Guest Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 In the Black Widow's case that it probably more true then not. Consider what her namesake is best known for... Then realize that the most likely history of her professional career is gaining the trust of men, learning their secrets and then destroying them. Even after she turns to the side of the Good guys you can still see parts of this training (Her interrogation of Loki comes to mind) Now if we have an organization creating these "Black Widows" then it in not hard to see physical appearance as being part of what they look for and what they would be willing to alter to make it what they need. Therefore it seems like the Black Widow is one of the few comic book females that really has the background to justify looking like an airbrushed, photo shopped, underwear model. Of course she is just one of the many comic book female who look this way. Agreed. I'd like to try and justify all the provocative drawings of comic book damsels as sort of an artistic expression of their bodies as sort of "super bodies" that aesthetically parallels their roles as super-heroes, and is therefore a "celebration of the human form in all its glory,"....and I could probably make a half-way decent case that might even have some validity to it.... ....but yeah the rest of it is just that sex sells. But Black Widow is nothing compared to like Witchblade or Vampirella. And in most comics, artists will often sometimes draw a pin-up style version of characters. But to be fair, the guys are pretty big hulking masses of sex appeal as well, and probably aren't at all uneasy on the eyes for many female readers. FEMME FATALE. These have been incorporated into comic books especially during the 60's when the feminist movement became popular. It's nothing new. The Femme Fatale archetype has been in use in literature and art for centuries - Lilith in midrash, Helen of Troy in Iliad, etc. etc. Black Widow is your quintessential Femme Fatale - from her initial evening gown attires and questionable alliances to her use of feminine wiles and mysterious allure to achieve her missions. There are lots of them - Jean Grey (Dark Phoenix), Catwoman, etc. The rise of these characters in the 60's, 70's led to the mainstream characterization of comic-book fans as sexually suppressed nerds. Interestingly, a trend has been growing for turning traditionally male characters to female or gay ones - the new Thor is a woman, the new "old" Green Lantern is gay. So, I think the femme fatale archetype that the feminists love to hate are headed into oblivion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bini Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 The gender bends on superheroes and other fictional TV/movie heroes is pretty cool. There's lots of great renditions on YouTube of male characters betrayed as female, and vice-versa. Some use real people and not animation, and yet, still capture the character perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latter Days Guy Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 What, do you not get wikipedia in your part of the world? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Widow_(Natalia_Romanova) (hehe...just noticed Latter Days Guy beat me to it. But he didn't include the snarky question...so....)Must try harder to be snarky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirkwood Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Makes me wonder if most of us have a sister in law like that. :) Not me! I love my sister in law. Now the FIL... Palerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palerider Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Not me! I love my sister in law. Now the FIL...Inlaws and Outlaws....gotta love them. Lol mirkwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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