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I just love when people complain BEFORE things get released. I read the complaint that prompted this, and the writer basically wrote that he "heard" it was a bad portrayal of witches. Hey, why not read the book and THEN complain? Because that wouldn't get the attention, because then people could actually go to the source and decide for themselves. This way, people just assume he's telling the truth.

Eeeeexcept all the magicians you listed here aren't religiously pagan. Having mystical abilities or believing in magic is different from paganism and wicca.

I'm just tired of pagans that call themselves witches complaining about the portrayal of witches, as if all witches are pagans and vice versa.

Witches MAY be pagans. But in other contexts a witch is defined as someone who has made a deal with Satan, a magical species (like in Sabrina or Bewitched), or practitioner of black magic/dark arts.

Now if Salem was about the negative portrayal of PAGANS, specifically, I would see the issue.

Also, if People Who Call Themselves Witches were really interested in an accurate portrayal of themselves, then why are they not outraged by otherwise positive examples of witches? Are we to believe that People Who Call Themselves Witches resemble Zatanna, Sabrina, Samantha, The Girls on Charmed, or the Scarlet Witch? All of those were born with magic powers, encoded in their DNA (with the exception of the cast of Charmed, perhaps.) Do People Who Call Themselves Witches believe they were born with magical powers.

If you are a pagan, then I respect your beliefs. But if you call yourself a Witch, then in my opinion, you a designating yourself a magical fantasy creature rather than stating your religious beliefs. Perhaps you should refer to yourself as a Wiccan? (There are no Wiccans in Oz after all).

Though, honestly, I consider myself a zombie... and getting a little tired of the whole flesh-eating stereotype!

Lewis,
My point exactly....

Watch what you say about OWLS!

I love owls.

They're so full of omens and luck!

Yeah, and am I detecting a certain slighting tone toward ospreys? Ospreys are birds of prey too, y'know! They have feelings just like any other avian killing machine!

Hey, I'm married to an an Osprey and an Owl!
I'm a aviasexual bigamist! Don't judge me!

Let's not even get into the question of whether these "pagans" are really pagan. Marion Zimmer Bradley doesn't count as a religious text.

And, by the way, whose idea was it to put Otto's flabby man-tits on that cover? Man, talk about "not age-appropriate"...

When I was a child, I read a comic book where a pagan person was being mean, and now I shape my whole world-view around it.

I don't mind pagans, those wiccans are sexy, tho'.

Wonderful post. I larfed and larfed.

Diss on Caroline Rhea

When I was a child, I read a comic book where a pagan person was being mean, and now I shape my whole world-view around it.

Luckily, in the book I read, the mean pagan person had green skin. So I have a serious prejudice, but as far as I can tell, nobody to discriminate against. Kinda sucks, really.

I just transfer my hatred to people who like that piece of shit musical, "Wicked."

Hey! Who says Caroline Rhea isn't hot?

Witches?

What the fuck is wrong with the planet?

Are there groups of people calling themselves elves and bigfoots and unicorns too?

Witches, yet. Ho-lee.

Hey! Who says Caroline Rhea isn’t hot?

People with their eyesight still intact.

Sean, learn things.

But seriously, what is more Pagan these days than superhero comics? They are the closest thing we have to a pantheon, the only gods that are relatable in the Jungian/Joseph Campbell sense.

Although, I did understand why Pagans were a bit miffed when Billy Kaplan changed his superhero name to "Wiccan". That was just...weird. Although supposedly he has since converted to Wicca. Not that we'd know with the dearth of new Young Avengers issues.

Don't forget Nico Minoru from Runaways. Catholic Japanese-American Gothic witch (what a combination!). Plus a really interesting character. Oh, or Wiccan in Young Avengers. He's cool too.
I've found that comics are pretty open-minded for the most part, and chances are, no matter what your job, religion or race, you can find a positive example or role model...except married people...yeah, they get it pretty rough in comics. They're not that great for Short people either. There are only two characters in the Marvel universe who are my height (5'1") Gert from Runaways (dead) and Jubilee (depowered) ....why the hate of short people, guys!?

Wolverine is supposed to be short.
As usual the X-men are the epitome of diversity... they have a short person (Wolverine) and Athiest (Collossus) who is is dating a Jewish girl (Kitty Pryde) who are both friends with a Catholic (Nightcrawler) who in turn dates a sorceress(Amanda Sefton). Not to mention Storm (a goddess in some Kenyan faiths).

And Professor X shows all signs of being a Taoist.

However, the thing about religion in comics is that a lot of characters identify themselves with a religion, but don't usually demonstrate the nuances of any particular religion. Probably because most religions disdain violence.

"I really have no idea WHAT creators have against matrimony, but the constant disdain for the institution is getting on my last nerve."

There's no agenda it's just, for the most part, boring.

Look in all media, unless the character's story is based around them being a spouse (or a parent) it plays a very small part of real life. Think of the different sitcoms and dramas that went on and on for years and then became unwatchable when the leads got married. Its the culmination of the storyline, where is the tension after that. From there you can go to affairs/divorce or children, but thats about it. Seems like a pretty pedestrian concept to me.

No mention of Tarot: With of the Black Rose? She's the most witchy of comic book witches, with all her talk of anti-pagan discrimination and deadly-serious discussion of witchy rituals (sandwiched between copious doses of T&A, of course). Hell, she even lives in Salem! You guys are missing out on a great addition to the witch pantheon if you don't read her.

(that was sarcasm, so PLEASE don't take it at face value)

I started off thinking that this was one of those small-minded dismissals of social groups' concerns over misrepresentation, but it was actually quite a funny read. Glad it wasn't meant (for the most part) to be a serious rebuttal to anything, and I hope we see a few more features in this theme+character+picture format.

Kudos.

Actually it was one of those open-minded and nuanced dismissals of social groups’ concerns over misrepresentation.

The gist seems to be three points:

1) Personal religions should be respected, but don't identify yourself as a fairy tale creature.

2)Comic book pagans are hot, but Caroline Rhea is a matter of personal preference.

3)And owls and ospreys deserve our love. Though this last point wasn't discussed in detail.

why the hate of short people, guys!?

Short people got no reason to live.

Wonder Woman, a totally pagan character, has been in comics for years, is one of DC Comics big three marquee names, had her own TV show, etc.

True, but she also wears the American flag as a costume (the sellout!) so I think it's usually vaguely assumed she's onside spiritually, too.

3)And owls and ospreys deserve our love. Though this last point wasn’t discussed in detail.

Boy, are you you about to be inundated with pamphlets from the PFWRYFO (Protect Falconiformes or We Rip Your Face Off)...

Oh I forgot:
4) Short people deserve our love. Tall people will always need a place to set their drinks.

That Spidey picture looks like he's about to teabag Doc Ock.

And, by the way, whose idea was it to put Otto’s flabby man-tits on that cover? Man, talk about “not age-appropriate”…

I believe the technical term for them is moobs.

That Spidey picture looks like he’s about to teabag Doc Ock.

You owe me a keyboard - coffee doesn't come out easily...

[...] of this springs from guilt, because I did a column making fun of the ‘controversy’ surrounding the book’s advance publicity. I [...]