(no subject)
May. 29th, 2007 02:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bjornwildeHere's a letter I want to share which I wrote to Marvel regarding this cover for one of their comics, Heroes for Hire. Take a look at the image before you read my letter, though be warned it is not really work safe, no nudity but implied Hentai.
I have to say my bit about the cover of the 13th issue of Heroes for Hire. I know your inbox has already been stuffed with a multitude of emails complaining about this issue, so I will be brief with my voice.
I am disappointed in the depiction of the main characters of the comic. The cover erases all the power and personality these women have.
I have read Mr. Quesada's arguments about this cover and they are, to me, hollow. For the sake of clarity here are his points I find to be hollow:
1. The concept for that cover, soup to nuts came from a female artist.
2. HFH is a book that features two strong, lead female protagonist who kick major ass; somehow folks have forgotten to focus on that.
To number one, I have to say just because a woman draws it doesn't mean it's not offensive or sexist. Disregarding the impossible lack on nipple in the costumes as they are drawn, why is Chang Shi not depicted with the Ladies instead of just the hint of his arm?
To number two I have to say that yes, the book features two strong lead female protagonists, which the cover artist has forgotten to focus on.
Look at the character's faces and you can understand my point. While their apparent situation seems hopeless, I would think Colleen and Misty would at least have rebellious sneers on the faces; not the helpless pleading vacancy depicted.
I won't go much farther about the art but to say that it doesn't even fit the feel of the book. It's like Degas painting football. It clashes.
I have been a Marvel fan for more than 20 years now. I have always taken the ethics and trials of my favorite heroes to heart. Horribly sentimental as this sounds some of the ethics have guided me though hard times in my life; times when I had no other moral compass.
But I am writing not as a fan but as a father. A father who has shared his love of the comic medium with his daughter and hopes to continue to find strong female protagonists that are honest and human while being strong, ethical and noble. In other words, I hope to give her heroes. To show that strong woman not only exist as popular fiction but are valued; and not just by their bust size.
I hope this letter does not fall on deaf ears and perhaps even makes you think about how you are treating the awesome characters which are in your hands.
Lastly, I do have to say that if a comic cover is not safe for viewing at work does it really count as okay for 9+ years old?
Thanks for you time if you have read this far,
D. McAtee
A fan, though to be honest it has been hard lately.
And in other news, go watch the cast of the Fantastic Four being silly on comedy central.
I have to say my bit about the cover of the 13th issue of Heroes for Hire. I know your inbox has already been stuffed with a multitude of emails complaining about this issue, so I will be brief with my voice.
I am disappointed in the depiction of the main characters of the comic. The cover erases all the power and personality these women have.
I have read Mr. Quesada's arguments about this cover and they are, to me, hollow. For the sake of clarity here are his points I find to be hollow:
1. The concept for that cover, soup to nuts came from a female artist.
2. HFH is a book that features two strong, lead female protagonist who kick major ass; somehow folks have forgotten to focus on that.
To number one, I have to say just because a woman draws it doesn't mean it's not offensive or sexist. Disregarding the impossible lack on nipple in the costumes as they are drawn, why is Chang Shi not depicted with the Ladies instead of just the hint of his arm?
To number two I have to say that yes, the book features two strong lead female protagonists, which the cover artist has forgotten to focus on.
Look at the character's faces and you can understand my point. While their apparent situation seems hopeless, I would think Colleen and Misty would at least have rebellious sneers on the faces; not the helpless pleading vacancy depicted.
I won't go much farther about the art but to say that it doesn't even fit the feel of the book. It's like Degas painting football. It clashes.
I have been a Marvel fan for more than 20 years now. I have always taken the ethics and trials of my favorite heroes to heart. Horribly sentimental as this sounds some of the ethics have guided me though hard times in my life; times when I had no other moral compass.
But I am writing not as a fan but as a father. A father who has shared his love of the comic medium with his daughter and hopes to continue to find strong female protagonists that are honest and human while being strong, ethical and noble. In other words, I hope to give her heroes. To show that strong woman not only exist as popular fiction but are valued; and not just by their bust size.
I hope this letter does not fall on deaf ears and perhaps even makes you think about how you are treating the awesome characters which are in your hands.
Lastly, I do have to say that if a comic cover is not safe for viewing at work does it really count as okay for 9+ years old?
Thanks for you time if you have read this far,
D. McAtee
A fan, though to be honest it has been hard lately.
And in other news, go watch the cast of the Fantastic Four being silly on comedy central.
