Click for source By Sam Hurcom
In the last few days, DC have announced that Batgirl is getting a bit of a makeover. So long the tight latex one piece and somewhat impractical high heel boots, hello a cool (dare I say trendy) looking tween, with Doc. Martins and a utility belt that could rival Adam West’s costume props any day of the week.
But it isn’t just a change in costume that DC have undertaken. It’s something a little deeper and, unfortunately, long overdue.
Over the last few decades, the vast majority of leading heroines and female super heroes have been depicted with ever larger breasts, skinnier waists and revealing costumes. You could say it’s become a bit of a comic book tradition. As a heterosexual twenty-something-year-old, I’m hardly the most frigid person when it comes to this subject. But it does seem to be becoming an ever more prominent (often totally over the top) aspect of the medium. And, as traditions go, it’s undoubtedly not a good one.
In the last few days, DC have announced that Batgirl is getting a bit of a makeover. So long the tight latex one piece and somewhat impractical high heel boots, hello a cool (dare I say trendy) looking tween, with Doc. Martins and a utility belt that could rival Adam West’s costume props any day of the week.
But it isn’t just a change in costume that DC have undertaken. It’s something a little deeper and, unfortunately, long overdue.
Over the last few decades, the vast majority of leading heroines and female super heroes have been depicted with ever larger breasts, skinnier waists and revealing costumes. You could say it’s become a bit of a comic book tradition. As a heterosexual twenty-something-year-old, I’m hardly the most frigid person when it comes to this subject. But it does seem to be becoming an ever more prominent (often totally over the top) aspect of the medium. And, as traditions go, it’s undoubtedly not a good one.
Click for source Recently in Britain, the topic of negative female body image has been prominent in the headlines. Campaigns have seen a few well-known top-shelf ‘lads mags’ fall from grace in supermarkets and corner shops, and even MPs are debating how to tackle the growing issue of body image amongst young girls and teenagers.
This all seems rather good. But sadly, when you realise the scale of the problem, it becomes clear it’s only a small step in the right direction.
The issue itself is two-fold: there’s the very blatant, in your face, over-sexualisation of women that has arisen alongside the accessibility of the internet and mainstream pornography. And then there’s the not so obvious, hidden below the radar stuff that isn’t always noticed (to which the aforementioned, not so great comic book tradition belongs).
Few people would be worried about how the latest Batman or Avengers issue is going to affect their kid’s attitude towards the way women look. But it kind of does. Young kids and teenagers are very impressionable. If they read comics regularly and are bombarded with images ranging from ‘happy to reveal my massive cleavage’ to ‘my day job is an S&M mistress’ they are going to start forming some wrong ideas. And, if comics are part of a wider media that constantly reinforces women as very skinny, very sexual and, to put it bluntly, always up for it when the ‘Diet Coke’ guy comes sauntering around the corner, both young men and women are going to be negatively affected.
Recently, the London Film and Comic Con took place. The line to get in was massive, and there was very little to do whilst whiling away the hours under the hot sun, other than admiring the brave men and women in cosplay. Many people looked awesome. But there seemed to be one major trend…
For women and young girls, costume options predominantly fell into three categories: Poison Ivy in a corset, Harley Quinn in a skirt, or a male super hero character with a few adaptations. Now, it may simply be that these particular Batman villainesses are very popular, and far be it from anyone to stop people dressing up in whatever manner of costume they like. But perhaps, in reality, there aren't many options out there because a lot of women wouldn't be seen dead in so many of the costumes that are very tight, very revealing and, away from the printed pages of a comic book, very tacky and uncomfortable.
This all seems rather good. But sadly, when you realise the scale of the problem, it becomes clear it’s only a small step in the right direction.
The issue itself is two-fold: there’s the very blatant, in your face, over-sexualisation of women that has arisen alongside the accessibility of the internet and mainstream pornography. And then there’s the not so obvious, hidden below the radar stuff that isn’t always noticed (to which the aforementioned, not so great comic book tradition belongs).
Few people would be worried about how the latest Batman or Avengers issue is going to affect their kid’s attitude towards the way women look. But it kind of does. Young kids and teenagers are very impressionable. If they read comics regularly and are bombarded with images ranging from ‘happy to reveal my massive cleavage’ to ‘my day job is an S&M mistress’ they are going to start forming some wrong ideas. And, if comics are part of a wider media that constantly reinforces women as very skinny, very sexual and, to put it bluntly, always up for it when the ‘Diet Coke’ guy comes sauntering around the corner, both young men and women are going to be negatively affected.
Recently, the London Film and Comic Con took place. The line to get in was massive, and there was very little to do whilst whiling away the hours under the hot sun, other than admiring the brave men and women in cosplay. Many people looked awesome. But there seemed to be one major trend…
For women and young girls, costume options predominantly fell into three categories: Poison Ivy in a corset, Harley Quinn in a skirt, or a male super hero character with a few adaptations. Now, it may simply be that these particular Batman villainesses are very popular, and far be it from anyone to stop people dressing up in whatever manner of costume they like. But perhaps, in reality, there aren't many options out there because a lot of women wouldn't be seen dead in so many of the costumes that are very tight, very revealing and, away from the printed pages of a comic book, very tacky and uncomfortable.
Click for source As comic book fandom grows, comic book publishers have a greater responsibility to ensure that women are adequately represented both for current and future fans. That doesn’t mean just chucking in a few heroines adapted from existing male leads, with half the costumes cut away for good measure (She Hulk and HawkGirl kind of spring to mind). And it doesn’t mean introducing female characters who follow the current trend of beauty before brawn. Tackling the problems surrounding negative perceptions of women’s body image is a massive task; it’s going to require a lot of people and industries to start making a lot of changes. In terms of comics, it’s going to require a series of female leads who aren’t defined by their image (particularly their cup size or skinny waists), but by their actions and personalities.
Comic books have a part to play in ensuring young girls grow up understanding that they are more than just a body and pretty face. Ok, changing Batgirl’s costume and toning down her curves may not seem like a big deal on the surface. But it is the first step in ensuring a legendary heroine becomes nothing more than what she should rightfully be – a kick ass crime fighter, and a positive role model for young women!
And even if she is a bit of a hipster, we can forgive DC and Babs Tarr (DC illustrator). It’s still very much a move in the right direction.
Comic books have a part to play in ensuring young girls grow up understanding that they are more than just a body and pretty face. Ok, changing Batgirl’s costume and toning down her curves may not seem like a big deal on the surface. But it is the first step in ensuring a legendary heroine becomes nothing more than what she should rightfully be – a kick ass crime fighter, and a positive role model for young women!
And even if she is a bit of a hipster, we can forgive DC and Babs Tarr (DC illustrator). It’s still very much a move in the right direction.
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