How to get your girlfriend to read comics!!

[terra]

So those of you who, for whatever sordid and nerdy reason, read Marvel previews catalogs, might have noticed something. Something with boobs. For those of you who don't read the Marvel previews catalog (and I mean who does that that would be sordid and nerdy) I recreate a page for you below, behind a flist cut of some sort.

Comments

[missdeep]

I'm sure you're going well! Sometimes it's hard to process what you hear, like "DID I JUST GO BACK IN TIME OR SOMETHING?".

I think I'm kind of the opposite. I used to debate on high school and university teams, which I think made me a little bit too quick to jump in for a fight. I've learned to pick my battles better with age (I think). But sometimes I think we all just stand there going "wtf?".

:3

(I'm an idiot and I wrote a new comment and not a response. FORGIVE ME)

[terra]

Don't worry, my unconventional use of Opal has defeated many a would-be replier.

And it's a shame, because normally I'd think going back in time would be pretty neat!!

I'm a pretty good debater about like, things I'm not personally invested in, like, "just how gay was James I"?? But when it's something like sexisim, which still spoilers: effects my life today, I get all struck temporarily mute.

BUT DON'T WORRY, I'm gaining XP, one day I will level up.

[missdeep]

Your layout is too smart for me! ;o;

Yeah, finding the words when it comes to something that touches us personally can be quite difficult. With all your XP though, it's only a matter of time before you totally hax some of these people. ;)

[lovevigilante]

I randomly stumbled upon this journal and I don't even read comics (except for my brief affair with Birds of Prey), but this is an awesome post.

Reminds me of the dude who was wanking about girls getting cooties on his SyFy and just, sigh.

[terra]

Ah, hello there! And thank you.

Yeah, fear of vaginas is pretty universal throughout geekdom, I've realized. I could tell you about those times I was told no girl would want to play Final Fantasy because Vincent Valentine was so manly.

[lovevigilante]

Whyyyyyy.

Also, there's been like three manly men in Square's history, and Vincent ain't one of 'em.

[terra]

I know, that's really what makes that comment particularly beautiful. Of all the men in Squenix's admittedly masculine beyond masculine history, they picked Vincent Valentine.

[errorism]

I pretty much agree with you, but on the whole I feel really indifferent to the whole "OH MY GOD A FEMALE WHO READS COMICS?" thing and tend to not give a shit. I think the reaction to Marvel Divas already proved that they exist and they can be equally as vocal and anally retentive as the male nerds. It may be under representation, but it's hardly the persecution so many girls seem to insist it is. (Not you! I just mean in general. I've seen them ranting. I get far away from it

[terra]

Something Awful has it's own special language.

And I took Diana Schutz's class, actually, so maybe if Bendis offers it again I will take his. I KNOW WHERE HE LIVES, after all.

It's not so much "omg a female reads comics" a lot of people do, but uh, you can't help but react when other people react to you, you know? I certainly don't walk around going "BOOBS LOL I HAVE BOOBS" and I'm not out to be offended, but sometimes people say offensive things to me, and then everything just goes to pot.

AND, AND: I am pretty sure Quesada said they were following up the Reunion with another mini or something sometime in 2010. I also suspect they're just gonna relanuch Ms. Marvel as a part of this Women of Marvel deal, and hope a new #1 helps the series do better.

[errorism]

Since SDCC last year I've been talking to/hanging out with Jim McCann and I know lots of things I can't actually talk about concerning Mockingbird and Hawkeye. But yes. They are good things.

I do know what you mean. Jason Pearson (he's doing the Deadpool/Bullseye mini and the Deadpool covers right now) was at our place for NYE and asked me how I got into comics because he's seen so few girls so heavily involved, and was genuinely interested in what I had to say. It's refreshing to be treated like a human being! What I do hate is this notion that women interested in comics must be made a big deal out of and treated specially. By the industry itself, I mean. How about just acting like we are all people enjoying the same thing?

The Ms. Marvel ongoing lost its way quite a bit I felt (around the Arachne thing), but it was just getting good again once Carol kicked Karla's ass. Dammit!

[terra]

Well, yeah, women are people. I think that was the great solution to the mystery. But then, people themselves are mysterious!

[ani_bester]

My big worry about this, which let me stress is not enough for me to say this shouldn't be done, is that it reminds me of a British Study concerning CEO's. A woman was [insert statistic I don't recall] more likely to be placed in charge of a failing company. Like you know the male CEO would put the company down the tubes, and then they'd remove him and stick a women in charge

[terra]

I doubt they're expecting Girl Comics to pull huge numbers; it seems like it's similar in scope to last year's Strange Tales. Marvel editorial is certainly aware that women (and minorities) pull in less numbers than the the white men do- Tom Brevoort just said so a few months on his blog. It's not really a secret that sexism (or racism) might exist in the comicbook fanbase, especially considering that sexism exists, just in the modern world.

I'm a bit skeptical about this female-driven event comic because I'm not sure how it could have a plausible premise? But we'll see. It would be nice to see Ms. Marvel take center stage for once, instead of Iron Man. The fact that they're doing this means they're giving female characters extra promotion, which means they're less likely to be cancelled in 5 issues like Doctor Voodoo. But we have to see.

I also haven't seen militant feminist cliches in any comics I've read by women. Only comics written by men. HMMM.

[ani_bester]

. . . kay I'm also still not convinced it won't become a male bashing, radical feminist vomit inducing rant-fest, but I'm typically always afraid anything advertised as "female only" will become that. ^^;;;;

Wow.

There is something genuinely wrong with anyone who thinks "Hey, a comic written to celebrate women by women!" automatically equals MAN-HATING FEMINAZI.

Why, you might even say it's "vomit inducing."

[bwhahahabeck]

I want to punch that man in the nads.

[terra]

But teehee wouldn't that be emotional?