Overview

Rape is a very controversial concept in comics. Its main criticism is that it is often used for shock value instead of dealing with its traumatic effects. Since most depicted rape victims are women, it also depicts them as weak and the stereotypical victim. (It also denies the genuine suffering of male rape victims, who become invisible victims as a result or, occasionally, victims of cruel "rape humor".) There is also criticism that the concept is used too often in comics as an "easy" storytelling device.

The most "popular" use of rape was in the DC event comic Identity Crisis. Here, Sue Dibny is raped by Dr. Light, which leads to wider repercussions and almost the dissolution of the Justice League of America. It is said that because of the popularity of this comic, there was an increase of rape stories in comics afterward, despite the fact that many critics condemned the way that rape was used in that story. (Danny Djeljosevic on Spectrum Culture).