Gender and performativity in webcomics

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The remediation from comics to webcomics and flash animated comics will be explained highlighting the audiovisual modes they share with electronic literature works. Besides emphasizing the changes in the reading, publishing and commercial processes, the main aim of this article is to compare gender roles in characters of webcomics with the performativity and denaturalization theories by Judith Butler. In this study the author’s freedom to deal with controversial topics such as sexuality and gender is seen as a possibility of exploration of gender and queer issues which have not been taken into account in previous research. Four webcomics about gender issues will be analysed emphasizing Judith Butler’s concepts: «The Sisterhood story» from «SinFest» (2008) by Tatsuya Ishida, «Khaos Komix» (2007-2012) by Tab Kimpton, «YU+ME:dream» (2004), «I Was Kidnapped By Lesbian Pirates From Outer Space» (2006-2011) by Megan Rose Gedris and «The Gay Monsters» (2007) by Andy Bauer. Representing different subjectivities in a popular genre as webcomic defies traditional social conventions and popularizes the individual’s acceptance of his or her own sexuality.