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Sequential Scholars

@sequentialscholars.bsky.social

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Academics reading and celebrating the style, substance, and sublimity of all kinds of comics. By scholars, for everyone. Led by @annapeppard.bsky.social & Dr. J. Andrew Deman.

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 6d

For our next unit, we’ll be diving katana-first into the world of Demon Slayer, a shonen saga steeped in mythology, moral altruism, and (somehow) Michael Jackson. Stay at the ready. #demonslayer

Demon slayers huddled in one frame, Tanjiro is holding spider lilies

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

Cyclops’ ‘hero’s journey’ is emblematic of a broader Silver Age trend: while Kirby/Lee complicated the alpha-male masculinity of Golden Age superheroes with wimps, losers, and slims, they still measured the success of their heroes through patriarchal standards. 12/12

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

As the anointed leader of the X-Men, and with Jean Grey on his arm, Cyclops wins the race to the position of prominence within patriarchal culture by the standards and norms through which success is measured in a patriarchal society. 11/12

Cyclops is about to deliver books to Jean under Professor X's command

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

Importantly, Cyclops is also the main viewpoint character in Silver Age X-Men comics and the most obvious reader-surrogate. The battles with Magneto or Mesmero or the Sentinels are all episodic in this era – the continuous conflict is to be ‘the man.’ 10/12

All of the Xmen trying to offer Jean a ride.

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

Xavier’s favoritism of Cyclops conveys a form of patrilineal approval in which Cyclops exchanges his individual agency (any sort of rebelliousness that might be associated with being a teenager) for the position of prominence amongst his peers. 9/12

Cyclops rushing the group when Magneto is calling

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

Cyclops expresses immediate shock at the revelation. “Me?? But, Sir – the Beast is a better scholar – while Angel is more aggressive, and –!” Xavier cuts him off mid-sentence, however, to note “But it is you who possess the rare quality of leadership! My decision stands.” 8/12

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

By issue #7, Cyclops receives his atonement with the father, so to speak, when Xavier names him leader of the X-Men. “I have decided that you, the X-Man known as Cyclops, shall be group leader until I return.” 7/12

cover of the X-men comic with Cyclops in the center

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

On the very first page of UXM #1, Professor X summons the team for the first time: “Attention, X-Men, …this is Professor X calling. You are ordered to appear at once. Tardiness will be punished.” The first to answer is Cyclops: “Cyclops present and accounted for, Sir!” 6/12

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

The second form of patriarchal validation comes from the internal competition for the male X-Men to win the approval of their patriarch, Professor X, whose validation is largely dependent on conformity to his established belief system. 5/12

Professor X congratulating the X-men on completing their training.

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

Despite fierce competition from the other X-Men, each of whom conform to concepts of hegemonic masculinity in different ways (charisma, handsomeness, raw physicality, success), it is ‘Slim’ Summers, aka Cyclops, who ultimately wins the Jean prize. 4/12

A scene where men are pining over Jean and another where Slim brings Jean a chair, when questioned, Slim says "[he'd] bring a whole room of furniture if she asked [him]".

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

Jean is literally a trophy in this competition, which is established right from her first appearance. Similar “alpha male” competitiveness for female affection can be seen to define the character arc of numerous other Marvel heroes, (including Spider-Man). 3/12

Jean telling a man " Face it tiger... you just hit the jackpot"

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

From the outset, Kirby and Lee base the X-Men’s internal character conflicts around two forms of patriarchal validation: The first (and most obvious) is the internal competition amongst the male teammates (and even Prof X) for the affection of Jean Grey. 2/12

The Xmen fighting over Jean, all their internal monologues point to all of them being deeply infatuated with Jean.

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 23h

TBT: Early X-Men comics highlight the role that performative masculinity often plays in the character arcs of Silver Age heroes whose potential to subvert masculine norms can be undermined when their success is still modeled and measured by patriarchal standards. #xmen 1/12

The Xmen surrounding an injured Professor Xavier on a wheelchair

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

In all of this, Demon Slayer offers a compelling perspective on modern manga masculinity. In its efforts to navigate different forms of masculinity in a historic space, there’s, simply put, a lot happening on the subject and much to discuss. 14/14

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

Inosuke’s refusal to perceive the obvious is likewise laughable. He claims to be the leader even as he follows Tanjiro. He refuses to even pronounce Tanjiro’s name correctly until the end of the series when he’s in a position of having to kill his friend. 13/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

Where Tanjiro can be seen to exude otaku masculinity, Inosuke is the opposite: a primitive holdover from an earlier generation of manga, a relic from the past, here made laughable in contrast to a new manga order. 12/14

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

Inosuke is a human raised by boars (the head is that of his adopted mom). This act is both hypermasculine and deeply Freudian and, in keeping with the tone this sets, Inosuke is portrayed as comic relief and as a foil to Tanjiro. 11/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

This cosmology, of course, makes the relationships between male-presenting characters all the more important and here’s where the shirtless, sword-wielding man with an actual boar’s head covering his face comes in. 10/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

Importantly though, Demon Slayer offers a wide cosmology of male-presenting characters with different masculine attributes and characteristics ranging from gentle giant (Gyomei) to actual sociopath (Sanemi), all united under a broader umbrella of heroism. 9/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

To enable this fantasy, Demon Slayer portrays a world in which kindness, innocence, and a positive attitude are heroic virtues. Predictably, the hero is consistently rewarded by this world for such virtues, even in impossible circumstances. 8/14

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Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

The widespread adoption of otaku masculinity in manga thus signals a reader-surrogate effect that offers the promise of transition from manga fanboy to world-altering hero with nothing more than the right attitude and a bit of discipline. 7/14

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

“This complicates shōnen manga’s representation of masculinity, as its typical purview has either been muscle-bound fighters or naïve boys on the way to becoming such muscle-bound fighters.” -Alec Sigley 6/14

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

Beginning with the lead, Tanjiro is portrayed as an iconic example of “otaku masculinity” in which a manga features the “portrayal of an otaku as protagonist, thereby mirroring manga’s stereotypical consumer within the narrative.” 5/14

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

This does not, however, mean that Demon Slayer has nothing to offer on the subject of masculinity. Where the male-presenting characters are concerned, Demon Slayer shows a dense engagement with masculinist culture. 4/14

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

There are female Hashira (highest rank of slayers), for example, but one is underdeveloped, while the other is overdetermined by her sexuality (and lack of sexual agency) which then becomes the subject of a number of misogynistic tropes. 3/14

Sequential Scholars @sequentialscholars.bsky.social · 2d

First and foremost, the gender roles are quite strong in Demon Slayer, with male characters often foregrounded at the expense of female characters who need to be sheltered and protected or whose power is subordinated to a male counterpart. 2/14