Thursday, January 17, 2008
Reaction to the Wonder Woman PLAYBOY cover
I’ve been trying to keep up with the online funny book feminist overreaction to Tiffany Fallon being painted up to look like Wonder Woman on the cover of Playboy. Even though Fallon is technically nude on the cover, it’s not the most titillating image to ever grace the cover of a magazine, especially a magazine such as Playboy. You have to look close to even realize that she is indeed even naked.
Some funny book feminists have been vocal with their disapproval of the cover. Ragnell writes over at Written World:
If they’re smart, they’ll put their foot down and try and reclaim that image. Pink Raygun (NSFW) asked if we’d see a model as Batman in the same sort of thing. The answer’s no. You won’t see Batman in paint on the cover of Playgirl because DC protects their copyright to Batman, and goes out of their way to stop sexualized images of Batman. The character is money to them, they want to control how the public receives him.
The “sexualized images of Batman“ she is referring to is the watercolor artwork of artist Mark Chamberlain. They are more then just sexualized images of Batman. They show Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder engaged in various sex acts. With each other.
Say what you want about the Playboy cover, but at least Wonder Woman isn’t engaged in sodomy with an under aged minor.
It’s true DC sent a “cease & desist” letter to the New York Chelsea art dealer that was selling the gay Batman and Robin watercolors. That was over two years ago. I don’t know what ever became of the case. Honestly, I don’t really care. I noticed today that at least some of the art is still up for sale at the artist’s website. That makes me think DC wasn’t too successful in getting the art removed.
Wonder Woman on the cover of Playboy is not the same thing as artwork featuring Batman and Robin engaged in sodomy. Then again, what if it was? I don’t remember anyone - male or female - getting angry over the Chamberlain artwork showing Batman engaged in gay sex. In fact, I remember the complete opposite. I remember most people reacting to the gay Batman and Robin art as though it was kind of funny.
Imagine that.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
So it’s not about feminism at all, but copyright infringement? Why would anyone but the actual owners of the copyright give a shit about that?
This is nowhere near the first time Wonder Woman has been sexualized, and it won’t be the last. It seems to me that being a feminist comic book fan makes about as much sense as being a pacifist arms dealer. Are they expecting the comics industry to somehow magically transform into something they won’t find offensive? Call me pessimistic, but I doubt that will ever happen.
I don’t know what it’s really about other then finding something to complain about. I get that, because I like to complain about stuff too. I just don’t think this is one of those things worthy of complaining about. I don’t think this is the first time Playboy has put a sensational photo of a woman on their front cover. Something tells me it wont be the last.
I can relate, because I’m a huge fan of rap music; I just wish they’d get rid of the misogynistic and violent lyrics.
Are you a fan of rap or hip hop? To me, rap is Run DMC and Public Enemy.
Fight the Power!