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DC Responds to Concerns over Lack of Female Comic Creators

Is the reported 12% to 1% drop in female creators incorrect?

You may have heard about the fan uprising first triggered after a San Diego Comic-Con 'DC New 52' panel in which a brave young lady asked the panelists (which comprised of only male creators) the question, 'where are all the women'? after noticing how few of DC's female characters will be receiving ongoing solo books this fall. You can read a great interview where she delves into her observations at the DC Women Kicking Ass blog. The conversation shifted from not only the drop in female solo books, the the drop in the number of female comic creators who would be working at DC come relaunch.

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One of the most contentious topics (and something claimed by a male reader during the panel) is that DC Comics would go from having 12% of their creators being female to a mere 1% starting this fall. You can read more about exactly how this conversation started at The Beat. If these numbers are accurate, this drop in the number of women who would be working at DC is definitely staggering. It also means that the number of women working at DC would be a poor representation of the number of DC readers who are also women. The big question is, how accurate is this number and where did it come from?

== TEASER ==

According to a recent article at Bleeding Cool, the "52 titles feature 160 credited creators, 157 male and 3 female." These numbers are in fact exceptionally low, but it should be noted that they also fail to encompass all of the women who would be working at DC comics come September. The numbers tallied in the article only take into account the female cover artists, artists and writers working on the 52 new upcoming books based on the solicits released for September, which can be found here. These numbers don't take into account the number of women editors, assistant editors, colorists, inkers and more that work on a comic book to get it published.

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Even if these numbers are not accurate, the uproar that followed took the internet comic bloggers by storm. The fan reaction so heavily impacted DC's higher ups that on Friday they published a press release on DC Source blog. stating that DC takes their fans' "concerns very seriously."

We’ve been very fortunate in recent years to have fan favorite creators like Gail Simone, Amy Reeder, Felicia Henderson, Fiona Staples, Amanda Connor, G. Willow Wilson and Nicola Scott write and draw the adventures of the World’s Greatest Super Heroes.

DC Comics is the home of a pantheon of remarkable, iconic women characters like Wonder Woman, Lois Lane, Batgirl, Batwoman, Catwoman and Supergirl as well as fan favorite characters like Black Canary, Katana, Mera and Starfire. We’re committed to telling diverse stories with a diverse point of view. We want these adventures to resonate in the real world, reflecting the experiences of our diverse readership. Can we improve on that? We always can—and aim to.

We’ll have exciting news about new projects with women creators in the coming months and will be making those announcements closer to publication. Many of the above creators will be working on new projects, as we continue to tell the ongoing adventures of our characters. We know there are dozens of other women creators and we welcome the opportunity to work with them.

Our recent announcements have generated much attention and discussion and we welcome that dialogue.

Regardless of whether DC had been actively seeking out women to work for their company or not (which they claimed to have been doing), the fact that the publisher recognized and responded to the demands of both male and female fans alike regarding the demand for more women working on their comics is not something that should go unrecognized. Was this response generated by a young woman who was brave enough to ask the tough questions at Comic-Con? Or had DC been actively pursuing female creators (like they claimed) and simply could not find any? I'll go with the former. What do you think?

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Jenna

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Edited By Jenna

People tend to understate the importance of diversity when it comes to creating high quality work.  I remember reading about how the head writer of the show Community was told that he had to hire more female writers and was initially annoyed by it (he, too, thought that it didn't matter who the writers were as long as they were good), but soon after he got more women on board he realized that they were churning out much better work because they had a lot of different perspectives being presented to them in the writers' room.  By including writers who aren't just white men, they're opening themselves up to a ton of new, superior material that couldn't exist without the presentation of a number of diverse viewpoints.
 
Another big thing that a lot of men tend to do is underestimate the importance of having strong female characters who aren't just portrayed as sex objects or love interests.  I know for a fact that if it hadn't been for Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl, I never would have gotten into Justice League as a kid and certainly wouldn't have gone on to get into the comics.  Even now, I'm more inclined to pick up a book that stars a woman over one that stars a man because seeing strong, influential women who are the equals to their male counterparts is something that we hardly ever see in movies or comics.

