discussion Was HIM from Powerpuff Girls problematic?

[jakeisphat]

In the 90s/00s cartoon, Powerpuff Girls, HIM was known for being the most dangerous villain of the show. Notably, he was an androgynous character with a bearded masculine face, wearing makeup/female clothing, and had a voice that often switched from hyper-masculine to flamboyantly effeminate. Most of his appearances seemed to imply he resided in hell. In hindsight, some may feel that it was problematic for the creators to portray a seemingly queer character as a satanic and threatening being that was set out on harming children. Others might think HIM is iconic for being an early representation of a powerful character that did not conform to gender norms.

 

 

 

 

Was HIM a problematic character?

[Rabbit]

They were the ultimate BOSS villain that had the girls at their most shook if thats what you mean by problem then sure

[Summerboy95]

No. It was iconic and nothing wrong with the character. 

[Raver]

HIM was the best I loved his episodes 

[Cheers]

 

The original DIVA. Did HIM start the whole yaaasssss for gays omg? 

[Trent W]

I don't understand what's the point of going back 20-30 years to find these things

 

Probably in the current era it would be, but back then people had a different perspective 

 

The character was fun and entertaining 

[ShadeIena]

He was a drag queen

[freshoutthebuffet]

An accurate representation 

[GAGAxMONSTER]

No. We love diverse roles for queers.

[réveuse]

Him was an icon to be honest.

[commander]

No, HIM was probably the first CN queer icon.

[getBusy]

HIM threw the first brick at Stonewall, so no

[cartierdelrey]

I find it inherently problematic to make a villain, LGBT coded. The antagonist was deliberately designed to be menacing and using androgynous, flamboyant, and effeminate qualities was… questionable. I find it rare that LGBT representation involves a hero, which says a lot about the underlying biases and assumptions of the screenwriters.

[ultraviolence.xx]

i'm gonna say no. we need queer villains too

[Strawberry Bubble]

I liked him, it was scary and cool at the same time. His voice was sooo cool

[Technicolor]

A legend

[Bacardo Royale]

Maybe if the queer was the only villain, but there were loads of villains on that show, HIM was just the most powerful 

[MistressKay]

HIM was waaaaayy ahead of his/her time! 
 

A non binary ICON AND LEGEND 

[MistressKay]

1 hour ago, cartierdelrey said:

I find it inherently problematic to make a villain, LGBT coded. The antagonist was deliberately designed to be menacing and using androgynous, flamboyant, and effeminate qualities was… questionable. I find it rare that LGBT representation involves a hero, which says a lot about the underlying biases and assumptions of the screenwriters.

Ehhh lgbt super villian makes so much more sense. Against the system and against the status quo. A superhero is usually very status quo and upholds the "perfect image" and patriarchy. 

[Yayo94]

God stfu

[JoeAg]

I understand a slight retrospective analysis of Him as the confluence of villainous and queer and being spotlighted in that show significantly, but I think at this point it's more productive and healthy to find his representation as generally beneficial to queer visibility in media. yes, he was a villain, but hey, some villains happen to be queer! a lot of bad people just so happen to also be queer! it didn't feel to me—and retrospectively still doesn't—like his evilness was dependent on his queerness. he was unapologetically a villain, and he was unapologetically queer. so yeah 

[Odette Violet]

an ATRL Icon who birthed most gays and reginas here 

[Triton]

An icon, a legend, a trailblazer and the everlasting moment. 

[xluvxduffxmusicx]

Nah HIM was HELLA cool.

[Cain]

HIM was cool as ****