Someone once asked me what I'd do to dilute any possible negative influence or bad example comics might have on younger readers. By way of kick-starting suggestions, I pondered the possibility of comics having a little warning on the editorial or letters pages, saying something to the effect of "Hyperman is indestructible, you are not. Do not try to imitate him". (Like Captain Scarlet used to have.) Obviously, the message would be appropriate to the content.
This was met with scorn by the person who asked the question, saying that it was patronising to children. I pointed out that many toys carry such advice, so why not something similar with comics? The packaging on toy guns and bows 'n' arrows warns kids about the dangers of aiming them at people's eyes, etc., which seems a perfectly sensible precaution to me. At the very least, it covers the manufacturers if some kid decides to ignore the 'operating instructions'.
I was therefore interested to see the above panel from a copy of The Beano, after an episode in which Dennis and his pals went skating on a frozen pond. Might have been better in the actual issue in which the strip appeared, but better late than never. Obviously, the person who took issue with me on the matter thinks that it's 'patronising' to exercise a little social responsibility. Thankfully, DCT are not in accord with his views in this instance.
No comments:
Post a Comment