#backlash

"An emotional Asuka tonight… Her former protégé, and it appears Asuka is extremely proud of what Iyo Sky has accomplished."

If you haven't read Backlash by Susan Faludi (go do so: there's free pdfs online), the basic theory is this. As women gain hard-won rights and independence, society goes through a period of tolerance where feminism almost becomes the norm, butttt ultimately the forces of patriarchy + capitalism feel threatened by the smallest step of progress. These forces snap back hard in the media, culture, churches, and workplace, and they all try to insidiously manipulate women back into the familiar oppressed status by subtly suggesting that feminism, not society, is to blame for all of their current struggles. Meanwhile, commercial forces push hard for gendered products (that usually demean and objectify women) to profit from and perpetuate the cycle.

Faludi describes this as a cycle that seems to peak every 20 years or so, reliably going back to the 1920s when women gained suffrage in the USA. The book focuses on the 1980s Backlash era; I'd argue we felt Backlash also in the 2000s and now we're entering a Backlash period again in the 2020s.

Based on that description, I'm sure you can already think of examples of backlash indicators in today's society. (and please do share examples! we need to wake people up to this cycle)

I'll start. Backlash indicator I saw yesterday, it was so absurd I couldn't help but laugh: Monster's got a new energy drink for women. FLRT. Meet your new crush in a can. (barf)

Note that this lineup is sugar free (women need to watch their weight) and randomly supports things like skin and hair health (women need to focus on being pretty).

Note also that Monster energy drinks are on their own *very popular* with women and teenage girls. They've got multiple pink colored cans for one thing to cater to this market. Teen girls are probably the main demographic keeping them afloat. They've captured that market already. Why feel the need to make Monster: for girls ?? And in such a demeaning way??

Check out my long-running, 500+ page long comic, BACKLASH!

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The universe is full of life. Planets, stars, even black holes are sentient, living organisms, capable of thought and emotion like any other creature. Celestials move through the galaxies capable of unimaginable feats, ancient and god-like power their birthright, while mortals can only pray they do not catch the attention of such beings. Laura “Leadfoot” is a young woman on a mission. Famous Celestials – including Jupiter and Mars – have vanished from the Sol System, and she feels it’s her duty to learn what happened to them. On an unfamiliar planet and being hunted by two of the most powerful individuals on it – one a Black Hole, the other the King of the Criminal Underworld – Leadfoot seeks sanctuary with a strange group of people who work for a Witch. This Witch claims to be able to grant any wish – for the right price.

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It's got: Found Family! Weird Fantasy! Space Trauma! Breaking Cycles of Abuse!

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It's got: Action! Drama! Cannibals! Black Holes! Gangsters! An Ensemble Cast!

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And much more!

Recommended for audiences 14 and older.

Content & Trigger Warnings include: violence, blood, bodily injury, body horror, smoking, abuse (emotional, mental & physical), cannibalism, fascistic imagery

Read BACKLASH here for free!

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Thanks for reading!

WWE Backlash - May 9th, 2026