Strong Female Role Models in Comics

[Hepcat]

Black Cat is among the very best though:

 

 

 

 

[Smokinghawk]

There are VERY few positive female role models in comics. Sexism in comics is rampant. Look at how every single female superhero character is drawn--every single one! Look how often rape is used as a character development plotline with heroines, or how many characters have sexual exploitation of some sort in their backgrounds. "Empowerment" has come to mean "the girls fight really well" (often after being tortured):

 

And they have ginormous chests on bodies that are interchangeable. And costumes that increasingly rely on thongs--yes, THONGS!--as standard accessories. To make sure nobody misses that, female characters are often depicted from behind, even on the covers of their own books.

 

I did a google image search of the term "Comic Book Heroine" and my wife actually thought I was viewing porn. Not "hot girl comic" or "comic book sexy"...no, "Comic Book Heroine." In fact, I tried to find ANY combination of search terms for female comic book characters that WOULDN'T produce sleazy art results.

 

Let's not even get started on figurines of female characters...

 

Even this very group has one particular artist whose original drawings, in nearly every single instance, are giant-chested women in submissive postures with torn or missing clothing. And these aren't cherry-picked examples to make a point; the point is that this is STANDARD comic fare.

 

The fact that we're actually going as far back as Archie to find any characters who are even DECENT enough for younger female readers says something: the best we can do is refer them to female characters whose entire lives, for 60+ years now, are one endless plot about completing against one another for the attention of a boy.

 

Even comic-cons have had to enact new security measures in response to sexual harassment and verbal abuse of female attendees (see http://www.cahp.girl-wonder.org/)

 

[CycleGirl]

I'd start with issue #129, which first introduced Kitty Pryde. She quickly becomes the point of view for the story telling. Characters like Jean Grey, Carol Danvers, Kitty, Rogue, and especially Storm are all strong female characters.

Agree 100%! X-Men #129-200 (or thereabouts) from the 1980s is a fantastic run, and will introduce them to lots of strong, complex and nuanced female characters. The evolution of the relationship between Storm and Kitty is particularly well-drawn (see issue #180, among others).

 

I'd recommend New Teen Titans #1-50 from the early 1980s as well, for similar reasons. Lots of well-written female characters, and the series is easily found on the cheap.

 

Not sure of the ages of your daughters, but both of these series made a great impression on me as a kid.

 

 

Definitely. Kitty Pride and Storm are well-written characters and there are a lot of good stories in the issues from X-Men #129 on.

 

I still think that the "X-Men First Class" series might be more accessible for kids today, but that's just one person's opinion.

 

I think that you could pick up a few different selections in TPBs and see what she likes. Realistically, kids will end up reading what they like and not reading what they don't like. I personally believe that reading, in and of itself, has intrinsic value although I would have steered my kids away from certain material.

 

 

 

 

[CycleGirl]

 

The fact that we're actually going as far back as Archie to find any characters who are even DECENT enough for younger female readers says something: the best we can do is refer them to female characters whose entire lives, for 60+ years now, are one endless plot about completing against one another for the attention of a boy.

 

 

 

I was just going to make this point about Betty and Veronica. As role models, they're terrible. They're entire goal in life is to have a date on Friday night.

 

At least with super-heroines, they are out there trying to make a difference in the world.,

 

The scantily-clad heroines topic. Maybe that's a topic for another thread. As a mother, I would take that into consideration - and did take that into consideration in my recommendations. 'nuff said

[Darth Corgi]

Cinderella from FABLES

 

Also Andrea and Michonne from WALKING DEAD have always been strong....

 

 

[rodan57]

There are VERY few positive female role models in comics. Sexism in comics is rampant. Look at how every single female superhero character is drawn--every single one! Look how often rape is used as a character development plotline with heroines, or how many characters have sexual exploitation of some sort in their backgrounds. "Empowerment" has come to mean "the girls fight really well" (often after being tortured):

 

And they have ginormous chests on bodies that are interchangeable. And costumes that increasingly rely on thongs--yes, THONGS!--as standard accessories. To make sure nobody misses that, female characters are often depicted from behind, even on the covers of their own books.

 

I did a google image search of the term "Comic Book Heroine" and my wife actually thought I was viewing porn. Not "hot girl comic" or "comic book sexy"...no, "Comic Book Heroine." In fact, I tried to find ANY combination of search terms for female comic book characters that WOULDN'T produce sleazy art results.

