Cool Women of the DCU Poster
- Posted by Johanna on April 19, 2008 at 7:19 am
- Category: Comic News
Adam Hughes drew the new DC promotional poster, which features, from left to right, Catwoman, Oracle, Zatanna, Black Canary, Power Girl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batwoman, Vixen, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn. Here’s the raw image from his site:
What KC first noticed: There are no girl Legionnaires included.
What I noticed: He put the lesbian in pants. I guess she’s lucky to be included at all, given the history of her promised title.
I thought it was amazing when I saw it, illustrating the power and beauty of these characters, and very cool that DC was using this as their major giveaway.
Here’s a picture of the poster unfolded, showing the caption “The Real Power of the DC Universe”:
That image is via Occasional Superheroine (link no longer available), where the commenters are debating whether it’s sexist. Some want the women in their costumes (don’t we see that often enough?) or call it “eye candy” (it’s a poster! how much depth of character and storyline can you put in one image?). “Augie” said “DC hired Annie Liebowitz to do a photoshoot!” which is closer than s/he thinks — a staffer told me that they were inspired by Vogue-like layouts.
As for guessing who’s who, the poster has a small tagline that lists the characters as I have them above, by their codenames.
April 19, 2008 at 9:51 AM
The lady in pants is Batomwan? I hadn’t even noticed, because my eyes immediately went straight to Harley Quinn. She remains my favorite “new” Bat-character.
This is a really classy picture, though. There’s tons of character in those poses, and I liked that I could differentiate the blondes just by sight and posture cues.
My only complaint is that I feel like Zatanna is always always always being caught in the middle of taking her top hat off :)
April 19, 2008 at 10:06 AM
This is not sexist at all. It’s surprisingly tasteful if you ask me.
Several of the costumes these women wear are far more sexist and cheesecake than this poster.
April 19, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I think the woman sitting is Lois Lane. I can’t see what’s on her fingers too clearly, but I think she has a Superman ring and a wedding ring on.
April 19, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I like the poster a lot and thinks it’s very classly. Hughes did a great job picking clothes that fitted the personality of the women. I wish women in comics were always treated with this much regard and respect.
April 19, 2008 at 12:37 PM
No, it’s definitely Batwoman – she’s id’ed as such on the poster. But it would have been nice for Lois to have been included. And yeah, respectful is a good word.
April 19, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Batwoman = Renee Montoya, right? I dunno, i get confused. Anyway, if it is Montoya i think the pants are a nice touch, fitting for the character regardless of sexual preference. Or including it but not solely based off that (since, yknow, that’s PART of the characterization).
Overall, well done. Particularly like Oracle in the thinker-like pose.
April 19, 2008 at 2:11 PM
No, Renee Montoya is the new Question, although she was outed as a Lesbian in Gotham Central a few years ago (that being a retcon that completely ignored established continuity for the character. Then again, since that continuity was primarily established by Chuck Dixon, perhaps that was the whole point.).
The new Batwoman is a new version of -not completely sure, here… – a golden or silver age Batwoman named Kathy Kane. Now known as Kate Kane. Seemingly introduced for the sole purpose of creating a lesbian superhero and garnering publicity for such.
April 19, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Kate’s been referred to as “Katherine the Younger” in 52, which leaves me suspecting that her namesake’s still part of the Standing Continuity(and possibly a part of Kate’s personal history in some unrevealed way)…at least for now.
April 19, 2008 at 2:18 PM
[...] of the women of the DC universe, which can also be found on Adam Hughes’ website. Johanna has commentary. Posted by JK Parkin in Conventions, DC Comics, NYCC 2008, News & Views [ Permalink ] [...]
April 19, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I really love it.
I think they all look gorgeous as they should. I cannot wait to own three of them.
April 19, 2008 at 2:59 PM
It shows a lot more taste than most pictures of superheroines. They aren’t in bathing suits and boots which is a big improvement. I rather like the image. It reminds me a bit of classical greece. Maybe they are visiting Diana (Wonder Woman) on her mythical island.
