Comics Tagged : toxic masculinity

Full Disclosure

Full Disclosure
Bonus Panel
Full Disclosure

Transcript

Panel 1 : Ext. Gotham City – Day

Catwoman straddles a prone Batman. With a sly smile, she traces her finger across the bat-symbol on his chest.

Catwoman
So tell me… what’s the Big Bad Bat really afraid of?
Panel 2 : Ext. Gotham City – Continuous

A close-up on Batman. He looks… sad?

Batman
Honestly? I’m afraid that, if I fully process my childhood trauma and grief… I’ll lose my motivation to fight crime.
Panel 3 : Ext. Gotham City – Continuous

A close-up on Catwoman. She looks away in discomfort as Batman continues.

Batman
…And since crime-fighting is such a big part of my identity, I’m afraid losing it will change how I define my masculinity.
Panel 4 : Int. Catwoman’s Hideout – Later

Catwoman sits on the couch of her hideout, looking out the window, concerned. Behind her, Poison Ivy leans over to gossip.

Poison Ivy
Sooo… how’s it going with Batman?
Catwoman
Honestly, it’s been a bit heavy since he started going to therapy…
Bonus Panel : Int. Therapist Office – Later

In full costume, Batman lies on the couch of his therapist’s office. Behind him, in a plush chair, his kindly therapist takes notes.

Therapist
…And how is commmunication with the woman you’re seeing?
Batman
Good! I think she likes me!

The Face of a Real Man

The Face of a Real Man

Strip Info

Title
The Face of a Real Man
Date
April 16, 2023
Tags
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Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Void – Day

Close on Kevin’s hands, shaking a bit of moisturizer from a pink bottle into his palm. A few feet away, a gruff-looking fellow puts up his hand in protest.

Gruff-Looking Fellow
Moisturizer? With sunscreen? -pfft- I don’t use any of that girlie stuff.
Panel 2 : Int. Void – Continuous

The gruff-looking fellow gets in Kevin’s face, pointing at his own. Kevin recoils.

Gruff-Looking Fellow
This here’s the face of a real man!
Panel 3 : Int. Void – Continuous

Extreme close-up on the fellow’s scowling face. It’s burnt, cracked, pock-marked, and craggy. It’s… not pleasant.

Panel 4 : Int. Void – Continuous

Kevin winces.

Kevin
Real men have skin cancer?
Gruff-Looking Fellow
You mean my face rubble?

The Breakthrough

The Breakthrough

Strip Info

Title
The Breakthrough
Date
February 20, 2022
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Transcript

Panel 1 : Ext. Gotham City Rooftop – Night

Batman holds up a thug by his collar on a Gotham rooftop.

Thug
What are you?
Panel 2 : Ext. Gotham City Rooftop – Continuous

Batman growls.

Batman
I’m the victim of childhood trauma processing his emotions in an unhealthy way!
Panel 4 : Int. Therapist’s Office – Later

Batman, in full costume, lays scowling on the couch of his therapist. Sitting nearby, the therapist writes in his notepad with a patient smile.

Therapist
Excellent, Bruce! We’re making real progress here.

Bruce Wayne’s Dilemma

Bruce Wayne’s Dilemma

Strip Info

Title
Bruce Wayne’s Dilemma
Date
June 6, 2021
Tags
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Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Wayne Manor Study – Evening

A young Bruce Wayne looks shell-shocked. Alfred comforts him.

Alfred
Master Bruce, you’ve been through a terrible trauma…
Panel 2 : Int. Wayne Manor Study – Continuous

Alfred introduces Bruce to a friendly-looking therapist.

Alfred
…You can either talk to this nice man about your feelings…
Panel 3 : Int. Wayne Manor Study – Continuous

Alfred introduces Bruce to Ra’s al Ghul.

Alfred
…Or you can train with this scary man to beat up strangers and dress as a giant bat.
Panel 4 : Int. Wayne Manor Study – Continuous

Bruce and Ra’s are gone, leaving Alfred and the therapist.

Alfred
(to therapist)
I’m sure he’ll be fine.

A Second Opinion

A Second Opinion

Strip Info

Title
A Second Opinion
Date
May 2, 2021
Tags
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Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Hospital Room – Day

A man sits up in a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV drip. He wears wraparound sunglasses. His doctor stands bedside, looking at his clipboard. Next to the doctor stands a short, muscular, bald man wearing the same wraparound sunglasses as the man in the bed.

Doctor
All my tests say you have cancer. But I called in your favorite podcast host for a second opinion.

Define “Strong”

Define “Strong”

Strip Info

Title
Define “Strong”
Date
March 28, 2021
Tags
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Notes

This is one of my favorite comics I’ve made to date.

Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Outdoor Arena – Day

Two strongmen stretch before an event.

Announcer (OS)
Welcome back to the World’s Strongest Man Competition…
Panel 2 : Int. Outdoor Arena – Continuous

The two strongmen stand nose-to-nose, frowning at each other.

Announcer (OS)
This next event is one our most daunting – even for our toughest competitors. Let’s see what they’ve got…
Panel 3 : Int. Outdoor Arena – Continuous

The two strongmen embrace tenderly.

Strongman 1
I’m having a really hard time lately.
Strongman 2
I’m sorry to hear that. Please tell me more.
Panel 4 : Int. Outdoor Arena – Continuous

Two announcers watching fight back tears.

Announcer
(quietly)
I should call my dad.