I think that in the last 10 years, the narrative that Marvel and DC have tried to sell, that “Women don’t read comics” has shifted to “Women don’t want to read the only kind of comics we want to produce,” which is a much less compelling narrative. More believable though.
Their lack of diversity, and DC’s recent moves especially, are really damning in the big picture, but even on a personal level, a one-to-one sort of a thing, I can’t even get Actual Gay People in comics to stop giving money to gay-hating hotel operator Doug Manchester (The Hyatt) at San Diego every year… I’m not holding my breath waiting for the superhero pubs or fandom to come around on this one. I would hope that, at some point, IDW or Image or whomever would see the obvious gap in the market and make a go, but as-of-yet they’ve shied away as well. It’s too bad.
On that note, here’s a great interview segment that I read with the creator of COMMUNITY, about how he was ‘forced’ to hire a half-female writing staff, and how that ended up being one of the best moves the show could’ve taken: http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/06/communitys_dan_harmon_talks_ab.html. The great pull-quote from that one?
“I think we have to stop thinking of it as a quota thing and think of it as a common-sense thing.”
Here’s to common sense.
– Christopher
great post! agreed.
Couldn’t agree more. Am tired of being told “what women want” in comics by people who don’t know. I’m a woman who reads superhero comics. I know what I want and I can tell when the big two don’t give a shit. Thank god for the Luna Bros and the Hernandez Bros is all I can say.
Perhaps an introduction to Terry O’Reilly might be in order for DC management?