"Adult Content"

Just how important is "Adult Content" in telling a story, whether it is in comics, or elsewhere? Of course, I'm a bit fussy, but there are times that I think that people really equate "adult content" with good too much.

One example of this is the first trade book of Supreme Power. I'll be honest here, I haven't finished the trade book, as it didn't grab my interest very much. However, early on, there's a scene where the Superman analogue (I forget the name, I told you I wasn't that fond of the book), as a young child does something that makes it very clear that he could kill everyone around him in an instant... and by accident.

The response of the two people the government has raising him is to run off and for the one time, have sex, and the scene is drawn in a way that leaves no real doubt as to what they are doing. The overwhelming idea is that they are using sex as a way to "feel alive", to get back in touch with the fact that they are alive after realizing what the kid was able to do. The message is rather clear, but it still struck me as being a bit forced, and ultimately, unnecessary.

That's the thing, what adult content (both sex and violence) is used often used for isn't absolutely necessary, in that writers are able to make their point in other ways. Yet, this isn't to say that it's always bad either, as it can be an integral point to building a story.

Take Watchmen for example. The sexual content of the book becomes a very profound metaphor for the development of Nite-Owl as a character. Early on, when his "old life" as a hero is lost, he feels lost, useless, yes, imporent, and he is literally impotent. However, as he starts to get back into things, and take action in the world around him, he is able to have sex once again. Maybe not the most subtle thing ever written, but it makes its point very strongly. I don't consider what is in Watchmen to be in the least bit gratuitious or the like. It is integral to the story, and meshes well with the story.

Yet, at the same time, is it truly necessary? Much the same story arc (to the point that I've heard it called a rip off) is found in the Incredibles. Early on, Mr. Incredible feels "out of touch" with his life. The path of heroism is closed to him, and the only thing he can truly do is help little old ladies who are being take advantage of by the insurance company he works for. However, as he's given the opportunity to be heroic again (as fake as it turns out to be), he "refinds" himself, and the metamorphasis is obvious. He starts working out, he loses weight, he's more attentive to his family... in short, he's happier. The same sort of arc, but the sexual overtones are limited to a few bare hints of "play" between Mr and Mrs I.

For that matter, while Violet's arc isn't "refinding" her self, it's "finding" herself, much the same happens, as we see her grow out of her shell, and become confident, and willing to engage the world.

Which is the better story? Honestly, you can argue that for awhile, both stories have their strong and weak points, but are, in the end, top notch. However, what the Incredibles proves is that you can tell a good, profound, meaningful story without those things, if you want to. Indeed, it is far more Adult than many things I've seen that have much more "adult" content, in that it's smart, well written, aware, and the like.