Body Language: Why Comics Still (and May Always) Get Women Heroes Wrong

Unlike comics creators of the past, comics creators of the present can’t be faulted for not trying to make better female comic superheroes. The days of Wonder Woman acting as the secretary for the Justice Society of America are thankfully long gone — artifacts of a sexist past. Yet no matter how hard they try, comics never seem to be able to turn the genderist tide. Now Marvel Comics comes out with A-Force #1 (shown above), a female version of the Avengers currently blockbustering at a googleplex near you. But, alas, as Jill Lepore points out, “They all look like porn stars.” Why do comics still get women heroes wrong? Is it the limitations of the medium or a body language we can’t help but read and respond to? Please come over to Picture This at Big Think to read more of "Body Language: Why Comics Still (and May Always) Get Women Heroes Wrong."