Catharsis vs. Escapism and Censorship in Webcomics

[UrMom]

Sorry for the large post, this is a mix of a ramble and discussion... thing. This can also apply to novelists, I just hang-out in the comic community so I'm talking from that perspective.

Over the past few months I've been seeing more discussion on social media about how webcomics should go, mostly in the LGBT+ sphere. The majority vocalizing their preferences for escapism, and how especially LGBT+ stories should only be positive. I've been aware of this probably since I've been able to comprehend that sort of thing, but I've never quite seen it in the indie comic community until recently. There's nothing wrong with that, everyone is allowed to talk about whatever they like, but I've noticed more attempts to police stories that don't quite fit.

For context some of you probably know I like cathartic stories. Escapism is nice, but I really enjoy media that allows me to express sad emotions, and be carried away by something more thought provoking since I wasn't really given that luxury is a child. I create stories that are on the heavy side as a way to vent, and give something to the small group of weirdos like me, but this has been met with some backlash. I've been called queerphobic, a fetishist, pro-abuse, a pedophile (Because one of my MCs is short, therefore child-coded.), and it sucks because I'm not the only dark LGBT+ content creator who gets trashed on for what I make. It seems a good chunk of people really what only wholesome, escapist content.
When I was admittedly going through some heavy stuff I almost deleted my comic upon seeing a Twitter thread where people were talking about how only happy stuff is good, and dark comics suck, "why would anyone want to read about crappy stuff when crappy stuff happens in real life?", "it's all edge trash.", and stuff along those lines. It wouldn't have bothered me too much since I know what I was getting into delving into that territory, but a lot of the people who agreed with the thread OP were creators I really respect, and actively read their comics. I don't want them to like my comic, it just sucks seeing a bunch of people trash the whole... subgenre? (is 'cathartic' a subgenre?) Without thinking about why some people create those types of stories, and criticizing them for what they are rather than by the quality of an individual story... if that makes sense.

Personally I understand the need for escapism during this time, the pandemic has been ravaging the world, times kinda suck right now, some wholesome fiction is very much needed right now. Also a lot of LGBT+ people deal with a ton of shit, especially right now. Not gonna lie about being kinda scared for trans people in the UK right now during the "trans panic". But I'm not really for the discouragement of other, just as healthy, creative outlets.

On a side note I'm not sure if the recent event of children invading adult spaces to police what they create has something to do with it, I've been seeing a lot more discourse on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok regarding that and the sanitization of art as of late. For all I know they could be related, or totally different things.

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Anyways that brings me to the main point.

• As a reader and creator, what are you thoughts on cathartic stories vs. escapist stories?
• Do you feel heavy topics shouldn't be explored when oppressed groups are involved, or at all?
• What do you think escapist stories can bring to the table that cathartic stories can't, and vise versa?
• Do you feel heavy stories do more damage than good overall?
• Have you yourself noticed more of a push for positive content? And if so, why do you think that is?

Regardless of the ranting, I just want to discuss this because it's an interesting topic that people don't usually talk about... outside of "problematic stuff is bad", and I just want to see more thoughts in depth thoughts on it.

Edit: Changed the title after realizing this thread is a mix of catharsis, escapism and censorship.

[Freemints30]

Here's the thing people should create what they want to read. The creators dissing others for what they like or create in that thread.. I've lost respect for them whoever they are.

I always liked darker stories cus... They provided some sort of safety you know. I mean life sucks but at least its not as bad as in this story kinda way.

Its fiction, put you're warning in and move on. People should learn not every piece of content is made for them.. period. Feel good stories have their place.. but they are usually not for me. At time I just get even more upset cus... "that shit didn't and wouldn't happen to me". So ironically I get even more upset with those types of stories at time

I get it on some level, I can't read natural disaster stories or things about cancer cus... my own life . But Im not gonna be the damn content police, these stories aren't for me and I move on.

Positive content push just seems to be the 50's morality pushing. Ie, "don't make this for it may degrade morals or something." People are drunk on getting the moral high ground whilst doing... nothing really. Donating for domestic abuse victims or educating other on recognizing the real life signs is alot harder and take alot more effort than going around random online writers and saying their story is problematic even when its behind several warnings. That's easy.

Really unless it pushing extremist stuff then write away.

I write a novel that gets pretty damn heavy, doubt it would be popular enough for a twitter thread and a site to call me names. But I guess if that happens I'll take it as a badge Im well known enough to be problematic... Yeah

Ps
Bad webcomic wki has many trashy writers dear god. Like... linking Jorden Pesterson to dissmiss polyamory is... laughable.

