While most of these characters have suffered from mental illness at some point. Our comic book articles tackle issues of our time such as race, gender, sexuality, and inequality. Writing characters with psychological issues or disabilities. Batman comics primarily aim to entertain, and their interest in mental disorder is second to this. Comic book characters for causes is based in seattle, washington and was founded in 2010 by kristen jensen and jason halverson with the goal to create a vehicle capable of raising funds and awareness within the community for great charitable organizations that strive to heal our sick children and to do this while dressed in costume as favored characters from comic book lore.
Here are some online resources for getting the facts about mental illness. We aim to provide a deeper experience than typical comics websites. Apr 23, 2014 arguable a lot of superheroes and villains have some mental health issues, based on their choice to dress up in elaborate costumes and spend their lives mostly engaged in superherosupervillain behavior to the point they rarely have very much time. Pages in category mental illness in fiction the following 5 pages are in this category, out of 5 total. Instead, viewers were treated to characters who existed on the. Living with mental illness is a daily struggle for many people and comic book superheroes are a way of escaping our everyday lives. Comic book characters who only appeared once screenrant. Unfortunately, the handling of his erratic behavior has been, well, erratic. In other words, its always hard to tell where a mental illness ends and the where the person suffering from it begins. The comic book world is about to get its first transgender leading character. Dec 09, 20 tony kinnard holds a page of a comic book on wednesday, nov. To mark world mental health day, we revisit a number of comics and graphic novels that touch directly or tangentially on the subject of mental health. See more ideas about writing characters, writing and writing tips.
Much of davids comic history, as well as the excellent legion tv show. We look at superheroes as modern gods in many ways. Superheroes and mental illness why our stories matter the. Oct 10, 2014 to mark world mental health day, we revisit a number of comics and graphic novels that touch directly or tangentially on the subject of mental health. Comic book raises awareness of mental illness ht health. The joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by dc comics. Today, scarlet looks a bit like a comicbook character herself, with brightred hair and an impish face.
Click on any image to see links to licensing and related cartoons. Andrea letamendi uses batman characters to help people learn about mental illnesses. For more pop culture nostalgia and new head to the official website. A mental health anthology, a comics anthology that will give those who suffer from mental illness a voice through the medium she. Oct 31, 20 in other words, its always hard to tell where a mental illness ends and the where the person suffering from it begins. Fictional characters and mental problems interpreter maxima.
Zimmermans bright and breezy comic book character is a wonderful combination of old and new. It has problems, specifically in the way it presents mental illness, but it was. Spongebob is one of the funniest and loveable characters today. Comic book characters and multiple personality disorder. Thirtythree writers, athletes, and artists offer essays, lists, comics.
It is a common weakness to characters in comic books and a somewhat poorly used trope. The 21yearold selftaught comic from london, who goes by rubyetc online, has been drawing about her lllxperiences with mental health issues and bipolar disorder since she dropped out of school at 17. Pages in category marvel comics characters who have mental powers the following 35 pages are in this category, out of 35 total. These are available to license for books, magazines, merchandise, newsletters, presentations and websites. In the dark knight movie, he was portrayed by heath ledger. The book itself does not have to be about mental illness, but can have a characters with a disorder. Fictional characters with psychological disorders flow. These onehit wonders packed a wallop into what little time they had in their comic book runs. Dc comics heroes in crisis explores the mental health of. I deliberately selected some strong depictions of mental illness in fiction here because as we talk about how mental illness is presented in pop culture, it is important to discuss when its done well, as well as when its done poorly.
Best mentally ill characters this list is for the best characters, not the best books. Captain marvel was much on my mind last year as i wrote my latest book. Six comic book characters who suffer from a mental illness. There are experts who take on comic book characters and diagnose them through years of studying the stories and through researching the fields of mental health. She also has migraine headaches not uncommon in people with bipolar disorder with visual aura although. Nov 12, 2004 comic book character is an instructive delight. Even though he has those kinds of attitudes, he was included on the list of fictional characters with psychological disorders.
