Suvudu Universe

Next month, DC will be doing another variant cover theme for many of its superhero titles. This time it’s selfies, self-taken photos that artists seem to be playing for some welcome humor, as shown in this Newsarama gallery.

The selfie theme also features in the cover to Batgirl #35. That issue features a new creative team and a new, younger, hipper look to the long-running character, now a grad student. Personally, I was thrilled that Batgirl looked so modern and practical, although it may be a shame to lose some of her years of experience (if that’s the case). (Cover by Cameron Stewart.)

However, some people apparently really hated the idea. (You know superhero fans, always welcoming change.) I didn’t realize how extreme some of the reactions were until I read Ursula Murray Husted’s terrific comic on the subject.

Husted makes the point that looking down on a girl who wants to take a selfie plays into our sexist assumptions about appearance, with some key observations from her work as a college teacher with kids just this age. It’s a great comic.

In case you’re not familiar with her other work, Husted has also published three graphic novels on amazingly diverse subjects: The Lions of Valletta, Looking Up, and Making Rain.

Similar Posts: PR: What Not to Do: Non-Representative Offensive Covers § Superhero Comic Sexism – A Futile Fight? § Bad Batgirl Cover § My So-Called Secret Identity a Female-Friendly Take on Superhero Comics § It’s Not Because They’re Girls…