Also children shouldn't be unsupervised online similar to never leaving children alone in a city. Parents should start parenting

[Hodge]

Hey I love edgy angsty stories! And idgaf what twitter has to say about it. People say all sorts of things but art and comics that are darker often do really well. Like this one twitter account https://twitter.com/avogado6?s=09 is just depression all day every day and people love it. It's sincere and feels real.

Sometimes people just feel ashamed about it. And since these sorts of emotion are really intense, it can be kinda jarring, especially if the presentation is a bit clumsy. But for those who need it, it's incredibly refreshing. Personally, these are the kind of stories which inspire me the most.

There's only so much isekai I can read before it just gets sad lol.

[DiegoPalacios]

As a reader and creator, what are you thoughts on cathartic stories vs. escapist stories?

Everyone can have their tastes and preferences, but forcing said preferences on other creators is selfish and controlling.

Both types of stories can be good if well excecuted, but chances are that a creator will do better if they aim for what they like.

Do you feel heavy topics shouldn't be explored when oppressed groups are involved, or at all?

Forbidding this is called censoring, and i am against that. Some topics may not be appropiate for all ages, but that is why we have age ratings.

What do you think escapist stories can bring to the table that cathartic stories can't, and vise versa?

A space to relax and clear the mind, which is often neccesary in this modern pseudoapocaliptic world. Not every story needs to be heavy drama. Sometimes people just wants to have a good laugh of enjoy something wholesome.

Do you feel heavy stories do more damage than good overall?

Depends of the excecution.....heavy stories can make you question things, can make people think, but if the themes are just there for shock value.....the story may not be as deep as it claims to be.

Have you yourself noticed more of a push for positive content? And if so, why do you think that is?

Maybe there is a trend towards escapism because these last couple of years have been more stressing for humanity as a whole. A raise in escapism may be a coping mechanism for human kind as a whole......

[joannekwan]

I definitely think there's a place for escapist and cathartic stories and both are valid!

I don't like policing what other people create. If it's not for me, I'm just gonna be on my way. I don't think any topic should be prohibited, so long as the execution doesn't lead to any negative consequences in the real world.
Heavy stories are definitely needed. Particularly as teaching tools. I'm sure Maus had an impact on lots of kids (and older folks). Narrative stories can do way more to move an audience than statistics and dry facts from a text book.

Escapism is nice, not only to sweep a reader or creator away from their personal reality, but they can impart hope as well. Whereas for cathartic stories, sometimes it's nice for a reader to see a character go through the same tribulations as themselves. They feel less alone. And it can be helpful for the creator to work out their problems on digital paper.

I don't think heavy stories in general do any damage, unless it's inciting violence or promoting unhealthy practices.

I haven't noticed a push on my personal social media feeds, as I don't follow too many people. But a couple people I do follow talk about how they've been (At)ted and I glean from the stances they post that they do get flak for their content.
It's awful, especially as a creator that kind of approaches content the over-reactors would deem taboo as well, I'm sort of readying myself for any punches.

[skicoak]

As a reader and creator, what are you thoughts on cathartic stories vs. escapist stories?

I guess I question the identification of the genre/stories as "Cathartic". It seems that more describes the process of the creator than what a story can evoke in the reader.

Not against that type of storytelling at all...I dig things that make "feel" not just read along.

Maybe the wording creates part of the debate.

Do you feel heavy topics shouldn't be explored when oppressed groups are involved, or at all?

Call me a contrarian... but telling ANY creator what SHOULDN'T be explored is garbage. You can critique the skill/attempt to tell the tale but don't attack the right to do so.

(Skipping the next two questions, too hypothetical for me to really evaluate effects outside my personal perspective )

Have you yourself noticed more of a push for positive content? And if so, why do you think that is?

Yeah, it's definitely a trend.
I guess I don't trust it overall because it seems from my perspective to be about maintaining status quos or glossing over problems.

[Macarenaoftime]

I felt this on a spiritual level.

My comic was basically a metaphor about the relationship I had with my ex-girlfriend. However I was worried to label it as LGBT+, or GL, or romantic as the relationship portrayed is not exactly a healthy one. I didn't want to be accused of representing in a bad light a certain marginalized sector.

I simply classified it as a horror story and as a drama.

Nowadays I don't even know what to label myself either.

[Inspector_Spinda]

All I know is this. Dragon Age Origins does oppression well. The context behind the oppression is not based on any real world groups. If you list all the major groups that are frequent targets of oppression in the real world, the elves and mages in that universe are not a mirror of any one of them on their own. Instead, they take oppression as a concept and apply it to the world as a part of it. This makes the stories unique, but also relatable no matter what side of the oppression you're on in real life, and also doesn't make it seem "in your face" for those who don't want to deal with real life things in a game.

There is one scene in the city elf origin that deals with the importance of representation in media for minority groups and it made me cry a bit despite being a person who is pretty neutral towards that kind of thing in real life.

