On Objectifying and Comics

Okay, I wasn't sure what to post tonight but after visiting Ragnell's blog. I thought of something to say...

There is the text to a certain comic script with admittedly sexist overtones that has offended certain people.

But honestly the excerpt is, to me, more ridiculous than offensive.

First of all, consider the source. This is Frank Miller we're talking about. He wrote DKR, DKSA, Daredevil and Sin City. While I wouldn't go so far as to call him a misogynist, (I don't know him personally after all), I do think that he has a tendancy to portray the females in his comics in...shall we say a sensationalistic fashion.

So why are we shocked again to find out that he did it purposefully in the script? I read it and realize that Mr. Miller enjoys sexually provocative images of women. Um...okay? And he wanted to add them to the comic specifically. Well, um, haven't we all seen enough *ads* from Sin City to not be surprised? Really?

Also, look at the industry. There's been improvements, but this is still the industry in which Catwoman and Power Girl's breasts kept growing in every damn issue as an artists joke. This is tacky and tasteless yes, but it's common knowledge. In one of the comments in Ms. Hernandez's post, one insulted poster says that she/he thought that it was the artist who added in the T&A, and is offended that it was Miller himself.

Well why is it better that the artists do it than when the writers plan it? A comic is, in my opinion, an equal venture between Artist and Writer. And both bear responsibility for the ending product. And I don't see why the objectification is worse if the writer does it than the artists. Shouldn't it be equally offensive?

While things are better now than they used to be, and more women are writing and drawing comics, the industry is still predominantly male. And in modern times, sex sells. Of course there's going to be objectification. And I think it is possible to change this, but not by quitting the industry altogether. Sure female readers can boycott, but lets be realistic here. We're not the target audience. They seek to attract more female readers because they want more readers in general, but honestly? If we stopped buying today, most guys would still be buying. And they're the audience that the companies depend on.

What we do if we stop buying...we give the industry back to the men. And you think things will get better then?

I'm weird though. I'm not offended. I'm not surprised. Nor am I creeped out. I'm *amused*. You know why? Because apparently I've now a slight reputation in a small circle as one who appreciates Kyle Rayner in tattered clothing. And you know what? It's perfectly justified. I *do*. I ogle bare skin, I giggle at suggestive moments, I stare at Kyle's ass, at Dick's ass, even at Ted Kord's ass. I blush when shower scenes come up in Nightwing, and I wince in shame when they come up in Robin (Sheesh, I shouldn't appreciate the sight of a sixteen year old so. I'm *six* years older.)

I've said many times that I'm thrilled about Ion because Marz has a tendancy to strip Kyle. And if I did end up ever writing that Sand comic I talked about, I'd add moments where there'd be fewer clothing, and shower scenes, and other fun bits as well.

So am I any better than Miller or Lee or any of these men? Moreover, while I don't know many who've complained about this particular issue, I do know others who complain about the same general problem. And many of those women are ones that have cheered *with* me about suggestive aspects in the most current arc in Nightwing. (Most of which were written in Ms. Grayson's script, too).

And you know what? I think that's wrong. It's a double standard. Women can't attack men for something while doing the same damn thing. It's hypocritical. And more importantly, it makes us look bad. And it will be remembered when we've got a more important issue to fight. And there are, I think, far more important women's issues to tackle, and we won't be able to afford our stance weakened. The big fights are yet to come, don't waste our power on something like this.

Just my opinion.

Edited to add: I have decided to just outright remove my mistaken references, this was my fault for using a mistaken interpretation in order to jumpstart a discussion. I do think the discussion is valid, and that it's important to have. But I don't need to misrepresent anyone in my desire to have it. Please accept my apology.