Gail Simone's Blog, page 865
November 23, 2012
Calling all comic book fans! Especially those interested in diversity!
I’m currently working on my Top 10 Best Comics of 2012 for Bloody Disgusting and as I was making my list, I had the depressing realization that it was dominated by white male creators and protagonists (primarily because that’s what the stuff that I get assigned to review, but alas).
The thing is, I know there are so many more wonderful comics out there made by creators who don’t fit the hegemonic paradigm. Similarly, I know there are great books starring characters that embody identities other than straight, white, and male.
BD has a rather impressive readership and I think it would be a shame if I neglected books that may have flown under my radar and didn’t use this opportunity to promote books made by people the industry loves to ignore and about characters that people think don’t sell.
So here’s what I’m asking: If you know of a book that came out at any point in 2012 that features a diverse cast of characters and/or creative team, LET ME KNOW. I will find the book, I will read it if I haven’t already, and I will consider adding it to the list. Because as much as I love the titles I’m considering for BD’s Top 10 Comics of 2012, it simply wouldn’t be right to have every single title written/drawn by and starring a slew of straight, white dudes.
Even if you don’t know of any titles, a signal boost is always appreciated. Thanks everyone!
Signal boost for a nice poster!
November 22, 2012
Damn, there’s been some amazing freaking STORM cosplay...
Damn, there’s been some amazing freaking STORM cosplay lately.
I love this cosplayer and this goddamn character!
MARVEL. MAKE STORM A HIT BOOK, PLEASE.
I Am Very Thankful
to all of you people out there on Tumblr.
It’s corny, but reading all the heartfelt posts about people’s lives here has made me, slowly but surely, a little less clueless and a little more informed and patient. I’m grateful for that.
But I’m also grateful for all the art, humor and creativity here. Sometimes, I come online and am just astounded at the cosplayers, the comments, the drawings…it’s a volcano of creativity and it can be very inspiring. But above all, it’s just a wealth of stuff to enjoy, like a big mosaic that everyone worked on a little bit.
Even when I’ve been down, there’s almost always something hilarious here or on Twitter to make me laugh. And of course, it’s selfish, but I can’t thank you all enough for the endless support and the countless kindnesses you have shown me.
It means a lot. I’m very glad and proud to know you, even in this small way.
Thanks, everyone. If you celebrate this day, Happy thanksgiving!
If you don’t, just thanks from me, and much gratitude for all you have done.
Lots of love, and I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
November 21, 2012
hello! I was wondering- I know you've done work for Marvel before but if you had the opportunity to write any title they have, past or present, what would it be?
Spidey, Storm, Deadpool, Agent X, Kitty Pryde, Rogue, FF, Daughters of the Dragon, for a start.
Is there any particular reason why Babs doesn't wear glasses anymore when she's out of costume? Not criticizing, just curious.
That was an editorial decision, I don’t agree with it.
menshevixen:
Gail’s Twitter shenanigans of the day remind me of...
Gail’s Twitter shenanigans of the day remind me of that scene in that one Roswell ep where Michael says, “We all drank of the Snapple!” In conjunction to Snapple penises, it now sounds like a circle jerk.
THESE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES.
Credit Where It's Due
Yesterday, I read a great article and linked to it on Twitter, about Trans inclusion and intersectionality by the great Natalie Reed, one of my favorite people, a passionate writer and rights activist, and just generally an awesome chick.
Anyway, it turns out someone had used the article without giving Natalie credit. Which blows.
So here is the actual article, which I urge you all to read. And Natalie, I apologize for not catching that you weren’t properly credited!
Hi Gail. Me and my sister were discussion Women in Refrigerators and we'd like your opinion on something. Is it still fridge-ing if one half of a same sex relationship is killed to create angst for the other AKA (spoilers Willow and Tara from Buffy)?
Totally depends on the situation. The WiR thing, at it’s heart, was a very basic question about using established female characters for shock value, then removing them from the stories.
It was never about women in peril. I write women in peril every day. It was never about women never been taken hostage or anything like that…these are adventure stories, all that has to be fair game.
What it was about was the thinking that female characters are more expendable by far than male ones. That their primary value was for shocking death, OR that all powerful females had to be brought to heel, had to be depowered and humbled in some manner.
Additionally, it was never enough for these things to happen in a story and for it to be back to the status quo by issue’s end. It had to be permanent, or as permanent as these things CAN be in today’s comics.
Finally, the female character was rarely, if ever, shown as surviving or triumphing over these adversities. They lose their agency for good…try reading some of the early Barbara stories before she became Oracle and they are just astoundingly mean and dismissive.
So, those are the thoughts. I think the same sex thing might change the paradigm in some cases, because the hero of the story is still female, I guess. But it’s still about the wholesale removal of established female characters and the concurrent assumption of their lack of intrinsic value.
You've self published before. Where do you send the manuscript for printing? Any tips for a possible future self-publisher?
Actually, I have done creator-owned work, LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS is my first self-published book and all the tech stuff is handled by the artist, Jim Calafiore, so I can’t help here, I’m sorry!
Can anyone else help with this poster’s question?
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