I trust you're all seeing the same over-weight, scruffy, white guy pattern, yes? Now, let's take a look at some of the (mostly) newer generation of retailers, creators and fans...
Notice anything different? Okay, obviously, there's a noted gender disparity but, more significantly, the women are healthier-looking than the men. That's not to say they necessarily are, mind you since we're not privvy to what health issues might not visably apparent, and I'm sure some of the women wouldn't mind shedding a few pounds. BUT, on balance, they look healthier, more vibrant, and more vital.
I mean, look at them. The men look like they're tired and worn out and didn't really get enough sleep last night in the first place. The women look like they've got energy and verve, even in the shots where it looks like they've actually been running around all day.
Now I'm not about to suggest that everyone in the industry get a sex change and a liposuction and work out until they could pass for Wonder Woman, but how about just working out a bit? Now I'm sure Wendy Pini there has no desire to even think about getting back into her old Red Sonja metal bikini, and Alexa and Katie look like they're too young to even be allowed to use most of the equipment at the gym. But who do you think looks better from Team Foglio: Phil or Kaja?
Now we could argue about who's more attractive than whom until the end of time and maybe I happened to pick photos that exasperate the point a bit more than necessary. But think about this, guys: if enough fans lost weight and got generally healthier, you'd be able to A) actually slide through the aisles in comic shops and conventions more easily, B) could walk the length of a convention without getting winded, and C) carry more comics around while you're at a convention. Benefits all around!
Oh, and D) you'll be more attractive to the opposite sex!
The women comic folks seem to have this figured out, why not the guys?
3 comments:
i propose to you that i am the most attractive male comic book fan ever to live...i defy you, kleefeld! i defy you!
I think this post is rather biased. What about BKV, Grant Morrison, Brubaker, etc.? Not that I Think they're attractive males, but they certainly don't fit your stereotype.
BTW, who's the little girl?
I fully admitted to picking photos that play up the issue more than is actually the case. And I never said that EVERY male in comicdom is fat and scruffy, just as I never said that every female is fit and well-dressed. I was making a broad generalization to highlight a point. As Valerie D'Orazio so deftly noted on her blog, there are certainly examples to highlight men who are quite healthy-looking. I'm just saying that, on balance, the female comic population is healthier and better off than the male population.
As for the young girl, that's Alexa Kitchen, author of Drawing Comics is Easy! (Except When it's Hard!)
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