 Archive for the 'women' CategoryMs. Marvel #25 previewMarch 25th, 2008, 6:42 am by Shawn MunguiaThis week we’ll be focusing on a trio of strong women characters. One that’s had a long and constantly changing role in the Marvel Universe (Ms. Marvel), one that’s had a long role but has changed very little (She-Hulk) and a fairly new character that I’m expecting big things from (Echo). Ms. Marvel #25 showcases Carol Danvers’ past and present with the Skrull. My review will be in Wednesdays paper, but take a look at some of the pages now.
Dissing DavidJanuary 23rd, 2008, 8:26 am by Shawn MunguiaI have to say, I’ve been a fan of Peter David for a number of years now. He creates interesting plot lines and his stories are never short on witty repartee. That’s actually part of the problem though.
Having seen a couple of Peter David interviews, the man lives up to the hype. He’s quick witted and so up to date on the now that he’s probably talking in the tomorrow. But why does every character have to speak like him. Or at least the lead always does. Don’t believe me, pick up the latest issue of She-Hulk. The character has always been funny but under David’s pen she’s constantly making witty, uber-contemporary remarks and another character seems unaware of the jokes. By the way you She-Hulk fans who remember the early days of the Savage She-Hulk, both of you, yes she was funny then as Marvel wanted a Hulk-y hottie and so she was never quite either one in the early days. I’m a little discouraged by the fact that David is issue 3 into his tenure on Shulkie’s comic and why the heroine is no longer a heroine is just starting to come up, but that’s not a major problem. His storytelling skills are prodigious, I just wish that all his characters weren’t the same two characters. Shorting womenOctober 9th, 2007, 7:28 pm by Shawn MunguiaFemale characters have long been under utilized and mis-served in comic books. While Wonder Woman has remained a staple, the character has undergone serious changes and still remains one of the few. Almost all women in comics are looked at, primarily, as objects of desire by fellow heroes to a point of comical proportions … pun unintended but appreciated. Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman, is possibly one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel stable of characters, but often the story-lines that showcase her the most are dealing with unrequited love from Namor the Submariner. As a father, I’d like to believe that my girls will grow to womanhood in a world where skill is the primary factor in their professional lives. But in my beloved world of comics, this isn’t the case. The fantasy world is more of a depiction of the real world in that respect. So, due to women getting short shrift, I focused my column this week on the current plight of Tigra and the indignities that the character has had to face. In the coming days and weeks, this will be a recurring theme in my blog as well. I will focus individual postings on Tigra, Power Girl, Wonder Woman, Ms. Marvel and Black Canary to name a few. I’m also currently seeking interviews with some women that work in the comic book industry and hope to bolster the blogs and upcoming columns with such. But for now, I’m interested in what you have to say. Whom would you like me to focus on? Is She-Hulk a character that interests you? Maybe you prefer Storm or even an non-superpowered woman in comics like Spider-Man’s wife Mary Jane. Let me know and I’ll do what I can. I look forward to reading your suggestions, and hope that the results answer your questions. Shawn Munguia does graphics and layout for the Valley Morning Star. He can be reached at 956-421-9870 or you can e-mail him at shawnm@valleystar.com. |
