Susan B. Anthony’s Other Vision

I’m not sure if Susan B. Anthony was a comic book fan, but I do know she helped pave the way for a movement of new geeks in this world. So now you ask the legitimate question, “Yo, how does a 19^th century women’s right activist have anything to do with comic books?” My answer is simple: look who they cast as Green Lantern.

There is no question comic book fans have steadily risen over the last few decades. One reason for that rise is the surge of female fans into the fold. Recently, San Diego ComiCon reported that 40 percent of their paid attendees were female fans. Now, I will admit I think some of those were there to support their geeky husbands or boyfriends, but it has to be said that Hollywood and the comic book business knows there is a market for females.

Ok, I’ll be a guy for a second. I’ll cater to the hard line men who think comic books are strictly for men. I do like looking at busty women. I agree Wonder Woman is hot. She has super powers? Who knew? I also love going to comic conventions and watching the females use guys like the lemmings we are to sell items or get men to come over to a booth. I like looking at female characters in a book knowing if they existed in real life they would be so top-heavy they wouldn’t be able to walk, maybe even breath. That has been the norm for as long as I can remember. Yes, it is part of the reason I enjoy the comic book scene.

However, times are changing. Women have a stronger voice. They also have a place in this debate. I remember the first time I met a die-hard female Star Wars fan. I seriously knew I was in love. I courted her for months only to learn she was a lesbian. Still, it was the first time in my adult life I realized women can and are fans of the same arena normally reserved for men.

So what happened? I mean, how did women make their way into this male-dominated environment? When did they put down their dolls and pick up a comic book and become a fan? I’d like to think it happened in the 50s, but that may be a bit premature. From where I see things I think writers such as Anne Rice can take some credit. A female author writing lovingly about vampires is something this country found to be original. And she’s not alone.

Look at what attracts females to TV. Their DVRs go crazy when True Blood begins. More and more are also watching Heroes, which has cleverly written in female bad-ass characters. My nine-year old is in love with the Twilight series, another vampire romance series. This is how it begins. And this is where we are now.

But what is the future of females in the world of comic books to film? Well, Terry Moore sure struck a cord when he published Strangers In Paradise. A book designed for females about females. It definitely wasn’t a page-turner for a lot of guys (although I think it’s brilliant), but it did have a strong following and has led to a movie deal for Moore with his newest title Echo.

And it doesn’t stop there. Do you honestly believe the producers of the much-anticipated Green Lantern movie cast Ryan Reynolds because he will bring home an Oscar? They hired him because women drool every time they see him on screen. I guarantee you either the writer or director will be instructed to have a pair of shirtless scenes in the movie involving Reynolds. Heck, my Facebook profile blew up the day I announced it in my status. A total of 37 people responded, 28 of them were females who “couldn’t wait to see the pile of deliciousness” that is Ryan Reynolds. The guys all thought he was a lousy choice.

This is where we are at in the movie-making business. Producers see a large audience in the female population. I personally blame Joss Whedon for suckering us all in with “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” but I digress. My challenge to the movie studios is to find hunks who can act. I love the choice of Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. Women love him and he’s a guy’s guy to boot. Tobey Maguire is pushing it. Ladies find him attractive, but guys have a problem with him as being a guy. He can get away with it because Peter Parker is a nerd and Maguire definitely fits that mold.

Now, some may say I am painting females with too broad of a brush. That I’m portraying them as sex-crazed zealots with nothing better to do then fawn over men they can’t have. And? Ok, so there is that element to all of this. There is also an element of die-hard female fans that could embarrass most men in comic book trivia. I think they are in the minority of this discussion, but they are also growing in numbers by the year.

I think it is wise for movie execs to include females in their marketing of a film. My fear is that they will forget the true nature of comic books. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, there are plenty of actors who have the looks females want to see and the acting ability to stay true to the comic character he is portraying. The comic book movie business has become big enough they can go find these actors, pay them what they are worth, and make a dynamic film to cater to a wide selection of targeted audience members.

I’m not sure if Ms. Anthony had this in mind when she gave 100 speeches a year fighting for women’s rights. I’m not sure if she would see it is a determent to females or a blessing. I do know she would be thrilled they have a voice in an industry dominated by men and so am I. The time has arrived. Now, if I can find me a beautiful Star Wars fan that is NOT lesbian I would be set!