Hey, That’s My Cape! – Why No Women in COMIC BOOK MEN?
I can’t believe I’m starting my year off with this.
First, let me be clear, I don’t think having a show for and about men is a bad thing. I think they certainly have their place/market and can be enjoyed by all sexes even if they are made for one demographic. The problem I have with Comic Book Men is – it sounds really boring.
My first Hey, That’s My Cape! of 2012 caused quite a stir. Read what all the fuss is about at Newsarama.
I still find it surprising to find a woman or girl in a comic book store. I know it happens, I've seen them occasionally. (A rare occasion at that.)
I joke with friends that seeing a woman in a comic shop is about as common as seeing a wood nymph.
Just yesterday I was in a comic book store with a friend of mine and we were discussing art in comics. (Insert Rob Liefeld joke here.)
"Hey look over there!" My buddy said to me. It was a woman. Tall brunette, and wearing glasses. She was beautiful. I tried not to stare in awe and wonder at her.
A woman in a comic book (or more rare; a gaming store) automatically gets +10 beauty points simply by being there.
I agree with you that a woman should be on Kevin Smith's show talking about comics. It would defeat the stereotype and perhaps bring more female readers, writers, and artist into the medium.
This brings me to a key question. Why aren't there more women involved with creating comics that sell well? Comics that sell well tend to be of the superhero variety and are geared toward young males; hence the superboobs on female characters. :)
What would it take to make a female superhero who's compelling to male and female readers, or one that would appeal to female readers as a whole?
All superhero stories tend to have 3 elements: a hero with super powers, an equally powerful nemesis, and a curse/Achilles heel.
If one could create a well-rounded female superhero, what would it take to get girls/women interested in her?
I think I'll create a whole blogpost writing about this subject.
Whoever solves that mystery will tap into a very lucrative market, and women in comic stores won't be an uncommon, almost mythical experience.