High Heels and Cleavage Windows: Why Can't Female Superhero Costumes Be Sexy AND Functional?
In a recent interview over on CBR, cover artist Adam Hughes was asked:
What's the specific challenge of working on female characters? There are some artists who draw women who are anatomically impossible, who overemphasize sexuality or go to absurd lengths to tone it down. What's the key for you as far as balancing these elements and do you think that's more complex than balancing elements with male superheroes?
Mr. Hughes' answer was a bit... let's say controversial when it came to things like female psychology and body image. I'm not going speculate on what he meant or pull things out of context (you can read the full interview here). But it did get me thinking about female comic characters, particularly superheroes, and how, visually speaking, they're objectified.
Look, I know it's comics. I know, when it comes to superheroics, there's a high amount of spandex and over-exaggerated body parts. I'm also aware that this is not exclusive to female characters. For every slim waisted, breasts-larger-than-your-head-type woman, there's also a muscle bound, biceps-larger-than-your-head-type man. The impossible body type transcends gender in the four-colored world. However, male characters are visually designed as, primarily, strong and powerful, while female characters are made to look, above all, sexy and desirable.
Just look at their costumes. On the whole, male superheroes have costumes that are practical for their environments. Yes, there's a lot of tight-fitting unitards, but if you're flying through space, running faster than the speed of sound, or web-slinging through New York City, a form-fitting compression suit is probably the best thing for you. Aside from Namor and Plastic Man, how many scantily clad super dudes are there? (When you think about it, Namor's in a Speedo because he lives in the ocean and it's not like Plastic Man isn't exaclty Reed Richards - I don't see him designing a suit that stretches with him. The dude needs a good taylor. But I digress).
Bottom line is, you don't see Batman tearing through Gotham with thigh-high boots and a cleavage window.
But you do see Power Girl dressed like that. Thank god her skin is bulletproof. Same goes for Emma Frost. The truth is, they're running around in lingerie (Seriously, I have no clue how Black Canary's and Huntress' legs and arms aren't covered in scars from all the cuts and bruises they must get. And don't get me started on Starfire). These costumes are not built to be practical in any way, shape or form. They're designed to show off a lot of skin and curves.
When it comes to female superhero costumes I'm willing, probably more than I should be, to cut creators some slack. Sex sells. I get it, I work in marketing. I don't think there's anything wrong with a character, male or female, being attractive. But there is a distinct difference between making a woman look sexy and making her look like--how do I say this politely--she has a job that involves a pole. For example, you could give Wonder Woman bottoms that look like this...
or you can put her in a thong...
This is usually where a buzz word like cheesecake comes in. I'm sure you're all familiar with the term, but cheesecake refers to a particularly salacious pin-up or panel of a female. This is where the line between sexually attractive and objectification lives. As you can tell from the word, when one objectifies someone, one treats them as they would an object. The dehumanize them and, in terms of this conversation, view them as nothing more that the sum of their gorgeously exaggerated body parts.
I'd like to point out that I'm not forgetting these are fictional characters who do not actually exist. I am also aware that strong, intelligent women of substance, in fiction and reality, are not going to let a few over-exaggerated pin-ups destroy their self worth or body image. But it doesn't make it right.
I'm getting negative. It's not like I sit there reading my comics scouring the pages for in appropriate panels and branding them with a large red "A". There are "positive" examples out there. Lots of them in fact. Take, for example, Batwoman. I adore J.H. Williams III's Batwoman design. She has the same formfitting yet practical costume her male coutnerparts have, and her long red hair adds a bold a beautiful feature. She not falling out of the costume but she still looks gorgeous. And have you seen the women Jamie McKelvie draws?! I don't think the man is capable of drawing a female who isn't stunning, but his women never come close to looking like a Barbie doll.
There are ways to portray woman as more than objects of desire is what I'm saying. And sometimes it the simplest way to do this is to put more clothes on. For example, let's say you're a teenage Kryptonian powerhouse. It may not be the most practical idea to be flying around in a belly shirt and a skirt. I'm sure it gets pretty drafty, not to mention the fact that all Metropolis can see your underwear. So you do the sensible thing and put on a pair of bike shorts. Catwoman's last costume upgrade had another great move towards functionality; but it's still a seriously sexy. Instead of stalking the streets of Gotham in a high-slit dress, she's in a sleak catsuit. I like to pretend this makes up for Carol Ferris' Star Saffire costume continutally shrinking over the years.
Superheroes are strong and courageous and iconic. They represent the best of humanity, regardless of gender. And as a girl who reads comics, I'd to see these empowered woman drawn that way.
