Skip to content

DC Comics Criticized for Removing Batman Image After Claims It Supports Hong Kong Protesters

More Bank Runs Worry Chinese Regulators, Investors

News Analysis Warning signs are flashing all over China’s banking sector. Chinese regulators have seized and bailed out lenders at an unprecedented pace amidst a surge in bad debt all the while forcing banks to step up lending at increasingly lower interest spreads. It’s a way to keep banks in business but not a recipe for future longevity. Increasing worries about the health of China’s financial system have hit investor confidence in banks and hurt recent capital raising efforts as well. I wrote in August that after three Chinese bank bailouts in three months, more will follow. After a few months of calm, two local bank runs in November have added fuel to the fire. Yingkou Coastal Bank is the latest to suffer a bank run. Yingkou faced a “flash…

Batman celebrated his 80th birthday by visiting Gotham‚ most iconic sky scraper, the Empire State Building in New York City on Sept. 20, 2019. (Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Warner Bros Consumer Products)

DC Comics has been heavily criticized for removing an image advertising its new Batman comic on social media last week after some said it appeared to show support for the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.

The image, uploaded on social media to promote the forthcoming Batman comic titled “Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child” due to be released on Dec. 11, depicted the iconic fictional hero Batman in front of the slogan “the future is young,” poised to throw a flaming Molotov cocktail.

However, shortly after the image was posted online, Chinese internet users hit out at the advert saying it is a veiled reference to the escalating Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, which have now entered its sixth month.

Social media users from mainland China claimed the poster inadvertently showed support for the protests through the superhero’s black mask, choice of weaponry and black clothing—the color commonly worn by pro-democracy protestors in the city.

“No matter what the reason, to put an image like this up at a sensitive time like this means you have a death wish,” one Weibo user posted, according to Variety.

“The black clothes represent Hong Kong, the mask represents Hong Kong, the Molotov cocktail represents Hong Kong, what else here doesn’t represent Hong Kong???” another furious Weibo commenter added.

Hundreds of other comments on DC Comics’ social media profiles voiced similar concerns, with some saying they would stop supporting any of DC’s projects in the future.

However, after DC Comics deleted the advert on both its Twitter and Instagram accounts, the American book publisher was met with even more intense scrutiny, as others criticized the comics giant of censorship and bowing to economic pressure from China—where its parent company Warner Bros makes much of its revenue.

In 2018, Warner Bros’ “Aquaman” movie made a total of more than $232 million in Chinese box office sales, about $44 million more than earnings from U.S. box offices, reported Business Insider.

“Really disappointed on@DCComics Just because of China citizen comment few word of Hong Kong democracy, DC choice to del the post on IG…. China is affecting US freedom,” a Twitter user wrote.

“I just don’t understand why a Chilean Batman with a Molotov cocktail has to be something with Hong Kong Independence…like excuse me are we on the same page?” another added.

The comic’s illustrator, Rafael Grampá also shared a link to a news report about the controversy with the caption: “Surreal.”

The comic, due for release this month, makes no reference to Hong Kong, but tells the story of Carrie Kelley, a new Batwoman, who forms a team with Superman and Wonder Woman’s daughter—Lara Kent, as they face Gotham City’s latest threat side by side, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

This article is from the Internet:DC Comics Criticized for Removing Batman Image After Claims It Supports Hong Kong Protesters

380,000 Hongkongers March to Renew Calls for Freedom and Democracy

Protesters could be heard shouting slogans such as “disband the police force,” and “the heavens will eliminate the Chinese Communist Party, let the entire Party die.” The peaceful march, which was organized by a local netizen who identified himself as Swing, had been granted police approval. But soon after it took off, police interrupted the scene. A sizable force had gathered, with at least nine police vans in the area. At around 4:50 p.m. local time, riot police suddenly charged at protesters at an area near the intersection between Salisbury Road and Nathan Road, which is right before Salisbury Garden. The police fired pepper spray and tear gas, before making at least two arrests. The police then put up a blue flag, declaring that people are engaging in an illegal…