 

Let's not even get started on figurines of female characters...

 

Even this very group has one particular artist whose original drawings, in nearly every single instance, are giant-chested women in submissive postures with torn or missing clothing. And these aren't cherry-picked examples to make a point; the point is that this is STANDARD comic fare.

 

The fact that we're actually going as far back as Archie to find any characters who are even DECENT enough for younger female readers says something: the best we can do is refer them to female characters whose entire lives, for 60+ years now, are one endless plot about completing against one another for the attention of a boy.

 

Even comic-cons have had to enact new security measures in response to sexual harassment and verbal abuse of female attendees (see http://www.cahp.girl-wonder.org/)

 

Nicely done.

 

Of course, there will be posters that will find your arguments threatening.

 

But then again that will simply prove your point. (thumbs u

[skypinkblu]

 

The fact that we're actually going as far back as Archie to find any characters who are even DECENT enough for younger female readers says something: the best we can do is refer them to female characters whose entire lives, for 60+ years now, are one endless plot about completing against one another for the attention of a boy.

 

 

 

I was just going to make this point about Betty and Veronica. As role models, they're terrible. They're entire goal in life is to have a date on Friday night.

 

At least with super-heroines, they are out there trying to make a difference in the world.,

 

The scantily-clad heroines topic. Maybe that's a topic for another thread. As a mother, I would take that into consideration - and did take that into consideration in my recommendations. 'nuff said

 

I agree that Betty and Veronica are not exactly great role models AND I agree about the images in modern comics...

 

However, if you go back to the GA (and I forg0t Black Cat, she was another good example)...there were actually women AHEAD of their time...and they even kind of wore clothes.

Phantom Lady was a better example before Baker (and he WAS wonderful) got hold of her. She was better in the earlier books, like Police Comics.

 

I left out Mary Marvel because she was not exactly in the same league, but there were some good images in the 40's. Remember, women were helping the war effort.

 

Lois...well, she was pretty sad in the 50's and 60's...she actually got better later on...but she was a better role model in the earlier books.

 

[nocutename]

Black Cat is among the very best though:

 

 

 

 

This character always intrigued me. Do you know of any collected edition of the series?

[nocutename]

Most of the recommendations on this read are older comics. Depending on how young the OP kids are, he is probably looking for something currently on the shelves. For superhero stuff, I don't know how much is really appropriate for kids outside of the animated style comics.

[BaltimoreLauren]

There are VERY few positive female role models in comics. Sexism in comics is rampant. Look at how every single female superhero character is drawn--every single one! Look how often rape is used as a character development plotline with heroines, or how many characters have sexual exploitation of some sort in their backgrounds. "Empowerment" has come to mean "the girls fight really well" (often after being tortured):

 

And they have ginormous chests on bodies that are interchangeable. And costumes that increasingly rely on thongs--yes, THONGS!--as standard accessories. To make sure nobody misses that, female characters are often depicted from behind, even on the covers of their own books.

 

I did a google image search of the term "Comic Book Heroine" and my wife actually thought I was viewing porn. Not "hot girl comic" or "comic book sexy"...no, "Comic Book Heroine." In fact, I tried to find ANY combination of search terms for female comic book characters that WOULDN'T produce sleazy art results.

 

Let's not even get started on figurines of female characters...

 

Even this very group has one particular artist whose original drawings, in nearly every single instance, are giant-chested women in submissive postures with torn or missing clothing. And these aren't cherry-picked examples to make a point; the point is that this is STANDARD comic fare.

 

The fact that we're actually going as far back as Archie to find any characters who are even DECENT enough for younger female readers says something: the best we can do is refer them to female characters whose entire lives, for 60+ years now, are one endless plot about completing against one another for the attention of a boy.

 

Even comic-cons have had to enact new security measures in response to sexual harassment and verbal abuse of female attendees (see http://www.cahp.girl-wonder.org/)

 

+10000000000000

 

You might be better finding a "strong female hero" in Japanese comics (which again, can also be viewed as sexist). I always use the example of Sailor Moon--after all, Sailor Moon's creator is a woman. However, even Sailor Moon has to rely on Tuxedo Mask to save her form time to time.

[CycleGirl]

 

You might be better finding a "strong female hero" in Japanese comics (which again, can also be viewed as sexist). I always use the example of Sailor Moon--after all, Sailor Moon's creator is a woman. However, even Sailor Moon has to rely on Tuxedo Mask to save her form time to time.

