The inequality of women and men in comic art
My pal Kelly Thompson has written a kick ass article, “No, it’s not equal” on the different ways that men and women are depicted in comics. Here’s a taste:
I think it’s a big problem that extends far beyond comics and like other media, it really affects the way people view women, and how women, especially young women, view themselves. I don’t think “it’s just comics” and it doesn’t matter. I think media is a powerful thing in our society and that there’s a trickle down effect in seeing these portrayals reinforced over and over again. These portrayals shape how we view and value women and contributes to everything from sexism in the work place to eating disorders. I don’t think comics are the only media to blame, but it does happen to be the medium I write about, so here we are.
I highly recommend that you pop over to Comics Should Be Good and read it. I also highly recommend that you watch this trailer for Miss Representation which hits on the theme of Kelly’s article but focuses on the media at large.
Kelly knew there would be some push back in the comments on this article and while there is lots and lots of positive support, the con of that is, well, here’s a sample:
When I hear Fems argue for more representations of fat, slovenly, lazy men as love interests in female power/sex fantasy oriented Romance Novels, maybe I might give a damn about their hissy fit over superhero comics.
or this!
This is essentially about censorship. Saying bad art doesn’t deserve to exist because it offends your political beliefs is not acceptable in a free society. Maybe you wouldn’t jail an anime fan for child porn or assassinate a cartoonist for depicting Mohammed, but you are on the same side of the fence as the people who do. If only there was some sort of legal defense fund for comic books.
Fun times!
Given the aggressive defense of the BOOBZ and TITZ and BROKEBACK in comics by some (and come on this isn’t about a little cheesecake which I can enjoy), I am going to ask the same question that I asked on Twitter a few days ago after this story, by David Brothers (which you should also go read) appeared on Comics Alliance:
If you like Kelly’s article, please let her know.
