:c3a8b9fab6="Elflore"]And then there's this gem from Kathryn Immonen::c3a8b9fab6]"It was at a time, too, when Peter was still trying to decide between Gwen and MJ-as if the decision was solely his-and, you know, I'd like to feel sorry for the guy, except that I don't. Whatta maroon. And then things explode, metaphorically and literally.[/quote:c3a8b9fab6]I'm not sure how she could have described that situation in a way that is any more insulting to each of the characters. She implies that Peter's trying to pick a girlfriend much like he'd pick an ice cream flavor, but with a wink and a nod to say that the power isn't his anyway, so isn't it funny that he views women as objectives, ha ha! Even worse is the suggestion that it's the girls who will fight over him, because teenage girls must always compete for a boy's attention. In Immonen's view, Peter's a cad and the girls are catty. If the writer has no sympathy, she can't even begin to make them sympathetic characters. [/quote:c3a8b9fab6]When Kathryn Immonen says, "It was at a time, too, when Peter was still trying to decide between Gwen and MJ," she is decribing the way the old comics were written. Her insert of "-as if the decision was solely his-" is her acknowledgement of the simplicity and simple-mindedness of the "Peter picks" scenario, stating her view that Gwen and MJ certainly have a say in the matter. Immonen is showing a great deal of sympathy and understanding for the two women, and considering Immonen's writing history, there is no reason to believe she wouldn't make these characters sympathetic and real. She doesn't feel sorry for Peter because this "burden of choice" objectification of women in fiction is unrealistic and demeaning, as you feel it is. As a woman, Immonen sees the folly of the old comics and is calling the old boys out on it, but it is also a scenario that is ripe for comedy and "heartbreak," and she is going to have some fun with it. You've completely misread her when you should be agreeing with her.:c3a8b9fab6]I'm not even going to talk about the overwhelming heteronormative bias, because of course this is Marvel, and of course the majority of your characters and readers must be straight. Yawn.[/quote:c3a8b9fab6]The lack of a homosexual/bisexual story in Heartbreakers is a missed opportunity, but your characterization of Marvel is a gross exaggeration. The number of LGBT characters created or outed during the last decade shows Marvel's increasing understanding that there is an LGBT readership and a greater acceptance of such characters by the general readership. Marvel still has a long way to go, but they are hardly viewing the world through a "straight" lens. Here is a good mix of LGBT Marvel characters old and new:http://www.gayleague.com/wordpress/tag/marvel/I highly recommend X-Factor if you aren't already reading it. Peter David knows how to write female and LGBT characters with respect and realism.

Note: This comment was written by elflore's wife. Yes, a woman. I like comics. I don't like when men write comics for women and get it wrong. I especially don't like when women write comics for women and get it wrong. I'll explain.First of all, Michael Horowitz, who the heck are you talking to with your little ice cream scenario? I'm assuming you're giving women the starring role in this post-break-up passion play of yours, and as such, you've got it all wrong. Indulging in caloric therapy is called processing, also known as wallowing, and it's healthy. Really, it is. Ask any mental health professional. The empty tub of ice cream doesn't "make everything ok," it's a sign that the time for wallowing is done, and now you get up and move on with your life, because being dumped does not mean that your "romantic dreams" have been "trampled." It means that some jerk wasn't good enough for you, and there's a whole lot more to life than jerks like that. Anyone over the age of 15 who doesn't know that should probably be working on their social skills instead of reading comics.And then there's this gem from Kathryn Immonen::b494fc69a7]"It was at a time, too, when Peter was still trying to decide between Gwen and MJ-as if the decision was solely his-and, you know, I'd like to feel sorry for the guy, except that I don't. Whatta maroon. And then things explode, metaphorically and literally.[/quote:b494fc69a7]I'm not sure how she could have described that situation in a way that is any more insulting to each of the characters. She implies that Peter's trying to pick a girlfriend much like he'd pick an ice cream flavor, but with a wink and a nod to say that the power isn't his anyway, so isn't it funny that he views women as objectives, ha ha! Even worse is the suggestion that it's the girls who will fight over him, because teenage girls must always compete for a boy's attention. In Immonen's view, Peter's a cad and the girls are catty. If the writer has no sympathy, she can't even begin to make them sympathetic characters. I like comics. I read comics. I would read a lot more comics, except a lot of them are full of misogyny and, well, they suck. I read Ultimate Spider-Man, Hercules, New Avengers, Runaways, and some others. And yet, I'd read a lot more if there was any hope that the women in the stories actually acted like women with thoughts and feelings independent of their relationships with men. I'm a woman, and I have those thoughts and feelings. I also have money to spend. Why doesn't Marvel want to give me worthy books in exchange for my money? And why are their attempts at writing books for women (Models Inc., Marvel Divas) so ridiculous that even the men who love comics, like my husband, are angry?I'm not even going to talk about the overwhelming heteronormative bias, because of course this is Marvel, and of course the majority of your characters and readers must be straight. Yawn.