IDW Publishing Forums

[Sprite]

I know this is kinda a soapbox subject of mine, but...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2012/02/21/she-has-no-head-no-its-not-equal/
_________________

OK to print.
D&D/TMNT/MLP modding, avatar tech support and shattered trousers repair.

[Cyberstrike]

I couldn't agree more.
_________________

Fit to print, but remember this: I would rather hated for being honest than being loved as a liar.

[Kirjava]

Me neither, but oh good lord I got reading the comments and there are a lot of them. Also a few disgustingly unreformed types, but thankfully not many.
_________________

[Sprite]

Discussions like these usually draw a lot of comments. Which I suppose is a good thing: at least attention gets drawn to the fact. And there are people who do actively try to change their approach (although not enough or fast enough for my taste...).

Although I don't really get the defensiveness of some people. Better female characters lead to better stories lead to better comics. Why would they be so against things being made better? Don't they want more women reading comics and enjoying them?
_________________

OK to print.
D&D/TMNT/MLP modding, avatar tech support and shattered trousers repair.

[temple]

[Sprite]

Well, I'm more likely to pass up on comics if I don't like how women are portrayed on the cover... I see the stereotypical brokeback half-naked sexy minx on the cover, I automatically conclude it's not a good comic (or a good artist). Or they would have put more thought in the portrayal of the character.
_________________

OK to print.
D&D/TMNT/MLP modding, avatar tech support and shattered trousers repair.

[The Rev]

At the risk of being spat on, beaten, and certain anatomy ripped off, let me first explain. I don't buy comics based on their covers. In fact I'd be rather embarrassed purchasing a book emblazoned with a massive pair of jugs, buuuuuuuuut ......

If I'm following a brilliant story and happen to turn a page only to be appeased to my baser instincts by say ... Baroness in a cottony white towel .... well lets just say it might take me a few seconds for my eyes to find the word bubbles.

I'm such a perv.


_________________
The Rev on YOUTUBE

Stories
The Children
Toenails
OK to print.

[Sprite]

That's a different issue. I do buy comics which occasionally or more often depict women in a... less flattering way. But the point I'm making is that I'm less inclined to try something out when that's my first impression of it.

Also there is a difference between blatant sexist portrayal, and the occasional (or not-so-occasional) nude scene. Some of the comics I love most actually have quite some prominent nude/sensual/sexual scenes (albeit not necessarily involving just women) without ever coming across as sexist.
_________________

OK to print.
D&D/TMNT/MLP modding, avatar tech support and shattered trousers repair.

[temple]

Plus, like Rev says, the main thing is the brilliant story.

I don't actually think there's any problem with the occasional bit of cheesecake in comics; most of us, I think, quite like to see well-drawn art of attractive people, for the same reason most of us prefer our movie stars not just to act but to look good on screen. The things the publishers need to be careful with, though, are:

-making sure the story and characters are the primary focus, not just titillation.

-having closer parity in how male and female characters are presented.

So, nah, Rev, you sound perfectly normal to me. They're only drawings, after all...
_________________
You exist because we allow it. You will end because we demand it.

Oh, and OK to print...

[Urzu Six]

Oh, X-Men did that years ago with Psylocke. Not that there was much difference between that and her normal costume, mind.

There's nothing wrong with making these characters sexy, per se, as that is what one of the traditional demographics is looking for (teenage, hormonal boys), but they should be open about it. And try for hitting other demographics too...

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/02/22/zatannas-plunging-neckline/

I don't see the problem with cover A. I think it's a "sexier" image/costume. And most of my (non-comic reading) lady friends agree...

I for one would like to see these characters treated more realistically. I've lost track of the amount of times that I've seen a female superheroine in civvies that were just as skin tight and clingy as her official uniform. That's what bugs me, more than the costume problems.

And for the record, I'd be just as happy to see the male supers wearing less as well as the females wearing more.
_________________


http://blacksquareart.deviantart.com/

Okay to print, and all that jazz

[temple]

[Neoconvoy]

Good article.

I dislike when that happens, be it in comics, anime or movies.
_________________
Neoconvoy.deviantart.com

[Soundwave]

I only buy TF. But man those costumes do border on the porn or Judas Priest biker chick look. Lol

Kind of rediculus for super heroes. I like the xmen costumes in the movies.

If the femal character is a villian and part of what she does is use her looks to distract her victim some of it makes sense. Rogue especially doesn't let skin show for fear of contact with others. Just sayin.
_________________
Everything I post is ok to print, use, copy, use for inspiration, promote world peace, change lives, etc...and so on and so on.

Rumble Eject! Operation, collateral damage.

[Sprite]

There are cases when the costume (or lack thereof) actually makes sense for the character. A case could be made for Emma Frost, for one, where the costume supports the rest of her personality. But even so, it makes me wonder what was going through the minds of the people responsible for her creation. I betcha anything it wasn't creating a wonderful, developed, interesting female character.

Emma Frost as a character only became interesting to me when she was co-heading the school in Generation X and her students and co-headmaster started to call her out on the bullshit of her attire. And this is where her costume actually became extremely relevant to her character and how others reacted to her. Which also is one of the many cases I could think of where a character's portrayal can be overly sexual but not sexist.

For another example, take this panel:



One of my favourite female characters in comics ever, Julie Winters from the Maxx, an extremely strong female character. Here, the focus on sexy attire, nudity, pose, makes a statement that's extremely relevant to the comic. What's more, it also contains commentary on how men view women (a recurrent theme in the comic). This is an example of where apparent titillation is not all that it seems.

That she very resourcefully escapes and cuts off her kidnapper's head with a monster's tooth doesn't hurt either.
_________________

OK to print.
D&D/TMNT/MLP modding, avatar tech support and shattered trousers repair.

[Matrix]

Article's preaching to the converted for me, but it's excellent nontheless.

Are comics really aimed at teenagers? Sure it's mostly adults who buy them? Okay, so it can be written for horny kids, but are horny kids actually the audience these days?

As for for the question of 'Why do people react so badly when this is brought up?, I think there's an answer. A harsh, mean one, but there is an answer.

Nerd culture is often defined by a sense of entitlement. The secret club they escaped to when things got bad at home or school is a safe zone that stops them having to interact with the real world full of bills, politics and complex social situations. When real-world problems such as sexism start invading their private kingdoms they react conservatively as it requires them to think and confront reality. Luckily these people are never seen in normal social situations and will likely never breed, so we don't have to worry too much.

Note: I'm referring to a specific brand of nerd here. We all know the kind: basement dwelling, angry 4channers.
_________________
Okay to print!

I'm working on turning my caustic rants into a caustic podcast. Watch this space.