ok with knightfall movie coming out soon and the Azrael fandom bracing itself for a content implosion I need to get something off my chest.
WE NEED TO CHANGE HOW WE TALK ABOUT MICHAEL LANE AZRAEL.
It is imperative as a fandom to think critically about the media you consume, how you consume it, and how you conduct yourself. Personally, I quite like Azrael, Both Jean-Paul Valley and Michael Lane. You would think that would be allowed within this comic space, but as we currently are it is somehow radical thinking. The way The Azrael fandom - as well the Batman Fandom as a whole - have treated Michael Lane isnt okay. Its racist, and it needs to change.
For those unaware Michael Lane is the second Azrael, a character who in such a short-run did multiple big waves in comics. He caused Battle-For-The-Cowl, He created the start for Damian's character arc, and even made the well liked design of Red Hood Batman (as it was his suit.) Michael is a twist on the original, A character loyal from dogma alone, instead of sci-fi indoctrination. A catholic angel who likens himself to the Antichrist, his story is very interesting religious fiction. It is different than Jean-Paul's run. yes, but it was never trying to be like him.
Unfortunately that meant a large, vocal part of this community despises Michael. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, you can dislike a character. I would fine if it was just that. However, the longer I have spent researching the discussion about these two I have come to a different conclussion.
The Fandom Hates Michael on Principle. It is not his character, it is meta-narrative and, without a doubt, Racism.
If you've never read Michael Lane's 2009 Run you might've missed the key detail that Michael is Black. Yes, Michael is a black, hypersexual, schizophrenic, with cptsd and religious trauma. He covers a wide net of poorly represented minority in comic, quite tastefully by the way.
If you haven't caught on, Jean-Paul Fan's are legitimately mad to the point of, in some cases I've seen, writing fanwork brutalizing the character, all because they see a Black Character getting a solo-run as "stealing" from him. A character who hasn't had a run since his introduction. 2011 being the last year he's even had a comic. The same fandom that praises Jean-Paul for his appearance (Blonde hair, Blue Eyes) because he "looks like a anime character".
.
yeah.
It doesnt help that multiple people I've seen in the Azrael fandom Are Racist. It doesnt help that the main criticsm given to Michael is perfectly allowed in SoA (jean-paul literally stole his Catholicism and everyone ate it up. ok.) as it stands, the only thing Michael has done to deserve such criticsm is be a person of colour in comics. its fucked up.
The Azrael fandom legitamtely prides itself on represenaton. everyone loves Jean-Paul as a system. So it’s undeniably weird when they bully a character who is canonically mentally ill. why is only Jean-Paul's example of mental health okay? the way Lane has been alinated from the fandom is done malicously, and those who dont go out of their way to Read Michael's quick, 32-Issue run, is letting it happen.
If you say you care about Black Characters but don’t read Black Character’s runs? You are racist.
If you complain about the lack of black character solo-runs but allow people to erase and minimise their runs like this? You are racist.
If you call yourself a Azrael fan and don’t count or dislike Michael Lane? You are racist.
Black Characters solo-runs didn’t magically disappear. They saw backlash like the type This Fandom has created and knew they didn’t have to put effort into black characters. Comics have no reason to represent minorities when they get more money out of their blue eyes, black haired cast.
Everyone needs to do better.
When I got into Michael Lane there was no recourses. Everywhere I looked echoed others opinions about his run being boring or not worth reading. No one in this fandom thinks critically or actually reads his comic run! You all stand by so that racist who have can tell you not to care for Michael and erase a black character.
I adore Michael Lane, and you all should too.
If you disagree with me? Block me. This applies to so many other characters too. If you don’t make your own opinion about comics or read something on the basis of it making you uncomfortable, you are not a comic reader. You are not a fan. And I do not want you interacting with me.