April 19, 2008 at 3:47 PM
[...] was reading Johanna Draper Carlson’s Comics Worth Reading and found this fabulous image by Adam Hughes that was released at the New York Comic-Con this [...]
April 19, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Someday I’d like to see an acknowledgement that ugly women can be heroes too, but I’m not holding my breath.
April 19, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Chris W., just because this is less sexist than a normal comics book doesn’t mean it isn’t sexist. I honestly don’t see how this could not be seen as been sexist.
April 19, 2008 at 5:52 PM
So why is it sexist? I don’t understand all these guys in a feminist rage over a nice-looking picture. I think the women look nice but also strong. It’s a glamour like one in Vanity Fair (see the recent “funny women” photo shoot).
April 19, 2008 at 7:28 PM
“Someday I’d like to see an acknowledgement that ugly women can be heroes too, but I’m not holding my breath.”
Well of course ugly women can be heroes — we just don’t need to see them posing in sexy pictures.
April 19, 2008 at 9:01 PM
I really don’t see how this image is sexist. Yes, the women are sexy, but sexy doesn’t automatically equal sexist. This shows them to be more than their costumes, more than their heroic (or villainous, as the case may be) identities.
April 19, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Is Zatanna taking off her hat, or just tipping it to the audience?
=====
When a Gay or Lesbian person comes out, isn’t that, in a way, retconning their established continuity?
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I vote “not sexist” for the poster.
April 19, 2008 at 11:29 PM
I love it! They’re all very much in control of their sexuality, and I like how they look the viewer right in the face. It’s very classy. I’m casting my lot in with the “not sexist” camp.
Lois Lane would have been a nice addition.
It would be a nice companion poster to have a similar spread of the guys wearing tuxs or classy suits.
April 19, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Sexist?? I guess if it was a close up shot with them standing bent over I could see that. Or if they were in swimsuits or lingerie. Yet this just looks nice and cool.
Its okay to like pretty women… right?
April 20, 2008 at 8:18 AM
I’d like to hear more about the rationale for calling this sexist, myself, since I don’t understand it. Of course a poster image is meant to be looked at!
April 20, 2008 at 9:04 AM
“Of course a poster image is meant to be looked at!”
Yeah, but the image is also terribly patronizing to the all-too-typical ‘slobbering fanboy’ mindset. It’s a blatant Vanity Fair/Vogue cover ripoff; these super-gals might as well be modeling for Victoria’s Secret as well, since they’re all seen out of their ‘power suits’.
This poster also unfortunately reminds me of that old Silver Age Brave and the Bold comic wherein Wonder Woman and Supergirl give up heroing and become French models. Some ‘progress’ being made since then, DC. :(
April 20, 2008 at 9:34 AM
The Vanity Fair/Vogue ripoff is kind of the point, here.
I do not get how “Evening dress” equates to being “out of their power suits,” though, which I think is a reference to being naked?
April 20, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Well of course ugly women can be heroes — we just don’t need to see them posing in sexy pictures.
Can they, though? I mean if I try to think of an equally prominent monstrous female hero for every Thing or Hulk, I get stuck trouble quickly…
April 20, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Well, I think I can see a possible angle for the sexist observations, albeit one that hasn’t been articulated.
The argument so far seems to be that it is sexist to look at women, but it’s more about the specific context. The problem is the tagline ‘The Real Power of the DCU’. They clearly are not the real powers, either editorially or in sales numbers. Batman is always smarter, and Superman is always stronger and morally sound. And they have the multiple monthly titles (and movies) to prove their market ‘power’. So it’s condescending and patronizing to label the women as such.
But the easiest argument is the double standard rule: where is the equivalent poster of the Men of the DCU?
I like it, so I’m just saying.
April 20, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Really, there is only one question here. Is this image of Vanity Fair’s 2001 Hollywood issue “sexist”?
