Feminist in Wonderland: The Women of Comic Con

From the WIP

Thewip.net
http://thewip.net/contributors/2011/06/feminist_in_wonderland_the_wom.html

June 1, 2011

Feminist in Wonderland: The Women of Comic Con

by Andrea Dulanto
-USA-

When attending an event produced by Wizard World, it is hard not to feel a bit geeky.
Currently on tour throughout the U.S. and Canada, Wizard World made its first stop in Miami, Florida. Same as other comic book conventions, Wizard World presents artists and merchandise from different genres—not just comics, but graphic novels, sci-fi, anime, gaming, cosplay, and cult comedy.

• The line outside Wizard World's Comic Con in Anaheim, CA, April 29, 2011. Photograph by Flickr user Pop Culture Geek and used under Creative Commons license. •

The traditional comic con audience is male. This was definitely the case in the Miami gaming room where men and boys showcased their card-playing skills with Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic: The Gathering. The competition had a high-stakes vibe with prizes ranging from Xboxes for younger players to $5000 for seasoned pros. Some players compete in several tournaments a year and “can live off the prizes,” says a representative of Phoenix Games, the organization that hosted the competition. He estimates that women are only 5-10 percent of the gaming world, and is not sure why more women are not involved. Not that long ago, entire conventions were a “gaming room” of men, but more women are participating in the comic con world as artists and fans.
Many of the women at Comic Con represent distinct approaches to empowerment. Some may identify as feminists, others may not. Some may want to be known as a woman artist or a cosplay girl. Others may prefer to be seen as an artist or cosplayer without any reference to gender.
Erin Hurst, creator of the live-action comedy show 3000 Brigade, started going to cons as a fan in 1999. At that time, any girl who actually showed up at a convention was “worshipped…put on a pedestal.” In recent years, Hurst has seen a lot more women who do not care if conventions are “nerdy.” Hurst admits there is “still a little bit of sexism… [with girls] scantily clad in Princess Leia costumes.” But now there is also the “girl with a rodent hat on… [to add] more balance.”

• Erin Hurst, director of the 3000 Brigade at the Wizard World Miami Comic Con, February 2011. Photograph Courtesy of the author. •

Since 2007, Hurst has entertained convention audiences with comedy skits based on video games and con culture. Despite the enthusiastic response from fans, Hurst still has to confront the stereotype that “women aren’t considered as funny as men.” Her male audience will “come to a show, laugh like crazy” and when she presents herself as the author of the skits, they react with disbelief: “There’s no way a woman wrote that.” As evidenced by the continued success of the 3000 Brigade, Hurst enjoys proving them wrong. Comic book artist Cayce Moyer has also had to deal with preconceived notions about her work. At a previous comic con, a man passed by her table several times before he finally asked if she was the artist. When she said yes, he seemed amazed at the idea that “girls can draw too.”
Despite this experience, Moyer has found that “most people at conventions… [kno