Gender & Comics: Offensive and Fun for Everyone!

Slipping on my stockings, I notice that there is a little tear in the left ankle. “No worries,” I think to myself. “Those bad guys won’t notice in the dark. Plus my thigh-high boots will cover the damage.” With a smile on my ruby reds, I hear the leather squeak as I zip up my black boots, and check the sharpness of the pop-out blades on the bottom of my 6 inch heels. Long and shiny, just how I like ’em. Next, I repack the tranquilizer cartridge in my bustier. These twins will knock their lights right out!

Yeah, I wrote that.

It’s not what I imagine myself to be as a comic book character, but it seems that the majority of readers have become subliminally confident in the appearance of a superheroine. Even the girls I see at cons yelling about equality are in their skin-tight costumes, leaving little to be remembered besides their scandalous silhouettes, each a pop star in their own respects. But one must wonder, is there anything wrong with this model?

The issues don’t seem to lie within the guidelines of the character creations, rather than the tireless regurgitation without much variety. Sure there’s Batwoman, the badass lesbian with a military edge and more meat on her thighs than the majority of Emma Frosts and Catwoman, much like the physique of Wonder Woman. These women are warriors, which gives the artist reason to draw them with more masculine qualities, whereas the others are…what? Hardcore bimbos? Tits with brains? I can’t really tell, but I don’t think that’s the point of creating them.

I just figure that the demographic is mostly made up of men, and will therefore somewhat resemble the likes of 1950s pornography. This is due to not only the people reading, but for the sake of tradition. Clark Kent wears suits, and Superman wears circus-strong-man underwear. The modern journalist is probably seen in a tie less often than jeans, but there is no need to update the look of Clark to this degree. He lives in Metropolis, which is part of the comic book world; a place that reminds us of where we live without being a stark representation of it. In this vein of thought, it seems perfectly agreeable that comic book superheroines (and vixen villains) should walk in a tank top and cut offs by day, then change into the Bird of Prey they are by night. Or whenever.

Here’s are two key things I’m not supposed to say.

– I like seeing women like this.

Is it because I’m a lesbian, or a slut? Well that’s a whole different topic, but the easy answer is no. It’s because I’m an individual with an impression of what I relate to, and what I enjoy. It’s that simple! I’m also aware that this is art, and not a photograph. Now, if others have a like mind, or disagree with my opinion, there’s nothing I can do to control that, nor would I want to. It is however something to take into consideration when a vast number of people seem to enjoy the same thing for different reasons. It’s kind of awesome to see girls being badasses with super fit bodies!

You don’t see Wonder Woman on the cover of Vogue smoking a cigarette, do you? Rather, you’d be more likely to see her throwing spears, lifting…trees…and sometimes having her mind blown by the splendor of a human invention called “ice cream.” There is no question as to how she’s so attractive. She keeps physically active and has a sweetly innocent side to her. When looking at a different character such as Jean Gray, she is always depicted as having a beautifully slender body either as a civilian or an active X-Man. *ahem* X-Woman. Why does this bother anyone?

Well, here’s something else I’m not supposed to be heard saying:

– Ladies are crazy jealous.

And sometimes with good reason. The art in comics looks the way they do because it’s how we as humans somehow depict ourselves in our best physical form. Yes, it is impossible for me to be any taller than I am, so sometimes I look at Quietly’s drawings of the X-Ladies and think, “gee, why does she get all the leg?! If only I could be redrawn!” It is actually kind of funny how the X-Men comics are essentially about embracing the differences in people, but happens to be centered around a bunch of super-babes. Wolverine has weird chops, but otherwise he’s a stud. Cyclops carries the hideous fashion burden of strange eyewear. Emma…is…repelling? Jean sometimes has really intense mood swings, And Doc X is old, though not unattractive. Oh, and in a wheelchair. Sometimes.

Anyway, point is, they are actually a perfect collection of people to have on a banner for a fitness club. However, men can read these comics and go, “That’s so awesome how Bruce Wayne is insanely buff and is beating up all these dudes with moves I don’t have. Pass the Doritos.” Whereas often times you’ll find women thinking, “Oh yeah right, like her makeup stayed on for that entire fight, and after flying through space?! Pssshyeah.” It’s just the way we think. And you know what? It’s awesome. We find major flaws in storyline thanks to our keen eye, which ultimately makes stories better, and that’s what comic book writing is all about.

Ultimately, here’s my entirely-too-general observation: men enjoy entertainment because it puts them in a place to experience something vicariously. Women however desire something that will inspire. And not only themselves, but others. It can be irritating when someone throws a bunch of gorgeous women in a comic, never once disclosing their diet or gym regiment. For the feminine mind, it’s all a question of “How.” For guys, it’s more a question of “What.” With equal doses of these details, it may indeed become possible to make an entirely gender-neutral comic book! Sounds…super cool…right?

Hmm.

I’ve come to the point of loving the inspiring feeling I get from most comics I read these days, mainly because the women are so unmistakably rad. However, it does take two to tango, as it were. I believe that in order to enjoy these stories, male writers, artists, and readers should consider their own ability to be glamourous, in whatever way that means to them. This shouldn’t actually be that hard, considering every comic book superhero is as pretty as a boy can get. Then the women can enjoy that they are the ones inspiring it, and instead of wanting to rip out weaves, can think, “go, girl! Save planets, inspire others, be beautiful, and work that ass.” Because deep down, we all know that this is what women do best.