OH, I absolutely read the comics as mythology/legends, too, being a Classical mythology geek that I am. I think I am the only person on LJ who actually has the interest "Superhero comics as modern mythology" listed in her interests, ALAS. So I am absolutely interested in that on a meta level, too. But I am also someone who largely invests in fiction based on characters, and the problem with DC's way of doing things is that...they now no longer have my beloved Helena Bertinelli in their canon, and I have had to rage-quit it. ;) I would have read for Barbara, but I am very iffy over the new state of affairs on her, as well. And this came at the worst possible time, too, when I was ready to go down my list of DC recs and actually get more into this universe.
For some reason, Marvel's heroic formula works better for me than DC's, and it's no coincidence that my only interest in DC has mainly been in Batverse, which actually follows Marvel's heroic formula. It's hard for me to say if Marvel or DC is harder to navigate because I, um, cheat. I have no problems with spoilers, so I tend to read the wiki entries on women I am interested in, then find their entry on Marvel/DC database and just read those issues, knowing the basic outline of the story already. It's sort of how I approach learning new systems of mythologies, too. ;)
Simone's entire run of "Birds of Prey," especially her first run, is fifteen shades of awesome. I am especially in love with how she develops the relationship between Barbara and Helena from something that's a weird rivalry/jealousy (as defined by writers before her) thing into one of the most complex/uneasy/deep friendships between women in any canon ever. I keep meaning to write meta about the epic-ness of Helena/Barbara, but reading stuff with them just makes me speechless with squee. I know, fandom is all about Barbara/Dinah, which is awesome, but Helena/Barbara is so unique that it just makes me want to draw hearts all over it.
and also a really good example of a sexualised costume that works.
YES, THAT! I mean, Emma Frost is the ONLY superheroine I love where her offensive costume actually WORKS with who she is. But she has claimed that it disarms people, making it easier for her to use her telepathy on them. She's entirely responsible for starting my thing for Machiavellian, morally ambiguous women in power positions. Um, if you ever feel like navigating through Marvel for the awesome of Emma Frost, I have a post up here with all the relevant titles. This is my standard, "START READING COMICS!" post.
Also, um, if you're looking for indie, not-entirely-superhero comics with awesome women, I can probably rec some things? WITH APPROPRIATE DISCLAIMERS, of course.
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For some reason, Marvel's heroic formula works better for me than DC's, and it's no coincidence that my only interest in DC has mainly been in Batverse, which actually follows Marvel's heroic formula. It's hard for me to say if Marvel or DC is harder to navigate because I, um, cheat. I have no problems with spoilers, so I tend to read the wiki entries on women I am interested in, then find their entry on Marvel/DC database and just read those issues, knowing the basic outline of the story already. It's sort of how I approach learning new systems of mythologies, too. ;)
Simone's entire run of "Birds of Prey," especially her first run, is fifteen shades of awesome. I am especially in love with how she develops the relationship between Barbara and Helena from something that's a weird rivalry/jealousy (as defined by writers before her) thing into one of the most complex/uneasy/deep friendships between women in any canon ever. I keep meaning to write meta about the epic-ness of Helena/Barbara, but reading stuff with them just makes me speechless with squee. I know, fandom is all about Barbara/Dinah, which is awesome, but Helena/Barbara is so unique that it just makes me want to draw hearts all over it.
and also a really good example of a sexualised costume that works.
YES, THAT! I mean, Emma Frost is the ONLY superheroine I love where her offensive costume actually WORKS with who she is. But she has claimed that it disarms people, making it easier for her to use her telepathy on them. She's entirely responsible for starting my thing for Machiavellian, morally ambiguous women in power positions. Um, if you ever feel like navigating through Marvel for the awesome of Emma Frost, I have a post up here with all the relevant titles. This is my standard, "START READING COMICS!" post.
Also, um, if you're looking for indie, not-entirely-superhero comics with awesome women, I can probably rec some things? WITH APPROPRIATE DISCLAIMERS, of course.