What are some comics & cartoons you think offer new perspectives or include important messages, themes, morals, philosophies, etc? Obviously every story has a message, but what about the ones where it's message is part of it's purpose as opposed to media that's "just there?" Whether it be a reflection on society or perhaps the individual. Can stories made almost solely for entertainment value or enjoyment provide as good of a message as ones that are made intentionally to provoke thought and new outlooks?
Personally, I believe cartoons & comics are one of the most important mediums to present values or encourage critical thinking as most are usually intended for children or young audiences, when people should be developing those sorts of skills and learn about life's inherent rights and wrongs or at least think about them. A cartoon or comic with a good message has the potential to influence an entire generation over what sorts of thoughts and ideas they have with children's minds being as malleable as they are. Rarely does more adult oriented media have the chance to have as large of an effect or present a concept so revolutionary, that everyone decides to take after it.
Some can be simple, some can be gray, not necessarily black or white, and some can even be abstract or meant for you to fill in the blank.
I appreciate The Iron Giant for it's accessibility, being able to appeal to wide variety of people, and using the movie in it's entirety to aid it's message, rather than have it come about as a series of events. "You are who you choose to be." In it, there are also other themes, like- Is it correct to fear something we don't understand? Or if something is failed to be understood, do we deserve it? The Giant was indeed a weapon, something to be feared, something unknown and unpredictable, but he didn't necessarily want to be one. But at that same time, his programming or nature could override him, going haywire.
And does a piece of media necessarily need to include a direct or thoughtful message in order to be influential, memorable, timeless? Or will cartoons & comics, whether intended or not, be to primarily serve entertainment, enjoyment, etc? Off-topic semi-related discussion is allowed, feel free to personally talk about what you enjoy and what sort of message or theme you like about it, and maybe why.