wrong with them]]. And when Superman does [[http://media.bigshinyrobot.com/uploads/2014/10/bm_35_23_big.jpg crack a grin]] like a madman, Batman knows immediately whose behind it.

** Still this trope has backfired a lot with Spider-Man as his design is near universally loved being the most marketable superhero. It's extremely common to see children dress up as Spidey in and out of universe, so it’s more likely because Spidey is distrusted by the public since he doesn't look like the archetypal super hero that he caused the Uncanny Valley on people. However out of universe, he's the flagship character of Marvel universe which means he generally [[SubvertedTrope avoids this trope]].

* Creator/KenPenders' unreleased graphic novel series, ''The Lara-Su Chronicles'', that uses uses echidna characters from the ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehog'' comic series, contains [[http://kenpenders.com/lara-su_chronicles/TL-SC_Cover_Art_R1_Web.jpg highly humanized and realistic animals]] that are sure to creep anyone out.

* Franchise/SpiderMan also hits this trope, which is why he's a case of CreepyGood; the costume is just startling, even compared to other super-heroes'. Since it basically gives him a round, blank face that's featureless save for two huge, white, ever-staring eyes (even creepier when Doc-Ock put the glasses lens on the mask). The garish red and blue costume is creepy enough, even despite the bright colors (or perhaps ''because'' of them, since brightly colored, in nature, typically means "Danger! Poison!"), but when he wears some of his darker costumes, like the black-and-white one that eventually became TheSymbiote, it's only heightened. To this unsettling appearance is added his inhuman flexibility; if you look closer, you'll see a lot of the poses that Spidey so casually strikes are extremely awkward, if not impossible, for an ordinary human to achieve, which further makes him look like a monster.

** TheSymbiote characters unlike Spider-Man completely fall into this trope especially Venom and Carnage with the former's OverlyLongTongue and the latter having more MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily.
* In the early issues of her book, this was Jessica Drew the original Comicbook/Spider-Woman's curse, such that the comic's early tagline was "To know her is to fear her!" and later, "Marvel's Most Misunderstood Heroine!" Biologically part spider and raised among the High Evolutionary's [[BeastMan beast men,]] there was something subtly but indisputably "off" about her body language and demeanor that made most people instinctively afraid of her, making it almost impossible for her to find a home or earn an honest living, let alone have any friends. She eventually learns that she's been emitting a pheromone that creeps everyone out -- though some men find it very attractive. She learns to control it by medical means and is then able to live a much more normal life.

--> Captain Marvel mills about, his eerie smile carving a swath though Batman's ranks. No one breathes in his presence "what is ''thinking?''" they wonder "what will he do ''next?''". To them he is shark trawling for prawn. I have heard called the world's mightiest mortal. No doubt. The intimidation his mere presence exudes ''is uncanny''.

* If Alex Ross style makes you uncomfortable don't look any of Lee Bermejo's art as it’s also photo-realistic but somehow even [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/7/71975/2149525-hb227.jpg more creepy]]. Bermejo is so entrenched in the uncanny that he can even make someone like Franchise/{{Superman}} [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/0/3133/122659-25951-lee-bermejo.jpg look like]] something out of a SlasherMovie, though this works wonders when drawing already creepy characters like ComicBook/TheJoker or ComicBook/GreenGoblin.

* Speaking of [[SlasherSmile creepy]] [[FrozenFace grins]], ComicBook/TheJoker. [[Film/Batman1989 Nearly]] [[Franchise/{{DCAU}} every]] [[Film/TheDarkKnight single]] [[ComicBook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth incarnation]] [[WesternAnimation/TheBatman of]] [[UncannyValleyMakeup the]] [[MonsterClown character]].

* Brian Bolland's artstyle (intentionally) is [[https://ifanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Dial-H_11_Full-1024x810.jpg just plain creepy]] a lot of the time, while his character design is cartoony it's also surreal and life-like. Of course he was perfect choice for Creator/AlanMoore's ComicBook/TheKillingJoke.

* Any attempt to make ''Franchise/ArchieComics'' realistic looking. The artists infamously [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/Jughead%20Redesign.jpg tried]] [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/Archie%20Header%20Image.jpg it]] out circa 2005, but got [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks completely negative reactions]].

** ''ComicBook/UltimateFF'': In-Universe, Sue find it disturbing to see Reed twisting his body into several arms, and asked him to look "normal" for a moment.

