#comicbookgrrrl

Meta Monday: Women in Comics

If our media wasn't already dominated by hyper-sexualised portrayals of women, this would be brilliant. Just like the New 52 Catwoman's hyper-sexualised portrayal would be no big deal if she was the only character, or in a minority of women characters, treated that way. Sexy women? Yes please! Only, can't we have every other woman too?

San Diego Comic Con was always going to be all about the DC reboot: Superman's new outfits; Barbara Gordon leaving her wheelchair; Wonder Woman's disappearing and reappearing legwear; that Harley Quinn outfit; the new 52. This was the time for DC to win over the fans, attract new readers, and leave us enthused and eager for what September will bring. Instead, women who have attended the panels or listened to the podcasts have described the experience as uncomfortable at best, offensive at worst.

The decision to put all DC women in trousers is neither inherently feminist or un-feminist. But it does tell us two things: that DC are thinking about their female audience and the portrayal of their female characters, and that unfortunately they have rather missed the point.