At this point, the idea of censorship is apparent. The fallout of the trial discussed in Park’s article led to the comic book industry creating “the comic code,” a self regulating set of rules that let the industry retain autonomy rather than allowing the government to censor comics. However, some major publishers such as DC Comics began running imprints like Vertigo (publisher of both Fables and Sandman) that did not have to adhere to the comics code because it was labeled as being for “mature readers only.” This raises the question of whether Sandman needs to be as graphic as it is (pun intended.) Students are required to submit an argumentative paper of at least 500 words to examine the issue of censorship more carefully. Instructions First, select one of the two following positions to argue: “Sandman needs to be as extreme as it is in order to appropriately carry out its story and breathe life into its characters.” “Sandman could have been censored significantly without impacting the meaning of the story.” Note: You may substitute Fables for Sandman but do not attempt to cover both works. Keep in mind, you are not arguing about whether or not you liked the comic, you are arguing about whether the extreme components of the book were necessary or purely for show. Next, look at specific examples of where the book is extreme or offensive, studying specific impacts on both readers and the story when considering what would happen if the story were changed. Analyze the following issues: Style (how “real” the images seem; in the case of Fables, you might look at how detailed the drawings are, for instance, showing Bigby’s stubble and arm hair) Characterization (how real the characters seem by their actions and dialogue) Justice (whether or not the violent or careless actions are “fair”) You may want to return to this discussion when completing your final project, so clearly articulate your points and be specific in your details on how you made your determination. Don’t just say “the characters seemed real to me.” You must explain in full detail how that sense of reality was achieved. Was it because they had to worry about real things like hunger and sleep? Or was it that their faces seemed real? Or did their bodies seem too perfect and too much from a comic book mode for you to view the violence as realistic? Be sure to study and evaluate the specific style of these pieces (not just their content) to show how the writer’s stylistic choices impact your understanding of the violent events and disturbing material. [MO3.1, MO3.2, MO3.3] WRITING RESOURCES The following links provide online writing aids to help you with your written assignments. OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University Writer’s Handbook, the Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison APA Guidelines http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/index.html http://www.apastyle.org/