Brutally Honest: X-Women #1- celebration or exploitation?

Yeah, there is no question here. It's obviously exploitation.

"It's kinda what Gail Simone will frequently (And justifiably) chastise...female characters being drawn in a humiliating manner to titillate. iI's not empowering, it's degrading. That cover is fucking ridiculous and how any dude can buy that and not feel it's the equivalent of buying an issue of "Bondage Fairies" is beyond me. "

This looks like a Cinemax After Dark version of the X-Men. Maybe its just the artist's style, but it seems like no matter what dialogue Claremont typed up for them it should be delivered in a shower in a women's prison somewhere.

I just don't care for it. I like the characters, just not the portrayal here.

" @EisforExtinction said:

" @FadeToBlackBolt said:

" Anyone else find it ironic that she used the term solicitation rather than preview to describe this issue?  Nicely done, Babs. =) "

I call them solicits. When you are offering something for sale it's a solicitation. If ComicVine were to show images it would be a preview.  I really don't see the problem. I bought this issue today (only with X-Force and X-Men for the record) and sure the tone might be radically different from those other books but why not? The issue might not be for everyone but personally I enjoy a little vacation gone wrong mixed with pirates style story telling. It keeps things light. Sure they look hot doing it too.  As to the topic of it being offensive to women I disagree. In the end the super powered ladies over come the odds and kick ass and look good too. Why is it offensive to say that woman can be attractive and powerful? "

The term Solicitation is also used as a euphemism for Prostitution. "

I don´t like the art, looks weird...

" @FadeToBlackBolt said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" @FadeToBlackBolt said:

" Anyone else find it ironic that she used the term solicitation rather than preview to describe this issue?  Nicely done, Babs. =) "

I call them solicits. When you are offering something for sale it's a solicitation. If ComicVine were to show images it would be a preview.  I really don't see the problem. I bought this issue today (only with X-Force and X-Men for the record) and sure the tone might be radically different from those other books but why not? The issue might not be for everyone but personally I enjoy a little vacation gone wrong mixed with pirates style story telling. It keeps things light. Sure they look hot doing it too.  As to the topic of it being offensive to women I disagree. In the end the super powered ladies over come the odds and kick ass and look good too. Why is it offensive to say that woman can be attractive and powerful? "

The term Solicitation is also used as a euphemism for Prostitution. "

It's not really a euphemism if the word isn't vague or indirect. Solicitation applies directly to prostitution. When you are offering something for sale it's a solicitation. "

" @FadeToBlackBolt: A preview is a full 7 page look at a book, so I guess you're wrong too. Sorry I slipped and said solicitation and not solicit, this was all done in one take and nobody's perfect.  As for the whole "aren't you (I) judging this book by its cover"? Well, yeah, actually, I am. But doesn't the fact that he's a known porn artist speak volumes in regards to how these characters will be artistically portrayed inside the book? I mean, is there any reason why Rogue is catching flies swinging from some tree vine? What *exactly* are these girls doing on this cover that showcase them saving the world (per the description of the *solicit*)? In fact, what are they doing, exactly? "

They've all got the same face (I don't just mean the expression).

I think this push from Marvel to reach female readers is ridiculous. Why do they have to label these comics "for girls"? How about you just make good comics with female leads and include female creators and treat them just like any other part of the team? This is just as silly as making "black comics", "asian comics", or "gay comics".
 
I'm female, and these comics don't appeal to me at all. In fact, even less so than some of the more masculine comics out there. I absolutely love reading about female heroes, unfortunately, the only oe's I've really enjoyed recently have been Power Girl and Batwoman.

" @FadeToBlackBolt: A preview is a full 7 page look at a book, so I guess you're wrong too. Sorry I slipped and said solicitation and not solicit, this was all done in one take and nobody's perfect.  As for the whole "aren't you (I) judging this book by its cover"? Well, yeah, actually, I am. But doesn't the fact that he's a known porn artist speak volumes in regards to how these characters will be artistically portrayed inside the book? I mean, is there any reason why Rogue is catching flies swinging from some tree vine? What *exactly* are these girls doing on this cover that showcase them saving the world (per the description of the *solicit*)? In fact, what are they doing, exactly? "

I said it once before and I'll say it again, It is just Like DOA extreme beach vollyball ha ha

This cover was kinda porn in my eyes to be honest , that's the impression I get anyway:P

I do like that in the picture featured Psylocke ACTUALLY looks asian!