Most people have not been taught to name and understand their mental health experiences. Suicide squad would have been much better with a more. There are experts who take on comic book characters and diagnose them through years of studying. This unique mirrorissue reminds us how anyone can suffer from mental health problems in the world of superheroes. What are the top 10 mentally ill dc and marvel comic characters. Common sense media editors help you choose books that feature characters dealing with mental illness. Some illnesses may stem from a physical disability. Arguable a lot of superheroes and villains have some mental health issues, based on their choice to dress up in elaborate costumes and spend their lives mostly engaged in superherosupervillain behavior to the point they rarely have very much time. We all love cartoons, particularly for the goofy characters who behave in crazy, whacky ways. Kids and teens work out depression, anxiety, and more in these compelling stories. Look straight ahead depicts mental illness as only a.
Zimmerman does a adaquate job of finding a spiritual center for many of the characters well known in the comic book universe. So its pretty incredible to think that theres still room for such characters to become even more powerful by actually attaining the power of a god. Superheroes and villains who are mentally ill screenrant. So there are six comic book characters who are way more messed up than you and i, and if they cant get mental health right with all their power and money, then what hope do we have. Comics and graphic novels for world mental health day. Clinical psychologist, podcaster and comic con panelist dr. Oct 28, 2011 psychiatrists call out dc on depictions of mentally ill. The best comic book writers and artists unravel the turmoil that follows. The central protagonist in the upcoming superhero series alters will be chalice, a. Mental health awareness through superheroes comicbook debate. Are there any superheroesvillains with mental health problems. Comic book characters and multiple personality disorder comic book talk. Many comic books that involve a psychological disorder are written by an artist who can relate to these issues on a personal level.
Graphic novels about mental illness graphic novels, comic books, etc. Nine graphic novels and comic books about mental health. The mental health comics and cartoons the cartoonist group. The book consists of interviews with four survivors of nearfatal suicide attemptsdiscussing. Jul 22, 2017 if youre tired of faking it, want to get a little perspective, or just want to laugh really hard at how absurd everything is, take a glance at these graphic novels and comic books about mental health. This list is for the best characters, not the best books. No speculative diagnoses here, the characters were all given bipolar disorder by their creators. These anime feature characters who struggle with a debilitating health condition, whether theyre diagnosed with a terminal illness or a lifelong condition that impacts their way of life. The best writers on the book seem to be the ones who put poor matt. Since may is mental health awareness month i decided to go over characters who displayed mental illness that inspired my own characters. But if we try to think what it might be like for a real person to have their traits, it might not look like a good idea. Mental disorder is also depicted in characters who are not superheroes.
Dc comics heroes in crisis explores the mental health of superheroes. The character does not have to be officially diagnosed as mentally ill or go to therapy in the book to qualify. Mar 31, 2012 the joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by dc comics. These characters are also tragic, since the trait of being mentally unstable is. The quirks in their personality may be what makes them so endearing to us, but if we encountered these individuals in real life, we would probably direct them toward the. Superheroes and mental illness why our stories matter.
Books that feature characters dealing with mental illness. Characters with mental illness that inspire my own characters. Id be glad to answer any questions about mental illness about your characters if you hit me up on twitter or on my website but please no medical advice for yourself. The quirks in their personality may be what makes them so endearing to us, but if we encountered these individuals in real life, we would probably direct them toward the nearest therapist. Oct 25, 2011 mental disorder is also depicted in characters who are not superheroes. Since this is a comic book, the treatment results in rory developing strange, hardtocontrol abilities that bring out rorys dark side, to say the. The best literary characters are inspired by living, breathing people. If you can, please add the name of the character youve voted for in the why you added this book section. Modern comic book characters are often compared to gods nowadays, but for the most part, the majority of them are still mortal.
