What's stupid and offensive about the Marvel Divas idea is that in a world with so few books about female superheroes when they finally do one it's not about being a superhero at all, but some dumbass Sex & The City take-off complete with an asinine title. You don't see them doing a Two And A Half Men book with Power Man and Iron Fist and calling it "Marvel Dudes."
@bitsytimelord: I haven't read Angel since "After The Fall" ended. It just seemed like the perfect way to leave my favorite characters. Is Aftermath worth reading? Every great story has to have a great ending, and I don't want the Angel franchise to be extended just for financial reasons.
@franklinshepard: I feel awful saying this but Aftermath is not necessary and, while I like Kelley Armstrong, this was not her best work. However Brian Lynch is back tomorrow with a one shot Gunn/Illyria story that looks to be awesome which will be followed by a two-part Drusilla arc and then a monthly Spike book all written by Brian Lynch. I'm not sure about Angel's story yet but I believe an official announcement will be made at SDCC.
@bitsytimelord: I'm always singing the praises of Locke & Key, but Irredeemable has been absolutely stunning. That scene in issue two, where Plutonian is "revealed" to his co-workers was chilling stuff.
Haha! I love the Catch-22 here - if you claim it's sexist, you're admitting there's a difference in the sexes and are yourself being sexist. But, if you don't see a problem with hot, nubile women cavorting around for Marvel's own profit, you're also sexist.
I'm waiting for the Captain America/Iron Man Beefcake poses. You know, the ones where Cap's standing there naked with his shield in a precarious position? Or Tony stripping with a big grin on his face and a sweet 'lil bit o'armor?
@UlyssesPony: I just got the vapors imagining the RDJr. version of Iron Man smiling and wearing nothing but holding the face shield over "little Tony".
@UlyssesPony: The limited edition would sell out before it hit the stands, plus they'd have to reprint the regular one several times, like the Obama-Spiderman one.
There has got to be some artist out there who could draw this.
(Cap can be "holding" his shield with you-know-what)
I want to be able to read comic books without being offended. I want to be able to share this great art form and fun storytelling with my kids. I can't. When will the industry admit there's a difference between sexy and slutty?
@Evlsushi: Why does everyone keep saying "missing the point!" Its a freakin COMIC! If Marvel wants this on their cover so be it. Look at all the mags like Maxim and the like. If someone wants to bitch about women being objectified look at those. Granted they are real women and not drawn but you don't think a little (or a lot) of airbrushing has been done to those photos?
People need to lighten up on this site. If you hate what Marvel is doing then don't buy their stuff. Boycott them. But regardless now or 10 years later, women are probably still gonna be drawn this way.
@jmg134: If someone wants to bitch about women being objectified look at those.
This is why people keep saying that you're missing the point. Something isn't less retarded because there's a more retarded version of it somewhere. What does this have to do with Maxim? Do you think that the people complaining about the shittily exploitative art on these comics are NOT aware of Maxim, and how much airbrushing goes on in it? Of course we are, we just didn't mention it, because brining it up would be stupid--it is not, in any way, relevant to the discussion.
And what the hell is this moronic argument that we shouldn't be allowed to criticize things? Is the only way I'm permitted to register my displeasure with something now by not buying it? This site exists to register people's opinions about things like this--something that must be essentially good, right, because Denton makes a fortune on it, and if someone's making money on it, then it must be good. Why do you idiots keep acting like no one's ever allowed to criticize anyone else for being a shithead?
@braak: First off, thanks for calling me an idiot. I appreciate it.
Secondly, I keep hearing that I'm missing the point. So then, what is it? I thought the point was that these are terribly unrealistic depictions of the female form, and it might give young boys the wrong impression about what real women look like. Right? Well, MY point is that if this is your gripe, it might also be appropriate to point out that young boys could also get the wrong impression about kryptonite, x-ray vision, and being able to fly.
I understand that the comic book industry is oversexed. I also understand that you have every right to complain about it. I too have the right to express my views, which in this case, is that most commenters here are overreacting.
Super powers are easily distinguishable as fiction. Showing sexist versions of women isn't so easy for a kid to identify. Now knock that argument off.
No one is really arguing that the problem is that these girls are of an unrealistic proportion. That is a PART of the problem, but not the issue. The issue is that Marvel feels that they can produce sexist comics and not hold any responsibility for it. The "our comics are the way they are" argument does not hold. It's evasion of responsibility for such a blatantly offensive comic that's pissing people off.
@Asmo: First of all, while your sarcasm is HILARIOUS, we all generally are aware of the fact that you probably don't appreciate being called an idiot. Hardly anyone says it as a complement!
