The biggest geek-filled news story of 2018 so far
is the blockbuster success of Black Panther.
It was a worldwide phenomenon.
Plus, thousands of African American kids
packed movie theaters to finally see a superhero
who looks like them.
Now, Marvel and DC are putting diverse characters in the spotlight.
And even tweaking old favorites.
So, I headed to San Diego Comic-Con
to soak up the inclusive vibes.
But I soon learned that, for some, the good old days of comics
are fading away.
So, comic book guy?
>> I am...used to be.
Why do you say 'used to be?'
>> Uh, I stopped reading it over the diversity issue.
>> Overall, they've been changing comic characters a little too much.
>> It's a comic book tradition, in a way,
>> is how each character should look.
>> I think when they start making Superman gay,
>> And Aquaman transgender, it's like,
>> I don't go around and parade what I am.
>> Don't go around and parade what you are.
Ah, for f*ck's sake.
Yes, there's an actual backlash against
diversity in comic books.
And the movement is led by a super villain.
He runs a YouTube channel,
broadcast from his secret lair/bedroom closet.
But... he's never shown his face on camera.
Who is this evil mastermind,
whining and complaining from the shadows?
Turn the lights on, turn the lights on.
Yep! That checks out!
Meet Richard Meyer.
What are your thoughts on the current state of comic books?
>> Comics are kind of...weirdly dying.
>> Politics, specifically identity politics, being shoved into everything.
>> A character that used to look like a 1980 Dallas Cowboy cheerleader
>> bascially looks like me now.
>> They of course are rockin' those A cups.
>> Anything above a B cup, you hate women.
>> Ms. Marvel was introduced as a Pakistani-American muslim.
>> RiRi Williams, who replaced Iron Man,
>> If you don't like her, it's because you're racist, or sexist, or probably both.
It would upset a racist.
>> I think it would.
With Meyer, anyone who supports these changes is just an SJW:
Social Justice Warrior.
>> Uh, black is your shield
>> and 'woman' is your sword.
I don't know... f*cking swords and shields.
It all sounds so childish.
It was time to bring some adults into the conversation.
I assembled an elite team of proud Social Justice Warriors.
Fantasy roleplay from the King of Queens, I assume?
Richard Meyer believes diversity is ruining the comic book industry.
GREEN LANTERN: That's false. Richard Meyer believes diversity is ruining the comic book industry.
SEDUSA: That's false.
DOUG: He's not been reading comics.
Why do you think some people can be so possessive of comic book characters?
LOKI: I think once you make a connection
LOKI: with a character that you like a lot,
LOKI: It creates this sense of ownership.
HARLEY QUINN: If you see yourself in the character, it boosts your confidence.
HARLEY QUINN: You don't feel like you're so alone in the world.
There's been a reduction of breasts.
Do you know about this controversy?
SEDUSA: We don't always want to always see ourselves overly-objectified
SEDUSA: just to satisfy someone's weird fantasy.
But what about if He-Man had a dadbod?
I have the power!
Over the temperature in this house!
Do you think politics can sometimes get in the way?
Why can't we just have a fun story about a superhero - Do you think politics can sometimes get in the way?
GREEN LANTERN: The thing with comics is they've always followed
GREEN LANTERN: The trends of the political landscape.
GREEN LANTERN: Take Superman.
GREEN LANTERN: His whole thing is that he's an alien
GREEN LANTERN: on a completely different planet and has adopted the country, America, as his home.
GREEN LANTERN: And is trying to fit in. That is the whole ethos -
I might be Superman.
My SJWs are making good points,
but I like finding common ground.
Maybe we need some characters with traits that appeal to both sides.
I brought a few ideas.
Okay... Batman,
but he's latino and he only protects gated communities.
Bat Zimmer-man
[Disapproving Oh's]
No? Okay.
How do you feel about
Black Superman.
Okay, a slightly less black Superman.
>> Yeah, no that's actually better.
Black Panther's villain, Killmonger
but now it's played by a woman
and the way she attacks the Black Panther is
by calling the cops when he's trying to BBQ.
HARLEY QUINN: I'm okay with this one.
We found one!
Alright, that might fix the characters
but Meyer and his crew aren't just fighting what's IN comic books,
they're also attacking women and people of color who make comic books.
>> They're hiring people for the BuzzFeed.
>> Look, we hired this overweight black woman.
>> Is that exciting?
You have said that some women
are sleeping their way to get into these positions?
>> I did one video, it's a common thing for my enemies to bring up.
You called a woman a c** dumpster?
>> Yeah.
That's not good...
Yeah, it was a bad idea.
Even if you don't believe that you're a racist,
or homophobic, or sexist,
Is it a fear of yours that you're attracting some people who are?
>> I don't really think about stuff like that.
Right...
Seems like you might want to start thinking about it, Richard.
Other people are.
What do you think of Richard Meyer?
HARLEY QUINN: He's a garbage person.
You can say c*nt on this show.
Look, clearly Richard's upset
that he can no longer pick up any comic book
and instantly relate to the characters he sees.
And that's a real feeling.
Because it's how women and minority groups have felt their entire lives.
Wake the f*ck up, Richard!
The characters you don't like
aren't written for you.
You know what? aren't written for you.
You know what?
I think I liked this better when we started.