It really isn’t anything you haven’t seen on the Internet and it certainly isn’t the worst thing you could find with one Google search. However, when Cartoon Network puts an over-sexualized image of The Powerpuff Girls on the cover of a comic book? That’s a red line. From The Hollywood Reporter:
The cover, by artist Mimi Yoon, was scheduled to be released as a variant cover for next month’s Powerpuff Girls #6 from IDW Publishing. Earlier this week, retailer Dennis Barger complained on Facebook about the cover, however, asking “Are we seriously sexualizing pre-teen girls like perverted fan fiction writers on the Internet???? Is that what this s*** has gotten to?”
Following more complaints being added in the subsequent comments section, IDW vp of marketing Dirk Wood stepped in to explain that the cover in question was “actually a Cartoon Network mandated cover, by an artist of their choosing. I think they were thinking of it more along the lines of ‘female empowerment’ than the kind of thing you guys are talking about, but certainly, we’re sensitive to the issues here.”
He went on, “Half of the employees have kids here, and we pride ourselves in making comics they’ll enjoy and not give them a warped view of the world (except, you know, in a good way). Anyway, I certainly see your points, and we’ll be sensitive to these things, as I think we mostly have been.”
In response to the complaints, Cartoon Network released a statement saying they will be removing the special alternate cover from stores while supporting the artists intentions. Yoon has not commented yet, but it has to be a little disappointing.
The response is understandable though, even if you’re a creepy online lurker who takes rule 34 to heart. At least the art is high quality and doesn’t feature Fat Powerpuff Girls. Why is that a thing!?
(Images via IDW / Cartoon Network / THR)