 

 

How about the Vampire Miyu manga? Miyu is definitely a "good vampire." She protects the world from demons and only feeds on those who want to die. I know, to mature minds who like their vampire literature to be dark, it may not appeal, but the target audience is probably middle-school or so.

 

Oh and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is one of the most popular mangas of all time among both male and female readers of all ages. Haruhi Suzumiya, a high school aged girl definitely is a strong character. She forms the SOS brigade, takes charge of every situation, starts a bands, etc.

 

Haruhi would be more aimed toward teens to young adults. Vampire Miyu toward "tweens", I would say.

 

I haven't ever read Sailor Moon but I'm guessing the target audience is very young - pre-teens.

 

 

[Cat-Man_America]

There are VERY few positive female role models in comics. Sexism in comics is rampant. Look at how every single female superhero character is drawn--every single one! Look how often rape is used as a character development plotline with heroines, or how many characters have sexual exploitation of some sort in their backgrounds. "Empowerment" has come to mean "the girls fight really well" (often after being tortured):

 

And they have ginormous chests on bodies that are interchangeable. And costumes that increasingly rely on thongs--yes, THONGS!--as standard accessories. To make sure nobody misses that, female characters are often depicted from behind, even on the covers of their own books.

 

I did a google image search of the term "Comic Book Heroine" and my wife actually thought I was viewing porn. Not "hot girl comic" or "comic book sexy"...no, "Comic Book Heroine." In fact, I tried to find ANY combination of search terms for female comic book characters that WOULDN'T produce sleazy art results.

 

Let's not even get started on figurines of female characters...

 

Even this very group has one particular artist whose original drawings, in nearly every single instance, are giant-chested women in submissive postures with torn or missing clothing. And these aren't cherry-picked examples to make a point; the point is that this is STANDARD comic fare.

 

The fact that we're actually going as far back as Archie to find any characters who are even DECENT enough for younger female readers says something: the best we can do is refer them to female characters whose entire lives, for 60+ years now, are one endless plot about completing against one another for the attention of a boy.

 

Even comic-cons have had to enact new security measures in response to sexual harassment and verbal abuse of female attendees (see http://www.cahp.girl-wonder.org/)

 

 

While finding myself in agreement with some of your observations, I think that it would be wise to step back and look at the bigger picture, because there has always been some element of sexism in every aspect of human endeavor.

 

Exploitation is nothing new nor is it arguably more prevalent today than in decades past. In fact, I've yet to see it demonstrated that harassment is an escalating pattern of behavior occurring at most conventions. This may be an over-reaction to a few isolated incidents or be some sort of legal *spoon* covering, but I'll reserve judgment.

 

The danger from focusing too much attention on comics as role models for girls (or boys for that matter) is that the slippery slope of PC activism starts creeping into the discussion.

 

First of all, one should consider comics as an entertainment medium. While I'm sure that many examples of positive behaviors can be found in both male and female comic book characters, the foremost goal of any written or illustrated entertainment is service to story.

 

For better or worse, modern comic book storytelling is less B&W, with more reality based character development. That means the characters are more relativistic in their attitudes or behavior and prone to personal foibles as well as heroics or evil machinations. Hey, even evil doers can be rehabilitated, right?

 

So, where does that leave us?

 

We live in a society that emphasizes sexual attractiveness (in theory, if not in practice), hence tight fitting attire ...for arts sake, lets call it minimalism... and physically alluring female characters, especially in super hero comics.

 

We live in a society where teen girls compete for the attention of boys and exploration of their identities, hence teen romance comics and all the angst that goes along with each generation's growing pains.

 

I'm not quite sure where funny animal comics takes us, so I won't go there.

 

Yes, there are stereotypes and most characters lack believable depth, but after all, we're talking about comic books here, aren't we? First and foremost it's about entertainment told through illustrated panels.

 

Parents should provide guidance and be role models, not comics, as comics provide entertainment for mass consumption and one size never fits all. The alternative is imposing societal norms or community standards to everything marketed to kids, on library shelves or taught in our public schools. We've been down that road before, and isn't pretty.

 

But I digress...

 

There are lots of comics out there with strong female characters; they fight the good fight against evil doers, right along with their male counterparts or solo. Some are even dressed as nuns ...or even a burka (OK, maybe not), but what fun would that be (except for a fetishist)? Tight fitting attire has always been standard fare for both genders since the dawn of costumed characters.