* In a meta example in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'', this would be a big reason why Empurata victims are shunned by society - the amputation of their faces and hands strips them of their Cybertronian identity, while they can still speak, move and transform. For Cybertronians, Empurata victims would be horribly disfigured, while to us, since Cybertronians are ''already'' on the far side of the valley, they're still just robots.
* Creator/KenPenders' unreleased graphic novel series, ''The Lara-Su Chronicles'', that uses uses echidna characters from the ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehog comic series, contains [[http://kenpenders.com/lara-su_chronicles/TL-SC_Cover_Art_R1_Web.jpg highly humanized and realistic animals]] that are sure to creep anyone out.
* Like with many Hanna-Barbera-based comics made by Creator/DCComics, the reboot for ''WesternAnimation/{{Snagglepuss}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' decided to go for a more realistic design instead of the original Hanna-Barbera design. Unfortunately though, they tried to make the art style look '''WAY''' [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7mtICrUwAA_nUa.jpg:large too]] [[https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_original/dzhgfgljioy8jfotrbmj.png realistic]], with hideously designed characters and expressionless faces on the characters.
** Because of this, many fans recreated the panel with their own style or even the original Hanna-Barbera style.
* Similarly, when DC decided to do crossovers of ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' characters with the main DC universe, this kicked in-- particularly with the Lex Luthor[=/=]Porky Pig Special #1. [[https://i0.wp.com/www.comicsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Lex_Luthor_Porky_Pig_1.jpg?resize=2067%2C3130 Behold and shudder.]] (Lex's UnmovingPlaid suit isn't helping either.)

** Add to this the ParanoiaFuel his WallCrawling abilities give him (meaning, he can come at you from anywhere, at any angle), and it's surprising just how spooky that is. It's also worth noting Spidey had a normal if not bland design by Jack Kirby which Stan Lee rejected and choose Steve Ditko (bizarre at the time) design for a more "dangerous" looking character.
** Still this trope has backfired a lot with Spider-Man as his design is near universally loved being the most marketable superhero. It's extremely common to see children dress up as Spidey in and out of universe, so it’s more likely because Spidey is distrusted by the public since he doesn't look like the idealistic super hero (e.g Captain America) that he caused the Uncanny Valley on people. However out of universe, he's the flagship character of Marvel universe which means he generally [[SubvertedTrope avoids this trope]].

** Sometimes he paints over someone else's pencils. If the penciler's style is too different from Ross', the resulting combination of their styles can look weird. Example: [[https://www.gallerydirectart.com/cl-cp1335.html Ross painting over Jim Lee's art]]. It goes to an extreme when Ross painted over a Bruce Timm protrayal of the cartoon versions of WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague, [[http://www.heroicfineartgallery.com/store/p41/THE_NEW_JLA_Giclee_on_Canvas_by_Alex_Ross_%26_Bruce_Timm.html here]]: It's an hyper-realistic style over a very ''un-''realistic, cartoonish style.
* In-Universe the ComicBook/XMen and {{Mutants}} in general have this effect on people which is another reason they are ostracize by the public. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby while creating X-Men wanted invoke racism while keeping to the comics code of ethics.

* Steve [=McNiven=] has penciled some of Marvel’s most well known comics and is a great artist, but there’s no denying his style tends to make characters (even heroes like [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQiEE8qN2WYHMWiI-2w4-Rt4MLo32i1EvQw6mKuEVF-E7Fwshdm Captain America]]) look like serial killers. This works well in gritty stories like ''ComicBook/OldManLogan'' [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRvayEkxzOLsU2UVtsmntkBr11rJPsS3EyV8KXBZXty8ymBVT3W but not so much]] in '' ComicBook/{{Avengers}}'' comics.

** Liefeld's especially got flack for his infamous drawing of [[https://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/cap.jpg Captain America]] which is just completely unnatural and actually hard to look at for how awful it is. Cap's tiny head sitting a massive bloated torso, the fact the insignia is facing towards the reader despite Cap's pecs are pointed ridiculously far forward. People argue that the shield is just hiding the curve of Cap's back since otherwise he's abomination, people have even [[https://i.imgur.com/edJD9wI.jpg removed Cap's clothes and showed his bone structure]] to showcase what a freak Liefeld has drawn.

* Like with many Hanna-Barbera-based comics made by Creator/DCComics, the reboot for ''WesternAnimation/{{Snagglepuss}}'' decided to go for a more realistic design instead of the original Hanna-Barbera design. Unfortunately though, they tried to make the art style look '''WAY''' too realistic, with hideously designed characters and expressionless faces on the characters. Check the teaser panel [[http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2017/2/2/snallges.jpg here]] to see for yourself.

* Brian Bolland's artstyle (intentionally) is [[https://ifanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Dial-H_11_Full-1024x810.jpg just plain creepy]] a lot of the time, while his character design is cartoony it's also serial and life-like. Of course he was perfect choice for Creator/AlanMoore's ComicBook/TheKillingJoke.

** Ironically this trend has stuck so well, that it’s actually more uncanny to the likes of Batman [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcS8o6wP8pj9dnebDZxk6wadCdMAsfQ8RzgI5IVs5hFiXX3nxWFs having normal eyes]].

