This whole silly comic book thing.
Here is my thoughts on the whole matter. ....
Yeah..that's about it.
Ok...I will do better that. Comic books have long had these "unrealistic" drawings of the human physique. That is part of what makes them so interesting. "Super" hero's really shouldn't look like "the average joe or jane". And of course they are drawn to their audience. It doesn't seem to have hurt sales any.
At the end of the day though, when we close the comic books and focus back on real life, the number of women who can't find a man, due to her not looking like Mary Jane, Supergirl, Catwoman or Kabuki, is pretty small. In face I know more then just a few who have more then one man in their lives as it stands. I think confidence starts within oneself and not by trying to compare oneself to a 2-dimensional drawing on a piece of paper.
Let's be realistic comic-geeks are happy to have a woman in their lives. I know, I am one. I don't try to compare my lady to some comic book chic, good lord they are surrounded by WAAAAY to much drama and danger, and frankly unproportionate T&A just doesn't make up for it. *grins*
Just like I don't try to compare myself to Batman, the Badger or even The Young Master. (Great indy comic). Let's be honest, I mean who really wants to see me in tights anyway?
You're not supposed to compare yourself to them, your supposed to read them, enjoy the story, maybe take away a couple life lessons, like "With great power comes great responsibility" and "If you are a bad guy and you have the hero captured...just kill them. Don't tell them your secret plan, don't show them your whole operation and how it all works, don't point out the little self-destruct box you keep on your belt, just..kill them"
The point is they are designed to bring entertainment, if they don't entertain you, don't buy it, don't open it up, but for the sake of all that is good, don't try to ruin it for everyone else.
Are you unhappy with your self-image? Well it is not the fault of the comic book industry. Each person can choose whether they wish to allow themselves to be happy or not. We each make the conscious decision. If we are unhappy with who we are, we can take steps to change that. It's unlikely I will ever be able to fly through the air under my own power, or have six pack abs, or be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. It's also damn unlikely I will ever have some crazy super-hot chick in an impossibly tight bodysuit, with full on ninja training and a pistol strapped to her thigh, falling head over heals for me as well. I can live with that. It doesn't stop me from being happy. I have a wonderful wife, and very beautiful children. I have my own trials and tribulations, and I get to play hero for my kids. You can't beat that with anything. That is real, and that is where I find my happiness.
I still enjoy the comic books, yeah I still drool at the drawings of some of those "unbelievably" drawn females, and sure just like anyone there is that tinge of..."well maybe if I got bitten by a radioactive spider..." But I am thankfull to have my life and not the one of a comic book hero. Very thankfull indeed.