[amortelito]

I'm a person who believes in letting others express themselves and if I don't like it...it's okay...I can get over it and move on. As long as they are not literally harassing or creating hate speech ( because that's a crime) I think they should be left alone.

I'm never under the impression that artists are making "manuals of the ideal behaviour". They can depicted imperfect people and bad actions. We are supposed to have our own criteria and morals. Parents have the obligation of educating, protecting and empowering their kids and not rely on strangers to do so.

Police mob usually use bullying and intimidation but they are treated like heroes because they hide behind a social justice cause. I don't know when "tolerance" became a bad word. You are now "complicit", "homophobe", etc. If you remain neutral.

I think is amazing if someone authors want to use their content to educate or change people's perspectives, that doesn't give anyone the moral high ground to bully others for the way they express themselves.

[GumshoeComix]

Yes same I write very similar stories that I too would consider labeling as cathartic but I've had people look at the synopsis and immediately assume the worst when ch1 isn't even done posting. ;~;

I was honestly contemplating on taking my story off of tapas and moving it elsewhere because of the number of minors on this site that might complain too, like you mentioned they've been invading adult spaces a lot recently.
Just the other day I saw a bunch of kids trying to tell a mangaka they can't be writing a psychological horror story because they also wrote a BL story.

My story involves heavy themes involving LGBT people toward the end of the story
a lot of which is because people (mostly straight people no offense ilu ) arent aware conversion therapy is still very real. I think it's fine to make dramas involving LGBT

I feel that heavy topics should honestly be explored in stories more often, in a more serious way. It's a conversation starter that will get people to realize that shit needs to change. but having those conversations in a kid-friendly sugar-coated way does nothing.
Saying "be nice to the gays" will just make peoples eyes roll
Showing what kinda shit they actually have to put up with to this day will maybe change some hearts.

The stuff I write is stuff I really REALLY care about, either stuff that's happened to me or others close to me.
It's cathartic cause I never really got to process it as a kid. but with this push for 80s styled wholesome content, i worry people with think I have malicious intent

[rajillustration]

I have absolutely noticed a trend of this, at least from my limited bubble online. But like, when I was younger and in school all the books we read were like--hella heavy, youknow? We read some pretty intense books on race, on different social issues that are pretty important. Now I see those same books as being called "edge" and it's like...so you just don't like literature then? Do you not understand how these books were pivitol at the time? Because I know for a fact everyone had to write papers on these books.

And with comics it's really hard to be taken seriously. People see it as a child's medium, especially in the US, where we just don't have accessibility to more mature comics except for the internet. Like I remember getting into heated discussions with my roomates at how a Graphic Novel is a book, and can absolutely tell a story that is more than just entertainment. But, people are kind of set in their ways, and if they think comics should only be for kids, then they're going to be very upset when people break those rules because...what if a kid reads it? (while forgetting that we force kids to read books about heavy racism and persecution from like age 7 onward)

During the 90's we had some pretty edge comics, and that was a trend that was different than heavier and more mature comics now. Like there's a difference between being edge because you're doing a counter-culture genre piece about gore or sex and doing something that is about a societal problem that you want to bring to light. When people think those are the same...that's a huge problem.

As for policing, I've found most of the policing over things like LGBT+ and racial issues are following the path of "good intentions pave the road to hell." Inevitably they will fall victim to the same thing they're trying to police. You can't really tell a good story that will stand the test of time without it having some depth. You can't really have depth or be taken seriously if your stories are just fluffy pieces all the time. You can't. Sure people can enjoy it, and for some people that's all they want to create. but nearly every author and artist wants to be taken seriously by the critical community at some point in their lives. We all have that one piece that is "edge" and we're probably pretty damn proud of it, even if it's not for kids.

[amortelito]

"Do you think that heavy stories for more harm than good overall? strong text"

"Have you seen a push for positive content?"

We can't say for sure that this or that story caused someone's issues because everyone's family life is different. But one thing is noticeable, depression is on the rise in younger generations. We have never been policed like this and there has never been such a push for positive content like in this time. People get pampered and protected but the issues are increasing instead of decreasing.

I'm not saying that bloody emo edge lords comics were "healthier" I'm saying that people are not happier just because you push that happiness upon them. In fact I think this lack of an outlet to explore darkness can do more harm than good. Art is a healing process and if you start shaming people for expressing themselves we only get fake happy faces.

[GumshoeComix]

people are not happier just because you push that happiness upon them

you're god damn right!

[rajillustration]

In fact I think this lack of an outlet to explore darkness can do more harm than good. Art is a healing process and if you start shaming people for expressing themselves we only get fake happy faces.

