DC Women Kicking Ass

The Bechdel rule and my comics

Joanna Draper Carlson of “Comics Worth Reading” posted this week about how the Bechdel test for films has become a bigger deal because it was the focus of an article in mainstream entertainment publication Entertainment Weekly. That’s the second time in a few weeks I’ve seen a reference to the test. In July, scifi writer John Scalzi wrote about the failure of science fiction films to pass the test. I found the article particularly heartbreaking given that the original comic strip by Alison Bechdel names a scifi film, Alien, as the last film she saw before she passed the test. The test was created 25 years ago and as reminder it is comprised of three parts. For the movie to pass it must include all three:

1. It has to have at least two women in it (later amended to include women with actual names other than secretary or nurse)
2. Who talk to each other,
3. About something besides a man.

A simple test that an incredible amount of films fail. Here’s a good video that illustrates that:

The Bechdel test doesn’t say whether a movie will be good or bad. It doesn’t even mean the scene that let’s the movie pass the test won’t be exploitative. But it does allow you to have some insight into the agency of female characters have in the movie and the importance they play to the story.

With Bechdel on my mind, I thought about my comic pull this week. The bulk of comics I buy focus on women although I do buy titles that barely feature any women (Batman & Robin, I am speaking to you). I didn’t find a lot recently written about comics and Bechdel in a quick Google search beyond another blog, ComicCultureWarrior who recently opened the questioned up to its readers. Be warned some of the comments are pretty infuriating interesting and may piss you off.

Here are the results of the test applied to the comics I bought this week:

Batgirl - It passes. Steph and Padma trash talk about how they are going to beat each other in ping pong.

Birds of Prey - It passes. The Black and White Canaries talk about how they are going to kick each other’s asses.

Zatanna - It fails. The closest it comes is when the three disciples of Mammon talk about Zatanna and their love for slot machines. But none of the women have names.

Justice League Generation Lost - It kinda passes. Tora and Bea discuss how they are going to break into Checkmate. I would be more excited if Winick didn’t have Tora complaining about her outfit. The conversation later turns to Max and Booster, but for the first two pages it’s Bechdel compliant.

I don’t think it is any coincidence that the books I have a lot of love for passed. I’ve mentioned that Zatanna is in need of a female supporting player. If one is added I am sure it will pass.

So how did your comics do this week? What do you think of the Bechdel test?

Bat/Cat Lunch Time Lust - How is this for timing?

A new Batman/Catwoman one shot by Howard Chaykin just announced at the Source!

All the Batfamily Costumes.

You’ll want to look at this in the biggest size possible. I don’t know who did it (it looks like Benes maybe? If you know, please share   UPDATE: Mizzelle has tracked down the artist. It is a Benes. Fred Benes, Ed’s brother. And it is from 2007) but it has the Batfamily through the years in the various iterations of their costumes. It’s quite fun although I prefer Babs to have gotten a full shirt as her Oracle costume rather than what she is wearing there. Extra points for Selina leaning on Bruce on the right side of the image. I want this as a poster.

embiggen here

Former Girl Robins just hanging. “Cats n Bats” by RizuMcChan.