“um starfire’s powers are fueled by the sun that’s why she has to wear skimpy clothes” hey u know who else’s powers are fueled by the sun? superman. come on clark time for that toothfloss speedo chop chop
Being cis, I foolishly assumed that the scene dodges the bullet of being problematic because it doesn’t directly condemn the man for his secret crossdressing habit. Please read the linked post that comments how subtext of this Wonder Woman dialogue can be read from trans people perspective.
I won’t delete the gif post, both to leave it for the reference and because it’s also a statement on Wonder Woman’s costume (which belongs to this blog’s subject matter).
If any of you ever see me reblog something potentially problematic, please don’t refrain from calling me out!
I know this is a bit off-topic for your website, but I thought it would appeal to your fanbase. It is a petition to Marvel for more female-based comics, particularly asking for solo stories (preventing the inclusion of women by just giving male MC’s a girlfriend) and non-objectifying storylines. At submission, there were only 300 signatures, and I think there are way more fans out there who would like to see non-sexist superheroines.
I hesitated to publish this link for some time now (there are 4000+ signatures at the moment), because frankly, I don’t endorse this particular petition.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a noble cause, BUT since the topic (women in comics) is not only broad, but particularly delicate and controversial, the petition concerning it should be created with care, thought and meticulous research. And what I see under this link is just general statements put haphazardly with the dreaded“strongfemalecharacter”phrase and this fanart that, despite best intentions, conveys status quo of all superheroines sharing the same cartoonishly thin body and similar face.
The petition is poorly worded, full of generalizations and needlessly judgmental statements. If I personally were to sign a petition for such big, broad feminist cause, I would expect much better execution out of it.
But in the end, I’ll let the readers decide whether or not they should sign it.
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As we’re on the subject of petitioning mainstream comic publishers, I’d encourage readers to take a look at THIS ONE that asks DC to stop their distasteful ‘draw suicidal Harley Quinn’ art contest. I wouldn’t go as far as to cry ‘sexualization!’ at the script they’re asking to be drawn, but neither did DC have to specifically ask for Harley to be naked in the infamous bathtub panel (many contestants would depict her as such either way), nor did the page need to be about suicide jokes at all. The script provided is taken out of context, described poorly, doesn’t suit the character and sounds awfully triggering (and unfunny, if you asked me). Not to mention it came out during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It’s not a good material for an open-for-everyone art contest, so let’s make DC know we don’t want it to continue.
I’ve been amused by the “Hot Flash Woman” sub-plot in the Between Friends newspaper comic and thought you might get some interesting material from it. This is the simplest one to just post a link to (mod note: the second one here), with two characters debating sex-appeal vs. practicality.
Thanks for submitting! 🙂 As you said, this comic sheds some light on ever-so-handwaved ’sex-appeal vs. practicality‘ dilemma in female costume design. And, at least in my opinion, comments how internalized “I want her to look sexy and empowered!” mindset is even by female content creators. People just tend to focus on (relative/arbitrary) visual appeal without the second thought on how the costume would affect the character within the rules of their own world. And once it’s questioned, said rules are bent with weak excuses like ’distraction bonus’.
Also, let it be a reminder that this blog is not focused solely on female armor, but on all kinds of impractical outfits for female fighters, that includes superheroes.