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Roldan

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Edited By Roldan
@Fantasgasmic: I wouldn't call Robinson a bad writer when it comes to women. His Justice League mostly contained women and they all felt interesting especially Donna Troy.
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@RazzaTazz said:
@Samimista said:
As a female myself I find this very sad there needs to be more women in the industry as they write fictional women more realistically good role models for young girls than the men writers do.
 I agree with this point, though it is funny at times to read a male writer's version of how it feels to be a woman. 
I third both of these remarks. Though I am quite disappointed with this fact. 
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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

@inferiorego: Usually there is more than one side to every story, every article, every news event. So to get some insight about the young lady and her actual actions at SDCC is interesting.

Also, nicely written statement about the whole situation in general and some may hate this but I agree with you here.

Yet to add, it would be nice if not only DC but other comic book companies made more of an effort to promote female comic book characters in a positive way other than the usual "I am tough" or "I am demure, quiet and compliant" personalities, or just outright eye candy types. Whether this requires more female writers and/or artists or editorial staff, that is hard to say. I know I've read books written by female authors and have enjoyed them immensely. In a perfect world, yes, it would be great to have more female creators across the board but as you point out, comics are, by and large a male readership. However, there are a number of female readers and that number has increased. Perhaps female readers could pipe in and state if they'd prefer a female writer and artist on a comic title or if it matters. We have plenty of female users on the site!

Just to add, Babs did decent research as well, adding stats that weren't exactly covered elsewhere, so again, good job.

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Feliciano2040

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@Fantasgasmic said:
I agree in principle but I find that when some men write women, or write about women (James Robinson, in Cry for Justice, Frank Miller in All Star Batman and Robin)... it's just juvenile. And although those authors may sell books for other reasons, and other aspects of their stories, if theirs are the primary voices for women in comics, you risk getting a wind tunnel effect; the ways characters are written get pushed more towards the extreme and less like a 3 dimensional character. 
It's a legitimate concern for sure, but then again DC Comics is well aware of this and that's why the just don't screw up by making Frank Miller the regular writer of Wonder Woman.
 
For my part I think we may be even underestimating some male writers who have proven to be very capable of writing female characters, such as Michael Avon Oeming who did Red Sonja, Christos Gage who writes Avengers Academy, a title with probably more women than men, as well as Peter Calloway who wrote Gotham City Sirens.
 
I know, some of those don't even work at DC, but it goes to prove that in the comic book industry, men are just as capable to write women.
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cattlebattle

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Edited By cattlebattle
@Fantasgasmic said:
@inferiorego: I agree in principle but I find that when some men write women, or write about women (James Robinson, in Cry for Justice, Frank Miller in All Star Batman and Robin)... it's just juvenile. And although those authors may sell books for other reasons, and other aspects of their stories, if theirs are the primary voices for women in comics, you risk getting a wind tunnel effect; the ways characters are written get pushed more towards the extreme and less like a 3 dimensional character. 
 
The same thing could be said about any group writing extensively and intimately about a group or culture they aren't a part of... provided it's real. I mean nobody knows if we have a fair and accurate portrayal of Qwardians or Skrulls in comic books.
Incorrect, Bendis is a skrull
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Fantasgasmic

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Edited By Fantasgasmic
@inferiorego: I agree in principle but I find that when some men write women, or write about women (James Robinson, in Cry for Justice, Frank Miller in All Star Batman and Robin)... it's just juvenile. And although those authors may sell books for other reasons, and other aspects of their stories, if theirs are the primary voices for women in comics, you risk getting a wind tunnel effect; the ways characters are written get pushed more towards the extreme and less like a 3 dimensional character. 
 
The same thing could be said about any group writing extensively and intimately about a group or culture they aren't a part of... provided it's real. I mean nobody knows if we have a fair and accurate portrayal of Qwardians or Skrulls in comic books.
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GundamHeavyarms

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Edited By GundamHeavyarms
@inferiorego: I agree, If the book is good than that's all that matters.  DC shouldn't base their hiring on race or gender because that's just quota filling.  That's the kind of argument you can't make on DCWomenkickingass, she'll bite your head off.
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pikahyper

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Edited By pikahyper  Moderator
@inferiorego: I find it to be outrageous that there isn't a single transvestite or drag queen working in the American comic industry :P I know of a few in Asia and South America but that is it :(
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@inferiorego said:

As a person who was at many of the DC panels at SDCC, I can say this. She asked that question at every single panel, and by Saturday, the crowd had enough of her. She came off as malicious.

