Super-Sextoys

Okay. What I am about to go off on is nothing new, and I’m not trying to claim that this is a sudden change in the world of graphic literature. This is just something that periodically pops up as if I’m playing whack-a-mole and I have to take the hammer to it once again, Thor-style, and I don’t mean Sexy Thor. 

I came across this story last night about a little girl’s opinion of the new image of her favorite superhero, Starfire. Here’s a link to that. I don’t really stay too up-to-date on stuff that happens in the comic book world because I’ve never gotten around to actually reading them. I have a lot of love for superheros and have all my life (Spidey4ever). I just never read them because I didn’t know where to get them growing up. I should start now that I know where comic books are available, but I’m torn on whether I really want to since all I see in comic books now is cartoon porn. 

I remember when the reboot of Starfire came out nearly a year ago and how genuinely nettled I was over it for the next day and a half.  I mean, I was superbly insulted because, my first look at the image, I would never have guessed that it was Starfire. I watched Teen Titans on Cartoon Network. I knew Starfire, but not this intimately, and I never wanted to. Robin wanted to. Leave that other-worldly rack to his viewing pleasure.

Anyway, I went on a search to find any female comic book character with some class, some self-respect, just some qualifications of superiority other than her sex appeal.  I came up with a generous list of next to nothing. What do women have to look up to in the comic book industry? As children, female characters teach us to fight for good, to stand up for what’s right, to protect the people we love.  For some reason these things change when you transition into adult comics.  The majority of female characters are villains, (don't get me wrong, Poison Ivy was my girl growing up) but even the heros are best known for their physical assets over their mentality or strengths. They suddenly serve the purpose of being super-sextoys instead of superheros. 

There are a lot of arguments against my feelings on this. Some men say that male heros are over-sexualized as much by wearing skin-tight uniforms that show off their above-average muscular builds. Some women say it’s empowering for female characters to be portrayed so sexually-free because there are still women today being oppressed into hiding their bodies. It’s something women have had to fight against since, always, to which I say bullcocky! Another argument is that there is a difference between childrens and adults comics and these sexy images of this little girl’s favorite superhero are not intended for her consumption.  But the intent of comic books written for children is to grab their attention while they’re young so that they will continue to be the audience when they’re older. This is what that little girl has to look forward to from the comic book industry when she becomes a woman?

Why aren't their logos on their crotches?

The difference is that while male characters are portrayed as super muscular, it's not for their sex appeal. It's about showing their strength and power. Male heros are always posed stoically and proudly. The only hint of desire on their faces is a desire for justice. Female characters, however, are constantly portrayed in pornographic positions, with seductive faces if any detail is given to their faces at all (most of it goes to their breasts, those take a lot of work). They get big pouty lips and doe eyes & their super powers are usually just that they're too sexy. Take Rogue, "one kiss from her is too much," "her power is in her touch." That's just sex.

Let’s not confuse feminization with objectification. I have no problem with the characters being drawn as super-attractive beings, or even somewhat provocatively. I like some of the feminine outfits these super-women wear. I don’t like when it turns into cartoon lingerie, or when a couple decals cover the nips and a booty-bearing thread is considered acceptable bottoms. I don’t like how unfathomably huge the boobs are drawn every single time. It’s as if the real superpower these ladies hone is the ability to stand up straight with their 50 lb a piece knockers. Yes, the male characters are depicted as model-quality, but their appearance and their sexuality are not their primary power. I understand that adult books will have adult themes, but when sex is the only theme written for these women, that makes me mad. It’s a sell-out saying "all women are good for is sexual pleasure, leave the real crime-fighting and heroism to men."