There Are More Dangers Than You Know Out There

December 15th, 2004

Filed under: Comics, Politics

I think I’ll enter the fray tomorrow. In the meantime, here is some food for thought. (Brought to you by Polite Dissent, where our chief weapon is sarcasm and cynicism…our two weapons are sarcasm, cynicism and ruthless efficiency…our three weapons are sarcasm, cynicism, ruthless efficiency and an almost fanatical devotion to medicine…Amongst our weapons are sarcasm, cynicism…oh, never mind.)

Comic books are not the only things that appeal to children that need to be given a closer look. McDonald’s Happy Meal toys “have a major influence in our society and they should be subject to the same rules that music and movies are being forced to follow.”

Color Change Invisible Woman Color Change Invisible Woman
This figure is initially costumed, but when placed in the freezer becomes clear. This is wrong on many levels. First, not only does she become clear, but so do her clothes. Sue Storm is naked under her clothes! What about that name? The Invisible Woman. Clearly this toy is telling children that the only good woman is an “invisible” one. Finally, this supposed children’s toy sadly reinforces the common idea in comics that women belong in household appliances.
Violence: 0 Sex: 5 Depravity: 5
Happy Meal Baribie Barbie
While I am pleased to see a doctor Barbie, I am concerned by her way too-short skirt. I am equally unhappy to see a Barbie dressed in a McDonald’s outfit, reaffirming to children the dangerous idea that a woman’s place is in low paying menial jobs. The only appearance of a male character is a prince; this is clearly sexist and causes young girls to set their sights to high. The Barbie toys are only handed out to female customers, reinforcing sex role stereotyping.
Violence: 0 Sex: 4 Depravity: 2
Happy Meals Hulk Hulk
This overly-buff impossibly-colored character just screams violence — why else would he need muscles that big? When his head is pushed down, his chest compresses all the way down to his knees. This is clearly not normal behavior and is suggestive of all sorts of inappropriate activities. His clothing is way too casual for today’s society.
Violence: 5 Sex: 2 Depravity: 5
Happy Meals G.I. Joe G.I. Joe
War toys are simply not appropriate for children. I don’t care how colorful or fun they are, these so-called “toys” reinforce violent and sexist themes on innocent children. And handing them out as “free” “prizes” in a Happy Meal suggests that war is free of all consequences and a prize to be won. And did I mention the size of those guns!
Violence: 5 Sex: 0 Depravity: 3

2 Responses to “ There Are More Dangers Than You Know Out There ”

  1. Nevin
    December 16th, 2004 at 7:37 am

    At first, I thought you were over-inflating your ratings way too much. Then I looked at the Dead Chicks & Mayhem site, and realized that it was just as extreme.

    If a PG or PG-13 amount of violence or sex is enough to get a “5″ rating, how is he going to be able to give an appropriate review to a comic that’s really equivalent to an R rating?

    Nevin

  2. Shawn Fumo
    December 18th, 2004 at 1:39 pm

    Moot point.. he just decided to kill the ratings portion of the views…

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