kyrax2:gailsimone:This might be the most painful thing I've...

kyrax2:

gailsimone:

This might be the most painful thing I've read about comics on Tumblr in a long while. I don't even know where to start.

First, screw it, let's just get this out of the way…I met Kyrax in person at two different conventions, and spent time with her, she looked absolutely fucking FABULOUS, huge smile, great costume, I don't know what the OP could possibly be thinking. As if female comic fans don't already get enough crap already!

Second, she didn't 'hijack' any panels. These panels are, at best, a fun time for readers and comics creators to meet. At worst, they are just commercials for upcoming product.  They're not solemn events where the audience isn't allowed to voice their opinion to the superpowerful comic book wizards.  I've been to panels where readers have been far more vocal about things of no importance whatsoever, like minor costume changes. You're saying actually talking about things that MATTER is somehow bad form?

Let me tell you, I was proud as hell of Kyrax for getting up and asking her questions in a straightforward manner, and for her refusal to be intimidated.  In a room full of people who went from apathetic to openly hostile, that took a Batgirl-level of courage. I was there, and what she said took guts.

AND it made a difference. I spoke with several panelists after and they nearly uniformly felt bad about it, and that they knew she had a point. This stuff is a slow, irritating process, but it does make a difference, and now we have Ann Nocenti on Green Arrow and Nicola Scott on JLA and more good news coming that I can't talk about yet.She didn't make feminists look bad, she made feminists look both BRAVE and EFFECTIVE.

Finally, I've visited with Kyrax, I've spoken with her many times. She's not some mean ol' spoilsport. She was far, far more gracious and kind and understanding about what had happened than she needed to be. She was forgiving to the people that booed her and to the creators that didn't really answer her. She doesn't want to simply criticize, she wants things to be better.

She is, in short, an adult.

An AMAZING adult.

I don't know the original poster. But I was there on the panel, and was nothing but awed by this Batgirl. We should ALL be so 'bitchy,' if that's how you want to define courage and doing the right thing.

Kyrax, you keep on being Batgirl, please. You inspired a lot of people.

Gail, I don't know what to say.  Thank you, for your kind words, your warmth, and your support.  You're an inspiration, not only as a successful woman in the comics world, but as a human being.  You treat everyone with patience and respect, but you never hesitate to stand up for yourself or what you believe in.  Thank you for setting such an amazing example for all of us.

Sweetie, you are way too kind, and this isn't about me, it's about you, it's 100% true and 100% well-deserved.

You're the hero. Take a bow!