Gender stereotypes in a modern ukrainian comic

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Копильчак Х. С. № 2 (84) 143-150 Image Image

The modern Ukrainian comic is considered as a media message that broadcasts certain ideas of modern society. The main attention is paid to the specifics of the coverage of feminist ideas in the publications of Ukrainian comics. Based on the analysis of Ukrainian comics, it is determined that the problem of sexism in Ukrainian comics is quite widespread. The main groups of gender stereotypes recorded in specific editions of comics are defined.

It is determined that the creators of Ukrainian comics borrow the main storylines from the American tradition of comic-making along with outdated plot tropes. The borrowed tropes can be traced which are most often used by Ukrainian comic artists, among them the following: overly naïve sexualized heroine; “bad guy” as the object of a woman’s desire; stalking, kidnapping, and threats as courtship methods.

A number of comics translated in Ukraine are analyzed, demonstrating different approaches to highlighting modern feminist ideas through the prism of artistic vision.

It is determined that the readership targeted by the author has a significant influence on the formation of the storyline and the gender balance of the characters. In particular, Ukrainian paintings are analyzed for gender balance. The main reasons affecting the violation of the gender balance in the paintings are characterized since comics on their pages model the situation that exists in modern society. It is determined that important social changes — the status of women in society, same-sex marriages, etc. — are reflected in Ukrainian comics in the form in which they exist at a certain stage of civil society.

Keywords: comics, feminism, specifics of Ukrainian feminism, gender stereotypes.

doi: 10.32403/0554-4866-2022-2-84-143-150


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