Sevara before and after a feminist critique!

[sevara]

Here's the panel description I sent to my artist, Andre Siregar:


And this is the art he sent me:


I wasn't happy with it at all. My main concern with the image is that Sevara is posing for the male reader to observe her. It just doesn’t make any sense, as she’s in the middle of a battle against a relentless giant robot. To stop and pose for us is just playing to the readers fantasy. It also detracts from the story and the drama. I want Sevara to be a book that both men and women will love. I particularly want female readers to love Sevara for her strength and compassion. Sure, there’s a lot of skin in my book, but the amount of skin isn’t the issue. Character motivation is of primary importance. Why would Sevara stop here? Who is in control, Sevara, or the male gaze? Not unlike the TV show ‘The Wire’, where the show’s creators made it a point never to ‘fish’ with the camera.

I sent him my comments and he came back with a great panel:


You can read the whole blog post here: http://www.damianwampler.com/damianwampler/news/?p=780

[Jim]

Doesn't seem any more or less sexist to me. Just an objectively better panel/illustration.

[battlewraith]

I think the second one is more dynamic and he simplified the sheath thing which was a bit confusing in the first image. As far as the feminist critique thing goes--if you had a problem with the first one I see no reason why you shouldn't have a problem with the second.

Ok the first pose shows off the whole figure in some sort of open pose that shows off the whole body. After skimming some of your link, I guess the complaint is that the pose isn't completely badass and therefore makes the character look weak (i.e. feminine) and therefore an obvious catering the male reader and his hunger for objectified flying superhero women.

The second image is definitely more forceful. And I guess that fixes the objectification/weakness issue, despite the fact that the angles draw attention to her breasts, stomach, and crotch way more than the first one did. So gratz I guess. Glad you got the image you wanted.

Sure, there’s a lot of skin in my book, but the amount of skin isn’t the issue.

It's not an issue for you. I'm sure if you want feminists to weigh in on this there will be plenty that will have a problem with it.

[Popninja]

Unfortunately, sevara, your post isn't allowed in this lab. Posts in the art labs should be created by the artist themselves; not by anyone else. If Andre Siregar would like to post his work for critique, I encourage him to open an account here and post it for himself. Please read our forum guidelines. They are important and are in place to prevent unfortunate situations such as this.