Recently, there has been a rise in popularity of fan drawings featuring the characters Wiccan and Hulkling from the Marvel Comics. These drawings showcase the relationship between the two characters, both as a romantic couple and as powerful superheroes. Wiccan, otherwise known as Billy Kaplan, is a young magician who possesses reality-warping abilities. He is openly gay and has been in a relationship with Hulkling, also known as Teddy Altman, for many years. Hulkling, on the other hand, is a shape-shifting alien who is half-Skrull and half-Kree. He possesses superhuman strength and durability, making him a formidable fighter.
So, what drives a society on a “witch hunt?” The causes can be broken down into two main phycological reasons: (1) religious fear (occult fear) and (2) personal prejudices which encompass the gender biases. Now, identifying the situational prejudice and religious aspects in even witch accusation cases can become overwhelming very quickly. So, a breakdown of a major accusation in the Salem witch trials will be more digestible.
Women criminals would have been a huge taboo in the 1600 s, so instead of trying Brigid for her actual crimes, ones she might not have been executed for she was easily given the punishment of death because of suspected witchcraft. Women criminals would have been a huge taboo in the 1600 s, so instead of trying Brigid for her actual crimes, ones she might not have been executed for she was easily given the punishment of death because of suspected witchcraft.
He possesses superhuman strength and durability, making him a formidable fighter. Together, Wiccan and Hulkling make a powerful duo, combining their respective abilities to protect the world from various threats. Fan drawings featuring Wiccan and Hulkling often depict them in a loving and affectionate manner, highlighting their strong bond and genuine connection.
Exposed witch illustration
By Chloe Rigg
A term which brings similar images to many peoples’ minds. Usually, it’s the image of a green faced, wart-covered crone who rides a broomstick with a malicious cackle. Other images include colonial witch trials, and a young woman being burned at the stake. The history behind witch trials are certainly dark and full of fear. We can learn astonishing trends in society when one asks the question: “Were the witch trials a form of gender bias?” The perspective I’m going to discuss is that the “witches” in the witch trial were an excuse to execute women for sin.
The Salem Massachusetts witch trials took place between 1692-93. During them, over 200 people were accused and 20 were executed for witchcraft. 20 people might not sound too overwhelming. However, for a village of only 500-600 people, the deaths would have impacted most citizens. This American witch trial mirrors the European “witchcraft craze” driven by Puritans, who for almost 300 years executed over ten thousand people. The majority executed were women for suspected witchcraft.
So, what drives a society on a “witch hunt?” The causes can be broken down into two main phycological reasons: (1) religious fear (occult fear) and (2) personal prejudices which encompass the gender biases. Now, identifying the situational prejudice and religious aspects in even witch accusation cases can become overwhelming very quickly. So, a breakdown of a major accusation in the Salem witch trials will be more digestible.
There were societal tensions in Salem due to the 1689 English war on the French in American colonies. Resources were very strained and quarrels between families were an issue for such a small village. The Puritan villagers preached that these quarrels and tensions were the “Devil’s work.” This “Devil’s work” escalated into serious medical conditions by a Reverend’s daughter and niece. The girls, Elizabeth (age 9) and Abigail (11), were tormented by uncontrollable fits of rage, screaming, and contorting of the body. (After the fact, these fits were proven to be faked by the girls out of boredom). A local doctor could not diagnose these fits medically, so he blamed supernatural forces. Which is where the religious fear came into play. A heavily Puritan village would blame anything unknown as the work of the Devil. Therefore, this instills the fear of being influenced by the Devil or being smitten by God for not resisting the Devil. To calm the village, a solution needed to be introduced. This “solution” came when the girls accused Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne for inducing the fits. When interrogated, both Sarahs pleaded innocent, while Tituba confessed, “‘The Devil came to me and bid me serve him.” She described elaborate images of black dogs, red cats, yellow birds and a “black man” who wanted her to sign his book. She admitted that she signed the book and said “there were several other witches looking to destroy the Puritans.” All three women were held in jail.
Tituba’s testimony instilled deeper religious fear, along with gender biases. Folklore displays women as being more susceptible to the Devil’s will because they are sexually submissive, while Satan is a dominant male. Because of this, the Devil supposedly needs women to get into the minds of men. This plays into the strict Puritan idea of the impurities of sex. It follows, that Salem villagers were continually scared of the Devil. They felt the need to protect the women that hadn’t yet been lured by the Devil’s influence. Racial prejudice was also involved with the accusation of Tituba, because she was a Caribbean slave in the Reverend’s household. Tituba was easy to find guilty considering she had the influence of the Devil. She was an outspoken woman. She was of darker skin color. This begs the question–Was she convicted for witchcraft or for the “undesirable” type of woman she was in the community?