I had a music professor who used to say that one of the assumptions he hated most was the idea that people who listen to angry metal are made angry because of the music and will suddenly commit crimes once "the devil's music" is on. Because the truth is, that people who are angry may listen to angry metal, but it's because they were angry already--the art form didn't cause it, and it absolutely doesn't cause people to do criminal things.

We historically blame art forms more than the actual reasons people are going through a difficult time because that's easier to do.

[joannekwan]

Yup, same thing with violent video games! Even though no study has shown any correlation between those games and an increase in violent tendencies after playing.

[SleepingPoppy]

People are weird...

Given that I follow your comic, I'm fine with heavy topics and themes!

Like peanut butter and jelly, I quite like a bit of both catharsis and escapism in what I consume. Over all I'd say I prefer stories that are eventually going to have a happy ending, but I would never dream of saying that means other creators should only make happy endings.

My current story is pretty fluffy, but my next project isn't, so I'll see what happens when I start exploring darker topics. XD

We need stories where you can put your troubles down and experience something new, different, and valuable. We also need stories where we don't pretend bad shit doesn't exist. We need to generate empathy, inspire, fight, etc etc etc. Creatots also need room to be allowed to explore difficult topics, particularly those who might be working out/transforming their own experience.

Do you feel heavy stories do more damage than good overall?

I don't believe there's anything inherently harmful in talking about a heavy topic. I think the best approach is continually having conversations like this! Conversations about how to depict complex topics, what qualifies as exploitation, etc etc etc!

[PaulDevers]

Do you feel heavy stories do more damage than good overall?

I personally don't think so? I personally have a good love for heavy stories and themes. Sure, there are definitely places where I'm looking for something light and happy; I think everyone does at some point! But I feel like if everything is trying to be that, then it all will just kind blend together into one big mess of generically happy empty content. Like eating nothing but cotton candy for a week.
Heavy stories are heavy, yes, and may not be the best to read if your in a bad mood. But they can explore themes that are easier for us to read about then experience ourselves. I don't really see how that can be much bad myself. I'd rather read a comic about loss and isolation than experience those myself.

Have you yourself noticed more of a push for positive content? And if so, why do you think that is?

I feel like there's been a big push recently for main characters to be less 'problematic' if that sounds right. Which I can see both why that is and why I don't like it. XD On one hand I can see why, as people wanna read about good guy characters so that they can project and in turn get the happy reflected back at them. But on the other hand, there's no conflict again if everyone's just a generically nice blob of protagonist. Characters need to be conflicted, make decisions the reader may not agree with, or in general be controlled by emotions that you may not enjoy. Because that's what makes them engaging.
Basically tl:dr, people want positive content because they want to be happy, and may not have the emotional willpower to suffer through a more tumultuous narrative. And honestly, what with all the world events, I can't rightly blame them.

[jkb4753]

Therapist here.
Let's talk about attachment.
Attachment is the connection between a child and caregiver, its the term for that early childhood relationship. Anytime this relationship is damaged, it's called an attachment wound. Examples are neglect, separation, and child abuse.

So attachment repair is a therapeutic thing. It happens in therapy, usually. It's when the therapist and the client process the attachment wound, usually through EMDR or some kind of trauma modality.

But attachment repair also happens in fiction. I see it in fanfiction a lot. Instead of processing their own emotional trauma, authors use the characters as a proxy. The author writes the character with all their same attachment wounds, and drops them in a story.

The attachment repair usually looks like the author giving the proxy character a therapeutic relationship, almost always a love interest. The love interest challenges all the character's maladaptive self-talk. Together the character becomes confident enough to process their attachment wounds.

If you look at it from an attachment framework, it's healthy for authors to write stories in which characters suffer attachment wounds. Thats just the authors working through their own shit. It's healthy, and normal. V therapeutic. However, that looks like putting a character through a lot of hardship. If the character is a member of a minority group, this can look like persecution. Eyes on the prize fam, we're focusing on that character's relationships, and validating their trauma. THey have to go through some dark stuff for that to happen.

Thank you for coming to my ted talk.

[DiegoPalacios]

Is easier to pick on a bunch of "nerds" than dealing with the real dangerous people.......

Some people are just trying to play savior on the public eye, and are willing to go to any lenght to look good, even if it means harming others......

[SleepingPoppy]

Yup, same thing with violent video games! Even though no study has shown any correlation between those games and an increase in violent tendencies after playing.

Is easier to pick on a bunch of "nerds" than dealing with the real dangerous people.....

And they always ignore most of these games are rated for adults! Like, gee, maybe don't buy your 12 year old the M rated shooter that requires an adult to even purchase?? Obviously not the real problem since it's just a scape goat, but it's funny how the people complaining don't talk about the ratings or take any responsibility.