Because if it isn’t, then the only reason we are having this argument is that it is a) comics, b) superheroines, and/or c) Adam Hughes. That comic book fans have been beaten with the Sexism Stick for so long that they no longer even know what images of women are culturally accptable.
(And if it is sexist, it is still an accomplishment that comics books have risen to the same level as the rest of Western Civilization, and we should praise the effort while expecting more.)
Considering that I am sure I have seen exactly this image, Anne Libowitz(esque) women in white, right down to one in a pants suit with legs spread, another as the Thinker, I would be screaming “Copyright Infringment” long before I got around to fandom’s other hobby horse of “Sexism”.
April 20, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Maybe it wouldn’t be “sexist” if the image was of the women in dirty overalls and protective equipment with their hair pulled back and dirt on their faces as they help dig out the remains of the World Trade Center during 9/11. Heroic and non-”sexist”.
Oh, but wait! How am I correlating “dirty overalls and protective equipment” with non-”sexist”. Because I think of “dirty overalls and protective equipment” as being non-feminine, i.e. “manly”. So now I’m “sexist”!
My point: “Sexism” is a consequence of gender identity in societies. When everyone shaves his or her head and we all wear identical unitards we can start saying goodbye to “sexism”. Otherwise, I think we’re stuck with it.
The Hughes poster is “sexist”, sure, but only in an oblique way, in my opinion. Adam Hughes is hired to draw characters who have always been depicted as hot babes, so that’s what he’s drawing. His skill at drawing hot babes accentuates that element of the characters (” these super-gals might as well be modeling for Victoria’s Secret”). As a sexually underfed male I love his eye candy, but if I was a normal-looking female, I’d probably feel threatened, belittled, even humiliated. But he didn’t draw them in submissive poses or bondage gear, or in any way that’s demeaning beyond the norms of “polite society’.
While writing the above bit, I read Rob Spencer’s comment. Inspired me:
“where is the equivalent poster of the Men of the DCU?”
I think DC wanted to market to females because they lack female readers. They’ve got plenty of male readers, so no “Men Of” poster.
Why don’t they have many female readers? Gee, maybe because the comic companies can’t stop making visual portrayals of females “hot” instead of “plain” or “ugly”, and because the male characters (almost always) are more capable than the females.
The comic companies don’t need to drop dresses from their visual repertoire, but they need to drop mandatory beauty requirements for female characters and introduce visual variety, they need to drop boobs and butts shots, they need to drop male- characters-know-better stories or balance them with women-characters-know-better stories (and not only know-better about relationship issues or fashion tips, either!).
My mixed message: Anti-sexist flag-wavers should lay off the poster, but not lay off the issue itself. Well, my 2 cents ran on a bit…
April 20, 2008 at 4:19 PM
[...] Social Issues Well…I have to be honest. I am with Loren (Welcome back, Loren!!!) and Johanna Draper-Carlson on this. I like this [...]
April 20, 2008 at 7:18 PM
I think the composition is amazing, and the women look powerful and confident. I hope DC does a poster (sans folding) that I can buy for my wall.
April 20, 2008 at 7:28 PM
A picture of a beautiful woman or women should not automatically be judged “sexist” just by virtue of its existence. Yes, blatant fan-wank pandering shots should be railed against, but there was none of that here.
This picture looks quite classy and the only offensive thing to me was that veteran Lois Lane was left out in favor of that newbie Batwoman.
April 20, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Really don’t see the problem with the composition. This picture is clearly trying to evoke a fashion mag photoshoot. They wear according clothes and hairdos: elaborate, elegant and not apt for crime fighting, walking on the steet or going to the corner shop to buy bread. So what? Such compositions are also done with men, with similar characteristics.
The choice of theme is unusual and shocking, and that’s why it is effective. Many superheroines dressed up with their costumes? Been there, done that. Besides: one covered with leaves, one with an unrealistic breastplate, one with a stupid miniskirt, one with fishnets… yeah, that’d be much better, not a reunion of the typical teenager’s wet dreams.
