Fangirl feminism
Some of you may be surprised when I wrote yesterday’s blog when I ranted about how borderline obscene — and certainly inappropriate — it is for artist/inker J.H. Williams and colorist Dave Stewart to make Batwoman’s nipples so prominent in DETECTIVE COMICS.
But if you’ve kept up with my print CCC columns through the NORWALK REFLECTOR newspaper and my “CSI” blog (which previously had comics op/eds, etc. before this online CCC was created), you’d know I’ve tackled women’s issues before quite frequently. After all, whether guys realize it, or much less admit it or not, the female population does read comics. (Said with sarcasm: Oooooh. Scary …) And in my less barbaric moments, I’d even say I’m a closet feminist so I’d certainly say it’s OK, no necessary, to give women their due.
So it’s girl’s time here at CCC. Here are some links to some previous comic book-related op/eds I’ve written earlier about women’s issues or females in comics:
• “Worlds apart: Feminism and action films” (published Aug. 9, 2007): Just as I learned actress Maggie Gyllenhaal would play Rachel Dawes in “The Dark Knight” (TDK), I address how women’s roles in action films have developed (for the most part) from roles relegated to the damsel in distress to one of empowerment, as seen in Princess Leia of the original “Star Wars” trilogy.
• “Therapist talks bodacious babes, Bond girls” (posted July 16, 2008): Boy, does that title sound sexist! On the contrary. California psychotherapist Rebecca Roy (aka “The [Entertainment] Industry Therapist”) shares her thoughts on how the depiction of women in comics and the James Bond films stems from “aggressive sexuality.” Honestly, she says what a lot of people have thought over the years, but haven’t been able to verbalize. This essentially is “bonus material” from an interview I did with her about that time for another printed CCC for which I’m still searching.
• “‘Wonder Woman’ DVD review” (posted March 6, 2009): This is still my favorite of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. This should be the template for DC Entertainment Inc. and Warner Bros. to know how to handle a live-action “Wonder Woman.” Really, isn’t that film project waaaay overdue?
As I wrote back in my July 26, 2007 print version of CCC, casting Wonder Woman will be the biggest challenge. “Just consider who The Powers That Be need to find: a gorgeous actress with exotic looks and action-adventure credibility. She also needs to be classy, yet tough as nails and be someone who can pull off being both a warrior and a member of royalty.”
• “No ‘Dark Knight’ return for Holmes” (published Feb. 8, 2007): This is my all-time favorite headline for any of my columns, bar none. While I essentially critique Katie Holmes’ “Batman Begins” performance while sharing the news that Mrs. Tom Cruise wouldn’t be “hitching a ride in the Batmobile” for the sequel, I also address how Rachel Dawes helped Bruce Wayne discern his calling in the origin film. (I also manage to share how Matt Damon turned down the role of Dawes’ lover [an aspect of TDK which was unknown at the time], Harvey “Two-Face” Dent!) This was the inspiration for the “Worlds Apart” op/ed listed at the top of this blog entry.
• “Reporters, superheroes celebrate 70 years of togetherness” (published Jan. 24, 2008): No great insight into women’s issues, etc. but four female journalists are featured (Lois Lane Vicki Vale, Gossip Gerty?!? and Roxanne Simpson) in this tie-in to Superman’s 70th anniversary and reporter Mike Engel being a part of TDK.
• “Reporter can’t get away from ‘secret IDs’” (published Jan.25. 2007): As the last of three sections in this printed CCC, “Feminism in Comics” is my first foray into addressing women’s issues in the comic book industry. Albeit brief, I make what I consider two valid points: How disgraceful it’s been for artists to objectify women characters (despite all the physiques admittedly being ideals in the first place) and how few women have written DC’s premier female protagonist — Wonder Woman. Why does she get no respect?!?
• “Female novelist handles ‘Wonder Woman’ well” (published March 4, 2008): Now this is more like it.
Oh god, in reference to the last link – Picoult’s run on WW was godawful. Simone’s run is better, even though I find it it easier to read Simone’s books in trade format. I don’t think she suits the monthly format well , too wordy and drawn out for my tastes.
Sure, just give me and my sources/interviewees credit.
Hi there can I reference some of the content from this blog if I reference you with a link back to your site?
That would be just fine by me; also give credit/attributions to the two bloggers/fangirls I inteverviewed. I appreciate you asking.
Indeed! GIRLS UNITE AND FIGHT!
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I was, but I deleted my account last week. I found I wasn’t using it.
However, I am on Facebook under “Cary Ashby – reporter & comic book blogger.” There I post my thoughts on links to comics-related news and rumors and of course, my CCC links.
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