Whoops.

I think it should be a trope. I really do. Because I think in terms of comic book romances, it is way too convenient to insert romances without bothering to develop chemistry.

Now before half of you cry about this, there is a difference between a well-written romance that does not romanticize toxic usually misogynistic tendencies between a cis male and cis woman and forced heterosexuality. And no, it does not mean relationships have to be idyllic. I am saying that writing romance has to be placed under as much scrutiny as you would on gay or lesbian romances.

Because this shit is forced.

Harry all of the sudden needs Gwen. Mind you that this is the same Harry that had no qualms about killing Gwen even after he found out that she was Spider-woman. All of the sudden, he wants Gwen to stay in this world when he was very much part of the reason why Gwen was an outcast in the first place. Like where did this even come from? Harry goes from having a crush on Gwen and being a friend to all of the sudden making romantic gestures?

Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn have no chemistry because Harry was more mad about Peter, a boy he pitied because of how broken he was, than he was mad about the entire smear campaign that he, his father, and J. Jonah helped orchestrate.

Why is Spider-Gwen so fucking miserable in her world? Because 3 white men decided to sympathize with a white boy who was one Breaking Benjamin song away from committing the next Columbine instead of actually looking into how they created the world that makes the Peter Parkers who don’t get bitten so willing to feel special that they turn themselves into a monster. Osborn is part of the reason why Gwen doesn’t have a private life anymore and yet he has the audacity to say he chooses her?

Fucking excuse me?

And people who hereto-lock refuse to even acknowledge the complexity of love when it comes to homosexuality. Like if there are two gay characters of the same sex then neither can ever be interested in another person ever. I am a huge proponent of Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy because they have the most chemistry and MJ comes off as a jilted selfish lover. But since she is with Glory, there is no way she could be interested in Gwen Stacy. It is like impossible for people to be with someone and love someone else. Guess what? People do that shit all of the time, sadly. But to even refuse that or even acknowledge that as a possibility is like rocket science to people when it comes to same sex relationships in fiction.

It is not like 616 Mary Jane was always with Peter and only Peter. She dated Harry and several dudes before Peter became a thing. 616 Gwen Stacy was with Flash before she dated Peter. And Betty being married to Ned Leeds did not stop Peter from making out with her nor did it stop her from having an affair with Flash. But there is no way that Em Jay can even be interested in Spider-Gwen because she is in a relationship with Glory?

Really?

Really?

Reaaaally?

She is gay for Spider-Gwen. The only reason she is with Glory is because Gwen wasn’t there.

There are even longing looks.

Man, I am telling you. There is more than enough text, subtext or context, to say MJ is crushing on Gwen. It is not queerbait. It’s intentional. She is acting like her 616 version did with Peter. Exactly like her in regards to their Spider-people’s heroism.

I am just saying it is forced heterosexuality when you immediately ignore context or possibilities and go for shallow relationships over relationships that actually have depth but are discarded because they are same sex. I am not crackshipping when it is the only relationship in the comic that actually has depth.

I literally started up the ship name because my friends had some insane idea that I hated Gwen Stacy and liked MJ better. So I told them “no I don’t hate her I just want her to kiss MJ more.” AND THAT’S HOW THIS STARTED. (warning rant?? below) (but check out the post below this one it’s so cute)

It’s not a contest to see who can get by without them. It’s not cheating to look at a thing in order to know what the thing looks like.

USING REFERENCES FOR ART IS NOT ‘CHEATING’!!!

If you can draw/paint without references, great!  But if you need to use them, and feel that your art can be bettered by using references, please, use them!  This is one of the biggest tips I can give to artists, is USE REFERENCES! 

Anyone who would dare to attack someone for using references after ‘recognizing a pose’ is a dipshit, who doesn’t know a thing about art.

Do you know who else used references for their art?

Norman Rockwell

Alphonse Mucha

Gustav Klimt

Toulouse Lautrec

Vincent Van Gogh

Paul Gauguin

Edgar Degas

Gil Elvgren

Frida Kahlo

Pablo Picasso

Disney Studios

You can even use other artists work, it’s just a matter of respecting the artist. Just be very careful and ASK (if you can) before posting any art you made that directly references an artists work. If you cannot contact them, let people know or link to the reference you used. Do not claim the work is your own or let people assume it by not saying anything at all-that’s where the call out culture is. Emulating master works was REQUIRED for half my undergrad classes in painting- and my original work was so much better because I studied someone with more experience and knowledge of the craft.

Unless you have a very good grasp on your subject matter trying to draw everything from memory is just going to hinder and frustrate you.

Study the masters.

Study real life.

Practice. Practice. Practice.