The Sexualization of Women in Comic Books

[trooper6]

Hello All,

I stumbled upon this very interesting take on the difference between the way men are portrayed in comic books vs. the way women are portrayed in comic books. This is a very good counterpoint to the usual argument: "But men are drawn unrealistically too--we don't all have all those muscles!"

Bonus: exciting photos.

Spoiler

Check it out and then I'd be interested to read y'all's commentary.

http://rosalarian.tumblr.com/post/6288675810/megan-rosalarian-gedris-dressed-to-kill

 

[BonsaiK]

The picture fails to make its point because men and women are culturally sexualised differently. A guy being sexualised does look unrealistic, but doesn't look like that.

 

[TheMagicIndian]

Here's a question: why does it matter? So what if the women are sexualized. They aren't real and never will be. Hell, it's a helluva lot easier to get full range of motion in most of the female superhero suits than it would be in the mens'. And aren't comic books targeted at males, anyway?

I swear I don't get the political correctness of today sometimes.

 

[Pedro The Hutt]

Eh, considering I've read more than my share of wacky manga I'm pretty much immune to scantly clad musclebound men. (HAADO GEI, HOO!)

Anyhow, I see part of her problem, but I think she exaggerates the extent of it. For every Black Canary or Zatanna we also have a Batwoman or Invisible Woman who is decently covered up, or wears a practical outfit.

Nor do I see a particular problem with characters using their sex appeal, when on the flipside many girls got into X-Men due to Gambit being so dashing and handsome, and, y'know, sexual. (My own sister being one of them, I've seen her ~squee~ over the Cajun)

I do have a problem with characters who aren't overtly sexual getting sexually tinted covers, but that's more to do with them being out of character than them being sexualised.

And the only part of the idealised proportions is my problem with Marvel where the starting cup size for an adult woman is DD, it's unrealistic to say the least, a better division between the breast sizes would be much preferred. But hey, Gambit didn't get where he was with the fangirls by being of average build either.

 

[Grospoliner]

I think its rather irrelevant given that most comic book women can shatter worlds beneath their rather awesome powers. In fact, please correct me if I am wrong, but Death is personified in virtually all comic book franchises as female. When women get to be the ultimate force in existence I don't think they have room to complain about leotards and g-strings.

 

[Worgen]

ehh, in comics it seems like both sexes get pretty sexualized, just in different ways, women tend to have big tits and small waists and guys tend to be on steroids.... altho both of those sexualizations might be aimed at guys, I mean as I understand it only so much muscle attracts women, more then that is really just for guys

 

[spartan231490]

The picture fails to make its point because men and women are culturally sexualised differently. A guy being sexualised does look unrealistic, but doesn't look like that.

This is a very good point. I also think that the idealization of men is no less detrimental. In other words, I don't think that it's anything for women specifically to complain about but I think that men should complain just as much.

 

[BonsaiK]

The picture fails to make its point because men and women are culturally sexualised differently. A guy being sexualised does look unrealistic, but doesn't look like that.

This is a very good point. I also think that the idealization of men is no less detrimental. In other words, I don't think that it's anything for women specifically to complain about but I think that men should complain just as much.

That's funny, I think both sexes should stop complaining and just read their goddamn comics.

Humans are sexual creatures with sexual thoughts, so we sexualise ourselves, and each other. This is normal. That is all.

 

[AmrasCalmacil]

I'm pretty sure if the woman in question can crush metal between her fingers then it's empowering, not sexist.

 

[Archemetis]

I will pose my own question.

Would you read Batman if he traded in his typical uniform for a mankini?

...

Well, all right, stupid question I think we'd all read it, but my point is in there somewhere.

The way I see it, comic books are still very Man-centric business model. I can't personally think of any big-name female comic artists, and even if I could, I bet they've drawn their fair share of over-sexualised women.

In fact My girlfriend, being a fellow artist enjoys drawing sexy naked ladies more than I do.

