Sexist, Degrading Bullshit II: Comic Book Edition (Part Three)

(Continued from part 2)

For those of you not already familiar with this ongoing story, you may wish to read part one and part two. The basic premise: Dark Horse Comics is re-publishing John Norman’s Gor in a series of Omnibus Editions--a blatantly sexist work of poorly written sci-fi that advocates victimization of women, and marketing it to “all age groups.” You needn't take my word for it, Bellatrys has sacrificed her time to delve into the work included in the first volume. Her analysis can be found at Nothing New Under the Sun under "Planet of the Complete Bloody Psychopaths" (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6) and "Return to the Planet of the Complete Bloody Psychopaths" (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4). Bellatrys has also looked into the publishing history of Norman's work, and Kester Pelagius into the film history of the Gor series.

I have presented my concerns to both Dark Horse Comics and Diamond Comic Distributors. I expect to receive a response sometime this week.

Additionally, I attempted to contact the author in regard to his decision to republish this work. Dr. John Lange--who wrote the Gor series under the pseudonym “John Norman”-- is a philosophy professor at Queens College of the City University of New York. Since he ignored my request for comment, I directed my concern to Queens College. They have issued the following official response:

Professor John Lange, who holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Princeton University, is a member in good standing of the Queens College Philosophy Department, where he teaches courses in the philosophy of history, the philosophy of knowledge, and the philosophy of the future. Under the First Amendment, the private, legal activities of faculty members do not have a bearing on their employment at the college.

Unsurprisingly, the college failed to address my question regarding their view on the sexist, subservient, and violent treatment of women. Rather, they seemed to think I was attacking their choice in professors. I don't know John Lange, and can't speak to his character beyond his work. Yet, Queens College doesn't seem to understand that standing against the misogynistic words of this professor does not necessitate dismissal of his employment. See Lisa Fourtuner's article "Just Past the Horizon," for a more in-depth discussion in this regard.

However, this brings up another point of contention. For those of you who don't read the comments section, a similar argument was presented by a Mr. Douglas Cahill (not something new for him):

Don't like it don't read it. It is simple in the extreme.The First amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees freedom of speech. To use the name of the author, John Norman wrote a 26 book series that has been around since the 1970's. Also published in I don't know how many languages. I've read them and although the BDSM nature of some of the individual books gets tiresome, I've enjoyed reading them all. Kudo's to Black Horse Comics for goung through with this.

To quote Kierkegaard, “People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought, which they avoid.”

As I mentioned to Mr. Cahill, the First Amendment does not provide prevention of audience rebuttal or ridicule, or allow for a written work to be published, publicized, distributed or otherwise presented. Further, speech that, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interests and depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way is considered obscene and has no protection under the First Amendment. Hate speech--in this case, speech that intends to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against individuals on the basis of gender--has questionable protection when placed in the public setting. Despite the Gor series' standing as obscene or hate speech, once placed in the public forum, all creative work is open to scrutiny.

With this in mind, Greg Morrow gives very succinct reasoning as to why it is unethical to republish Gor.

If you have yet to do so, contact Dark Horse today concerning the publication of the Gor Omnibus. Call Dark Horse at 503.652.8815. Write them via their contact page at http://www.DarkHorse.com/Help/ContactUs.php or via snail mail at:

Dark Horse Comics
10956 SE Main Street
Milwaukie, OR 97222

Also, contact the author in regard to his decision to republish this work. He can be reached via email at: John.Lange@qc.cuny.edu.

Finally, present your concerns to your local comic book shop and the major bookstores in your area (Barnes & Noble, Borders). Let them know their decision to place John Norman’s Gor Omnibus on the shelves will effect your decision to shop there.

(Go to: Sexist, Degrading Bullshit III: Have a Drink, Get Raped)