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White, A., & White, W. (2021). Addiction and recovery in American comic and graphic novels. Posted at www.williamwhitepapers.com

Addiction and Recovery in American Comic Books and Graphic Novels1

Alisha White, PhD and Bill White, MA

Representations of addiction and In 1954, the Magazine addiction recovery Association of America banned all drug in literature, references in its “Comics Code” based on music, art, film, the belief that such references would theatre, and trigger youth curiosity and drug comedy simultaneously reflect and experimentation. , Editor-in- shape the historical evolution of these at , challenged this experiences. This paper explores the code in 1971 by portraying addiction and portrayal of drug use and addiction in its consequences in The Amazing American comic books and graphic -Man series #96 - #98. Lee’s novels. action, and the positive public response to the series, opened the door for the Comic books in the portrayal of drug use and addiction in began as syndicated series within American comic books. Lee’s actions and then emerged in the were part of his larger effort to address 1930s as independent publications— social issues of his day, including civil spurred in great part by the enormous rights, disability rights, gay rights, war, popularity of and Joe and civil disobedience. Lee’s efforts set Shuster's . The success of the stage for the subsequent portrayal of Superman spawned the “” addiction and recovery in American genre of American comic books, comic books and graphic novels. including , , , , , Since The Amazing Spider-Man, and numerous others. Topically, comic superhero comic books have weaved books expanded exponentially into the authentic human struggles, and arenas of science fiction, fantasy, specifically mental health disorders, adventure, romance, police procedurals, within their storylines. American comic animal stories, horror, cultural satire, and books and graphic novels have been pornography. New formats emerged as effective vehicles for conveying compiled collections, , information on a broad spectrum of graphic novels, and graphic biographies health challenges, including childhood and memoirs. Comic books evolved into trauma, depression, bipolar disorder, a social subculture and industry whose schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive central characters have been further Disorder, anorexia, and a wide spectrum popularized in television and film.

1 This paper merges a collection of five blogs posted by the authors at www.williamwhitepapers during December 2020 and January 2021. 1 of substance use disorders (A. White, conceptions, make little distinction 2020). between drug use (particularly illicit drug use) and drug addiction, with drug use The authors are currently portrayed primarily as an inevitable investigating the historical portrayal of precursor to addiction. Portrayal of addiction and recovery within American positive aspects of drug use are rare comic books and graphic novels. To (e.g., ) and mostly contained date, we have identified 35 comic books in such counter-culture classics as The and 9 graphic novels and graphic Fabulous Furry Brothers, James biographies and memoirs that portray Bong, and Marijuana Man. Illicit drug use drug use, addiction, and addiction is portrayed dichotomously as recovery within their storylines. Below abstinence (good) or addiction (evil). are some preliminary observations on the American comic books portray addiction portrayal of drug use and addiction. as a progressively accelerating process of personal deterioration, social Format Limitations estrangement, and economic impoverishment. Drug use, addiction, and recovery in American comic books appear in a few Addiction as an Intrapersonal panels or page spreads, often unfolding Vulnerability across multiple volumes, within a larger dramatic storyline. In addition, characters American comic books and often come in and out of storylines across graphic novels portray addiction in highly different titles often called crossovers. personal terms (i.e., individual For example, both and vulnerability) with little reference to its Tony Stark have addiction related plots political, economic, and social ecology. that cross over between The Such portrayal is congruent with Ironman and The series. This biological and psychological models of can make it difficult to track each addiction but ignore environmental relevant plotline in long running comic influences on the etiology and long-term series. In contrast, graphic novels, course of addiction. The portrayed class such as The Abominable Mr. Seabrook, context of drug use follows two lines: The Brandon Novak Chronicles, and impoverished inner-city environments or Sobriety: A provide a the subculture of wealth and celebrity. more focused, nuanced portrayal of This dichotomy can be seen clearly when addiction and recovery. comparing Holly Robinson’s narration in : Crooked Little Town of drug use within life on the streets with Tony Addiction as Inevitable Consequence Stark’s alcohol use as part of a lavish of Drug Use celebrity lifestyle in The Invincible The portrayal of addiction and Ironman: Demon in the Bottle. recovery is a subset of the much larger portrayal of alcohol and other drug use The Drug Menu within American comic books and graphics novels. American comic books, American comic books portray mirroring popular and professional addiction to a broad spectrum of drugs

2 and other compulsive behaviors (i.e., shoplifting, pornography, self-injury). The Addicted women are portrayed addictive substances include those with physically, morally, and sexually a traditional pedigree (alcohol, cocaine, degraded beings devoid of self-agency. methamphetamine, opium, heroin, Stoddart (2006) suggests this portrayal prescription drugs, ketamine, designer fits the poisoned maiden archetype: “the drugs) as well as fictionalized substances female drug addict who is preyed upon such as Venom, Miraclo, Rave, Chocos, by villainous men and saved by heroic Growth Hormone, , and men.” Left untold are the transformations Substance D that possess a wide range that unfold for female characters through of narcotic, hallucinogenic, or the recovery process—an issue we will performance-enhancing properties. The explore in more depth in a forthcoming rarity in which cannabis appears in blog. addiction/recovery storylines within American comic books is interesting in Portrayed Color and Sexual light of both increased clinical interest in Orientation of Addiction cannabis dependence and changing legal and social policies toward cannabis. Addiction-related American comic Rather than portrayal in fictional comic storylines present characters of color as books, cannabis is a topic explored part of the multi-hued illicit drug culture— through graphic nonfiction, such as Box a stage for the actions of White Brown’s Cannabis: The Illegalization of superheroes. The only characters of Weed in America. color in addiction story lines were Cecelia Reyes (X-Men), Eli Bradley (Young Single versus Multiple Drug Use Avengers), and Tyrone Johnson (Cloak & Dagger). Although gay characters are Addiction in American comic beginning to appear in comic books (e.g., books is most often portrayed as , ), we found only dependence upon a single substance, in two LGBTQ characters appearing in an contrast to the polydrug use pattern most addiction/recovery storyline—Holly, a prevalent among those currently entering lesbian and recovering heroin addict addiction treatment in the U.S. (Catwoman), and , a gay white male (). There Addiction Demographics are yet to be stories highlighting the cultural contexts of addiction among Early culture in the people of color and cultural pathways of U.S. was dominated by 20- and 30- addiction recovery. something White men. Although comic book characters have evolved toward The Roots of Addiction greater diverse representation, the portrayal of women, people of color, and The complete addiction story LGBTQ within addiction/recovery answers many questions. Who was the storylines remains missing or narrowly addicted person prior to drug exposure? subscribed. What were the motivations and circumstances of initial and continued Addiction Gender drug use? What personal or

