12 Shocking Real-Life Incidents That Affected Comics
12. The Murder Of Kitty Genovese And Rorschachs Origin
On the night of March 13th 1964, Kitty Genovese was sexually assaulted, and murdered, outside of her apartment building in Queens, New York. One of the most notable and oft-repeated aspects of the murder is the notion that many of Genoveses neighbours would have heard the incident taking place, but reacted by doing nothing. This idea has been disputed, but the murder was further significant in that it gave rise to the social-psychological study of the by-stander effect. In Watchmen it is this idea, that the local residents did nothing, which is the partial inspiration for Walter Kovacs to become Rorschach: he recognises Genoveses name in the reports about the murder, as the woman who ordered the uncollected viscous fabric dress, which he would later use to create his inkblot mask. The murder would give him his face, but it would also inspire his zero-tolerance attitude, and complete mistrust in humanity, and in that dynamic, one of the most enduring comic book characters of all time was born.
As well as the odd article, I apply my "special mind" to scriptwriting for Comics, Films and Games... Oh and I cut down trees, I skip and jump, I like to press wild flow'rs, I put on women's clothing, and hang around in bars.
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