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Going Against Tropes At C2E2's Un-CONventional Superheroes (Because Not All Heroes Wear Capes) Panel

Robert Goode write for BleedinG Cool from C2E2,

This Sunday, panelists Kristen Gudsnuk (Henchgirl), Jim Calfiore (Leaving Megalopolis), and Daniel Warren Johnson (Space Mullet) gathered at C2E2 to discuss comic heroes that break the mould.

Each creator started by describing what makes their "heroes" different from other comics.

Leaving Megalopolis by Jim Calfiore and Gail Simone explores what the worst things heroes think of normal people and plays with the iconic character types.

Gudsnuk's Henchgirl comes from the villain's point of view and makes "darkly comedic" fun of superheroes and the tropes associated with them. The main character tries to be a good person but does terrible things. She's not EVIL, more anti-hero.

Finally, Johnsons' Space Mullet takes the classic idea of the hero in a space adventure and flips it. His hero is basically a "loser" as he describes it.

The discussion continued with how going against those tropes can reflect changes in politics, culture and society. "Its interesting to chart the progress society through Superheroes" said Gudsnuk

However, the group all agreed that adding diversity sometimes feels forced when it is done for diversity's sake "Its always better when done organically" concluded Calfiore.

The final question of the panel was what inspired them to go against the tropes as they have. Calfiore referenced the film A Clockwork Orange rather a specific comic. "He's a character you're supposed to hate, but you're right there with him" he stated.

Likewise, Gudsnuk said, "For me, it was basically realizing the gaps in logic" rather than pointing to a specific comic.

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