3 environmental factors contributed to loss cause of addiction in terms of a unique of control over drug use and its related genetic or biological vulnerability. A consequences? Is there a recovery and family history of addiction is the backdrop life after recovery story? for addiction storylines in several comics and graphic novels, including the heroin of the addiction story is a addictions of the characters Leslie in Hey product of how affected individuals and Kiddo and Holly Robinson in the families and their communities answer Catwoman series and the alcoholism of such questions. In this second of our Julia Wertz in Drinking at the Movies and series, we explore how a sample of 35 the AA member Larry in Sobriety. William American comic books and 9 graphic Seabrook (The Abominable Mr. novels and graphic biographies and Seabrook) suggests family history as an memoirs with addiction storylines portray explanation for his uncontrolled drinking: the root causes of addiction. “Grandma Piny [who was addicted to Addiction as Mystery opium] may be responsible for the drunken dreamer I am today.” Similarly, Some comic books present the Matthew Parker (Larceny in My Blood) etiology of addiction as an unanswered offers a similarly simple explanation mystery. For example, Wilty, in the early when asked the reason for his addiction (1949) Wash Tubbs comic series, and compulsive stealing: “It’s in my experiences drinking problems that lead blood.” A clue to this unique vulnerability him to an exchange with Ben, a member was sometimes one’s very first response of Alcoholics Anonymous. Ben explains: to intoxication, Ruben, the central character in Buzzkill, expresses this He happened to belong to fatalistic epiphany: “From the day I took that 5% of drinkers who are my first drink, I knew it was only ever alcoholics. And didn’t know going to end like this. It was only ever that until it was too going to end in screams.” late….Unlike the ordinary drinker, the alcoholic’s Adverse Family and Childhood mind is so affected that he Experiences no longer has the choice of quitting without proper American comic books and help.….I am an ex-victim graphic novels commonly note the role of myself. .…Doctors have family turmoil and early age of onset of found it’s a form of allergy. drug exposure as causative or But they still don’t know contributing factors within their addiction why it is only present in storylines. Parental addiction, adverse certain people, any more childhood experiences (abuse, than why certain others are abandonment), or a turbulent family allergic to pollen. environment are pre-addiction contexts in the storylines of William Seabrook “It’s in my blood.” (The Abominable Mr. Seabrook); Leslie (Hey Kiddo); Matthew Parker (Larceny in American comic books and My Blood), and Alex, Larry, and Debby graphic novels often portray the root (Sobriety). Alex describes how the older

4 boys became his father figures and led to enhancing properties of drugs and the his selling marihuana for them in the diminishment of that power over time: estates (projects) and Leslie laments, “Sometimes all you need to “Ma’s drinking was out of keep going… is direction. control. It was nothing but That’s what epinephrine yelling and screaming gives me. A signpost. A between the two of us. I glimpse of what’s to come. couldn’t take it anymore. Or at least it used to.” Nobody could take it anymore. I had started Using drugs to offset using before I moved out, diminishment of personal powers is also but things got worse fast noted in the storylines of Tony Stark once I got my own place.” (Ironman) and Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel). Tony uses alcohol in response Matthew Parker, as a context for to his suit not working, and his own drug use, described his mother’s Carol uses alcohol when her powers involvement in smuggling and selling aren’t working. Klaus, in The Umbrella drugs and her enlisting his help in selling Academy, uses drugs to offset the drugs when he was just 13. Within three emotional distress related to his special years, he was injecting heroin. powers (e.g., using drugs to quell voices and images of the dead. Lost Control of Performance Enhancement Self-medication of Emotional Pain

Comic book characters who used Using drugs to self-medicate drugs to enhance their performance prior emotional pain is also a common theme to their addictions include , Dr. among the addicted characters in (X-Men), Wilson American comics and graphic novels. (Teen ), , , Such emotional distress includes Ultimate , and Ruben (Buzzkill). unrequited love ( / Ruben initially introduces himself as ), breakups of intimate follows: relationships ( / Spider- Man), grief following of a friend “My name is Ruben and I’ (Alex / Sobriety), paternal abandonment a superhero. Who happens (Julia Wertz / Drinking at the Movies), to get his powers from and PTSD related to wartime drinking alcohol and doing experiences (Wash Tubbs) or trauma drugs. It doesn’t make me ( / ). one of you. It doesn’t make me weak, and it does not Emotional pain is a central theme make me an addict. It in the portrayal of the onset, makes me a hero.” maintenance, and progression of addiction. After Matthew Parker , in the Fresh Hell experienced the death of two brothers— storyline notes the performance one murdered and one by suicide, he