* Any attempt to make ''Franchise/ArchieComics'' realistic looking. The artists infamously [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/Jughead%20Redesign.jpg tried]] [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/Archie%20Header%20Image.jpg it]] out circa 2005, but got [[ItChangedNowItSucks completely negative reactions]].

* Franchise/SpiderMan also hits this trope, which is why he's a case of CreepyGood; the costume is just startling, even compared to other super-heroes', since it basically gives him a round, blank face that's featureless save for two huge, white, ever-staring eyes (even creepier when Doc-Ock put the glasses lens on the mask). The garish red and blue costume is creepy enough, even despite the bright colors (or perhaps ''because'' of them, since brightly colored, in nature, typically means "Danger! Poison!"), but when he wears some of his darker costumes, like the black-and-white one that eventually became TheSymbiote, it's only heightened. To this unsettling appearance is added his inhuman flexibility; if you look closer, you'll see a lot of the poses that Spidey so casually strikes are extremely awkward, if not impossible, for an ordinary human to achieve, which further makes him look like a monster.
** Add to this the ParanoiaFuel his WallCrawling abilities give him (meaning, he can come at you from anywhere, at any angle), and it's surprising just how spooky he is. It's also worth noting Spidey had a normal if not bland design by Jack Kirby which Stan Lee rejected and choose Steve Ditko (bizarre at the time) design for a more "dangerous" looking character.
*** Still this trope has backfired a lot with Spider-Man as his design is near universally loved being the most marketable superhero and it's common to see children dress up as Spidey. It's likely because in-universe Spidey deep in Uncanny Valley and distrusted by the public since he doesn't look like the idealistic super hero (e.g Captain America) but out of universe he's the flagship character of Marvel universe.
** TheSymbiote characters unlike Spider-Man completely outright falls into this trope especially Venom and Carnage with the former's OverlyLongTongue and the latter having more MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily.

* If Alex Ross style makes you uncomfortable don't look any of Lee Bermejo's art as it’s also photo-realistic but somehow even [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/7/71975/2149525-hb227.jpg more creepy]]. Bermejo is so entrenched in the Uncanny that he can even make someone like Franchise/{{Superman}} [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/0/3133/122659-25951-lee-bermejo.jpg look like]] something out of a SlasherMovie, though this works wonders when drawing already creepy characters like ComicBook/TheJoker or ComicBook/GreenGoblin.

* TheSymbiote characters unlike Spider-Man completely outright falls into this trope especially Venom and Carnage with the former's OverlyLongTongue and the latter having more MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily.

* If Alex Ross style makes you unconformable don't look any of Lee Bermejo's art as it photo-realistic but somehow even [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/7/71975/2149525-hb227.jpg more creepy]]. Bermejo is entrench in the Uncanny that he can even make someone like Franchise/{{Superman}} [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/0/3133/122659-25951-lee-bermejo.jpg look like]] something out of a SlasherMovie, though this works wonders when drawing already creepy characters like ComicBook/TheJoker or ComicBook/GreenGoblin.

*** But hey do you know what's even more disturbing than Joker grinning? The whole [[TheTeam Justice League]] getting infected by the Joker gas and [[https://animesuperhero.com/comics/images/images/solicitations/2015-06/DC/JUSTL_Cv41_Joker_var.jpg grinning evilly]]. It's especially uncanny in ComicBook/BatmanEndgame because the League (minus Batman) don't instantly have SlasherSmile(s) but it's clear there's [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11/111336/4643759-0606576258-5c64b.jpg something wrong with them]]. And when Superman does [[http://media.bigshinyrobot.com/uploads/2014/10/bm_35_23_big.jpg smile]] like a madman, Batman knows immediately whose behind it.

*** Still this trope has backfired a lot with Spider-Man as his design is near universally loved and there is countless plush toys of the Wall Crawler and common to see children dress up as Spidey. It's likely due to Spider-Man being a UnpopularPopularCharacter, in-universe he's deep in Uncanny Valley and distrusted by the public since he doesn't look like the typical super hero (e.g Captain America) but out of universe he's the flagship character of Marvel universe.

* The "photorealistic" painted style of ''ComicBook/KingdomCome'' and ''ComicBook/{{Marvels}}'' falls into this sometimes, more so with the former.
** Alex Ross' art tends to invoke this, due to how ridiculously detailed he makes his characters. Kingdom Come did it in context with the BrainwashedAndCrazy ComicBook/CaptainMarvel.

