GEEKERY: Deadpool is NOT for Children
… and it doesn’t have to be. This idea that all comics and games are for – and have to be – for children needs to stop.
Before you jump on me – I have two kids. I love being able to share the nerdtastic things I like with them. We game together; I feed their voracious comic book habit happily. Getting kids involved in geeky stuff is great. I’m not saying don’t do that. I’m saying that some parents need to get over the fact that not everything their children want is actually for them. That games and comic books can be – and are – made specifically for adults. There’s nothing wrong with this, and these properties do not have to cater to their child. No matter how much they want them to. Ever.
I’m talking about you, Grace Randolph and your change.org petition, for demanding that Fox make a PG-13 version of a a movie based on a mature rated comic because some mom out there can’t tell her 8 year old no. Just say no… I’m sure, like most parents, you’re used to saying it by now.
Ryan Reynolds’ reaction to the petition is pitch perfect:
“I don’t think so… That would be a very short movie. It’s almost a commercial at that point. People are ragging on her – I think that’s an awesome mom. When I was 8 years old, I wanted to see 9 ½ Weeks, but my mom didn’t make a petition!”
Would you let your child see 9 1/2 Weeks? Would you expect the producers to make a PG-13 cut of it so you’re kids can see it? I doubt it… but, it’s not about comics, so you’d never consider making a fuss. Deadpool got a hard R rating for a reason. It was made for adults. Deal with it.
There was an elementary school aged boy in the showing I went to last night – his dad brought him. I wonder if he watches Game of Thrones with him, too. Did he really think that the R rated movie was going to be about the Merc without the Mouth that showed up in the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon?
It’s not. It’s Deadpool MAX. It’s got full frontal nudity, unabashed sex scenes, gore, non stop profanity, and humor that’s a mile above a child’s head. This Deadpool is not for children.
When I worked in a FLGS I had a number of clueless parents come in and grab random books – including Punisher MAX – for their kids without opening them because of a very incorrect assumption that all comic books are written with kids in mind. This kind of attitude frustrates me as a parent and a comic book fan.
I get that there’s a whole generation of kids who have dug in thanks to the MCU, and they want to get into the books in a way their parents never have. It’s great, but those parents need to catch up… the entire industry does not and doesn’t have to pander to you.
Nope… Warren Ellis and Mark Millar don’t have to write for your kids. That would suck for everyone.
If you want to get your kids into reading comics, or have fun watching super heroes on big screen with them, there are plenty of options. Deadpool, and the multiple adult only titles, isn’t one of them. If you’re not knowledgable – ask the staff at your FLGS or comic book store to help you. They’d love to steer you in the right direction.
I think as more of our formerly socially unacceptable hobbies go mainstream, we’ll see more of this kind of thing happening. Have a friend or a sibling that didn’t get into gaming/comics till they had a kid? Help them out, would ya?
Geek responsibly, folks.
As for my review of the movie:
If you like Deadpool already – go see it! If not – go see it! It’s a lot of fun, and it’s exactly what I wanted from start to the bit after the credits (hang out, it’s worth it). Just don’t take your kids.
If you’ve seen it, feel free to talk it up in the comments!