5 records, “I took to heroin with a hand with the use of all vengeance.” The character Hannah kinds of mood enhancers.” (Sobriety) suggests: Famed writer William Seabrook “It gets to the point where similarly described how his drinking you’re willing to go to any fulfilled his perception of great writers as lengths to get to a place great drinkers within a social world of where there isn’t any pain. heavy-drinking authors and celebrities. It’s not about getting high anymore—it’s about just The roots of addiction are in some stopping the pain.” cases linked to predatory influences and encounters with “bad characters.” The Addictive Personality Examples include the forced injection of Venom (designer steroid) into Bane by Addiction vulnerability is also the evil Dr. Ruger and Rose Wilson’s attributed to temperament and character addiction to adrenaline by her farther, excess (e.g., an “addictive personality”) King. In a flashback scene, Rose in American comic books and graphic sees her father saying to her: “This right novels. The character Hannah (Sobriety) here, this will make you something illustrates such attribution related to greater. You’ll have my strength. My rebellion, excessive behavior, - speed. And more.” When she says she’s taking, and sensation seeking: “I’m what not sure she wants to take it, he says you call a high achiever. When I want “You misunderstand me. This isn’t an something, I go all out. So, summer offer.” before college, I hit it [drug use] hard.” Addiction Consequences Social Influences Physical Consequences The role of intimate and social Physical deterioration was among relationships in the onset of addiction the most prominent consequences of also appears prominently in American addiction conveyed within the comic comic books and graphic novels. As Hannah (Sobriety) notes, “He [boyfriend] books and graphic novels reviewed. liked to drink and party. Pretty soon, I did Physical manifestations of addiction too.” Peer influence in the onset of drug included portrayals of hangovers and use and subsequent addiction play morning drinking as an attempted cure prominently in the storylines of Debbie (Julia Wertz / Drinking at the Movies; O’Hara (New Drug Tony Stark / The Invincible Iron Man), Awareness Special Issue), Karen Page memory blackouts (Ruben / Buzzkill), as (Daredevil), and Marjane Satrapi well as an overall erosion of self-care and (Persepolis). Maryjane describes her first personal hygiene. Addiction was exposure to drugs: graphically portrayed via images of dirty, ashen skin, unshaven faces, and “I didn’t like to smoke, but I disheveled clothing. Physical emaciation did it out of solidarity….The of addicted characters was common as communal life went hand in was self-expressed concerns about

6 physical health (Karen Page / Daredevil; and shame was a common theme. As William Seabrook / The Abominable Mr. Ruben (Buzzkill) reflected: Seabrook). A typical scene has the “Every addict or junkie has central character looking in a mirror and their own secrets. Things reflecting, “My skin’s a bit green and I they’ve done or said. pissed blood the other morning. But it’s People they’ve hurt… We easier said than done, to kill yourself with tell ourselves that the booze.” (The Abominable Mr. Seabrook). meetings and the Physical insults from addiction journaling will help us to also included physical injury from deal with these accidents while intoxicated (William secrets…What it amounts Seabrook / The Abominable Mr. to is baring every nerve, Seabrook; Larry and Alex /Sobriety), forcing yourself to the painful drug withdrawal (Bane), and parts of your story that alcohol or other drug overdose and don’t want to be told. hospitalization (Tony Stark / The Facing them and making Invincible Ironman, Carol Danvers / The them submit. Dragging Invincible Ironman; Rose Wilson / Teen them, scrabbling and Titans). Drug-related death by overdose screaming into the light.” or suicide were also represented (Leslie As addiction progressed within the / Hey Kiddo; Larry and Alex / Sobriety; comic book and graphic novel storylines, and William Seabrook / The Abominable early psychological effects were followed Mr. Seabrook). by two dominant experiences. The first Psychological Consequences was radical personality changes while using and overall psychological The comic books and graphic deterioration marked by hallucinations, novels reviewed detailed early paranoia and fear of insanity (Marjane psychological effects of addiction. Such Satrapi / Persepolis; Rose Wilson / Teen effects included embarrassment from Titans; Matt / Sobriety), sometimes drinking behaviors—drunk calls, texts, requiring psychiatric hospitalization emails and social media posts, and (Klaus / The Umbrella Academy). As Amazon buying in Julia Wertz / Drinking William Seabrook’s alcoholism at the Movies), getting into fights while progressed, he vacillated between using (Ruben / Buzzkill), sexual periods of self-loathing and a grandiose encounters while drunk (Jessica Jones / sense of self-importance accompanied Alias), the diminishment or loss of by a hyper-criticalness of others. In the superpowers (Rose Wilson / Teen Amazing Spider-Man series, the Titans), and cognitive impairment character Freak, while addicted to heroin, (inability to concentrate, impaired breaks into a laboratory and injects decision-making as illustrated by Tony himself with loaded syringes he believes Stark in The Invincible Ironman: Demon to be heroin but contain instead animal in a Bottle. The accumulation of secrets stems cells that turns him into a

7 monster—a metaphor for the deforming Holly Robinson experience of addiction. (Catwoman) “And when you’re a junkie that’s all you A Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde portrayal of do—wait to score, wait to addicted characters is common in up, wait for it to wear American comic books and graphic off, wait for the guy who novels, with references to “feral anger” gives you more money to and portrayal of characters with a score again, do anything “monkey on their back” as rabid—wild he wants to get it, wait to eyes, sneering mouth, clenched muscles score, wait to shoot (Ironman). Larry, the Alcoholics up…And, then when you Anonymous member in the graphic novel quit, it’s all waiting-to not see the world in junkie- Sobriety explains such transformations: , I guess…I wonder “Put a drop of booze or mood-altering when that starts” chemical in us and we change, we become that which we never thought we Matthew Parker (Larceny would: manipulative, lying, stealing, self- in my Blood): “Heroin was centered people…only headed to jails, the dictator of my higher institutions, or death.” functions at the time…2 + 2 = heroin. The The second dominate experience capital of Thailand is involves loss of volitional control over opium. I think, therefore, I drug use decisions and complete am a junkie.” P. 33; “I domination of one’s life by drug seeking couldn’t conceive of a and drug use. Several central characters world without heroin. I describe such effects. loved it that much.” P. 213

Bane: “I was driven by Brandon Novak (The Venom…It controlled me, Brandon Novak not the other way Chronicles): When asked if around…the Venom he believed in true love, weakened my judgment Novak responds, “I believe and I lost everything.” I truly love heroin!” When asked if he would eat poop Larry (Sobriety): “And for a million dollars, Novak that’s the thing about responds, “I’d do it for free alcohol use: For a while I if you dipped it in heroin!” thought I was managing it. That’s not really the way it Effects on Social Functioning was: It was managing me. I would come to learn that The physical and psychological my addiction would, in due effects of addiction as represented in course, demand priority American comic books and graphic over everything, even the novels/biographies/memoirs woman I married.” exacerbated multiple areas of social

8 functioning within the affected characters: American comic books and graphic novels also depict the  Dropping out of college: Ruben devastation addiction inflicts on (Buzzkill) interpersonal relationships. Such effects  Employment challenges (Julia encompass addiction-related family Wertz / Drinking at the Movies); conflict and family dissolution (Karen loss of leadership position (Tony Page / Daredevil), intimate and collegial Stark / Avengers); court martial relationship conflict over drug use (Tony (Carol Danvers / Avengers) Stark / Ironman; Holly Robinson /  Financial distress (The Catwoman; Jessica Jones / Alias; Carol Abominable Mr. Seabrook), Danvers / Avengers), parent-child  Indebtedness (Matthew Parker / alienation and lost custody of children Larceny in my Blood), (Wilty / Wash Tubbs; Debby / Sobriety;  Housing instability and Hey Kiddo), and multiple divorces homelessness (Matthew Parker / (William Seabrook / The Abominable Mr. Larceny in my Blood; Matt / Seabrook). The strain on social and Sobriety; Holly Robinson / intimate relationships is revealed in the Catwoman); storylines of numerous characters.  Loss of driving privileges (Ruben / Buzzkill), and Matthew Parker (Larceny in my  Drug-related arrests, Blood): “I was crazy about Maria. imprisonment, and revocation of But I was crazy for narcotics first.” probation or parole (Leslie / Hey Kiddo; Matthew Parker / Larceny Ruben (Buzzkill): “None of my in my Blood; Matt and Hannah / friends will talk to me anymore. I Sobriety.) understand why. I get it, but it’s just hard.” The addiction-crime link is vividly described in The Brandon Novak Brandon Novak (The Brandon Chronicles: Novak Chronicles): “I am a predator and a tortured soul. She “In the daily life of a Junkie, [former girlfriend] is my prey and at any given time there is a my savior.” crime of the moment….Dope provides The Portrayal of Addiction Recovery the addict with the relentless compulsion to Limited Portrayal of the Recovery lie, cheat, and steal at Experience every opportunity in order to score, and this While addiction is a central thread transformation robs the within many and dope fiend of his graphic novel storylines, the addiction humanity.” recovery process receives scant attention. For example, Julia Wertz’s Relationship Effects graphic memoir, Drinking at the Movies,

9 portrays the evolution of her drinking minimization, rationalization, projection throughout the book, but devotes only of blame, and anger/aggression. These one page at the end to her decision to are elaborately detailed over three years stop drinking. Hey Kiddo shows Jarrett (1998-2000) in the sustained storyline of visiting Leslie in the halfway house, but it Carol Danvers crossing over from isn’t until much later that Leslie describes Avengers to Quicksilver and Ironman and eventually ends with Carol going to AA her recovery to him. There is within the with Tony. Comic book storylines portray brief recovery storylines a sense of being towards recovery as a free and an awakening of previously tortured effort to see oneself and the unrecognized inner strength. Bane, for world as they really are. Regarding the example, declares, “I am free of Venom. distortions that commonly precede I am truly free for the first time in my recovery, Willie Seabrook’s second wife life….I didn’t need Venom then. I don’t Marjorie Worthington described Willie’s need it now.” repetitive lies in his written work and in his life: “Willie always told the truth: His Recovery as an Incremental Process truth.” American comic books and graphic novels portray addiction recovery Motivation for Recovery as a difficult process often involving multiple efforts before recovery is Momentum for addiction recovery sustainable. This pattern of repeated as portrayed in American comic books recovery attempts is present in the and graphic novels rises in tandem with character storylines of Tony the erosion of drug effects, escalating Stark(Ironman) , (Green consequences, and experiences within ), Bane, (Batman), active addiction that serve as a catalyst Katina “Katchoo” Choovanski (Strangers of recovery. Brandon Novak (The in Paradise), Carol Danvers (Avengers, Brandon Novak Chronicles) describes Ironman), Allan Quartermain (The the diminishment of drug effects: “But League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), there is one law that every drug fiend is and Rose Wilson (Teen Titans). Comic incapable of breaking: The law of book storylines often portray stable diminished returns.” recovery preceded by failed promises and resolutions to stop drug use Other push forces toward (Matthew Parker) and by experiments in recovery include fear of loss of one’s drug substitution. Matthew Parker powers (Dr. Cecilia Reyes) and fear of (Larceny in My Blood) laments, “I’m bent death if they don’t stop and if they do. on substituting the slobbering inebriation Willie Seabrook, his drinking at its worst, of alcohol for the nihilism of heroin” prophetically writes his publisher, “I think before relapsing once again to heroin I’ll die if I don’t stop drinking.” Carol addiction. Danvers (Iron Man) and Rose Wilson (Teen Titans) are both told by doctors The transition between active that continued drug or alcohol use will addiction and recovery initiation is lead to their deaths. Rose Wilson is told, preceded by elaborate defenses to “…You don’t lay off the epinephrine, sustain drug use, e.g., denial, you’ll be dead” because of the to

10 her heart. She’s warned of the effects giving a statement about the impact her from prolonged epinephrine use alcohol use has had, but she quits including “migraines, tremors, blurred Avengers before they can demote her. vision. Oxygen deprivation. Heart failure.” Styles of Recovery Initiation

Comic books and graphic novels There are varied styles of also note positive forces within the recovery initiation portrayed in American addiction experience itself that can serve comic books and graphic novels. as push factors toward recovery. Recovery for most is portrayed as an incremental, stage-dependent process— “As devious as we have a progressive accumulation of drug- become, junkies are still related consequences. The turning point capable of emotion, is often depicted as a “hitting bottom“ compassion, generosity, experience. The alcoholic character Wilty and charity. And in the Wash Tubbs comic series sometimes we depend on proclaims, “I’m through saying I can quit each other to extend if I have to…I can’t. I don’t drink any more kindness, and through this to get a lift, I drink to stay alive….I’m selfless act our humanity licked.” can be restored, even if only for a few hours.” (The An AA member in the graphic Brandon Novak novel Sobriety laments, “This is the case Chronicles) for many of us. We don’t want sobriety until it hurts badly enough.” Later, that There are references in comic same AA member notes the varieties of books and graphic novels to what today recovery experience: “Different people would be called “interventions” (e.g., have different spiritual experiences. A Batman’s role in the recovery of few are sudden and dramatic… A lot of ), there is a surprising lack of people—in fact, most—have similar references to institutions of control that experiences [more gradual and play such a prominent role in the lives of prolonged] that come as a result of addicted men and women (e.g., law working the steps.” enforcement, courts, prison, and the child welfare system). In one example we Comic book and graphic novel noted (Hey Kiddo), Leslie’s sobriety is storylines where the change process was implicitly tied to her time in prison. When portrayed as unplanned, positive, and she is released on probation and gets a permanent include the character of Bane. job, her family worries that if she does not While imprisoned in solitary confinement, stay clean and keep her job she will Bane reviews the traumas of his life (e.g., return to prison. In another example, in prison since his birth, subjected to Carol Danvers (Avengers) is court experimental drugs, victimized by other martialed after making serious mistakes prisoners) and experiences a vision due to excessive drinking during a conveying the message that he had “the mission. The court martial scene is drawn strength of innocence to overcome the like an intervention with each Avenger poison [Venom].” That vision marked the

11 beginning of his recovery process. There noticing how easy it would be to give are also examples of altered states of in…”. consciousness or sudden epiphanies that marked recovery initiation. Klaus The need for sustained vigilance (The Umbrella Academy) experienced a against impulses to use are well vision of himself in a stark white desert illustrated in the Wash Tubbs comic where he hears God commanding, “Stay series, as Ben (AA member) describes off the drugs, Klaus.” Julia Wertz Wilty’s continued vulnerability during the (Drinking at the Movies) experienced a early days of Wilty’s recovery: sudden realization that she has been drowning in self-pity and blaming “Let’s get that everything but herself for her problems. straight…there is no cure. Matthew Parker, who had resisted NA I’m what we call a and AA and varied treatments, had an permanently arrested epiphany in jail that marked his recovery case….one of perhaps initiation: 50,000 in AA who will never take another drink but we’ll “I was totally, irrevocably, always be alcoholics utterly in their control and because we’re still allergic had been for the past 13 to alcohol. However, we years….I wasn’t a thorn in can live normal lives! the side of The Man, but We’ve quit kidding rather old meat trapped in ourselves that we can ever his intestines….I therefore be social drinkers.” decided, right then and there, to quit using. To turn “Gig’s [Wilty’s] chief danger my life around.” now is a false sense of security, as he gradually Viewed as a whole, recovery loses his urges to drink. initiation in American comic books and Unless we help him keep graphic novels is portrayed as an his guard up, an emotional intersection of pain and hope. upset...fatigue…an to join friends in a The Need for Sustained Vigilance “quick one”…or even a sudden piece of good luck Even successful recovery, as in could cause a relapse. ” the case of Tony Stark (The Invincible Iron Man), is accompanied by the need An AA speaker in the graphic novel for sustained vigilance against cravings Sobriety shares similar sentiments: and impulses to use: “It’s always with me…whispering to me.” Holly Robinson “Addiction isn’t just in our in Catwoman is constantly reminded of heads—it’s in our bodies her addiction during the early months of and our spirits too. ….As an her recovery: “…And I just can’t stop alcoholic I will always “have seeing these streets in junkie-vision…Or it”—but it doesn’t have to have me!”

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program, and one of the characters “There’s no cure as yet— (Alex) references living in a recovery It’s a chronic illness that residence. needs to be managed, like diabetes. But there’s a While in France, Willie Seabrook spiritual solution in the asked the famed author Gertrude Stein Twelve Steps.” for guidance on his drinking problem. Her advice was simple: “stop drinking so Recovery Support Resources much and return to writing….You must stop drinking and you must begin to write Recovery was often achieved in again.” Following that advice, Willie wrote American comic books and graphic his publisher in September 1933 asking novels through reliance on resources and for help. His publisher responded by relationships beyond the self. Examples making arrangements for Willie to return of this include Batman’s rescue and to America and be admitted to Doctors detoxification by his assistant Alfred, Hospital under the care of Dr. Alexander Captain America detoxing with the aid of Lambert. Black Widow, the support Tony Stark received from his girlfriend and butler, Character Transformation in Theresa Cassidy’s (X-) recovery Recovery with the aid of Warpath, Speedy’s cold turkey withdrawal with aid of Black Recovery within American comic Canary, and Harry Osborn’s rescue by books and graphic novels provides an Spider-Man. In the X-Men series, Dr. opportunity for the acquisition of new Cecelia Reyes achieves recovery after powers and altered qualities of character. being rescued by the X-Men and through Following Bane’s recovery from Venom the support of Xavier through her drug addiction, he uses this period of isolation withdrawal process. After Carol Danvers to strengthen his body through extreme achieves sobriety with the aid of Tony physical exercise and strengthen his Stark, she later helps him when he mind through meditation. Many American returns to drinking following revelation of comic book characters who transitioned his true identity. After Danvers achieves from addiction to recovery went on to sobriety, she rejoins the Avengers on the develop a recovery-focused service condition that she be supervised and ethic. Batman, after his own recovery, continue her AA involvement. was involved in supporting the recoveries of three other characters: , In the Catwoman series, Holly Speedy, and The Martian Hunter. Robinson’s friends Selena and Karon Arsenal then goes on to become a drug serve as key support to her recovery. counselor and law enforcement officer. Leslie (Hey Kiddo) describes how she Batman served as a recovery role model and her boyfriend support each other’s and recovery coach for others. Other recovery, “He’s getting treatment, just examples of such service activities after like me.” (p. 229) … “Miguel and I are on recovery initiation include Dr. Cecilia this road to recovery together.” (p. 230). Reyes’ volunteer activities at a homeless All five characters in the graphic novel shelter (X-Men) and Karen Page’s Sobriety are involved in a Twelve-Step

13 operation of a legal clinic in Hell’s Kitchen recovery: “Being an excellent student (Daredevil). also makes it easier to stay clean. I now channel my compulsion into more Wilty, in the Wash Tubbs comic productive activities. Compared to the series, reflects on the therapeutic effects hard work involved in being a junkie, of helping others as part of one’s own becoming an honor student is ridiculously recovery: “I had to call on Ben (AA easy.” Describing his experience in member) again last night. He took me college and his writing aspirations, with him to see a very pathetic case. I Parker describes the irony of his new think we helped him, but it helped me circumstances: “Credit [to pay for school] even more.” Holly Robinson in the is my new heroin, and debt its walls and Catwoman series worked undercover to razor wire.” take down drug dealers following her recovery from heroin addiction. The Role of Recovery Mutual Aid Reflecting on this work, she explains, “I Groups can use my life experience to my advantage for a change…And that The supportive role of recovery makes me feel stronger…Prouder.” mutual aid groups was limited exclusively to Twelve-Step groups (Alcoholics In the graphic novel Sobriety, Dan Anonymous) within American comic and Alex describe their lives in recovery books and graphic novels that contained addiction storylines. “I once had a life that was destroyed by drugs and Characters seeking recovery alcohol…But I got life back through AA include Tony Stark, Carol because of the Twelve Danvers, Katina (“Katchoo”) Choovanski, Steps. It’s different than it and five characters in the graphic novel was before. It isn’t Sobriety. Tony Stark and Carol Danvers perfect…But it’s full of even go to the same AA meetings in surprises. And it’s multiple issues. In Iron Man: Resolutions worthwhile… Sobriety is #313, Tony spends New Year’s Eve at an more than the definition we AA meeting reflecting on his early find in a dictionary. It’s a exposure to alcohol as a pre-teen and new lifestyle that we current struggles with alcoholism. The embrace. It gives us real role of an AA sponsor is portrayed existence.” through the character of Dr. Black, who serves as Ruben’s (Buzzkill) sponsor: “Now, I’ve left that life. I’m selling fine automobiles in “The rest [beyond admitting London. And I’m happier you have a problem] is than ever.” going to be tough, but I’ll be here to guide you. I’ve been Matthew Parker (Larceny in my through this before. It’s not Blood) described channeling his impossible, Man.” propensity for excess into his recovery process, using education as a pathway to

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All five characters in the graphic There were no references to novel Sobriety were involved in a Twelve- secular, spiritual, or religious recovery Step program. Larry noted his early mutual aid alternatives to Twelve-Step perceptions of rehab and AA: “Look at programs in the comic books and graphic rehabs: They’re invested on getting novels we reviewed. Given the national reimbursement from health insurance and international growth and companies—the very same companies diversification of alternative groups such that require a medical treatment. It as Women for Sobriety, SMART seems to me that the Twelve Steps are Recovery, LifeRing Secular Recovery, about something else; it’s like a cult!” Celebrate Recovery, and numerous others, it is somewhat surprising that they Several characters report getting have yet to appear within comic book and sober through the help of other AA graphic novel addiction storylines. members. The character Matt (Sobriety) describes how the Twelve-Step program Portrayal of Addiction Treatment works: The representation of addiction “The problem is easy: we treatment in American comic books is have a disease of the body limited. Natural recovery is far more that causes us to lose common than professional treatment, control when we drink or and comic book storylines offer few drug, and an obsession of details related to the actual nature of the mind that causes us to treatment beyond medical withdrawal. In drink and drug. That’s the spite of the portrayal of opioid addiction powerlessness that step in numerous storylines, there is little one describes…The portrayal of the pharmacotherapy of solution to that opioid addiction. Recovery most often irreconcilable dilemma is involved heroic rescue or was portrayed that the other steps give us as an isolated episode that when shaken a way to restore purpose off allows other storylines to proceed and meaning to our lives.” without continued references to a recovery process. Below are the few Resistance to Twelve-Step treatment references we located. programs was portrayed via the character of Matthew Parker in Larceny In series, there are in My Blood. At one of his parole references to Doctor Leslie Thompkins hearings, Parker declares: “Well, I’ll tell and Tiffany operating addiction you what I won’t do. I won’t go to NA treatment programs without reference to meetings, or AA meetings, or any of that what such treatment involved. The DC other crap.” (He was then paroled based Fandom Wiki explains, “Doctor on his honesty). In speaking of a later Thompkins ran the free parole hearing, he recalls: ”I told them Memorial Clinic for criminals and drug what I really thought of their rehabilitation addicts in . While the policies and 12-Step programs in majority of her patients were repeat particular. I just think it’s all bullshit.” offenders, she continued to do her job with great perseverance and

15 determination.” Dr. Thompson later to various rules of the institution. ceased her helping role and became a Treatment at Bloomingdale consisted of . “cold turkey” withdrawal from alcohol, hydrotherapy (baths and wetpacks), and There are numerous examples psychotherapy to address his “addictive over multiple decades of Tony Stark personality” and his sexual perversions. seeking treatment for alcoholism, Seabrook was discharged after seven however they rarely show details of what months and later detailed his experience that treatment entailed. In Iron Man: there in his book Asylum. At the end of Deliverance #182, Tony is admitted to a Asylum, he proclaimed himself cured, hospital for detoxification and later shown that he could now drink without excesses attending AA meetings. In of the past and that he had conquered his Vengeance of Bane, the psychiatrist Dr. writer’s block. “I’m now able to take a Flanders, who Bane saw while in prison, drink or two without desiring another and is portrayed as empathic and skilled. I seem to be cured of drunkenness.” The character Leslie in Hey Kiddo Seabrook’s drinking again raged out of references going to a clinic after her control. release from prison and getting involved with another patient there: “He’s getting Matthew Parker provides the most treatment, just like me….Miguel and I are detailed account of treatment resistance on this road to recovery together.” She in his graphic memoir, Larceny in my relapses and later dies of a heroin Blood. Parker describes being ordered overdose.Alex (Sobriety) entered a into a halfway house by a judge: “I was government-sponsored rehab for four allowed to go to work and report back to weeks following an overdose. He warmly the rehab each night, which made it easy describes his counselor, who introduces to maintain my habit.” When arrested for him to the Twelve Steps: “David was a failing a drug test, he “played the contrite guy who listened—really listened—to junkie.” At a later 28-day rehab, he me. He was in recovery himself. And he sarcastically describes his superficial let me see the truth of my life: that it had compliance: “Oh, yes, I’ve seen the light. spun out of control and was insane.” Hit rock bottom. I’m powerless over my addiction. I have to give it away to keep The most detailed of addiction it.” Then released to Maverick House, he treatment appears in The Abominable described feeling like he was “being Mr. Seabrook. William Seabrook’s conned.” physician admitted him to Doctors Hospital, dried him out with the aid of On Addiction Recurrence “prescription booze”, and then discharged him as cured. The images of Addiction recurrence following a this episode show Seabrook looking period of recovery is described in several through bars. Following his discharge comic book and graphic novel storylines. from Doctors Hospital, he immediately Carol Danvers experienced a recurrence returned to heavy drinking and was of drinking at a time she is struggling with subsequently committed to the writer’s block. Another time, she follows Bloomingdale Insane Asylum. Seabrook the Avengers into a bar on a mission was a challenging patient, often objecting commenting that she will need to stay

16 vigilant to avoid another recurrence. Seabrook tires of the sober life and Tony Stark experienced multiple proclaims: “I’m tired of being a cripple. relapses across his many storylines. From now on, I’m going to prove that I Below is scene from Ironman: Demon in can take a drink or leave it alone, like any the Bottle that offers a typical depiction of other man.” After losing control over his the tensions that often precede a drinking again, he would pledge sobriety recurrence: anew but soon became bored and commence his drinking binges. His “For days, the stalemate repeated refrain when talking to himself rages—until at long last, in the mirror: What do drunkards do? emotional blocks begin to They drink themselves to death.” At a crack, then crumble—and later stage of his story, Seabrook’s lover Tony Stark spills his pent- and third wife-to-be plunged his hands in up pain like milk from a spilt boiling water to scald the skin so that he pail. He sighs, he would be unable to pick up a drink. shudders…and he Seabrook continues drinking from a shakes.” The purge helps liquor bottle using a straw. He was and he returns to work. He committed to the Hudson State Hospital apologizes to Jarvis saying in mid-1945. A few months later and after he has “a handle on it now,” his release, Seabrook committed suicide and Jarvis responds, “You with sleeping pills and whiskey on have an illness. I quite September 20, 1945. understand.” While he’s at the Avenger’s mansion, Brandon Novak (The Brandon Tony knows there’s a bottle Novak Chronicles) re-experienced heroin in his room but says, “I addiction after his book, don’t need the booze…I Dreamseller, in which he recounted can handle this on my own losing his career as a professional skater without any counterfeit due to his heroin addiction. In his graphic courage at all.” Later back memoir, he describes coming back from at the mansion, Tony starts his “insatiable appetite for heroin.” to pour a drink and Beth stops him. His face is Addiction, Recovery, and the Family sweating, eyes are down, he’s frowning, his hands An area of scant attention in the are shaking. It’s described addictions storylines of American comic as the “hardest battle of his books and graphic novels is the effect of life.” Beth reminds him of addiction upon the family or the his life’s , and involvement of affected families in family shaking he recaps the support groups or addiction treatment. bottle. The few conclusions that can be drawn related to family include the following. The self-talk that feeds addiction recurrence is vividly displayed in The Addiction inflicts repeated Abominable Mr. Seabrook. Following episodes of humiliation, helplessness, treatment and a period of sobriety, worry, guilt, anger, and loss on the family

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(The Abominable Mr. Seabrook; Drinking semester at SCC….I think at the Movies, Hey Kiddo). that was the first time in 40 years that my mom could Addiction can become so imbedded relax.” within the marital relationship that recovery may pose more of a threat to Closing Reflections the relationship than continued addiction. Willie Seabrook’s second wife reveals, “I Comic books and graphic novels confess, Willie had handled the provide a unique vehicle to convey teetotaling better than I did.” information about addiction, addiction treatment, and addiction recovery. We Sustained family support can play envision a day when research scientists a crucial role in addiction recovery. and recovery advocates will collaborate Jarrett’s grandfather (Hey Kiddo) with the creators of American comic purchases a house for Leslie when she books and graphic novels to create more finishes the release program to support science-based and recovery-focused her new sobriety. Matthew Parker in portrayals of alcohol and other drug problems. Larceny in my Blood recounts such support: One of the initial challenges faced “But as pissed as she [his by addicted individuals and their family mother] was, I always had members is answering questions that a place to live. She was too mark the starting point of recovery: Who kind and I used her…. At 41 was I before I became addicted? Why and how did I become addicted? What years old and on my fifth has my addiction cost me? What will it trip to prison, she [mother] take to recover my old life or discover a saw no reason for new life? One can look to many sources hope…But my mom never for answers to such questions and find gave up on me—I think possible answers in unexpected places, because our shared including in American comic books and struggles showed how bad graphic novels. This suggests interesting it could get….We were still possibilities for future collaborations family, not despite but between addiction scientists, clinicians, because of all that we had and recovery advocates and the writers lost.” and graphic artists who portray addiction and recovery within the growing legions Sustained recovery brings of American comics and graphic novels. indescribable relief to the family. Again, Matthew Parker reflects: The addictions field has historically been dominated by “She [mother] was not theoretical siloes that each proposed a convinced of my primary causative pathway of addiction, commitment to kick heroin a common course of progression of the until a year after my disorder, a narrow approach to release, during my second treatment, and a singular regimen of successful recovery maintenance. Such 18 siloed views are giving way to more recurrence following an initial recovery nuanced understandings of the multiple attempt is common within the addiction pathways of addiction entrance and storylines, with trajectories ranging from egress that differ across clinical death to a final re-stabilization of populations and cultural contexts. In our recovery. American comic books and review of the portrayal of factors of graphic novels have yet to fully portray addiction vulnerability in American comic the effects of addiction on the family and books, we found many such noted the processes, stages, and long-term influences. In future blogs in this series, effects of family recovery from addiction. we will explore how these same media portray addiction consequences and We anticipate a future in which pathways of addiction recovery. collaborations between addiction professionals, recovery advocates, and American comic books and the writers and illustrators will produce a graphic novels have revealed perceived new generation of addiction storylines roots and consequences of addiction within American comic books and within their storylines. The depth and graphic novels that more accurately texture of such portrayals could increase portray the prevalence, pathways, through collaboration between addiction stages, and styles of long-term addiction recovery. professionals, recovery advocates, and the authors and illustrators of comic References books and graphic novels. While limited in the range and Stoddart, M. C. J. (2006). They say it’ll kill depth of storylines, American comic me, but they won’t say when! Drug books and graphic novels have portrayed narratives in comic books. Journal of recovery as part of addiction-related Criminal Justice and Popular Culture, storylines, including the motivations for 13(2), 66–95. recovery, styles of recovery initiation, and the potential of recovery as a medium of White, A. M. (2020). Analyzing visual personal transformation and service to representations of bipolar disorder in others. The portrayal of the role of Marvel’s The Unstoppable . The recovery mutual aid organizations in the ALAN Review, 47(3) Special Issue process of addiction recovery is limited Exploring Adolescent Neurodiversity and within the storylines of American comic Mental Health in YA Literature (Summer books and graphic novels to Twelve-Step 2020). fellowships. In spite of their recent growth in the U.S. and internationally, the About the Authors: Alisha White, PhD, existence of secular, spiritual, and is an associate professor of English religious mutual aid alternatives have yet Education at Illinois University. to be portrayed. Addiction treatment is Her research focuses on representations briefly referenced within the addiction of disability and mental health in young storylines of American comic books and adult literature and teaching with arts- graphic novels without substantial details based practices. William White, M.A., is related to the nature of such treatment or Emeritus Senior Research Consultant at its degree of effectiveness. Addiction Chestnut Health Systems. His research

19 focuses on the history, prevalence, pathways, stages, and styles of long- term addiction recovery.

Appendix

Comic Books and Graphic Literature with Addiction/Recovery Storylines

Comic Book Characters [Character Name, Codename(s) (Series Name, Volume or issue #, year)] *Alphabetical by character’s last name Bane (Batman, Vengeance of Bane, Special #1) Billy Batson, Captain Marvel () Tandy Bowen (Cloak & Dagger, Spectacular Spiderman, #64, 1982) Eli Bradley, (Young Avengers, Vol. 1, #1, 2005) Theresa Maeve Rourke Cassidy, Siryn / (X-Men, X-Force #31, 1994) Katina “Katchoo” Choovanski, none (Strangers in Paradise, Sanctuary, Vol. 7, 2009) Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel (Avengers, Iron Man, ongoing) Steve Dayton, () Klaus Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy, ongoing) Roy Harper, Speedy/Arsenal (/Green Lantern, Vol. 12, #85-86, 1971) Tyrone Johnson (Cloak & Dagger, Spectacular Spiderman #64, 1982) Jessica Jones, none (Alias, ongoing) J’onn J’onzz, The (The Martian Manhunter, ongoing) Kal-Il, Ultraman, (, Forever Evil #1, 2013) Laura Kinney, X-23 (X-23) Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy, (X-Men, Vol 2. #11, 1972) , / (Captain America #345, 1988) Michael Morbius, The Living Vampire (Spider-Man) Harry Osborn, (The Amazing Spider-Man #96-98, 1971) Karen Page (Daredevil #227-232, 1987)

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Allan Quatermain (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol 1, 1999) Danny Rand, Ironfist (Immortal #1, 2006) Cecelia Reyes, none (X-Men #101-113, 2000-2001) Holly Robinson, none (Catwoman, Crooked Little Town, 2003) Steve Rogers, Captain America (Captain America) Ruben (Buzzkill, 2013) Marc Spector, (Moon Knight #1, Vol 5, 2006) Tony Stark, Ironman (Ironman, Avengers, ongoing) (Teen Titans, Red and the Outlaws, #1 and #36, 2011) Eugene “Flash” Thompson, Venom (Spectacular Spider-man 249-250, 1997, Amazing Spider-man # 654, 1999) Rex Tyler, (# 48 , 1940) Richard "Rick" Tyler, Hourman II ( Inc. #31, 1986) Wash Tubbs (April4-May 14, 1949; Daily from 1924 to 1949) Bruce Wayne, Batman (Batman, Dark Knight #16,1993) Rose Wilson, Ravager (Teen Titans, #72-73, 2009) Graphic Novels/Biographies/ Memoirs John "Derf" Backderf (My Friend Dahmer) Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Hey Kiddo) Daniel D. Maurer and Spenser Amundson (Sobriety: A Graphic Novel) Brandon Novak (The Brandon Novak Chronicles) Joe Ollman (The Abominable Mr. Seabrook) Matthew Parker (Larceny in My Blood) Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis 2 The story of a return) Julia Wertz (Drinking at the Movies, The Infinite Wait and Other Stories) David Wheatley (Qualification: A Graphic Memoir in Twelve Steps) Graphic -Fiction Cannabis: The Illegalization of Weed in America (Box Brown)

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