** But hey do you know what's even more disturbing than Joker grinning? The whole [[TheTeam Justice League]] getting [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFRaaqJpPg4/VXhPZbphczI/AAAAAAAAJck/55mRvaDW7Ns/s1600/apr150223%255B1%255D.jpg infected by the Joker gas and grinning]]. It's especially uncanny in ComicBook/BatmanEndgame because the League (minus Batman) don't instantly have SlasherSmile(s) but it's clear there's [[https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11/111336/4643759-0606576258-5c64b.jpg something wrong with them]]. And when Superman does [[http://media.bigshinyrobot.com/uploads/2014/10/bm_35_23_big.jpg smile]] like a madman, Batman knows immediately whose behind it.

* Speaking of [[SlasherSmile creepy]] [[FrozenFace grins]], ComicBook/TheJoker. [[Film/{{Batman}} Nearly]] [[Franchise/{{DCAU}} every]] [[Film/TheDarkKnight single]] [[ComicBook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth incarnation]] [[WesternAnimation/TheBatman of]] [[UncannyValleyMakeup the]] [[MonsterClown character]].

** Liefeld's especially got flack for his infamous drawing of [[https://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/cap.jpg Captain America]] which is just completely unnatural and actually hard to look at for how awful it is. Cap's tiny head sitting a massive bloated torso, the fact the insignia is facing towards the reader despite Cap's pecks are pointed ridiculously far forward. People argue that the shield is just hiding the curve of Cap's back since otherwise he's abomination, people have even [[https://i.imgur.com/edJD9wI.jpg removed Cap's clothes and showed his bone structure]] to showcase what a freak Liefeld has drawn.

** Because of this, many fans recreated the panel with their own style or even the original Hanna-Barbera style.

* In the early issues of her book, this was Jessica Drew the original Comicbook/Spider-Woman's curse, such that the comic's early tagline was "To know her is to fear her!" and later, "Marvel's Most Misunderstood Heroine!" Biologically part spider and raised among the High Evolutionary's BeastMen, there was something subtly but indisputably "off" about her body language and demeanor that made most people instinctively afraid of her, making it almost impossible for her to find a home or earn an honest living, let alone have any friends. She eventually learns that she's been emitting a pheromone that creeps everyone out -- though some men find it very attractive. She learns to control it by medical means and is then able to live a much more normal life.

* In a meta example in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'', this would be a big reason why Empurata victims would be shunned by society -- the amputation of their faces and hands strips them of their Cybertronian identity, while they can still speak, move and transform. For Cybertronians, Empurata victims would be incredibly creepy, while to us, since Cybertronians are ''already'' on the far side of the valley, they're still just robots.

* TheSymbiote characters unlike Spider-Man completely outright falls into this trope especially Venom and Carnage with their OverlyLongTongue(s) and having more MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily.

* TheSymbiote characters unlike Spider-Man completely outright falls into this trope especially Vemon and Carnage with their OverlyLongTongue(s) and having more MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily.

* As good as Sara Pichelli's work in ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'' is, the artwork can sometimes fall into this with the extreme detail of the facial expressions.

* In 1970s Creator/MarvelComics, this was ComicBook/SpiderWoman's shtick; her comic's tagline was "To Know Her Is to Fear Her!" She is, biologically, literally part spider, and was raised by PettingZooPeople and [[BeastMan Beast Men]] to boot. When she finally enters the human world, nearly everyone is instantly, instinctively afraid of her, making it extremely hard for her to find work or shelter, and leaving her terribly alone. Still, through tremendous effort, she eventually overcomes this and makes a good life for herself, making for a very inspiring [[CharacterDevelopment character arc]]. However, ExecutiveMeddling later [[PutOnABus put her on a bus]] for 20 years, and when she was finally brought back into the limelight, this whole aspect of her origin was {{retcon}}ned away.
* Meanwhile, Franchise/SpiderMan also hits this trope, which is why he's a case of CreepyGood; the costume is just startling, even compared to other super-heroes', since it basically gives him a round, blank face that's featureless save for two huge, white, ever-staring eyes (even creepier when Doc-Ock put the glasses lens on the mask). The garish red and blue costume is creepy enough, even despite the bright colors (or perhaps ''because'' of them, since brightly colored, in nature, typically means "Danger! Poison!"), but when he wears some of his darker costumes, like the black-and-white one that eventually became TheSymbiote, it's only heightened. To this unsettling appearance is added his inhuman flexibility; if you look closer, you'll see a lot of the poses that Spidey so casually strikes are extremely awkward, if not impossible, for an ordinary human to achieve, which further makes him look like a monster.

--> Captain Marvel mills about, his eerie smile carving a swath though Batman's ranks. No one breathes in his presence "what is ''thinking?''" they wonder "what will he do ''next?''". To them he is shark trawling for prawn. I have heard called The World's mightiness mortal. No doubt. The intimidation his mere presence exudes ''is uncanny''.