Regarding Touchy Subjects

[DeformedSunflower]

Before I started making comics that are more plot-centric, I fiddled around with the slice of life and comedy genre a lot. One of my comic ideas was a darkly humorous story about the dead soldiers of WWI meeting in purgatory.

One of the jokes goes:
(Three soldiers are walking through a forest (don't ask), admiring its scenery.)
Central Powers soldier: Wow, what a lush forest!
Allied soldier: Yeah, reminds me of the Argonne Forest Battle where I lost my arm.
(Another Allied soldier hits him.)

I thought it was funny at first, but now that I mull over it, I start rethinking my decisions. Wars, are obviously something that isn't funny. People die, and countries are ruined by it. I never meant to be disrespectful about it, and just want to educate others about the history. But is making a joke about the war acceptable?
In the same context, how should I talk about other touchy subjects, like sexual harassment or racism? Is it actually okay for me to include scenes where the characters are harassed into my story? What is the correct way to express my opinions about them? How do I write dark humour without insulting anybody?

Please tell me your thoughts below. Thank you in advance.

[mrtoontastic]

Dark humor is going to insult anyone regardless of how you write it. Humor in general is mostly based on taking jabs on everyone as well as yourself, that's why we have different types of humor. It's OK to have dark humor honestly, as long as it makes you laugh. Sometimes you have to remember that they are just stories, and you're telling a story that is supposed to you enjoy it yourself as much as you want someone to enjoy it. The joke you have as an example isn't really dark humor, it's just pretty funny dialogue between two soldiers.

[keii4ii]

If your comic is going to routinely have these dark humor gags about sensitive subjects, I'd say warn potential readers in your series descriptions. Let them make their own informed decision. Something like "this comic contains dark humor about all sorts of topics, from silly to serious. Proceed at your own risk."

But this concerns me a little:

What is the correct way to express my opinions about them?

It's one thing to just make a joke about a sensitive topic, but if you're intentionally writing to make a statement... you are entering a battlefield. I've seen comics that advocate all sorts of ideas, from ones that I support, to ones that completely disgust me. Either way you're going to get fire from the opposing side(s). Be prepared to handle comments in a professional manner, and accept that we're all humans. Which means that sometimes, your opinion may be based on critically flawed data and should be reconsidered.

[EntropicalForest]

While it is admirable that you are trying and not to offend anyone, its really just a fools game in the end. Comedy and especially Dark humor are going to be by their very nature offensive doubly true if your trying to make a point or expressing an opinion. And that is FINE we need opinions even if we disagree or are upset by them, as an artist it is almost your job to push your audience past where they are comfortable and have them come out the other side with a more varied view of the world.

So my advice is to try things see what works, there might be a few bumps for you to fine the right balance but thats what it takes. Ask any comedian they will tell you bits and jokes take a lot of tuning to get right, and the same will be for your comedic style.

[DeformedSunflower]

Whew, that surely cleared my worries. It's true that someone has to be the butt of a joke in order for it to be funny. I'm just not sure how far I should make it. Thank you for elaborating!

[DeformedSunflower]

Thanks! I will keep that in mind.

[DeformedSunflower]

but if you're intentionally writing to make a statement... you are entering a battlefield.

True, true. That is something that as a creator, I haven't build up enough courage for yet. Thank you for the heads up, I'll keep that in mind.

[IdiotWithPencil]

How do I write dark humour without insulting anybody?

impossible, someone will always be offended for anything, my suggestion is to just do it and ignore peoples feelings, I call it the south park Philosophy

[DiegoPalacios]

Start with a warning so people know what to expect.

When you are doing black comedy, you have to make sure you make it clear the opinion of your offensive characters don`t represent your opinion.

For example:
Eric Cartman is a racist, but Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of Southpark aren`t.

This can help you with examples and tips for black comedy

Crosses the Line Twice - TV Tropes

Also, be careful with this phenomenon.

Darkness-Induced Audience Apathy - TV Tropes

Hope this helps!

[scythe]

Don't mean to be rude or anything, but have you watched any cartoon made in the last 30 years? Simpsons, South Park, Family guy, Rick and Morty, etc. These are mainstream.

Your joke isn't touchy in the slightest, and yes, it's okay to joke about ANYTHING, as long as it's funny.

[fakey]

I like to believe everything is fair game in comedy but it's all about the intent behind the joke.

[cleo_san]

Don't forget that humor often has a psychological relief. Often ppl joke about what has happened to them, e.g. the soldier in your first posting.
This is of course not true for each and every person, but I know some people who prefer to laugh off what has happened to them and joke about it.

[Swamp]

In my opinion, the most important rule in dark comedy is to punch up, not down, and think through who is affected.

If you make jokes at the expense of people who are already bullied, you're just another bully. If you're joking about racism, are you making racist jokes (yes ironic racist jokes still count), or are you making fun of how absurd racism is? This Video is actually a great explanation of how complicated the issues is, and what kinds of things cross the line.
In your joke, it matters a lot that they're WW1 soldiers. Almost nobody alive today fought or lost a loved one in WW1. It's a safe bet that no reader is going to be hit on that level. If you make a joke that implies it's funny when soldier's die, that might upset people even if the setting is WW1, but if it's about the absurdity of the situation, or even the absurdity of death, that's different.

[DeformedSunflower]

Thanks, it does helps!

[DeformedSunflower]

That's an interesting way of thinking! I'm going to jot that down for later.

[frixelkind]

In my opinion, so long as humor isn't directly malicious, there isn't really any limit to how you use it. It's true that touchy subjects can be sensitive, but if you think it's funny at a glance, other people will probably think so too. It's nice that you're considering other people, but in the end it is your artwork and you shouldn't feel pressured to change it if you have a specific vision of it.