Let me just start out by saying that I am not into the comic scene here in the States. In fact, I probably couldn’t tell a Marvel character from a DC character even if they wore buttons with their company logo on it. However, due to Tumblr and G4, I have managed to keep up with some of the news from Comicon and let me just say that I’m glad I never went. I realize that the comic business is a boy’s business (but what isn’t?) but there’s a point where it needs to stop.
According to a Tumblr thread (via: Emmy Cicierega), Dan Didio, apparently co-publisher at DC Comics, has recently come under fire after replying to a question at his Q&A in a less than friendly manner. The question? “Why did you go from 12% to 1% on women creative on creative teams?” This is a legit question especially concerning the portrayal of woman characters in DC comics and just having diversity in the workplace in general. However, Didio strongly interrogates the man asking the question demanding, “Who should we be hiring?”
Didio’s question in and of itself isn’t bad, but the tone in which he replies blatantly shows that he quite honestly gives no shits about this issue. I understand the aversion to being told what to do (especially when it may put you in a bad light, no matter the answer) when one is so used to running things. Nevertheless, this was the wrong reaction. Surprising? No, not really, but there is no excuse.
I guess the good thing that is coming from this is that a new audience is realizing just how sexist the comics community is. From this, many are putting forth support for the female comic-ing community and bringing to light artists that maybe have faded into the shadows. There’s also a petition for offering up females involved with comics. I’m not sure how much this will help anything (it is an internet petition, after all) but it’s a useful resource for seeing just how many women are in this line of work. Hopefully, there will be a change in DC’s line-up, but I highly doubt it.
Things like this are just brutal reminders that we, as women, are good enough to parade around in superhero costumes but not necessarily considered worthy enough to work on the characters themselves.
Lady Geek Girl and Friends 