According to that stat, 1.9% of the DC books have a female involved in them, but how many women do you know that read comics compared to your male friends? Aside from Babs, I have 0 female friends that read comics, and 2 that were forced into a couple series but haven't picked up a book since then. In fact, before joining this site, I had never met/known a woman who reads comic books on a regular basis. It's not a new thing. Many people know and realize that the majority of girls simply do not read comic books. So I think it's a pretty decent representation of the comic book reading population. They want to hire the best of the best because, let's face it, the company's not doing as well as it used to.

If the best happens to be an Asian transvestite, so be it. Race and sex shouldn't matter as long as the books are good. Hire the best. Making a big deal about the race or sex is backwards thinking. We're humans. We need to stop dividing ourselves up into little factions then complaining about the other factions.

What would you rather have: DC search out and take risks on new talent while the company is seemingly struggling and they could take a hit on sales or would you rather DC just hire awesome creators, regardless of focusing on b.s. like this?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to write an article to Cosmo complaining their aren't enough male writers for the magazine.

QFT

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inferiorego

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Edited By inferiorego  Staff

@Feliciano2040 said:

I'm going to take a lot of heat for this

I will too, but I just don't get it. I want quality books. I don't care who writes/draws/edits/plots/designs/whatevers them.

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neillius

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I think it was said best by Jim Lee in his comic-con interview posted on this site. yea they are concerned with diversity and what not but you can't force the hand so much that its not creative anymore, its just PC.
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Caligula

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this is goddamned stupid. I hope DC doesn't just go hire some shitty writers because of some whiny little girl. You should get the job based on talent not on the fact that you have titties.

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Feliciano2040

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@inferiorego said:

As a person who was at many of the DC panels at SDCC, I can say this. She asked that question at every single panel, and by Saturday, the crowd had enough of her. She came off as malicious.

According to that stat, 1.9% of the DC books have a female involved in them, but how many women do you know that read comics compared to your male friends? Aside from Babs, I have 0 female friends that read comics, and 2 that were forced into a couple series but haven't picked up a book since then. In fact, before joining this site, I had never met/known a woman who reads comic books on a regular basis. It's not a new thing. Many people know and realize that the majority of girls simply do not read comic books. So I think it's a pretty decent representation of the comic book reading population. They want to hire the best of the best because, let's face it, the company's not doing as well as it used to.

If the best happens to be an Asian transvestite, so be it. Race and sex shouldn't matter as long as the books are good. Hire the best. Making a big deal about the race or sex is backwards thinking. We're humans. We need to stop dividing ourselves up into little factions then complaining about the other factions.

What would you rather have: DC search out and take risks on new talent while the company is seemingly struggling and they could take a hit on sales or would you rather DC just hire awesome creators, regardless of focusing on b.s. like this?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to write an article to Cosmo complaining their aren't enough male writers for the magazine.

So much yes to this.
 
I'm going to take a lot of heat for this, but it's ridiculous how people concern themselves about these kind of things.
 
Would it be reasonable if I complained about the lack of latin american writers in DC Comics ?
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SC

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Marvel and DC don't look for the best out of any gender when it comes to writers and artists. They look for those that will sell and that bring security and reliability, and at affordable, profitable prices. Of course fans get mighty annoyed when writers basically tell them, they have to dumb down books because thats what the majority of them prefer and buy, so you know, like everyone else ever they have to tell a few white lies to sell certain premises to certain different audiences. The problem with comics, is that its dealing with the arts. Its very subjective, but there are many female and male artists who deserve to be drawing Uncanny X-Men, a huge book, more than one of its regular artists. Except that artist is really popular and sells and works fast. Coincidentally his female characters are traced often from porn stars so as far as validity as to whether that person is making and helping a book reach out to more male and especially female fans? We are not in an idealized bubble vacuum. We are a very, very flawed species especially when it comes to gender perceptions. I'm all for more males and females in comics industry writing better and drawing better though robots, dragons, guys, girls and whatever Mojo is. 

