Facets of Honor Webcomic

TMS: Andrea, often when The Mary Sue writes critically about the way violence against women is depicted in media, we’re told to calm down because “it’s just a show/movie/comic/game.” As a psychologist (or as a nerd!), what are your thoughts on the influence of comics like Mended on readers and fans?

Andrea Letamendi: The characters themselves may not be real, but their stories are very real; so to dismiss narratives about trauma is similar to silencing those who have lived that experience in one way or another. As a mental health provider, I’ve worked with both men and women who have experienced what’s called MST – Military Sexual Trauma – which includes exposure to sexual assault or repeated sexual harassment occurring during one’s service in the military workplace. MST deserves attention because it often goes unrecognized and is associated with difficult feelings like shame, guilt, self-blame and other damaging emotions that impact a person’s commitment, outlook, and dignity as a service member. This is why Honor’s story is so important to me. Honor is the women, men, and children I have worked with who have survived something life-threatening and disparaging, and who have the perseverance and willpower to keep moving on. It’s because Honor, and characters like her, are not real that we are able to carry a safe and educational dialogue about these issues, and welcome those who are trauma survivors into these roles we call “heroes.”