Sarcasm and Superheroics (WisCon 31 panel)

97 Sarcasm and Superheroics: Feminism in the Mainstream Comics Industry

Feminism, Sex, and Gender•Wisconsin• Saturday, 4:00-5:15 p.m.

2006 was declared the year of Women in Comics. Alison Bechdel's Fun Home was one of Time’s 10 Best Books, best-selling authors Jodi Picoult and Tamora Pierce were signed up to write for DC and Marvel, and DC announced a new Minx line for girls. However, 2006 was also a year of increased feminist activism in mainstream comics. New websites "When Fangirls Attack" and "Girl-Wonder.org" collected and encouraged feminist debate on issues of diversity and sexism in comics, and there seemed to be plenty to talk about. Moreover, the Occasional Superheroine confessional memoir recounted a disturbing tale of abuse and misogyny within the superhero industry that was reflected on the pages of its comics. What has improved in the comics industry? What is yet to be done? What challenges are posed by the industry's peculiar institutional structure? How can women break into the comics mainstream? How can we critique it? And what comics can you buy for your kids?

M: Karen Elizabeth Healey, Charlie Anders, Rachel Sharon Edidin, Catherine Lundoff, Jenni Moody

Reports, notes, etc.

• newsarama writeup by Lisa Fortuner