‘ALIENS BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST’?

96-12-05 13:27:58 EST
Source: AOLNewsProfiles@aol.net

     NEW YORK, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- "Aliens are getting their worst PR since
the 1950's," says comic-book publisher Steve Stern. "Movies like Independence
Day and Mars Attacks, and TV shows like the X-Files and Dark Skies are
fueling an intense paranoia about ETs."

          Stern is the writer/creator of the alien comic-book hero, Zen
Intergalactic Ninja. "After ten years of publication, the Zen live-action
movie is finally slated to begin production in early '97," Stern said. "With
more alien hate-fests on the horizon, including Men in Black and Starship
Troopers, it's imperative that movies start to present a positive image of
aliens."

          He says that the concept that aliens are evil is a not-so-subtle
form of discrimination.

          "Starting in the 50's, sci-fi flicks like Invasion of the Body
Snatchers and Earth vs. the Flying Saucers projected our fear of communism 
onto aliens. Now that communism is no longer a threat, this alien paranoia 
is clearly working on a deeper level. Read: if it looks different from me, 
it has to be evil."

          He points out that the original comic-book alien -- Superman -- is
depicted as human. "Even though he came from the planet Krypton, Superman's
creators choose to make him look like an Earthling. Perhaps they felt that
readers -- especially younger ones -- would have been uncomfortable with an
alien-looking hero."

          Zen, on the other hand, is blue-skinned, and his only facial feature 
is a set of large, dark eyes. "We need to become accustomed to 'lifeforms' that
look different from us," Stern said, "and to accept the idea that they can be
just as good and heroic as we are.

          "E.T. the Extraterrestrial was a case in point, and indicates that
we are willing to take aliens literally to heart -- but there hasn't been a 
similar alien icon for decades. I hope that Zen can help fill that void."

      CO:  Zen Comics Publishing
      ST:  New York
      IN:  ENT PUB
      SU:


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