I don’t think them being beautiful is a sign of sexism by DC. Are their male counterparts really that ugly? Most superheroes and villains are slim at least, with bodies varying from athletic to bodybuilder depending on the artist’s interpretation. They all wear skin-tight suits which remark their muscles. Many wear clothing and accessories which are pointless or uncomfortable, but pleasant from an aesthetic point of view. The only really big difference I notice is in the villains: many femme-fatales for the shes, many deformed/hunchbacks for the hes.
Other than that, DC clearly likes its characters to be more beautiful, fit, noticeable and attractive than the average human; but they hardly make a distinction between sexes.
Frankly, if they wanted to show that there are women in their comics, that they are different in body and attitude and that they are not all silicon-filled anorexic clones, they could have done much worse than with this Adam Hughes piece.
April 21, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Hmmm… I’m sitting here trying to picture a male version. It’d take one heck of an artist who knew how to draw little details since so many of DC’s male characters look alike.
Plus he/she’d have to make it interesting, since they’d all be in black tie and suit.
April 21, 2008 at 1:18 AM
Hey, is that Seth Hollander from SF? Sorry you are underfed sexually. I agree with your comment.
April 21, 2008 at 7:38 AM
“Other than that, DC clearly likes its characters to be more beautiful, fit, noticeable and attractive than the average human; but they hardly make a distinction between sexes.”
So do casting directors and producers for movies and television. The one notable exception to this rule: male authority figures in a family sitcom are usually overweight buffoons who are constantly being humiliated by their wives and children. Homer Simpson is an extreme example of this. but nobody cries sexism. (‘cept maybe angry white men like me;))
April 21, 2008 at 8:48 AM
I told the folks at the DC booth that I was eagerly anticipating the male equivalent with them in tuxes. I doubt it will happen, but I’d rather tell them I want it than berate them for not getting to it yet.
April 21, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I think a black tux version would be awesome. Hal Jordan or John Stewart with a green tie pin, Batman holding a martini glass filled with club soda, Superman adjusting his glasses… very much yes.
April 21, 2008 at 1:26 PM
I think it would have been better to show the female heroes in something a little less “been there, seen that”. I can show you a dozen manga where the female cast is shown wearing evening gowns or wedding gowns in a pull out poster. . Now seeing them all in military uniforms, or baseball/football/basketball uniforms would be very nice. Something different for god’s sake.
April 21, 2008 at 4:12 PM
The guys in tuxes would be kind of cool, I agree – because the key to making it work would be, as in the poster of the gals, nuances of posture, facial expression and slight variations in the outfits. With no costumes to fall back on, the artist really has to make the characters act.
I kind of like the idea, for instance, of Dick Grayson and Wally West standing together down at the far end (kind of like Harley and Ivy) with rumpled hair and tuxes, cutting up and not taking the proceedings seriously at all; Hal Jordan on the other end of the lineup looking visibly annoyed at these two (hey, he’s always annoyed by something…); Superman recognizable mainly by his spit-curl and stature with horn-rims peeking out of the breast pocket of his jacket; Batman scowling and slightly turned away; Hawkman with an Epgyptian-themed tie-pin and cane…
Damn, I’m a nerd.
April 22, 2008 at 11:33 AM
[...] Diverse Comic Book Nation return! (Why in this post? Because I noticed due to his pingback on my DCU Women poster [...]
April 22, 2008 at 11:39 AM
[...] decided to put my money where my mouth is. I want to see the male equivalent to the recent Women of the DCU poster. Superheroes in tuxes, classy and attractive. Comments 35 and 37 at that link already provide some [...]
