Fact From the Vapor of Nuance

North Carolina Retailer Will Boycott Action Comics Because Superman Would Never Say “GD”

by Jamie Frevele | 2:46 pm, September 9th, 2011

Jeff Lamb, owner of the Asheboro, North Carolina comics retailer The Comic Conspiracy, is offended. Offended by what Superman said in Action Comics #1, because it has offended his delicate religious sensibilities. What was so blasphemous and awful that now has Lamb calling for a boycott of Action Comics by his fellow Christians? “GD.” Not “God,” not even “G-d,” but “GD.” An utterance that place after the Man of Steel was struck by projectile heavy artillery in an explosion. So, next time, Grant Morrison, a hearty “Gee whillickers” will suffice, if you please.

Says Lamb on the Comic Conspiracy Facebook page (in multiple status updates):

As of today’s release of Action Comics #1 by Grant Morrison, The Comic Conspiracy, will until further notice, be boycotting all future Grant Morrison books. If you want Action Comics, you will have to buy it elsewhere. [Wednesday]

Christian comic book readers and shop owners. Join us in the Grant Morrison Boycott. Action Comics #1 is a slap in the face to Superman, Christians and Superman creators Siegel and Shuster!!

I could see Guy Gardner and maybe even Hal Jordan (Green Lanterns) saying it. I could see Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) saying it. I could easily see Damian Wayne (Robin) or MAYBE even Bruce Wayne saying it. But Superman was created to be the “perfect” super-hero. Unblemished. Superman is an American icon.

It grieves me to see a liberal Scottish schmuck like Grant Morrison take these liberties. I’m sorry, Superman would NEVER take God’s name in vain. In the words of the late Jim Croce, “You don’t tug on Superman’s cape.

I deal with books like “Crossed” and “The Boys”. I accepted gay characters being introduced into a children specific book like Archie Comics. I however am getting very tired of having comic writer’s liberal agendas force fed to me. Mr. Morrison has stepped over my line. If I have to stand alone on this… I will.

Grant Morrison is responsible for writing Action Comics #1 with Rags Morales doing the art. Morrison was the only one targeted by Lamb, who later apologized for the “schmuck” comment. But as of this writing, the boycott still stands. He is still way too offended by Superman saying letters that might be interpreted as taking the Lord’s name in vain, but appear alongside other utterances in the same scene such as “GNUHH,” “HNN” and “GGAAAAAA.” (You can see the full scene at Bleeding Cool.) But let’s be clear, he would not have gotten his Underoos in a wad if other members of the DC Universe had said the same exact thing.

But Superman — a holy, untainted creature who might actually be Jesus, even though he is an alien from the planet Krypton and probably isn’t in any way connected to any Earthly religion, what with being an all-powerful and fictional superhero — saying “GD”? Unacceptable. Sorry, Action Comics fans in Asheboro, North Carolina. You will have to get your comic books elsewhere. But congratulations, Jeff Lamb, on doing so much for the struggling independent comic book store industry by going out of your way to make comic books easier to buy or pirate on the internet!

(Bleeding Cool via CBR)

Anonymous

Unless it was specifically explained couldn’t Mr Possibly-Attention-Hungry-Comic-Book-Store-Owner just have convinced himself Superman meant ‘Gosh Darn’ and carried on his merry way instead of trying to start a boycott?

I mean, that’s what I’d imagine a relatively well adjusted person might do.
http://twitter.com/IM_SH IMSH

First, I have never heard anyone just utter the letters G and D together in such a manner. The closest thing I can think of is Ah-nuld in any of his movies yelling “Get down!” There’s always the flip of this too, if it indeed means what the store owner perceived then there is a chance that Supes would say GB in future volumes when somebody sneezes.
Anonymous

Comics really attract some GD weirdos.
Anonymous

Siegel and Shuster? You mean the liberal Jewish writers who had Superman beat up fat cats and support worker’s rights in the original Action Comics?

No, I don’t think they would be insulted by this.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1418052706 Kaeli Gardner

I don’t think it’s meant to be an acronym for “gosh darn” or anything resembling that. I don’t think it’s an abbreviation at all. I think it’s just a sound. The glottal noise of breath being suddenly forced through the vocal chords. ”GD” Just like that.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IGRK4BKTKC5RGO56RXTUEVFJSM ainok

Point.
http://www.facebook.com/1shewolf JoAnna Luffman

Well, he’ll lose business. That’s his right, and he can feel free to stand on his principles, even if I don’t agree. The fool might even gain a few new customers that think he’s as fundie-crazy as they are.

Annoying and foolish it may be, but this IS North Carolina ladies and gents. It’s very much the Bible Belt. They (and my sister-in-law is one of these types) see Satan lurking everywhere. It’s a pretty fearful existence.
Anonymous

tinyurl.com/2df4ccp
http://twitter.com/HoroscopeRaper Elias Algorithm

Just FYI, all of this was apparently rendered moot by the time the blogs got the story. Morrison explained it, the comic shop owner dropped the boycott.
http://twitter.com/zenoferic Erica Throne

GD? Why, clearly Superman was referring to Korean pop star GDragon (often just called GD) of the group Big Bang. *rolls her eyes*
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VK7U6RFTAUIPW2JR2NGPBP2IYA super

My problem with the new Superman from the pages i have seen online is that they are making him act like Batman. IF I wanted batman i would read batman.
http://www.facebook.com/joseph.wren Joseph C Wren

He didn’t say “geedee” He said “gd” One syllable….. A sound effect you loons!!!