She Makes Comics, Marisa Stotter’s documentary about women in comics, is now available. You can download it for $9.99 or pre-order a DVD for $19.99 (It’s $24.99 for both.), all from the Sequart website. The documentary studies the history of women in comics with interviews with Karen Berger, Gail Simone, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Jenette Kahn, Becky Cloonan, Colleen Doran, Wendi Pini, Kate Leth, Raina Telgemeier, Marjorie Liu, Louise Simonson…and yes, little old me. Hugh Armitage has a very favorable review.
Here’s an exclusive clip from the film where Liz Schiller, Jackie Estrada, Trina Robbins and I about the formation of the Friend of Lulu, a long running organization for women in comics that pioneered a lot of the approach to marketing and retailing to female readers that you see today. Among the events discussed, the 1993 meeting in San Diego where Friends of Lulu was born—one of my fondest memories ever.
This looks pretty interesting. May I suggest the filmmakers post more clips, like 3 or 4. Even if its their DVD extras, that would help the cause. This might be a hard sell so the more content shared the better.
There’s a lot of insincere pandering towards women in the comic world in the hope of getting their dollars and less grief (Hey look who’s at the Marvel retreat, oh hey look over here, see who works in the Image offices, changing characters gender and race) It would be better women and minorities just had a fairer path into entering the industry in bigger numbers without being a Marvel favorite, being some kind celebrity somewhere else or married to someone. It’ll be at a slow drip for a long time this way. Some of us want to hear and see other voices, for a change.
My suggestion, along with the monthly stats chart on Marvel, DC & Image. Why not do a monthly stats chart on the the gender and race of each team who works on those 300 books each and every month for Marvel, DC and Image. It is a bit on the hardball side but should bring the point home clearer for those who to keep out of sight, out of mind. It would be a good reference chart for the national press too every month. Numbers can be more effective than fed up rants. Bet a few things would change after that. I would even make it a Patreon goal to do it . I’m guessing it would get much support. Just an idea.
Merry Christmas.