Russian media watchdog to investigate Marvel comic

Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor has launched an investigation into comics produced by US entertainment giants Marvel, who stand accused of promoting “propaganda of a cult of violence and cruelty”. In response to an appeal from one of Russia’s biggest publishing agencies, Rospechat, Roskomnadzor has agreed to look into the comics starring American superheroes the Avengers, who, in a recent issue, engage in combat with Russian villains, one of whom wears hammer and sickle insignia.

In a letter to Roskomnadzor, an employee from Rospechat wrote: “Rospechat is asking for an expert examination into the children’s comic books designed for middle school children, The Avengers #1, regarding the use of symbols from the Soviet Union and the reference to the characters as service personnel of the Russian Federation who propagate a cult of violence and cruelty.”

The story, which ultimately ends peacefully, follows the adventures of a scientist exiled to Siberia by the Soviet government, whose sidekick bears a hammer and sickle on his chest. When addressed by one of the Avengers, who come to foil the plans of the scientist, the character bearing the Soviet symbol responds: “We are servants of the Russian Federation.”

Daniel Kuzmichev, who teaches a comics course at the British Higher School of Design in Moscow, dismissed Rospechat’s claim: “Marvel have always used Soviet symbols in their comics, even throughout the Cold War,” he told Izvestia. “Nothing has changed since then, including always setting Russia in the snow. Marvel never produces comics which are above the normal level of violence which is currently shown in cinemas in Russia, in films like Transformers.”

A draft bill seeking to ban the promotion of violence and crime in the media was put forward by Fair Russia politician Oleg Mikheyev in April, although the proposal has yet to be approved. Mikheyev’s proposal came soon after another draft bill put forward in March by a member of Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, Oleg Savchenko, which sought to criminalise the distortion of Russian history in books, films and video games.

Although Roskomnadzor has considered giving the comic’s publisher Egmont a warning, the company still intends to release the issue next month. However, Izvestia reports that the controversial Soviet symbols featured in the comic will most likely be removed.