I will admit that the sexualisation of females in comics has been known to get out of hand, but it's fantasy, there's no realism in this, we're talking about people from other planets, women from hidden islands of beautiful ladis, forgotten by history, people who're altered by chemicals/radiation/deities/etc.

So what they look like should go hand in hand.

Although I agree that maybe a couple more realistically proportioned women in comics wouldn't go amiss.

Which is why I'm hoping I can get some real work started on my independent comic.

 

[Mid-Boss]

ehh, in comics it seems like both sexes get pretty sexualized, just in different ways, women tend to have big tits and small waists and guys tend to be on steroids.... altho both of those sexualizations might be aimed at guys, I mean as I understand it only so much muscle attracts women, more then that is really just for guys

Yeah women, at least the ones I know, don't read comic books drooling over steroid muscles. Most women I've asked actually find that kind of muscle to be a turn off since it's so unnatural looking and "freaky".

No the muscle guys are men's interpretation of the perfect guy for guys to impose themselves onto while the women are men's interpretation of the perfect girl for guys to dream of their imposed persona getting it on with. It's entirely aimed at guys.

You want girl fan service? Read Fruit Basket or Ouran City Host club or the new Young Justice show on cartoon network. That's girl fan service.

They're not drooling over Colossus or Stone Cold Steve Austin. They're drooling over Kid Flash and Edward Cullen.

That's very generally speaking though since everyone has their own tastes. But you get the point.

 

[spartan231490]

The picture fails to make its point because men and women are culturally sexualised differently. A guy being sexualised does look unrealistic, but doesn't look like that.

This is a very good point. I also think that the idealization of men is no less detrimental. In other words, I don't think that it's anything for women specifically to complain about but I think that men should complain just as much.

That's funny, I think both sexes should stop complaining and just read their goddamn comics.

Humans are sexual creatures with sexual thoughts, so we sexualise ourselves, and each other. This is normal. That is all.

Never said we should complain about the sexualization. On that i agree with you, but the unrealistic representation is creating social pressures towards a completely unattainable social norm for both genders.

 

[Phase_9]

Please, Power Girl's decolletage is an artistic choice, not "objectification".

But on a serious note, as a male comic book fan I find it embarrassing. The whole idea of comics is that larger-than-life heroes represent the moral high ground, but the female ones walk around like theme hookers in Vegas. That's kind of why I'm glad DC is making steps towards fix that with their renumbering.

 

[katsumoto03]

Spoiler: Yeah because men really pose like this.

Yup, I just stand around my house posing like that all day long...

I do 'cause I'm a total dork...

 

[Kahunaburger]

Here's the problem: mainstream superhero comics aren't the good ones. Here's how women are portrayed in

Persepolis:

Spoiler

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind:

Spoiler

 

[aarontg]

As long as a woman isn't a card board cut out I don't mind sexualized women in my comic books. But I can understand the hate. With it being a book it's basically soft-porn to make the story more interesting.

 

[BonsaiK]

The picture fails to make its point because men and women are culturally sexualised differently. A guy being sexualised does look unrealistic, but doesn't look like that.

This is a very good point. I also think that the idealization of men is no less detrimental. In other words, I don't think that it's anything for women specifically to complain about but I think that men should complain just as much.

That's funny, I think both sexes should stop complaining and just read their goddamn comics.

Humans are sexual creatures with sexual thoughts, so we sexualise ourselves, and each other. This is normal. That is all.

Never said we should complain about the sexualization. On that i agree with you, but the unrealistic representation is creating social pressures towards a completely unattainable social norm for both genders.

If you're looking to comic books for realism you're looking in the wrong place.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

The picture fails to make its point because men and women are culturally sexualised differently. A guy being sexualised does look unrealistic, but doesn't look like that.

Pretty much this. I'm neither a woman nor gay, but I'm pretty sure heavily muscular men are what most women (and gay men I suppose) consider sexually attractive and last time I checked that is also how most male superheroes are drawn in comic books.