 |
| Review by Clay N Ferno |
Jenette Kahn, Marie Severin, Paul Levitz
She Makes Comics is the latest film by the Sequart Organization funded by Kickstarter and available for sale and digital download for comics fans of any gender.
Marisa Stotter directs this documentary produced in association with Respect! Films that delves into the history, present and future of female fandom, lady creators and what it means to be a fan of comics today. A true celebration of the medium, She Makes Comics puts the spotlight on key contributors, editors and cosplayers to encourage young girls and women to embrace what they love.
It seems like you can’t swing a longbox these days without running into some internet discourse or open letter about gamergate, cosplayers at conventions or fan backlash about new costume designs for female heroes (looking good, Batgirl and Spider-Woman)!
As a straight white male (boring, I know!) checking my privilege seems to be something I do without such reminders but I’m grateful to have the opportunity to review great films like this.
We need more movies like She Makes Comics!
Not only are we given a history lesson about comic books, a subject that I’ve quite literally worn the leather of my armchair reading up on, but we get to learn and listen to important lessons in this documentary. I watched this with my girlfriend, also a comic book fan and we were high-fiving throughout! Mostly when Kelly Sue DeConnick was speaking, because she’s just so cool.
Scanning the indicia (you know, the tiny print on the inside of comic books, usually page 1) and the credits was something I always did while reading comics as a kid (didn’t everyone? No?).
Some of my favorite books were by ladies and I thought nothing of it, I mean anyone can write and draw a book, right? There were Mary Shelley and Anne Rice for example. Until I grew into an adult, I had NO IDEA what kind of struggle an Ann Nocenti, Louise Simonson or Lynn Varley might be dealing with just because they were female. I saw them just as creators — and most of the time I thought they did a better job than their male counterparts.
Turns out — surprise — it wasn’t easy for anyone to break into the comic business those days, and it was even harder as a woman. She Makes Comics starts from the early days in the industry and carries us to the present day. Metamorpho’s creator Ramona Fradon is highlighted early on in the film as the Marvel Bullpen’s sole lady and art director Marie Severin.
The 70s are explored via the underground comics scene with interviews with women’s liberation comic pioneers Joyce Farmer and Trina Robbins — both fighting against stalwarts of their own scene, the sexism of R. Crumb’s Comix of the day.
Full character cosplay with accurate costumes — a hot button issue concerning conventions today — find’s it’s origins with the creator of one of the 80’s coolest books, Elfquest. Wendy Pini, with husband Richard dressed as Red Sonja in full metal bikini before being offered a chance to write the book at Marvel. Both Elfquest and cosplay have been going strong and empowering female fans since 1978 with no chance of slowing down!
Former DC publisher (but vice-president at the time) Paul Levitz brings us into the 1980s with the hiring of Jenette Kahn in 1976 as publisher for the company. Her legacy leaves with it not only a precedent of a woman heading a comic company, but a woman having a groundbreaking role in corporate culture in the 1980s. Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, Ronin, Hellblazer and more were all published under her watch — books that continue to influence today’s creators.
Following in Jenette’s footsteps was Vertigo’s Karen Berger who is quoted as being into ‘weird shit’ in the film. The establishment of the Vertigo imprint and Sandman took comics to another level and brought more female fans into the books, with relatable characters like Sandman’s sister Death. Berger stayed with the company until 2013.
Among some of the great interviews in She Makes Comics is one with Gail Simone.
As someone who started out as a fan criticizing how women were depicted in comics on her site Women in Refrigerators, she is now a fan favorite creator on Secret Six and just recently ended her run on Batgirl among other great ongoing projects like Tomb Raider and Red Sonja. Simone eliminates all of the bullshit she was railing against by just writing compelling stories where the leads just happen to be female. …and she’s the best at it.
Another modern day powerhouse in comics is Kelly Sue DeConnick. Her segment deals with the phenomenon that is Captain Marvel and her fans in the Carol Corps. Kelly Sue’s insight into the response to her books and how much she loves seeing young female fans is inspiring.
In all, as a comic history lesson and a way for female fans to more closely relate to the creators behind their favorite books, She Makes Comics is a must see and welcome addition to the Seqart film library. There are no shortage of creator guests talking about what they love most about comics from Chris Clarmont to Ms. Marvel’s G.Willow Wilson. What most people love most about comics, it would seem are strong female characters written and drawn by even stronger ladies.
If you have a young adult in your life that is into comics, this is a recommended gift but be sure to buy a copy for yourself to keep these great documentaries going!