Suicide squad rides a fine line between perpetuating mental healths. Transgender superhero to be featured in new comic book. Over the last decade, the growth in ya books about mental illness is hard to. Its also reflected in his need to be the smartest man in the room at all times. Thats jeremys main struggle in look straight ahead, and its one communicated in a way that mere words cant really manage personalized imagery and iconography, tweaks and alterations to comic book storytelling conventions. Glynn, you dont need to get in character for regression therapy. Many of our best loved cartoon characters actually display many traits that could be considered as mental health disorders. Mental health cartoons and comics funny pictures from. Mira, one of the main characters, has depression, and the book shows her. You must be out of your mind if you are able to kill somebody or if you think that you should rule the world. When you get down to it, most super heroesvillains could be diagnosed with mpd multiple personality disorder. Aug 16, 2016 superhero therapy refers to incorporating characters from geek culture, including superheroes and other characters from comic books, as well as characters from fantasy, science fiction, and video games into evidencebased therapy such as cognitivebehavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. Sep 21, 2014 comic book characters who fought cancer.
Our comic book articles promote positive social change through acceptance and tolerance while attempting to originate from all landscapes of the political spectrum. However, these gods are subject to many mental health problems. Look straight ahead depicts mental illness as only a comic can. The idea to add a character with a disability to the venerable comic book series, which originated in the 1940s, was prompted by a conversation between writer and artist dan parent and jewel kats, an archie fan who has a disability, officials said. While most of these characters have suffered from mental illness at some point in their career, the struggle for antman, aka giant man, aka yellowjacket, aka goliath, has been ongoing. Feisty comics about mental illness we can all relate to. Sep 11, 2014 id be glad to answer any questions about mental illness about your characters if you hit me up on twitter or on my website but please no medical advice for yourself. Heroic lunatics are heroes with mental illness or mental disorder are heroes.
Clinical psychologist, podcaster and comiccon panelist dr. Brian mclaren, pastor, author of a new kind of christian david a. Worse, many have been shamed for struggling with depression and other forms of. Many heroes in recent comic book movie history have battled with mental health issues. I mean the very definition of mpd could be having a secret identity and an alter ego. Mental illness cartoons and comics funny pictures from. Here are 10 real people who inspired the look, the personality, or the backstory of these spandex icons. Cartoon characters with mental disorders find a therapist.
He is the type of character that has an impressive attitude like being optimistic, hardworking, friendly, energetic, always happy, and adventure lover. Tony kinnard holds a page of a comic book on wednesday, nov. Worse, many have been shamed for struggling with depression and other forms of mental health disorders, she told the mighty, adding. She believes identifying with fictional characters can help us in mental health recovery. They had many social institutions just like earth, such as day care, music concerts and mental. Ya books about mental illness and mental health book riot. Feisty comics about mental illness we can all relate to the. Activity grew to a halt with the departure of alan moore in 2007 or in 2006 with alan moore having tom strong finish with tiein. Feisty comics about mental illness we can all relate to if you live with a mental illness, ruby gets it. Childrens comic cartoon characters with psychological disorders.
Marvel comics is a prime example of bringing awareness and ending the stigma of mental illness through their superheroes. Within each frame, you feel a characters emotions acutely and often see. Comic book adds character with disability disability scoop. Psychiatrists call out dc on depictions of mentally ill. Used properly, mental illness can be a crutch a character must lean. He is working with the national alliance on mental illness of racine county on a mental illness comic book to raise awareness about mental illness. But with so many heroes battling deranged supervillains, the lines can very. Here are 10 real people who inspired the look, the. I dont know if psychological illness is more prevalent in comics than in traditional. The mental health comics and cartoons collected from thirtyfive of the best cartoonists. Mental health funny cartoons from cartoonstock directory the worlds largest online collection of cartoons and comics. Lobo is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by dc comics. Aura aura is the superhero alias of a young woman named alexis pope. Alexis has bipolar disorder and has survived a suicide attempt.