About Me: Updated
Just a quick note to say that the About Me/Contact page has been updated to reflect what I'm up to and how best to get in contact with me.
My CBR column will be starting up soon which I've been working on weekly, and I'll also be posting up the Grant Morrison Book Festival coverage soon after the full interview transcript (both of which I had to sit on until after the Independent went live) as well as my take on the New 52.
Enjoy!
When is a Catwoman not a Catwoman?
The internet went bat-crazy this week over the release of new images from the set of The Dark Knight Rises featuring Anne Hathaway and her stunt double. Interest around the Batman of the Nolanverse is always extremely high, and it's understandable why this infamous character is attracting far more attention than the equally impressive but less well known Bane (Tom Hardy).
But let's be clear: this particular shot was not released as an image of Catwoman in costume, but as an image of Selina Kyle who happens to be wearing bike gear. Himself the master of misdirection, Christopher Nolan has declined to refer to the character as anything other than her plain clothes name, and given that in Batman Begins, it was Bruce Wayne rather than Batman that ran the show for the most part, and in Dark Knight, Two Face only showed up for the final chapter, it's fair to assume that the image that has created such mass hysteria this week, is not necessarily a costumed Cat.
Cinema Review: Green Lantern
Over at The Void I've published my review of the disappointing Green Lantern.
In a Marvel dominated 2011, DC had just one hope this year: Green Lantern. Perhaps not as well known as Batman, Superman, or the X-Men, but an old fan favourite and a character with a great history of superb stories to choose from; intelligent plots, multilayered characters, and traditional fights between good and evil.
In many cases it is unfair to compare the original comics with the film adaptation, but it is perhaps inevitable when a movie so spectacularly wastes its rich source material. At a cost of £200 million, Green Lantern manages to disappoint even the lowest expectations, particularly in comparison to the wonderful, and perhaps equally difficult to realise, Thor. There is only one possible explanation: this is in fact a children’s movie.
Catwoman: The Hyper-Sexualisation of a Sexual Woman
Looking at the new covers to début in DC's continuity reboot later this year, it seems that the as yet unconfirmed "women in trousers" edict is almost certainly in effect to a large extent. It's become increasingly clear too that this focus on covering up bare legs has little do with any de-sexualisation trend: the women are still in tight fitting outfits and busty to the point of falling out their tops (if I was Harley Quinn I'd at least like some straps on that top but perhaps my rack isn't so well behaved).
One of the first casualties is Catwoman, whose playful covers of the last 10 years have enamoured her to a new generation of fans. At first glance, the cover of the upcoming Catwoman #1 may not be seen as terribly out of place for a character who is so openly sexual and enjoys revelling in the power she holds over lustful men. But female fans of the frisky feline beg to differ; the hyper-sexualisation of a proud sexual woman is still exploitation, exactly the same as for any other woman in comics.
But is it possible, as a feminist, to defend Catwoman at all? And where is the line between non-passive sexualisation and objectification?
X-Women: First Class?
The X-Men is a comic that has something for everyone to identify with. And there are women characters, a lot of X-Women in fact, which is unusual and rather amazing. This series doesn't believe in the Smurfette Principle, with as many women characters filling the pages as men. But how has this translated to film? I thoroughly enjoyed X-Men: First Class, and you can read my spoiler-free review here at The Void, but is it a feminist friendly outing for the mutants?
What I've been asked about this film isn't, "is this film good for its portrayal of women?" but instead, "is this film not too horrible for its portrayal of women?". Our standards are so pathetically low, it's almost a relief to have some scraps thrown our way. So while X-Men: First Class is undoubtedly one of the best superhero films this year for women, it's no surprise at all that the X-Women are completely wasted compared to their male counterparts.
Balancing a feminist critique of a film alongside my genuine enjoyment of the film on its own terms is tricky. But while the film is better than others, and certainly a step in the right direction, we still have a long way to go.
Contains spoilers.
Cinema Review: X-Men: First Class
Over at The Void, I've published my spoiler-free review of the fantastic X-Men: First Class.
Eleven years and five films, with yet more in production, X-Men is the comic movie franchise that audiences love and forgive evermore. But can an installment without fan favourite Wolverine really please us rabid comic readers? Hell yes.
This is the X-Men film we’ve been waiting for, the origins of the mutants, and more importantly, the origin of Magneto. Fans have lapped up the new movie continuity, effectively giving director Matthew Vaughn free reign to play with the biggest team in comics. It’s not perfect, squandering its political time frame and playing it a little safe, but it is unmissable entertainment.
About a Grrrl
Freelance writer. Comic geek, film addict, metal head, book worm, gamer. I sell books and write. I'd prefer to write books and sell.
This is a collection of my writing, thoughts and interesting links about my geeky interests.
Oh, and I'm not a guy. A woman reading comics still surprises some people...
Recent Tweets
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@tddfn He got a rubbish deal compared to Thor, I'd be angry too :P
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Re-watched Thor last night to get ready for Avengers... reminded myself I totally root for Loki.
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RT! Comic Review: Twisted Dark http://t.co/C4Gl6ELL #comics #horror