" @Babs: But in regards to this issue, I do think that if this artist is know for his erotic work, that does say something about how Marvel really wants these characters portrayed. "

" I do like that in the picture featured Psylocke ACTUALLY looks asian! "

I remember back in the day when Marvel did an X-Men Swimsuit issue. Exploitation? Yes but at least they didn't try to pretend it was a real comic like they're attempting to do with this.

I would have to read the issue before I can make an accurate decision  But from what I have seen thus far it does seem to have the "me tarzan you Jane" look to it. I like the lineup it does seem like the book could have potential to be an interesting read, but the solocititation sounds like just that "a solicitation"   

Wow. I never though I'd see Manara do art for Marvel. Blows my mind, in a bad way. Just doesn't fit at all.

Looks like a load of BS to me. Terrible looking art. Unfortunately it will sell because a lot of teens read comics who will go all giggly at the sight and a lot of people who read comics like this kind of stuff. The 'O'd mouthed sex doll thing does nothing for me. But then again neither does anything Xmen. 
 
Will be avoiding this like the plague.

I think this is a coin toss.  For this particular issue, it seems like exploitation.  They sought out an erotic comics artist and included "...and look great doing it," as everyone has pointed out.  I don't know what either of those items are going to add to the story.  Marvel did an annual swimsuit issue, for a few years (late 80's, early 90's), featuring many of their female characters in bikinis.  Seems like this artist would have been better used on that sort of book. 
 
The other side of that coin is that many readers seem to want *all* exploitation to stop.  Not that I'm necessarily against that, but does every female character have to be a strong character?  In reality, many women find their identity in being beautiful - posting profile pics to social networking sites of themselves in bikinis or other sexy wear.  Am I really to believe that a superwoman in spandex, calling herself Boom-Boom, is of strong character?  Or that there's more to Tigra than stripes, claws, and a pussycat's demeanor, when her "costume" is literally a bikini?  That Starfire, whose paying work was modelling, and who absorbs languages through kissing, is a deep thinker?  She's clearly a temperamental warrior, and not a leader.
 
Not every male character is the strong leader type.  Some are wisecracking just-trying-to-make-it types - Peter Parker was based on that type.  Still, not many male characters are exploited the way female characters are - for their physical attractiveness.  Call it what it is: a flaw of a male-dominated industry.  For years, comics have been written by formulas like: hero + villain + damsel in distress = story.  Beyond that, there's not much put into it, and that's been slowly changing since the 1980's... slooooowly.  Until we, as creators and fans, demand that our comics have as much depth as any text novel out there, you can probably expect things like exploitation of the female body to continue.

What's not empowered about a woman's abiity to be both sexy and powerful, smart, tactical, driven, etc, etc. It says to me, I can save the world just like you do Ironman, and I don't need the overbearing suit to do it. :P I honesty, as a woman, have no problem with women displaying the sexy edge in a comic. I mean look at Poison Ivy, yes, shes half naked and extremely sexual, but thats part of whats so powerful about her. She uses that sex appeal as a strength. I will admit, the cover is a little...overt. But weither you love it or hate, it will make more people pick it up, now wont it?

" I think this push from Marvel to reach female readers is ridiculous. Why do they have to label these comics "for girls"? How about you just make good comics with female leads and include female creators and treat them just like any other part of the team? This is just as silly as making "black comics", "asian comics", or "gay comics".  I'm female, and these comics don't appeal to me at all. In fact, even less so than some of the more masculine comics out there. I absolutely love reading about female heroes, unfortunately, the only oe's I've really enjoyed recently have been Power Girl and Batwoman. "

" im a guy and i do think women are oversexualised in comics, but we do have to remember that comics were mostly read by males. i do think this is changing however and maybe things should be changed for the increasing number of female readers. judging by the cover though it does look exploitative and aimed towards men, so maybe do have a series dedicated to x-women but without the over-sexualizing thats aimed at female readers. "

" It's kinda what Gail Simone will frequently (And justifiably) chastise...female characters being drawn in a humiliating manner to titillate. iI's not empowering, it's degrading.

