So, Scott Anderson over at MadThinkerScott asked me to provide examples of the comics where I think women are portrayed as oversexualised, as weak, as needy or otherwise shown in a negative fashion.
I know which images I had in mind when I posted the comment, but bugger me if I can't remember where I saw them. I'm absolutely rubbish at rifling through scans daily and my scanner died, so I've restricted myself to...
Comic covers advertised on the DC, Dark Horse and Marvel official websites.
Images I have seen online recently and could find again.
I realise that some of these characters are supposed to be sexy as part of their profile, so I have tried to choose images which have either been unnecessarily sexed-up in a manner that doesn't fit, shown weak when they could be shown strong with the same message, shown as just sexy with no other qualities, and so on.
Some people may disagree with my choices, which is fair enough, but I was asked for images that I feel show women in a negative light, which don't need to. (I am well aware that there are always going to be plots etc where a character of either gender will be shown as weak, and I'll accept that as part of the story).
I have also selected a few where the image isn't so bad, but the blurb provided by the comics writers is off-putting. (I'm looking at YOU, Ant-man!)
I've also added ones that I think are bad, purely because the artist is worse than I am and, while I don't think I'm an awful artist, I am realistic enough to know that I shouldn't be expecting money for my scribbles.
My main gripe with this is when otherwise strong, capable characters are shown in thislight, despite it being out of character, for the sake of the sexy. I admit, however, that I have pretty much been concentrating on indie titles, as I like bein able to read a whole story arc without having to choose betwene buying porn I don't want and missing out vital plot moments, so Imay not be fully onthe ball here with the most up-to-date personalities etc these characters are given.
Here follows some linkage...
Marvel Comics, Shanna the She-Devil
Marvel Comics, Heroes for Hire
Marvel Comics, Ultimate Power
Marvel Comics, Irredeemable Ant-Man
Marvel Comics, Exiles
Marvel Comics, X-23
Marvel Comics, Fantastic Four
Marvel Comics, Iron Man
Marvel Comics, Ultimates
DC Comics, Black Canary
DC Comics, JLA
DC Comics, Birds of Prey
DC Comics, Superman/Batman
DC Comics, All-Star Batman and Robin
DC Comics, All-Star Batman and Robin
DC Comics, 52
DC Comics, Birds of Prey
DC Comics, Crisis on Infinite Earths
DC Comics, Wonder Woman
DC Comics, Wonder Woman
Dark Horse Comics, Accident Man
Dark Horse Comics, Aliens
Dark Horse Comics, Buffy
Dark Horse Comics, Cheval Noir
Dark Horse, Dark Horse Extra
Dark Horse, Dark Horse Presents
Okay, Dark Horse may be a bit too easy. Browsing their comics list we have Barb Wire, Babe, Bettie Page, Bubblegum Crisis, Cannon God, the Dirty Pair. I could pick almost any random cover under any of those titles and have a field day, and using any of those would almost just be cheating. (After all, at least with these it's pretty obvious that you're buying cheesecake!).
Okay, I got as far as the letter E with Dark Horse and I need a break!
But that's what I've picked up so far. If anyone else has a particular "favourite" they'de like to add, please feel free to add a link in the comments!