[I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Kelly Jackson. She will be contributing to WonderWorldComics. She wrote a short piece to introduce herself.]
Kelly Jackson. The latest contributor to WonderWorldComics.com
I’m new to comic books. Or at least a newly-returned comic book reader. Let’s just say, it’s been awhile and I’m completely not up-to-speed on anything other than the current Marvel movies.
Don’t hate me. Academia swallowed me whole.
The upshot of this is that I’m a graduate student in culture studies, which basically means that if something affects American culture in even the most infinitesimal way, I like to study it and write about it. I’ve written academic articles on patriarchy in paranormal romance novels, rape culture in young adult literature, and the portrayal of women in horror movies centering around demonic possession. And now, I want to write on a subset of culture that is becoming so prevalent, it is now impossible to ignore: Geek Culture.
Geek Culture is something to celebrate, as far as I’m concerned. For too long, cosplayers and Comic Con goers have been seen as the lepers of modern society, and that’s finally changing. With shows like The Big Bang Theory raking in the ratings and the revival of the Star Trek enterprise (pun intended), it’s no surprise that Geek Culture is simply becoming American culture. With this comes an important area of study for me: the portrayal of women in Geek Culture.
I have plenty to say about women in movies and TV shows, and I can get to that in another article at some other time. For now, I want to take a quick look at women in comic books. That’s a huge topic, I know, so I want to start simply.
I am in love with Hawkeye. And if you think I mean Clint Barton, you’re wrong; I’m talking about Kate Bishop. Now I won’t claim to be an expert on Kate or Hawkeye; I’ve only read the first volume of Hawkeye’s contemporary storyline. But from a preliminary standpoint, I can say a few things that make Kate Bishop downright badass:
1.) Kate is intelligent and witty. Her banter with Clint is top-notch and she can obviously hold her own. Also, her reference to Domitian made my Classics-loving heart soar.
2.) Kate doesn’t really need saving; Kate does the saving. The only instance of Kate being saved is after she ties up Madame Masque, pretends to be her to get a sensitive tape out of the wrong hands and thereby save Clint’s ass, and is discovered at an inopportune moment by one of Madame Masque’s guards. And even then, she’s technically saved by Maria Hill, without whom, Clint would have been mincemeat.
3.) Kate may be spoiled, but she’s genuinely good-hearted and she obviously cares about Clint, and it’s not because she idolizes him. She respects him and he respects her in return.
4.) Kate kicks ass.
My only critique of Kate is in the one comic where I’ve seen her Hawkeye costume, and this is a critique on the artists, not the character.
Can we please not put women in completely unrealistic crime-fighting outfits? Why in the hell would a master archer leave her midriff bare? Kate’s obviously a relatively skilled tactician, and she proves to be a pretty awesome leader; it makes literally zero sense for her costume to have the stomach cut out of it. If anything, that part of her would be protected. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but there are some pretty vital organs in that area.
However. Costume aside. Kate is a fantastic character and, I think, a wonderful role model for young girls. She’s fit, she’s intelligent, she’s funny, and she’s strong (both emotionally and physically). I cannot wait to see/read more of her, and I definitely can’t wait to read more comics with some strong, kickass women!
