I recently started blogging on the website Feministing to comment on feminism in comics, a subject I feel very strongly about. The book Full Frontal Feminism, written by site founder Jessica Valenti, has been my go-to Bible for getting the feminist idealogy in my work straight and I highly recommend it. I hope to make more posts like this in the future.
My first post is on DC’s current Powergirl run, written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Amanda Conner. Not only do I think this series is how female superheroes should be handled, but how superhero books as a whole should be handled. Powergirl is an easy character to turn into cheesecake, but I feel the way Gray & Palmiotti handle the issue of her physique is sexy without being exploitative. Plus in her alternate identity as Karen Starr she’s shown as a smart and successful businesswoman, the CEO of her own company. The scenes of Powergirl outside of her costume are surprisingly well-written and I think would be interesting even outside the context of a superhero book.
I make it a point to buy anything Amanda Conner draws because she’s probably my favorite artist in mainstream comics today (check out her “Green Arrow & Black Canary Wedding Special”, written by Judd Winick). Her art is always bright and vibrant without being overly complicated, something I feel hinders a lot of books these days (if I see anymore hatching in a superhero book I’m gonna lose it). I honestly think her art would translate well to an animated series, so here’s hoping we have another Bruce Timm in the making.
A big reason I feel Powergirl is a good feminist example is because she’s always shown in control, either in costume or in her secret identity as CEO Karen Starr. Most of the people who comment on the dreaded Women in Refrigerator Syndrome is that female heroines, not just supporting characters, are frequently humiliated or shown not as strong as their male counterparts. Powergirl doesn’t have that problem, but I’m glad Gray and Palmiotti address the sexism issues head on instead of ignoring them, because this IS still a problem in today’s world. Sexist looks or remarks ARE made at Powergirl in the series, but in the end you’re reminded she could either fire you or flatten you with her fist. My point is she doesn’t back down.
But when it comes right down to it…it’s fun. Remember fun? The reason we USED to read comics before it became like a second job we had to pay for? So if you’re sick of big crossover events where all your favorite heroes get killed only to be brought back once the story’s over, pick this up!