Dozens of accusations started after’s Tituba’s threat of the existence of multiple witches in Salem. Villagers were terrified and were “stepping on eggshells” worried of neighbors or friends accusing them of witchcraft. Many people saw this hysteria as an opportunity to get rid of their enemies and cease ongoing quarrels. Salem’s tensions escaladed to a violent climax…
The first person hanged was Brigid Bishop. She had a notorious reputation for having run-ins with the law and was chosen to be tried first because she was so easily found guilty. In a town frightened by the occult, a connection was easily drawn between petty crime and the influence of the devil. Women criminals would have been a huge taboo in the 1600’s, so instead of trying Brigid for her actual crimes, (ones she might not have been executed for) she was easily given the punishment of death because of “suspected” witchcraft. Sarah Good, one of the initial women accused, was executed also. She was known around Salem for begging door to door to help raise her child. (She was pregnant at the time). A 71-year-old Rebecca Nurse was executed. She was not poor or criminal, but a popular woman with outspoken opinions on the town’s drama. She was heavily accused by her family’s rivals, the Putnams, who were the family of the girls suffering from supernatural fits. Nurse was found innocent, but when the verdict was read aloud, the girls protested for another trial. Nurse was then re-tried and found guilty.
All the executed women were condemned for things like poverty, criminal behavior, outspoken opinions, or presumptuous actions. These were all sins that women should not commit in the eyes of the Puritans. Some men were also accused and executed. Men who spoke out against the trials, showed support for accused witches, or killed because of community disputes like land or debts.
Tragically, for a small village without the luxury of a reliable judicial system, the witch trials were a way to rid the Puritan town of “undesirables.” For a time like 1689, women were treated harshly for the smallest of things. So, did Salem villagers truly believe in witches? I think yes. It was a highly religious time and the occult was the pinnacle of evil. Having said that, I also believe that the gender prejudices of women were the root of the witch trial. The supernatural merely amplified these biases and lead to the killing of 20 people. People who might not have been innocent overall, but were certainly not guilty of witchcraft.
There were societal tensions in Salem due to the 1689 English war on the French in American colonies. Resources were very strained and quarrels between families were an issue for such a small village. The Puritan villagers preached that these quarrels and tensions were the “Devil’s work.” This “Devil’s work” escalated into serious medical conditions by a Reverend’s daughter and niece. The girls, Elizabeth (age 9) and Abigail (11), were tormented by uncontrollable fits of rage, screaming, and contorting of the body. (After the fact, these fits were proven to be faked by the girls out of boredom). A local doctor could not diagnose these fits medically, so he blamed supernatural forces. Which is where the religious fear came into play. A heavily Puritan village would blame anything unknown as the work of the Devil. Therefore, this instills the fear of being influenced by the Devil or being smitten by God for not resisting the Devil. To calm the village, a solution needed to be introduced. This “solution” came when the girls accused Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne for inducing the fits. When interrogated, both Sarahs pleaded innocent, while Tituba confessed, “‘The Devil came to me and bid me serve him.” She described elaborate images of black dogs, red cats, yellow birds and a “black man” who wanted her to sign his book. She admitted that she signed the book and said “there were several other witches looking to destroy the Puritans.” All three women were held in jail.
These drawings not only celebrate their relationship but also showcase the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media. Many fans appreciate the authenticity and representation that Wiccan and Hulkling bring to the Marvel Universe. Moreover, these drawings are a testament to the fans' creativity and love for these characters. They are a way for fans to express their admiration and support for the characters, as well as to show appreciation for the writers and artists who have brought them to life. In conclusion, the rise in popularity of Wiccan and Hulkling fan drawings highlights the positive impact of LGBTQ+ representation in media. These drawings serve as a celebration of love and acceptance, reminding us of the importance of diverse and inclusive storytelling..
Reviews for "Delving into the Symbolism of Wiccan and Hulkling Fan Drawings"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Wiccan and Hulkling" fan drawings. The artist completely missed the mark in capturing the essence of these characters. The proportions were off, and the overall execution was sloppy. It felt like a rushed, amateurish attempt. I had high hopes for this art, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. Alex - 2/5 stars - The fan drawings of Wiccan and Hulkling were underwhelming. The artist tried to add their own style to the characters, but it ended up looking more like a caricature than a faithful representation. The colors were too vibrant and clashed with each other, making it hard to appreciate the art. Overall, it lacked the polish and professionalism that I was hoping for.
3. Mark - 3/5 stars - While the "Wiccan and Hulkling" fan drawings had some potential, the execution fell flat. The artist seemed to struggle with capturing the facial expressions and body proportions accurately. It made it difficult to connect with the characters in the art. The linework was messy, and the shading was inconsistent. There is room for improvement, but this particular collection of drawings didn't resonate with me.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - The fan drawings of Wiccan and Hulkling were not my cup of tea. The artist took too many liberties with the character designs, making them unrecognizable. The lack of attention to detail was apparent, and it felt rushed and unfinished. The poses were awkward, and the anatomy was off. I could see the artist's potential, but this particular collection didn't showcase that talent.