Someone called for heroine cheesecake done right?
You know, in the vinyl world, with things like the Big Barda and Emma Frost and Supergirl statues (and the Mary Jane one, for nostalgia's sake), and the negative reactions they received from feminists, and the negative reactions those feminists received from those who Just Didn't Get It, I'd say the sculptors and fanbrats defending the aforementioned figures would have us believe that such attributes as cheesecake possiblyforthewank and strength of character were mutually exclusive elements. Clearly, they seem to cry, if we ebil feminazis wanted our women superheroes to be portrayed as strong and capable and with personality, then clearly we must want them completely de-sexed and wearing burqas. Or Fat and Ugly™. Or we're just jealous because we're Fat and Ugly™. Or something.
And so it's sobering and something of a relief to find an actual example of cheesecake WITH awesome kickassery in female protagonist figures of the shiny PVC statue world. From out of Japan, of all places. Because fellas, this? Is how it's done without being offensively.. well, offensive. Seriously, in how many ways must it be said that it isn't the sexualization of the female form alone that upsets?
There's no doubt in my mind that Revy from Black Lagoon is intended in this statue, and indeed in her character design, to be viewed from a sexually interested angle. Tiny middriff-cropped tank top, sizeable knockers, short-shorts that are barely better than denim panties with, on top of that, a flash of panties above an unzipped fly. And yet I like this figure!
Just look at the statue--she's forceful and active, she's not a passive figure--legs flexed and arms whipping one pistol around her body with the other held at the ready, she genuinely looks ready to lay some smack down. She may be showing off the assets, but it's not all she's there for, nor does she exude the air of acknowledging, or wanting, to be on display. Perhaps best of all, with narrowed eyes flashing under quirked eyebrows and mouth pulled into a smirk, she manages not to look, ironically enough, like a lifeless doll. And, imagine that, she's beautiful and absolutely scorching hot as well.
I mean just look at that FACE!
Duuude. You guys. YOU GUYS. DUDE.
Ka-blammo, bitches.
Come to think of it, it's that same cocksure, slightly off-kilter, crazy smirking attitude I came to admire Revy for, in spite of what looked like a pretty typically sexualized lady chara design. (Well, might've been typical years ago--I think lately anime's idealized sekushi female designs have worked their way to even less sexually assertive, lolita-esque models, but this is rather closer to how today's mainstream comics seem to like to dress their women, so I think it's a relevant example!)
Now you tell me you can't capture that same strong, active attitude and sexiness (in, for the sake of argument, a manner where the former isn't hinged solely on the latter) in a mainstream comic heroine of your choice in a PVC statue or bust. JAPAN did it with a CHEESECAKED-UP ANIME CHICK and YOU, houses of Marvel and DC, home to the big and bold and beautiful heroes, are having PROBLEMS?
So, you know. What gives?
EDIT: There seems to be an.. alternate face for the same figure of Revy, which I must admit troubles me. Rather a lot. Her alternate blank, pastede on features with wide, guileless eyes and demure smile are.. THEY ARE TROUBLING TO ME O_o Why do you make me question my love of the Revy, alternate!Revy statue??
EDIT 2: Isn't it amazing how a simple expression change (well, this looks more like a full rearrangement of features, but anyway) can change the entire context of the figure? It does to me, anyway. Revy's limbs are arrayed in the exact same way, which at least keeps her an active body, but alt!Revy just looks like another, "Teehee oooh I'm a girl with guns, aren't I so darling and dangerous in a completely non-threatening way ♥" PVC statue. I'm squicked, I am.
And so it's sobering and something of a relief to find an actual example of cheesecake WITH awesome kickassery in female protagonist figures of the shiny PVC statue world. From out of Japan, of all places. Because fellas, this? Is how it's done without being offensively.. well, offensive. Seriously, in how many ways must it be said that it isn't the sexualization of the female form alone that upsets?
There's no doubt in my mind that Revy from Black Lagoon is intended in this statue, and indeed in her character design, to be viewed from a sexually interested angle. Tiny middriff-cropped tank top, sizeable knockers, short-shorts that are barely better than denim panties with, on top of that, a flash of panties above an unzipped fly. And yet I like this figure!
Just look at the statue--she's forceful and active, she's not a passive figure--legs flexed and arms whipping one pistol around her body with the other held at the ready, she genuinely looks ready to lay some smack down. She may be showing off the assets, but it's not all she's there for, nor does she exude the air of acknowledging, or wanting, to be on display. Perhaps best of all, with narrowed eyes flashing under quirked eyebrows and mouth pulled into a smirk, she manages not to look, ironically enough, like a lifeless doll. And, imagine that, she's beautiful and absolutely scorching hot as well.
I mean just look at that FACE!
Duuude. You guys. YOU GUYS. DUDE.
Ka-blammo, bitches.
Come to think of it, it's that same cocksure, slightly off-kilter, crazy smirking attitude I came to admire Revy for, in spite of what looked like a pretty typically sexualized lady chara design. (Well, might've been typical years ago--I think lately anime's idealized sekushi female designs have worked their way to even less sexually assertive, lolita-esque models, but this is rather closer to how today's mainstream comics seem to like to dress their women, so I think it's a relevant example!)
Now you tell me you can't capture that same strong, active attitude and sexiness (in, for the sake of argument, a manner where the former isn't hinged solely on the latter) in a mainstream comic heroine of your choice in a PVC statue or bust. JAPAN did it with a CHEESECAKED-UP ANIME CHICK and YOU, houses of Marvel and DC, home to the big and bold and beautiful heroes, are having PROBLEMS?
So, you know. What gives?
EDIT: There seems to be an.. alternate face for the same figure of Revy, which I must admit troubles me. Rather a lot. Her alternate blank, pastede on features with wide, guileless eyes and demure smile are.. THEY ARE TROUBLING TO ME O_o Why do you make me question my love of the Revy, alternate!Revy statue??
EDIT 2: Isn't it amazing how a simple expression change (well, this looks more like a full rearrangement of features, but anyway) can change the entire context of the figure? It does to me, anyway. Revy's limbs are arrayed in the exact same way, which at least keeps her an active body, but alt!Revy just looks like another, "Teehee oooh I'm a girl with guns, aren't I so darling and dangerous in a completely non-threatening way ♥" PVC statue. I'm squicked, I am.