Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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The Plural Positivity World Conference happens every year online in May or June. Get your ticket and find out more about PPWC and our other virtual events at: powertotheplurals.com/events Plural Positivity World Conference 2024
The Anserines
Title: Thought Bubbles and Utility Belts: Plurality in Superhero Comics

Session description: Since at least The Scarlet Pimpernel, superhero stories have been filled with people who utilise multiple, contrasting personas, becoming different people in different situations to achieve different goals. This talk will explore the various themes of plurality seen in superhero comics, ranging from subtle shades of plurality to full-on separate identities. We will give some summaries of plural characters in comics, as well as some who are not explicitly plural but can be viewed through a plural lens, and ask why it’s so common to see plurality represented in this medium in particular.

TW (TRIGGER WARNINGS) for the session: This talk will touch on various potentially triggering topics including: abuse in childhood (including sexual abuse), mental illness and perceptions of other realities, all in the context of fictional stories found in comics. We will also talk about the ableism perpetuated by certain trends and stories in comics.

Presenter bio: The Anserines are a plural system of around 12 members, depending on when you ask. They write music, lyrics and stories, some of which relate to plural experiences. They are interested in comics, musicals, philosophy and anarchism.

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