Michonne, in all of her awesomeness, for your entertainment pleasure (CAUTION: video contains extremely graphic images). – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj8wmFFTKRo
Michonne is a fictional character in both the comic book series The Walking Dead as well as in the television series of the same name. Though her role in both works is fairly similar, her overall representation as a character varies significantly, with her being granted more sexuality in the comics and more strength and independence in the television show. In evaluating her varying representations as a character, specifically as a black woman, it becomes clear that she subverts some and upholds other stereotypical illustrations of black women, thereby providing a unique narration of blackness in the comparison of the two.
Comic Book Series
In the comics, Michonne is first seen towing two armless, jawless zombies in shackles, using them as both pack mules and a diversion for other zombies, as their scent fools them into believing that she, too, is one of them. This highlights Michonne’s intelligence and innovation, as she uses her circumstances (no matter how undesirable) to her personal advantage.
In addition to her whit, Michonne’s sexuality is also greatly emphasized in the comics. First, she is seen striking up an immediate bond with another survivor, Tyreese, claiming to recognize him from his past NFL career and sharing his love for weightlifting. After some time, Michonne seduces Tyreese and effectively causes his break-up with Carol. With this incident we see Michonne embodying the traditional stereotype of black women as being hyper-sexualized, constantly ready and eager to engage in sexual behaviors. We also see a solidarity form between two of the story’s only black characters, as Michonne effectively creates a wedge between, and ultimately separates Tyreese and Carol, Carol being a white woman. After Tyreese is bitten and killed, Michonne is seen engaging relations with two other male characters, furthering the idea of black female hyper-sexuality and the notion that black women are always available for sexual activity.
This idea of black women’s sexuality is taken one step farther when Michonne is captured, raped, and tortured by the Governor. This image is reminiscent of Harriet Jacobs’ situation of being pursued and sexually harassed by her master. Though Jacobs is successful in evading her master’s pursuit, Michonne is not so lucky and becomes a victim of physical and sexual brutality. In both instances, however, we see black women sought after for their sexuality. Again, they are considered and portrayed as more sexually available than white women, even in some of today’s comic book literature.
Television Series
Michonne first appears in the television series in the same manner that she does in the comic books; walking along with two armless, jawless zombies in-tow acting as her personal pack mules and defense mechanisms. Again, this illustrates her intelligence and innovation as she takes advantage of her situation as best she can, ultimately portraying her as a value to the other characters.
While we see Michonne being highly sexualized in the comic book version of The Walking Dead, she is depicted as much stronger and more independent in the television show. Always donning earth tones, a wide headband, her signature dreadlocks, and yielding a katana (samurai sword), Michonne appears very ethnic and warrior-like. She’s rarely seen smiling, but rather sports a constant stony-faced glare of caution and austerity. She is also seen seeking female solidarity rather than male companionship, as she befriends and clings to Andrea until she is bitten and killed. Though she encounters the Governor in the television series just as she did in the comics, rather than being raped and tortured, Michonne engages in hand-to-hand combat with him and ends up winning, stabbing him in the eye and causing him to retreat. She acts as a leader among the survivors, often caring for them and guiding them to safety. However, she is also frequently seen wandering off on her own in search of answers for and solace from her situation.
Therefore, while the comics tend to uphold many of the stereotypes regarding black women, such as their hyper-sexuality and constant availability for sexual activity, the television show seems to provide a much different narration of female blackness, one of great strength and independence. The illustrations in the television series, thereby, subvert (if only slightly) negative images surrounding and concerning African American women, granting them much more power and agency that some contemporary narrations of blackness seem to greatly lack. Although we see Michonne displaying great strength, thereby working to empower black women, it could also be argued that she appears savage and untamed, as she goes around aimlessly slashing and mutilating every “walker” she encounters. In this sense, Michonne can be understood as perpetuating the notion that African Americans are empty, unfeeling individuals, and therefore different from the rest of humanity. Though the latter is completely undesirable, both are valid interpretations, and offer an interesting lens through which to analyze contemporary illustrations and narrations of blackness.