April 22, 2008 at 1:56 PM
My 16-year-old niece thinks the poster is “awesome.” (One opinion doesn’t prove a lack of sexism, of course.) I think that except for Wonder Woman, their normal costumes are more sexist. My niece agreed, and she also thinks that an Adam Hughes poster of the guys in tuxes would also be “awesome.” Did I mention she’s 16? :)
Overall, my only quibbles are with Wonder Woman’s cleavage, Batwoman’s pants, and Oracle’s hair (let it down, Barbara!) This is Adam’s best drawing of Powergirl ever, and the first time I ever liked the window (yeah I know, that opinion doesn’t jibe with my thoughts on Diana’s dress– one likes what one likes :-P)
April 22, 2008 at 5:47 PM
I would have absolutely loved this when I was younger and set out to find out more about these female characters. I’m not so interested now that I’m 25. My immediate thoughts were: “How pretty! Pity they gave Oracle such a gross dress.”
April 23, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I sort of understand the complaints that this might be lipservice of some kind, but I do love the picture. Especially the part where the photog’s like “here Selina, put this on,” and she’s like, “sorry dude, I only wear black.”
April 23, 2008 at 11:40 AM
I love that this poster is spurring other people’s creativity in pondering how the character would have thought about her choices. Others have talked about Supergirl’s motivation in wearing a dress more suited to clubbing than elegant evening wear.
April 24, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I thought it was pretty classy looking; they look hot, sure, but not in an exploitive way.
On a minor note, 5 of the 11 are Bat-family characters (Selina, Barbara, Kate, Harley, Ivy).
If you were doing a male version of this with tuxedos, you’d have to do a lot of pretty minor detail, apart from Ollie, of course (god bless the beard).
April 25, 2008 at 2:33 AM
This poster is GORGEOUS! I want to frame it so badly. Funny thing, on the actual poster Poison Ivy’s skin is green but not on the image from his site.
Anyway, I did a whole write up of the entire con on my blog if you want to check it out:
http://www.thenerdybird.com/
April 26, 2008 at 2:06 AM
Much.Ado.About.Nothing.
Why people can’t simply enjoy a lovely work of art is beyond me.Wanna nitpick?Let’s see….there’s one black woman but no Asians or Hispanics so it’s clearly racist.And the fact that there are no extra terrestrial women involved also makes it discriminatory against other species.
The fact they were all in Western dress makes it culturally insensitive,the two known(or three)known criminals included condone breaking the law,putting the youngest female and the lesbian in their respective outfits reinforces stereotypes.Ooh,ooh,ooh,I almost forgot…the exclusion of Amanda Waller is discrimination against big women.See how much fun this game is?
We really need to get over ourselves.This is just ridiculous.
May 22, 2008 at 10:45 PM
No girl Legionnaires included? I’d say Supergirl at least minimally qualifies in both current and past continuities. (Though I’d be happy to see any of the other 31st century ladies as well.)
May 23, 2008 at 6:30 AM
The female Legionnaires could fill up a whole poster by themselves! (And the current Supergirl is on this poster.) Adam Hughes’ portrayal of the team visiting Atlantis in Legionnaires #7 is still one of my favorite comics.
June 20, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I thought the one sitting down was Talia al ghul, kinda looks like her and she is with 2 other bats villains. Of course if the posetr says so, its batwoman… but her hair isnt quite RED ENOUGH… just a a thought
June 26, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I think this is an awesome picture. Japanese manga and anime have been doing posters like this for years, and it’s about time that American comics did something creative with their characters, placing them out of the context of their comics. If they did a male version, I wouldn’t mind either–and I also wouldn’t consider it sexist.
December 24, 2009 at 11:28 AM
jeez, you people will complain about anything! You are really just upset because you cant do better! If u think its sexist, just dont buy it or look at it anymore!
December 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
What do you mean “you people”?
July 7, 2010 at 8:27 AM
[...] just comic pages; they also post creative cosplay, like this dynamite recreation of the Adam Hughes Women of the DCU poster, or even commentary, such as this examination of DC DVD marketing when it comes to the upcoming [...]
December 16, 2010 at 9:15 PM
I love that Wonder Woman is like a full foot taller than everyone else. Shes one of the few people that could go toe to toe with Superman.