 

Exploitation? Sure, in some cases; I know it when I see it, but I'd respectfully urge critics to consider how female characters handle the circumstances they're given before passing judgment based solely upon appearance.

 

Society exploits, there is no getting around it or away from it; it's futile to try. Is an evocatively clad female heroine freeing herself from bondage to overcome an evil adversary any more exploitive than a Stepfordized Suzy Homemaker waiting patiently at the door for hubby? Which message is the more exploitive for girls to assimilate? I wouldn't want to be the arbiter.

 

Were those examples too extreme?

 

Perhaps, so lets tone it down a notch. How exciting would a comic be which focused on a day at the office or the factory?

 

Not exciting enough? OK, how about a thrilling comic examining the stress of studying for tests, starting a business or planning a family? Would those be better role models for girls?

 

In a perfect world one would hope that children have solid parental support for whatever they do and good peer influence, but entertainment should be a respite from reality. There are many choices after all. The general admonition of comics for societal misgivings or the inevitable urbanization of culture only serves to invite calls for censorship and that leads to a dark place indeed.

 

I seem to recall reading somewhere that late in life, Frederick Wertham admitted he'd been hasty in his scathing assessment of pre-code comic books. Crime and horror comics of the era were certainly exploitive of sex and violence, but they were also reflective of the more sensational aspects of an otherwise repressed society. Most here would probably agree that Wertham's Seduction of The Innocent and the Senate hearings that followed it's publication had a devastating impact on the comics industry.

 

In a manner of speaking, your post reminded me that misdirected public outrage can have consequences; no offense is intended and apologies for the length of this response.

 

 

[Hepcat]

There are VERY few positive female role models in comics. Sexism in comics is rampant. Look at how every single female superhero character is drawn--every single one!

 

And they have ginormous chests on bodies that are interchangeable. And costumes that increasingly rely on thongs--yes, THONGS!--as standard accessories.

 

You're tilting at windmills. Comic book publishers are like everyone else. They do what sells, and sex sells.

 

And that bothers me not in the least. Moreover I can't see why it should bother anyone else either unless they have some sort of an agenda.

 

Case closed.

 

 

[rjpb]

Aside from Wonder Woman, who would you recommend as a positive role model for girls? Serious answers, thanks, I have 3 girls at home who are interested in comics..

Little Lulu. No matter what their age, 6 or 60, my recommendation would be the same. The John Stanley stories are brilliant and there's loads of TPBs available.

 

600 pages b&w

http://www.amazon.com/Giant-Size-Little-Lulu-1/dp/1595825029/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296261334&sr=8-1

 

Full color

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Lulu-Alamo-Other-Stories/dp/1595822933/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1296261334&sr=8-11

 

I absolutely second this. Given that the bulk of these stories were written in the 1950s, there is the occasional stereotype regarding gender roles, but Lulu is by far the cleverest and most ethical of the group of kids that appear in the stories. My girls do find it amazing that there was apparently a time when 7-10 year old kids roamed their neighborhoods routinely for hours on end without any adult supervision.

[Scrooge]

To further Smokinghawk's point, here's a pic lifted from a current sale thread on the boards ... Nothing against the seller and I do hope his lot sells but ... come on!

 

[rodan57]

There are VERY few positive female role models in comics. Sexism in comics is rampant. Look at how every single female superhero character is drawn--every single one!

 

And they have ginormous chests on bodies that are interchangeable. And costumes that increasingly rely on thongs--yes, THONGS!--as standard accessories.

 

You're tilting at windmills. Comic book publishers are like everyone else. They do what sells, and sex sells.

 

And that bothers me not in the least. Moreover I can't see why it should bother anyone else either unless they have some sort of an agenda.

 

Case closed.

 

 

So I guess that's it. No further discussion then.

[Comicopolis]

To further Smokinghawk's point, here's a pic lifted from a current sale thread on the boards ... Nothing against the seller and I do hope his lot sells but ... come on!

 

 

She's wears very little clothes because she is asserting her independence and strong will, can't you see that.

[Scrooge]

That's probably the only thing I don't see

 

[Comicopolis]

That's probably the only thing I don't see

 

 

You probably need some of those X-ray glasses that they used to sell in comics.

[Scrooge]

That's probably the only thing I don't see

 

 

You probably need some of those X-ray glasses that they used to sell in comics.

 

I hear they have an app for that now