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The
DC Women
by: Herve St. Louis
One of the coolest things about DC Comics these days is
women. A few years ago, I bought a poster featuring some of
DC's flagship heroines. The poster, drawn and coloured by
Adam Hughes, united Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Supergirl,
Hawkwoman and Catwoman. I remember thinking how cool it would
be if DC Comics actually took it's female characters seriously.
Actually,
they did. Since the Crisis, DC has constantly renewed interests
in Wonder Woman. DC regularly assigns superior artists and
writers such as Phil Jiminez and George Perez to the series.
At
the time when I bought the poster, the Batman movies reignited
interest in Catwoman. DC Comics devoted several mini-series
and one shots to the character. Soon, a monthly series would
follow.
One
version of Hawkwoman graced the pages of the Hawkworld. Another
had been an important player in the first Justice Society
series. DC reintroduced Supergirl to its continuity. Finally,
Black Canary was branching out of Green Arrow into her mini-series
and regular series.
The
problem with the state of DC's flagship women was the lack
of focus given to the whole idea. They did not sustain the
efforts. New creators kept revitalizing Wonder Woman every
year or so. Catwoman became another bat book. They did not
try to attract non bat folk readers. All Hawkwomen's personae
were confused along that of the various Hawkmen. Supergirl
was a pale shadow of the Pre-Crisis character. Black Canary's
series ended unglamourously with a destruction of her home,
and the infamous "butch" look.
All
of this happened when I quit comics. Earlier this year, buoyed
by some comic book fans at work, I gave comics another try.
What did I find? I found a Wonder Woman series that was attracting
more readers than usual. I even found a controversy about
the Golden Age Wonder Woman and her daughter. "Wow," I told
myself "two Wonder Women and the Golden Age history salvaged.
That is so cool."
Catwoman's
series was in the midst of a twisted storyline that had me
wonder if she had a split personality. The series' about to
get cancelled but with promises for a better future.
There's
a new Hawkgirl in the JSA and she rocks. The first thing that
attracted me to this character was the absence of Hawkman!
Traditionally, the character was the side kick of the main
guy. In Hawkworld, the situation changed but then DC renamed
the series Hawkman. Everything stopped making sense. Now that
Hawkman's back, I feel more confident reading about the new
Hawkgirl. She's grown so much as a character that I'm not
afraid of seeing her share the spotlight with her Hawkman.
I
hear that Supergirl's series is doing well. I haven't had
the chance to check it out yet but the rumour is that Peter
David's has made her a remarkable character.
Black
Canary is back in another series. This time, she shares the
spotlight with a DC character that Adam Hughes overlooked
in his first poster. Barbara Gordon, the former Batgirl also
known as Oracle graces the pages of Birds of Prey every month.
The series is a strange mix but one of the most original portrayal
of female comic book heroines. What I like about this series
is that the characters have much more history and past challenges
to overcome than newer heroines du jour such as Witchblade.
There
is some controversy with the series writer, Chuck Dixon's
handling of Black Canary. Fans complain that she's dumb. Although
I agree that Black Canary acts somewhat out of characters
these days, I do not want anyone else to work on Birds of
Prey for now.
The
two female leads in this series have developed a genuine relationship
that we rarely see in comics. The fact that Dixon has succeeded
in establishing a series with two powerless women is commendable.
Comic
book creators should explore Dixon's Birds of Prey and other
DC series such as the recently departed Star-Spangled Kid.
It would help them understand how to write female characters,
even dumb blondes.
Hervé
St.Louis is an animation consultant, publicist and director.
He can be reached at doctor@toonexpert.com.
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