Source.
Also posted to inclusive_geeks.
What's the specific challenge of working on female characters? There are some artists who draw women who are anatomically impossible, who overemphasize sexuality or go to absurd lengths to tone it down. What's the key for you as far as balancing these elements and do you think that's more complex than balancing elements with male superheroes?
Mr. Hughes' answer was a bit... let's say controversial when it came to things like female psychology and body image. I'm not going speculate on what he meant or pull things out of context (you can read the full interview here). But it did get me thinking about female comic characters, particularly superheroes, and how, visually speaking, they're objectified.
Look, I know it's comics. I know, when it comes to superheroics, there's a high amount of spandex and over-exaggerated body parts. I'm also aware that this is not exclusive to female characters. For every slim waisted, breasts-larger-than-your-head-type woman, there's also a muscle bound, biceps-larger-than-your-head-type man. The impossible body type transcends gender in the four-colored world. However, male characters are visually designed as, primarily, strong and powerful, while female characters are made to look, above all, sexy and desirable.
Just look at their costumes. On the whole, male superheroes have costumes that are practical for their environments. Yes, there's a lot of tight-fitting unitards, but if you're flying through space, running faster than the speed of sound, or web-slinging through New York City, a form-fitting compression suit is probably the best thing for you. Aside from Namor and Plastic Man, how many scantily clad super dudes are there? (When you think about it, Namor's in a Speedo because he lives in the ocean and it's not like Plastic Man isn't exaclty Reed Richards - I don't see him designing a suit that stretches with him. The dude needs a good taylor. But I digress).
Bottom line is, you don't see Batman tearing through Gotham with thigh-high boots and a cleavage window.
But you do see Power Girl dressed like that. Thank god her skin is bulletproof. Same goes for Emma Frost. The truth is, they're running around in lingerie (Seriously, I have no clue how Black Canary's and Huntress' legs and arms aren't covered in scars from all the cuts and bruises they must get. And don't get me started on Starfire). These costumes are not built to be practical in any way, shape or form. They're designed to show off a lot of skin and curves.
When it comes to female superhero costumes I'm willing, probably more than I should be, to cut creators some slack. Sex sells. I get it, I work in marketing. I don't think there's anything wrong with a character, male or female, being attractive. But there is a distinct difference between making a woman look sexy and making her look like--how do I say this politely--she has a job that involves a pole. For example, you could give Wonder Woman bottoms that look like this...
or you can put her in a thong...
This is usually where a buzz word like cheesecake comes in. I'm sure you're all familiar with the term, but cheesecake refers to a particularly salacious pin-up or panel of a female. This is where the line between sexually attractive and objectification lives. As you can tell from the word, when one objectifies someone, one treats them as they would an object. The dehumanize them and, in terms of this conversation, view them as nothing more that the sum of their gorgeously exaggerated body parts.
I'd like to point out that I'm not forgetting these are fictional characters who do not actually exist. I am also aware that strong, intelligent women of substance, in fiction and reality, are not going to let a few over-exaggerated pin-ups destroy their self worth or body image. But it doesn't make it right.
I'm getting negative. It's not like I sit there reading my comics scouring the pages for in appropriate panels and branding them with a large red "A". There are "positive" examples out there. Lots of them in fact. Take, for example, Batwoman. I adore J.H. Williams III's Batwoman design. She has the same formfitting yet practical costume her male coutnerparts have, and her long red hair adds a bold a beautiful feature. She not falling out of the costume but she still looks gorgeous. And have you seen the women Jamie McKelvie draws?! I don't think the man is capable of drawing a female who isn't stunning, but his women never come close to looking like a Barbie doll.
There are ways to portray woman as more than objects of desire is what I'm saying. And sometimes it the simplest way to do this is to put more clothes on. For example, let's say you're a teenage Kryptonian powerhouse. It may not be the most practical idea to be flying around in a belly shirt and a skirt. I'm sure it gets pretty drafty, not to mention the fact that all Metropolis can see your underwear. So you do the sensible thing and put on a pair of bike shorts. Catwoman's last costume upgrade had another great move towards functionality; but it's still a seriously sexy. Instead of stalking the streets of Gotham in a high-slit dress, she's in a sleak catsuit. I like to pretend this makes up for Carol Ferris' Star Saffire costume continutally shrinking over the years.
Superheroes are strong and courageous and iconic. They represent the best of humanity, regardless of gender. And as a girl who reads comics, I'd to see these empowered woman drawn that way.
Source.
Also posted to inclusive_geeks.