Second of all, human beings don't really work the way you seem to imagine they do. It's not like you look at a thing and say, "Oh, there's a laser in that comic, therefore nothing is at all like reality!" Because, if people were like that, then they wouldn't be at all bothered if Cyclops shot lasers out of his eyes and then turned into a giant jar of nuclear marmalade.
Maybe you wouldn't be bothered by that. Go ahead and tell me that you'd read a comic like that and not think to yourself, "That's fucking stupid."
But if you would, then you have to acknowledge that SOME parts of what you read ARE expected to form some accordance with reality. EVEN THE MOST FANTASTIC FICTION! In some places, the expectation is that they will divert, and in some places, it is expected that they will not. Moreover, we're talking about a comic that exists in situ, not divorced from all of history and society. And the fact of the matter is that Joe Quesada has purposefully chosen to make a comic of masturbatory fantasies for men who still wish they were fourteen years old, ignoring repeated cries from all corners that his company contribute less to the shitty portrayal of both the appearance and women in comics, and has done so in a way that simultaneously pretends that he has no agency to change it, and that even if he could change it he wouldn't because it's actually empowering.
I am exercising my right to complain about it. While I am at it, I am also exercising my right to complain about you.
Who even cares about this? Comic books are unrealistic. Can YOU shoot laser beams out of your eyes?
As a woman who thinks sexism is generally bogus, I always draw women "sexy." Who the hell wants to look at a realistic or fat woman. Nothing sells more comics than love-handles!! Keep at it Marvel. I know the plot will suck as bad as Sex and the City, but as long as it looks nice.
@Chimpasaurus: Er, so because they have lasers in comics, objectifying women is ok? I guess it is because sexism is "generally bogus". That must be why I have to stare at a size DD breast size when I play most of my favorite video games. Because men and women are totally on the level in genre media.
Btw, "sexy" does not have to be a women whose proportions would realistically make her snap in half at the waist. Newsflash, you can be sexy and not look like that cookie cutter sex bombs displayed above.
@JuliaJolie: The scale of ridiculousness? You're complaining about the credulity of a book featuring superpowered people? Are you serious? Yes its ridiculous. Superhero comics are by nature exactly that.
@Evlsushi: In the example you provide sexism is 'generally bogus' because for every DD breasted woman in videogames and comics there's an overmuscled, chisel-chinned manly man. While I agree both mediums should try and steer away from that, why be suprised when the ridiculous fiction of 'saving the world with superpowers' have equally ridiculous protagonists regardless of gender?
Or...when was the last time you saw a guy bitching about Superman or Solid Snake having abs that don't meet realistic standards?
@OldManOnTheHill: Ok, one more time. Showing a chiseled man is VERY DIFFERENT than what is going on here. All you're doing is looking at the situation in the most shallow perspective. Unlike the men, these women have what a previous poster so elegantly described as "fuck me faces." In other words, they have faces that make straight men want to fuck them. Male superheroes do not have that. They're muscled because they're superheroes who are really strong and in shape. Their male appendages aren't over sized to the point that they could never, ever realistically fight anyone. These women's breasts, however, should make them topple over. Also, male superheroes don't have comics and personalities focused on their sexuality. There's a big effing difference.
Just because this exists in a fantastical world does not give the medium an excuse to be blatantly sexist. It has nothing to do with the comic world and all to do with the artist wanting to cater to a horny 12 year old.
@alphanumeric1971: Hmm to that I say: Can you find anyone using these as "pleasure aids"? Also, are these comic heroes' focus on their sexuality and the promise of pillow fights? So...not the same at all.
@alphanumeric1971: i'd suggest that men complain, but then they'd look like wusses, since the image they're portraying is strength and power. the image the Marvel Divas appear to portray is "i'm lonely, fuck me!" which.. yeah, that deserves a complaint.
06/30/09
06/30/09
06/30/09
07/01/09
06/30/09
06/30/09
Buffy
Angel
Echo
Locke & Key
Irredeemable
The Sword
I highly reccommend all of them :)
06/30/09
06/30/09
06/30/09
05/06/09
Welcome to the Kobayashi Maru.
07/01/09
05/05/09
05/05/09
Put those out and we'll call it equal.
Until then, DON'T make mine Marvel.
'nuff said.
05/05/09
You can't tell me THAT wouldn't sell.
05/05/09
*wide grin*
limited edition, baby!!!
(take THAT, Joe Q!)
05/05/09
There has got to be some artist out there who could draw this.
(Cap can be "holding" his shield with you-know-what)
07/01/09
05/05/09
05/05/09
05/05/09
05/05/09
05/05/09
05/05/09
How are these women's bodies any less realistic than regenerating lost limbs, shooting lasers from the eyes, or being able to turn into ice?
05/05/09
05/05/09
People need to lighten up on this site. If you hate what Marvel is doing then don't buy their stuff. Boycott them. But regardless now or 10 years later, women are probably still gonna be drawn this way.
