Welcome back to News & Things! We have a new Ms. Marvel! Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and the Defenders are getting new live action shows! Thor and Loki’s bromance! And more!
Read of the Week
So what does a gal have to do to get into The Comics Journal anyway?
Heidi MacDonald breaks it down. By the numbers, it is very difficult for a woman to get the attention of The Comics Journal, either creator or journalist. In the wake of Sean T. Collins and Frank Santoro’s discussion of the state of serious comics criticism, and Sean’s question “where are the women?”, Heidi says, “they’re already here.”
I’d like to think that in the long run this exclusion doesn’t matter, since, well, only a few people read The Comics Journal any more, and thousands of people read tumblr and the web where people who are not white men are able to put their work on display without fear of “gender-blind” gatekeepers. It’s definitely a world without gatekeepers any more, thank God, and I’d rather have the tyranny of crowd sourcing than the tyranny of patronizing, patriarchal privilege; a privilege oblivious to its own sheltered viewpoint.
But heed me well, young women of tumblr, this is how women get forgotten and marginalized. They get left out of history. Over and over and over, and have to prove over and over and over that they belong in discussion. Women cartoonists and women comics critics have as much to say and as much wit to say it as a jackass showboat like Matt Seneca who once burnt and ate a book because he didn’t like it. I’d like to think it’s douchbaggery and prejudice that’s being marginalized when I look at the new world of comics—a world where most cartooning students are female; international influences are more important than Neal Adams or S. Clay Wilson; digital is a fact of life; and, most importantly, creators grew up reading only literary and indie comics, and aren’t still playing out their rejection of Marvel and DC as the Oedipal crisis of their adult lives.
News
Or that’s how Marvel puts it in their offcial announcement of the deal that you’ve no doubt already heard about. Some crucial details: First out of the gate will be Daredevil, followed by Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and then Iron First. These shows represent years of programming, so don’t expect to get them all at once. Marvel is following the same model that lead to their Cinematic Universe being so successful. And like the MCU, Marvel’s tv adaptations will culminate in a team-up. Defenders will bring all four street level heroes together in a future miniseries.
Not only is the deal exciting for fans, but it’s making waves in the industry as well. Remember that Netflix inked a deal last year for first rights to subscription-tv distribution of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilms movies. Now they have a near lockdown on Marvel tv. According to Market Watch, Netflix and Disney shares were up, thanks to the news. And CinemaBlend asks the 5 Major Questions Raised by Marvel’s Massive Netflix Deal that we also had in mind. Especially important: what does this mean for Marvel and Disney’s competitors? Will DC catch up? Will other publishers and production companies follow suit?
Marvel Comics Introducing a Muslim Girl Superhero
Our new Ms. Marvel is Muslim-American teen Kamala Kahn! She’s a shapeshifter with a kicky costume, who’s already making waves outside of the comicsphere. Everyone from the New York Times to the Times of India are talking about her.
Feminist movie rating system introduced in Sweden
The Bechdel Test is now being employed by Swedish theaters looking to draw attention to the lack of substantive roles for women in cinema.
Agents of SHIELD Adds Victoria Hand
Want more comic characters on Agents of SHIELD? Victoria Hand, created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato, will be played by Saffron Burrows and appear on the episode airing 11/12.
Shanghai Theater Promotes Thor…with a Fan-Made Poster
A Shanghai movie theater mistakenly used a fan-made, Photoshopped poster to promote Thor: The Dark World…and Thor and Loki are, er, closer than ever.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho9thWD4pks&w=420&h=315]
Commentary
Geek Girl Con: Comics and Games Panel
The Comics Journal has posted full audio of this Geek Girl Con panel. Moderated by Kristi Valenti and featuring Jen Van Meter, Jen Vaughnand, Donna Almendrala and Karin Weekes, the panel discussed comics, the creative process, and the difficulties and rewards of being a woman in gaming.
Amy Reeder and Bryan Monteclare talk creating their own characters versus writing for established properties.
Rob Delaney explains why Phoebe Gloeckner’s A Child’s Life is “the North Star”
Famous Twitter person and comedian, Rob Delaney loves A Child’s Life, and he’d like you to check out, and possibly love, the graphic novel.
And Finally…
In honor of Steve Ditko’s 86th birthday, here’s a gallery of 86 Ditko comic covers: