10 Mainstream Superhero Comics that THIS Feminist Likes...

While compiling WFA today, I came across an interesting assertion that implied heavily that there were no mainstream comics that are "what feminists want"? (Here's the link if you want.)

Now, I personally admit that I hesitate to recommend something based on feminist issues. Mostly because all feminists are different. And also, to be honest, I don't tend to think about the issues when I read except to notice the problems. Otherwise, I'm just enjoying the comics.

But because I like being contrary, I decided to think deeply about what mainstream comics I really like from a specifically feminist standpoint (omitting all other factors), this isn't the totality of my list. But ten is a good even number I think.

Green Lantern Corps: Green Lantern's traditionally kind of hit or miss when it comes to feminism vs sexism issues, but GLC is awesome both from a storytelling standpoint, but also from a feminist one.

While Guy Gardner owns my heart of course, from a feminist standpoint, the real draw is Soranik Natu. She's tough, strong, a bit uncertain with her role yet, torn between her planet and her job, incredibly competent, intelligent, a doctor and NOT defined at all by the standard "female" roles. Soranik is essentially the second lead of the GLC and thus is very prominently featured.

Soranik's partner Iolande is fairly new and undeveloped yet, but she's interesting too. She's much more traditionally feminine, a (former?) princess, but so far she's been proving herself to be fairly competent herself and an easy match will-wise to her partner. As an added bonus, when she and Soranik talk or argue, it's never about silly things like men or their love lives.

Gleason's art is also wonderfully adept at giving all the female characters distinct and varied looks.

JSA: Not only is Power Girl Chairman now, she's a very good Chairman. There's no question that Power Girl is appealing from a feminist perspective. She's attractive, powerful, stubborn and tough. Seeing her lead and get recognition for it is wonderful.

She's not the only interesting female character though. Stargirl is always the spirit of the team for me, her development and growth as a young woman is very much a draw to the comic book. The reboot made a good choice, I think, in casting her in a mentor/older sister role to Maxine Hunkel, who is another appealing example of a different type of young woman.

We lost Hawkgirl in the reboot but got Liberty Belle, so I'm not too upset. Jesse can be giggly and annoying, especially when the topic of her marriage comes up, but so many newlyweds are. And honestly, it's nice to see a portrayal of a woman who is happy in her marriage and truly gets joy out of it. Her nurturing relationship to Damage is nice as well.

And of course, there's Ma Hunkel. She doesn't get to do much, but it's nice to see an older female character still taking an active role in herodom, even if she's not out there fighting herself anymore.

Manhunter: Yeah, I'm cheating a little since it's still on hiatus. But whether in Trade Paperback or Issue form, it's never not awesome.

Birds of Prey: A staple of course, lots of sexy, kickass heroines with very distinct designs and costumes. (Also, the acknowledgement of Oliver Queen's sexual assault at the hands of Shado was long overdue.)

JLA: JLA's writing's been uneven of late, but its not a team that suffers for interesting, dynamic and powerful female characters. Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Vixen, Dinah Lance all kicking badguy ass for our amusement. Can't really go wrong there. (Okay, that Roy and Vixen underground one kind of did, but in general, I'm pretty satisfied).

Checkmate: Power games, espionage, and awesome female characters. Jessica Midnight, Fire, Amanda Waller, Mlle. Marie and Sasha Bordeaux couldn't be more different from each other, but they're all awesome, powerful (in their own ways), kickass and interesting.

Superman: Lois Lane is very much a feminist draw for me. She might get captured and need rescue a lot, but she's also a force of personality to reckon with. She's never not on equal standing with her husband, powers or no powers. She's fun. (Also as an added bonus, Ma Kent. And Clark's bevy of generally professional, assertive and appealing ex-girlfriends. :-))

Captain America: Sharon Carter was by and large the best Silver Age love interest ever in my opinion and she's still going strong today. She might not be as powerful or physically adept as Steve, but Agent 13 more than manages to carry her own. There was the whole killing Steve thing admittedly, but we all know he'll forgive that. And she's got a lot of interesting plot going on right now.

Ms. Marvel: I think Ms. Marvel's not necessarily the most appealing female character out there right now, but she's particularly interesting to me because she doesn't fit a typical female hero mold at all. Her assholish tendancies, her blindspots, even her alcoholism tend to be traits largely limited to male characters. She doesn't fit the mold which makes for interesting variety. Also, she punches things. I like that.

She-Hulk: Yeah, I dropped the title myself. Slott's humor started getting way too meanspirited for me. Still, when talking about what I like seeing from a strictly feminist standpoint, I can't leave Jen out. Big, green, sexy, smart, fun and a lawyer! What more could you want? (I'm totally leaping back on with the writer shift)

Mostly what I look for as a feminist in my superhero comics are women who are varied, interesting, powerful (in terms of actual power, ability, or personality), attractively designed and very developed as characters. I won't say I haven't encountered problems in individual storylines or issues of any of these series, and hoo boy am I willing to complain when I do, but in general THESE are the sorts of comics that this feminist likes and I'm generally very happy with them.