The Joker is finally on trial for murder. If he is found guilty, he will get the death penalty. There is only one problem: the Joker is innocent. What does Batman do? Let the innocent Joker die or save his biggest enemy?
This moral judicial question from the graphic novel “The Joker: Devil’s Advocate” is explored in Sinclair Community College’s Popular Culture class on Wednesday evenings. Associate Professor Craig This uses comics and comic books to explore past and present values and issues in American pop culture.
“The comic book is the gateway to open up a bigger discussion about life,” This says.
He uses comic books as a way to discuss issues such as racism and sexism that some students might otherwise be uncomfortable with. Discussing superheroes and villains allows the class to explore questions such as “What makes a hero?” and “What does it mean to sacrifice?”
“It’s a fun class,” This says.
Comics can show how cultural values have changed over time, according to This. One trend he points out is the re-casting of classic characters. Batwoman, the female counterpart to Batman, was recast as a lesbian in 2006. Nick Fury, originally a Caucasian, was played by Samuel L. Jackson in “Iron Man.”
Usually, about half of the students who take the class have not read comic books before, according to This. Sometimes students begin reading comic books after taking the class, he says. This says that he gets a lot of good feedback about the class from students.
Towards the end of the class, students create a hero of their own complete with a name, secret identity and superpower. Some students even create a villain or a character sketch for extra credit.
The Popular Culture class will be offered again during the Fall 2009 quarter on Wednesday nights. The spring class is listed as SOC-117-50.