Gail Simone's Blog, page 1072

Ask Maridee: Women Don't Read Comics Says DC and Kevin Smith

Ask Maridee: Women Don't Read Comics Says DC and Kevin Smith:

ddelphinium:

gailsimone:

askmaridee:

The rising discontent with the treatment of female comic book readers and creators by the comics mainstream bubbled over on social networks this week after two new releases: the results of DC's Neilsen Survey on their New 52 reboot and the premiere of Kevin Smith's Comic Book Men. DC's…

This is a great response to the whole controversy thing. And I agree, I did ask a more open ended question than the survey did, it was completely off the cuff.

However, stores were routinely saying that their comics buying customers were up to 30%. I don't think it necessarily suggests that it means those customers aren't buying DCnU titles, it is just as likely, if not more so, that it suggests that the survey was flawed.

Which I absolutely think it was. We need a much, much wider in store sampling. 167 in store surveys is statistically too few to pay attention to.

There are anecdotal questions as well, and methodological ones. First, my friends who were hit up for surveys said the questioners were incredibly aggressive. That may well have been a turn-off for potential female participants. I also want to know when these surveys took place, as several store owners said their female customers are much less rigid about showing up on new release day.

I think the survey was very flawed. It's possible that retailers who saw my question are biased somewhat towards female customers being significant, but when stores are routinely saying women are 20-30 percent of their base, it would be a fatal flaw to allow the idea of a 7% female readership take hold without scrutiny.

I think it would be more useful to ask the retailers directly. They are there every day, they know their customer base.

But I am deeply skeptical.

I live in China mainland. I'm a woman. This is the imported comics I purchased through Amazon. cn last year. You can even see the Chinese version of Green Lantern: Secret Origin. (It was officially introduced into China last year.) This stack of comics made me SVIP of Amazon. cn last year, because exchange rate made them cost me dearly.

Thank you Mr. Smith, for letting me know that since I own such a stack, I'm just not any kind of female humanbeing. Thank you. I might just buy a tablet instead to maintain my SVIP, and read some serious English novel or professional books.

I'm sorry that comment made you feel that way, I don't blame you a bit. All the work that's been done to promote and celebrate the wider readership, which included people of all genders, and we still have goofyass comments like this. It's ridiculous, and the justifications for it ("It's reality!") are insulting.

I have never had a beef with Kevin Smith, he does what he does and that's fine for the people who want that.

But Kevin Smith does not speak for the industry or all of us IN the industry or for all comic shops, many of whom are run by women, owned by women, and supported by women.

And THAT'S reality, Kevin.

fyeahbatgirl:Batgirl by Kevin WestI really think it makes...

fyeahbatgirl:

Batgirl by Kevin West

I really think it makes no sense for Batgirl to wear heels, but even I have to admit that with the right pose and artist, it's nice to LOOK at. 

Pretty piece of art, here!

Ask Maridee: Women Don't Read Comics Says DC and Kevin Smith

Ask Maridee: Women Don't Read Comics Says DC and Kevin Smith:

askmaridee:

The rising discontent with the treatment of female comic book readers and creators by the comics mainstream bubbled over on social networks this week after two new releases: the results of DC's Neilsen Survey on their New 52 reboot and the premiere of Kevin Smith's Comic Book Men. DC's…

This is a great response to the whole controversy thing. And I agree, I did ask a more open ended question than the survey did, it was completely off the cuff.

However, stores were routinely saying that their comics buying customers were up to 30%.  I don't think it necessarily suggests that it means those customers aren't buying DCnU titles, it is just as likely, if not more so, that it suggests that the survey was flawed.

Which I absolutely think it was. We need a much, much wider in store sampling. 167 in store surveys is statistically too few to pay attention to.

There are anecdotal questions as well, and methodological ones.  First, my friends who were hit up for surveys said the questioners were incredibly aggressive. That may well have been a turn-off for potential female participants. I also want to know when these surveys took place, as several store owners said their female customers are much less rigid about showing up on new release day.

I think the survey was very flawed. It's possible that retailers who saw my question are biased somewhat towards female customers being significant, but when stores are routinely saying women are 20-30 percent of their base, it would be a fatal flaw to allow the idea of a 7% female readership take hold without scrutiny.

I think it would be more useful to ask the retailers directly. They are there every day, they know their customer base.

But I am deeply skeptical.

There. are. Batgirl. Converse. Sneakers.

thedarkdamsel:

dcwomenkickingass:

I can die happy. Okay, I don't mean now, but look - BabsGirl Batgirl sneakers.

Available now at Journeys.

I MUST HAVE THESE NOW!!!!

GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY, I AM BUYING BATGIRL CONVERSE!

I Think That Nielsen Survey...

…was probably pretty bogus.

Not intentionally, no one was trying to skew anything.

But those numbers don't match at ALL what I am seeing across the country and what retailers are telling me.

We'll see. But I'm pretty skeptical about the whole thing. It doesn't pass the smell test.

Hi Gail, I was just wondering if you knew whether or not Nicola Scott has a tumblr or Deviantart or professional website, I fell in love with her work in the Secret Six and didn't know who else to ask.

I actually don't believe she does—if she does, I've never seen it.

She needs one, I'll talk to her about it!

Turn the Page: maybeitspms asked: It's very easy for you to say everyone is being too sensitive. You are a white, straight man. You are...

Turn the Page: maybeitspms asked: It's very easy for you to say everyone is being too sensitive. You are a white, straight man. You are...:

stfuconservatives:

ninapedia:

velocicrafter:

cooneytalks:

Are you kidding me?

No one has bluntly faced discrimination because of their race, gender or orientation in the 21st century. None of you know what it's truly like since everyone has rights in today's world.

…

I was going to ask a question. Hmm. What was it, what was it.

It was something about the original poster's point, I remember that much.

Oh, wait, I have it!

WHAT THE FUCK?

ealperin:porkiepuss:Rogue X-Men...

ealperin:

porkiepuss:

Rogue X-Men cosplay

^FLAWLESS!^

Holy crap, that IS Rogue!

Second favorite X-man, right there, come to life!

Your Favorite Superhero Friendships

Or your favorite friendships in superhero comics, to be more precise.

Who do you love seeing as buddies?  Old DCU, DCnU, Marvel, other, whatever.

Whose friendship makes you squee?

ayries:callmekitto:akitron:sheethkalshahar:faineemae:ni...

ayries:

callmekitto:

akitron:

sheethkalshahar:

faineemae:

ninjahijabi:

zuleikha:

all the awards to this woman please.

god bless

omg what. she is so cool. 

NO WOMAN SHOULD HAVE THIS MUCH SWAG

well that's awesome.

SHUT

UP

YOU ARE SO COOL WHO SAID YOU COULD BE THAT COOL

TOO AWESOME FOR YOUR PARTY

TOO AWESOME FOR ANY PARTY

for some reason that tiny batman bike is cracking me up

Damn.

Get this woman a mini-series, RIGHT FUCKING NOW.