Power Girl and Feminism in Comics

It’s no secret comics and feminism have a contentious relationship, because of the dreaded Women in Refrigerators Syndrome (something even my beloved "Dark Knight" succumbed to).  It’s also no secret that girls who ARE into comics tend to gravitate more towards manga volumes rather than superhero books, and who can blame them?  How can you get into a series when your favorite heroine might get raped, murdered, or depowered?

That’s why I’d like to give special attention to the new Powergirl run written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, with art by Amanda Connor.  I think it’s not only an example of how female superheroes should be handled, but how superhero books as a whole should be handled.

First off, Powergirl has all same powers as her cousin Superman, and is shown to be just as capable.  Plus unlike lessers writers Gray and Palmiotti play up Powergirl’s physique without getting exploitative.  I think it’s better to just address this aspect head on, rather than deny a woman’s impact as a sexual being altogether.

Plus unlike Wonder Woman, Powergirl’s alternate identity is as CEO Karen Starr, a competent and successful business woman.  Showing Powergirl/Starr trying to balance her life as a superhero as well as a working woman trying to have a normal life outside of day-saving is probably one of my favorite parts about the series.  I have a feeling the issues addressed in these scenes would resonate even removed from the context of this character.

But most of all, it’s fun.  Remember fun, what we used to have?  I think Powergirl could really serve as a great example of comics in the future, and the fact it’s headlined by an extremely talented female artist is no small coincidence.