I rant about the Wonder Woman Playboy cover.

Playboy-February-2008

It took me a while to get around to this But the issue is still on the stands so I guess this rant is still timely. Here are some points I have about it.

• At least it gave the fanboys a controversy to take their minds off of One More Day.
• As for the risque-ness of the cover, I think the Demi Moore bodypaint cover from Vanity Fair back in 1992 is far racier. Yes, the paint is all over her body, but she is facing the reader. It's much dirtier. In my opinion anyway.
• As for the will DC sue argument, well, the painted on costume is not exactly the Wonder Woman costume. But they do say that the model is supposed to be Wonder Woman. I'd think if they were going to sue, the process would have been started already.
• If there is any feminist who reads comics that is up in arms about this, they are starting at the wrong place. Perhaps if WW didn't wear hot pants in the first place, Playboy wouldn't put her on the cover. There is plenty of sexism in comics themselves. Clean that up before you start tackling this.
• I think Valerie makes a pretty good point.  
• When it comes down to it, which is more damaging to the character, its readers and female comic fans in general: this cover, or the recent "Holy Hot Flash, Batman" Newsweek article? I vote for the latter. Playboy has never been a bastion of political correctness. Certainly you don't expect them to go out of their way caring about what women think. Newsweek is a national news magazine. It is supposed to be serious, intelligent and open to all readers. Again, I agree with Valerie that the article was more detrimental than helpful to the cause of women in comics. From the article title to the emphasizing the sexyness of the character to not acknowledging that female comic creators are not just a recent thing, the article diminishes the role of women in comics.