Which is worse? (or why more women don't read comics)

The comics world is abuzz over two separate incidents. We were just getting over talking about this:

 

MJ does the laundry

Ah, remember this? Those were the days! Last month, ah, how I remember you!

Now we have a new semi-related topic to talk about. Namely, the new Showcase Presents Trade focusing on Batgirl. I got this picture from Blair Marnell's blog, New Rage Order.

 

Showcase-batgirl-comparisson

The image on the left is the cover that was solicited in advance for the book. I am going to go out on what I consider a very thick and sturdy limb here and say that the left cover is the most famous Batgirl cover, ever and one of the most famous comic covers period. The one on the right is a take off on this one (Image comes from New Rage Order as well):

 

Detective_comics_371

...which is arguably the most infamous Batgirl cover of all time.

Now, both of the above have been used as examples of misogyny in comics today. You can argue those who say that have a point. But which is worse?

My vote's on Batgirl.

Sure, you can say that MJ's piece portrays tthe idea that women are only good for looking trashy and doing the laundry. But Adam Hughes said the pose is supposed to indicate the moment when MJ found out Peter was Spidey. He wasn't trying to make the point that women are only good for menial household labor.

Yes, it's cheesecake. Yes, her thong is peeking out. But the thong peek is to men today what the nylon peek was to men 50 years ago. Is it a bit sexist? Is it meant to titilate? Maybe and definitely. But not any more than Power Girl or Starfire.

And this Comiquette is aimed at a very specific group of customers--the sweaty men who live in their parent's basement and who's only contact with women is with cold, porcelin ones.

In other words, this comiquette is not going out to the shelves of Barnes and Noble and Borders. The general public will probably never know that it exists. Not the case with the Batgirl cover.

Now, many are saying that it is a homage to a classic cover and represents the innocence of the Silver Age. True. And it is based on a comic that was aimed at the select audience of the day--little boys who thought girls were icky and maybe had cooties and possibly scabies. And girl germs too.

But nowadays, the audience is mostly adults that should know better. The design on the left was a perfectly fine cover. The one on the right is not. Not only is the way that it is redrawn lost most of the humor that was in the Detective #371 cover, making it far harsher, but it also portrays a bad image of comics to potential new customers. It announces to any potential new female readers that comics are still and insular boys club, one that thinks women are vain and flighty, self-centered and self-absorbed. Girls need not apply.

Okay, the cover might reflect most of what the stories inside portrayed (remember: in the Silver Age,girls=cooties and scabies). And it is probably supposed to be campy and over the top. But how many non-comic reading people will see that in the cover at first glance and not immediately see it as a negative image.

So, in my opinion, overall in the way comics are portrayed, Batgirl is more damaging that MJ.

Now, about that Justice Society of America cover with Citizen Steel...