ORIGINAL HYPOTHESIS

Does the language in comic books reflect the changing attitudes to gender identity?

EVALUATION OF HYPOTHESIS

Whilst investigating this hypothesis, my research has started to take a different direction. I have mainly been investigating whether the language in comic books conveys traditional gender roles and stereotypes, specifically looking at traditional gender stereotypes for females as well as how the concept of toxic masculinity is portrayed in the male superheroes’ language.  My expectations were that both male and female characters would be portrayed to be true to their gender stereotypes.

So far, my primary sources have both supported and questioned my hypothesis. When looking at female characters, I have found that between the 1950s and 90s, their portrayal in comic books fits their stereotypes at the time. However, before the 50s and after the 90s, this is not always the case. When looking at male characters, almost all (apart from Spider-Man) have supported ideas of toxic masculinity in one way or another, showing strength to be the most favourable attribute a man can have because it is the one that decides how ‘manly’ they will be perceived to be.