User blog:Hatebunny/Comic Book Showcase - Episodes 15 & 16: Sidekicks & Genderbenders and Racelifts

Episode 15: Sidekicks
'''So, we're trying something special today. I forgot to post last week's episode, so here's both last week and this week's episodes all at once!'''

In Episode 15 of Comic Book Showcase, we talked all about sidekicks, and their role in the comic book universe. We cover the bases on the role of Robin in supporting Batman, Jimmy Olsen's suffering at the hands of Superman, Hydra Bob's sidekickery to Deadpool over at Marvel, when sidekicks overshadow their mentors, and all that stuff.

In Part Two of our conversation, we go even further, discussing what makes a character a sidekick, deaths of sidekicks, lady sidekicks, and when super-villains get their own sidekicks. It's a fun time, and you should check out both videos!

'''Who's your favourite sidekick? Let us know in the comments!'''

This week's video was hosted by Jamie Hari, Rab Townsend, Kyle Theobald, and Mike Darling.

Episode 16: Genderbending & Racelifting


In Episode 16 of Comic Book Showcase, we talk about the concepts of Genderbending and Racelifting - when characters we know and love are switched out for a character of the opposite gender or a different race. Some prominent examples in the DCU include the recent introduction of an African-American Wally West, when the character had previously been a white dude, Carrie Kelley as Robin in the Dark Knight Returns, Alan Scott's reveal as gay in the Earth 2 universe.

We're all for shake-ups like this, but the reactions to these changes were not altogether uncontroversial! We talk about why fans might get upset when changes like this happen, and why - ultimately - it's a good thing.

In Part Two of our conversation, we get into when companies use comics as a medium for experimentation and political change, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Earth-11, Jaime Reyes, and Rab says some things he'll probably have to apologize for later.

'''What do you think about when characters of a different race, gender, or sexuality take on the role of a prominent pre-existing character? Does it help to build representation in comics, or is it just a way to stir up controversy? Let us know in the comments!'''

This week's video was hosted by Jamie Hari, Rab Townsend, Kyle Theobald, and Mike Darling.