" Meh. Who gives a shit? "

i just think it's amazing that marvel keeps polishing that golden turd named Claremont. 

Yay! thank you for youtubing this.
My computer never lets me play your reviews.

To be fair I haven't read the issue or seen Manara's artwork in it, but from what I see on the cover I don't like it.  Isn't this issue supposed to honor the strong women within the X-men?  If so why would they hire  an illustrator famed for erotica?  This is not to say that women can't be strong and sexy, but his art on the cover it over the top.  Why are all their mouths open?  Also why so they all look so helpless on the cover?  Aren't they supposed to be strong, and can't Rogue fly?  Why is she clinging suggestively to a vine?  Did I miss something?  Over all his work feels odd to me, way to sexual, to the point where it does feel exploitative.   Hopefully his art is more subdued in the actual comic.  

There needn't be any more proof than this when it comes to Marvel's ingenuousness with regards to their "Women of Marvel" campaign, it seals the deal and takes the cake in terms of exploitation. 
 
Of course they'll want to say this is about appreciating the female form and I've even heard Chris Claremont claim this is what a "European" comic is but is there really any other justifiable intention other than giving a bunch of guys soft-core, conveniently situational porn? They're bound and gagged, in thong bikinis, and making O-faces like blowup dolls all throughout the pages, I think it's been quite a while since anything has been this offensive and sleazy. 
 
Claremont used to be renowned for his portrayal of women, a shred of that has some semblance of truth to it but mostly I'm suspicious of him especially as of late. He can't seem to write two women conversing without implying that they're shagging on the side, if you read New Mutants even it's all over the place. That he would push it one step further by having them Tera Patrick their way through some floozy escapade is disappointing but not very surprising on some level. 
 
Milo Manara, the artist, isn't even so impressive that he deserves his own one-shot. And I'm not singling out his general content necessarily (though the fact he pretty much illustrates porn is quite a compelling argument in and of itself) but the faces are not very detailed and the style is very dated. The spectrum of colors he uses looks like a 70's shampoo commercial with a 90's slant when it comes to the "urge to herbal". I know people will defend him by claiming he appreciates the female form but I'm not really seeing it, I think he was employed mainly because no other artist could keep it up long enough while trying to illustrate any of this. His art may rub me the wrong way but if libido is worth anything to anyone, I'm sure in that sense he's quite refined.
 
But past the personalities of the collaboration, I also look at this from an editorial standpoint and I'm very, very disappointed that characters whom I love and care about are being strung up like puppets and made to do a tasteless dance like this. Storm, Psylocke, Kitty, Rogue, they have histories that span for decades and decades with boatloads upon boatloads of fans who admire them for many, many more reasons other than the fact that they're sexy. This is completely out of step with who they are, I'm not saying they shouldn't be beautiful or attractive or charming but to be reduced to sex-toys like this is just wrong on so many levels. Not only that but as BABS pointed out, they have women writers and women artists under their employ that are writing female characters and illustrating female characters masterfully, if anyone is to write for something like this or draw it should so obviously be one of them. 
 
This also exposes Marvel disregard for X-women particularly too. Just look at the way they're treated.

• Storm- Married off, completely peripheral
  
• Mystique - In the 70's she was working in the White House covertly, now she just comes in to seduce people.
  
• Jean- Killed. Then is the one to "push" her husband into being with Emma. How pleasant, the world rests on Scott screwing Emma.
  
• Rogue- Until very recently, mope-central yet still without an ounce of the sass she once had.
• Boom-Boom- Robbed of any intellect or powers suddenly, now fights in a cocktail dress. 
  

I don't like the artwork ... it does seem a little exploitive. 
I do feel slightly offended? - I know it's strange but showing more equality doesn't mean putting the women in over-sexed poses with their frickin' mouths open ... hopefully it turns out to be a good read, I'll definately buy it just to see anyway.