Renewed Release of Bloodshot by Valiant Accused of Transphobic Undertones
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The comic book industry is abuzz with controversy surrounding Valiant's "Bloodshot" #1, part of the "Beyond" reboot, due to a passage that many readers and creators find offensive and reflective of anti-trans rhetoric.
The controversial passage, penned by writer Mauro Mantella, has been criticised for likening kids wanting to be vampires to a metaphorically transphobic narrative about kids wanting irreversible changes based on influencers. This comparison has been seen as a pointed jab at transgender people [1][2][3].
In response to the uproar, publisher Alien Books and Mantella issued an apology, acknowledging the harm caused by the phrasing in the comic. They emphasised that there was no intention to discriminate against trans people and committed to correcting the dialogue in future editions, as well as intensifying editorial review processes [1][4][5].
However, the explanation blaming translation issues and the writer's Argentinian origin has been met with frustration and skepticism by parts of the fanbase. This is due in part to Mantella's background as a translator himself, which weakens the defence of unintentional transphobia on linguistic grounds [1].
Mantella's social media history has also come under scrutiny, with instances of sharing right-wing and anti-LGBTQ views, as well as COVID-19 and vaccine denialism, and conspiracy theories surrounding Ukraine during its war with Russia [6].
io9 reached out to Alien for comment regarding Mantello's past social media behaviour but has not received a response yet [7].
Mantella, who has worked with U.S.-based comic publishers before, including DC Comics, has also been involved in controversy in the past. In the comic, Bloodshot's thoughts about vampires mirror transphobic views on the origin of gender identity questions [8].
As the comic industry decries "Bloodshot", Alien Books and Mantella are facing a challenging time, with questions surrounding the intent behind the controversial passage and the presence of anti-LGBTQ and transphobic themes in Mantella's work [1][2][3]. The apology acknowledged the harm caused by the phrasing in the comic, recognising that intent does not erase impact [4][5].
[1] https://www.comicbook.com/valiant/news/valiant-bloodshot-beyond-mantello-apology-controversy/ [2] https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/valiant-comics-bloodshot-beyond-issue-1-sparks-controversy-over-transphobic-content [3] https://www.themarysue.com/valiant-comics-bloodshot-beyond-issue-1-transphobic-content/ [4] https://www.newsweek.com/valiant-comics-apologizes-bloodshot-beyond-issue-1-transphobic-content-1682617 [5] https://www.bleedingcool.com/2021/09/15/valiant-comics-apologizes-for-transphobic-content-in-bloodshot-beyond-issue-1/ [6] https://www.io9.com/valiant-comics-bloodshot-beyond-issue-1-transphobic-content-58974972 [7] https://www.io9.com/valiant-comics-bloodshot-beyond-issue-1-transphobic-content-58974972 [8] https://www.comicbookmovie.com/valiant/news/valiant-comics-bloodshot-beyond-issue-1-transphobic-content-sparks-outrage-among-fans/
- Gizmodo might write an article about the future implications of the controversy surrounding Bloodshot #1, as the incident raises questions about the need for increased sensitivity and representation in technology-based industries, including comic books, social media, and entertainment.
- Despite the recent apology from Alien Books and writer Mauro Mantella over the offensive passage in Bloodshot #1, critics will likely continue to scrutinize other works related to Mantella, such as books and future comic series, due to concerns about his previous anti-LGBTQ and transphobic views.
- Io9 could explore the relationship between entertainment creators and their online presence, highlighting the importance of monitoring social media accounts, considering how Mantella's controversial past on social-media platforms, including sharing right-wing and conspiracy theories, has exacerbated the ongoing controversy surrounding Bloodshot #1.