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crowncoke

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@inferiorego
 
Wow!  I have know women my whole life that have either read or at least supported the hobby.  As I stated, my youngest daughter reads them, as does my wife.  Add to that my Sister who is working to become a writer.  My mother supported the habbit, and over the years most of the comic stores that I frequented had females present (especially on 'new comic night'). 
 
I am not stating that its high numbers, in fact I would say the percentage is low single digits.  But without the ones we have, we dont have more in the future.
 
I agree that Sex or Race 'SHOULD' not be an issue, but it is.  If people of all Races & Sexes are accepted and incouraged, then the stereotypical "male domination" of the industry can be changed.
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As a father of grown women, I feel that  strong examples of females is many different industries has been a good influence on my daughters.  I know that I wanted my youngest to read comics written by female about females more than those written by males, as she told me they made more sense to her. 
 
I am glad that DC has taken this to heart.  They have had a strong sense of diversity with employment and that is something that should be embraced and not forced on them (by government or fan base).   
 
Diversity is key to the continued success!
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inferiorego

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Edited By inferiorego  Staff

As a person who was at many of the DC panels at SDCC, I can say this. She asked that question at every single panel, and by Saturday, the crowd had enough of her. She came off as malicious.

According to that stat, 1.9% of the DC books have a female involved in them, but how many women do you know that read comics compared to your male friends? Aside from Babs, I have 0 female friends that read comics, and 2 that were forced into a couple series but haven't picked up a book since then. In fact, before joining this site, I had never met/known a woman who reads comic books on a regular basis. It's not a new thing. Many people know and realize that the majority of girls simply do not read comic books. So I think it's a pretty decent representation of the comic book reading population. They want to hire the best of the best because, let's face it, the company's not doing as well as it used to.

If the best happens to be an Asian transvestite, so be it. Race and sex shouldn't matter as long as the books are good. Hire the best. Making a big deal about the race or sex is backwards thinking. We're humans. We need to stop dividing ourselves up into little factions then complaining about the other factions.

What would you rather have: DC search out and take risks on new talent while the company is seemingly struggling and they could take a hit on sales or would you rather DC just hire awesome creators, regardless of focusing on b.s. like this?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to write an article to Cosmo complaining their aren't enough male writers for the magazine.

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@RazzaTazz said:
@Samimista said:
As a female myself I find this very sad there needs to be more women in the industry as they write fictional women more realistically good role models for young girls than the men writers do.
 I agree with this point, though it is funny at times to read a male writer's version of how it feels to be a woman. 

or the opposite as well
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This is pretty stupid.  Creators should be selected by merit, not any physical factor.

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StarKiller809

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This bugged me. I'm all for equality but I really think that we should just be happy with the people we got. Why does every time any publisher do something someone has to mention the lack of female creators? 

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Edited By dernman

I don't care if it's a man or woman who is doing the book. If the work that come out it true too the character and entertaining what does it matter who does it.
You shouldn't  exclude or include someone based on gender. 
Unless woman are being kept out because they are woman then it's not an issue.
 
And from my impression of  what I have been hearing about this person it was less about bravery and more about them wanting to get in someones face because something wasn't working how they believe it should.

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I'maDC/ImageGuy!

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It must suck to be Didio right about now.

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@Samimista said:
As a female myself I find this very sad there needs to be more women in the industry as they write fictional women more realistically good role models for young girls than the men writers do.
 

I agree with this point, though it is funny at times to read a male writer's version of how it feels to be a woman. 
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Edited By snowtires

Really, they used Katana, Mera and Starfire to show that they've got a lot of female characters?  That's all they could think of?

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cattlebattle

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@KainScion said:
why does it matter?? a good character is a good character regardless of the gender of its creator
QFT!!
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Edited By Samimista

As a female myself I find this very sad there needs to be more women in the industry as they write fictional women more realistically good role models for young girls than the men writers do.

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KainScion

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why does it matter?? a good character is a good character regardless of the gender of its creator