05/05/09
This is why people keep saying that you're missing the point. Something isn't less retarded because there's a more retarded version of it somewhere. What does this have to do with Maxim? Do you think that the people complaining about the shittily exploitative art on these comics are NOT aware of Maxim, and how much airbrushing goes on in it? Of course we are, we just didn't mention it, because brining it up would be stupid--it is not, in any way, relevant to the discussion.
And what the hell is this moronic argument that we shouldn't be allowed to criticize things? Is the only way I'm permitted to register my displeasure with something now by not buying it? This site exists to register people's opinions about things like this--something that must be essentially good, right, because Denton makes a fortune on it, and if someone's making money on it, then it must be good. Why do you idiots keep acting like no one's ever allowed to criticize anyone else for being a shithead?
05/05/09
Secondly, I keep hearing that I'm missing the point. So then, what is it? I thought the point was that these are terribly unrealistic depictions of the female form, and it might give young boys the wrong impression about what real women look like. Right? Well, MY point is that if this is your gripe, it might also be appropriate to point out that young boys could also get the wrong impression about kryptonite, x-ray vision, and being able to fly.
I understand that the comic book industry is oversexed. I also understand that you have every right to complain about it. I too have the right to express my views, which in this case, is that most commenters here are overreacting.
05/05/09
*sigh*
Yay Hyperboles!
Super powers are easily distinguishable as fiction. Showing sexist versions of women isn't so easy for a kid to identify. Now knock that argument off.
No one is really arguing that the problem is that these girls are of an unrealistic proportion. That is a PART of the problem, but not the issue. The issue is that Marvel feels that they can produce sexist comics and not hold any responsibility for it. The "our comics are the way they are" argument does not hold. It's evasion of responsibility for such a blatantly offensive comic that's pissing people off.
@jmg134: What braak said.
05/05/09
Second of all, human beings don't really work the way you seem to imagine they do. It's not like you look at a thing and say, "Oh, there's a laser in that comic, therefore nothing is at all like reality!" Because, if people were like that, then they wouldn't be at all bothered if Cyclops shot lasers out of his eyes and then turned into a giant jar of nuclear marmalade.
Maybe you wouldn't be bothered by that. Go ahead and tell me that you'd read a comic like that and not think to yourself, "That's fucking stupid."
But if you would, then you have to acknowledge that SOME parts of what you read ARE expected to form some accordance with reality. EVEN THE MOST FANTASTIC FICTION! In some places, the expectation is that they will divert, and in some places, it is expected that they will not. Moreover, we're talking about a comic that exists in situ, not divorced from all of history and society. And the fact of the matter is that Joe Quesada has purposefully chosen to make a comic of masturbatory fantasies for men who still wish they were fourteen years old, ignoring repeated cries from all corners that his company contribute less to the shitty portrayal of both the appearance and women in comics, and has done so in a way that simultaneously pretends that he has no agency to change it, and that even if he could change it he wouldn't because it's actually empowering.
I am exercising my right to complain about it. While I am at it, I am also exercising my right to complain about you.
05/05/09
As a woman who thinks sexism is generally bogus, I always draw women "sexy." Who the hell wants to look at a realistic or fat woman. Nothing sells more comics than love-handles!! Keep at it Marvel. I know the plot will suck as bad as Sex and the City, but as long as it looks nice.
05/05/09
Btw, "sexy" does not have to be a women whose proportions would realistically make her snap in half at the waist. Newsflash, you can be sexy and not look like that cookie cutter sex bombs displayed above.
05/05/09
@Evlsushi: In the example you provide sexism is 'generally bogus' because for every DD breasted woman in videogames and comics there's an overmuscled, chisel-chinned manly man. While I agree both mediums should try and steer away from that, why be suprised when the ridiculous fiction of 'saving the world with superpowers' have equally ridiculous protagonists regardless of gender?
Or...when was the last time you saw a guy bitching about Superman or Solid Snake having abs that don't meet realistic standards?
05/05/09
Just because this exists in a fantastical world does not give the medium an excuse to be blatantly sexist. It has nothing to do with the comic world and all to do with the artist wanting to cater to a horny 12 year old.
05/06/09
Cool, are we post-racial and post-gay too? We've got equal rights on ladies' night!
05/05/09
Sorry, I was busy reading some tentacle-sportin' hentai bakunyū futanari and wasn't paying attention.
05/05/09
05/05/09
05/05/09
Ian: Ah, shit. They are not gonna release the album...because they have decided that the cover is sexist.
Nigel: Well so what? What's wrong with being sexy? I mean there's no....
Ian: Sex-ist.
David: -ist, not sexy.
05/05/09
05/05/09
05/05/09
@ggodo: He has what I refer to as "Long Crotch."
05/05/09
05/05/09