So, the class I’m teaching this week is on the theme of “dressing the body” and I have been a little unsure how to structure it. We’re looking at magazines and ads, but I don’t have anything interesting planned for the rest of the class. And then it hit me.
Superheroes.
No, stick with me – everyone knows what a superhero is supposed to look like, right? But there are really interesting topics that can probably be introduced using pretty pictures of spandex-clad superhumans! Right?
Things I am thinking so far:
The Wonder Woman costume controversy, obviously – both the1960s mod version and the current version with pants. Who decides what a hero is supposed to look like?
Storm’s punk makeover from 1983 (my students are way too young to remember this, but whatever, so am I). What does changing your look say about you?
The differences between Bruce Wayne’s Batsuit and Jean-Paul Valley’s Batsuit from the Knightfall arc (my students are probably too young to remember THIS *cries*). What is authentic?
Catman and his outfit echoing the claw marks on his chest (nekkid Catman makes EVERY class better). Symbols and how they define us.
The Batwoman panel above. How we dress so that other people will read us.
Faiza Hussain (Excalibur) and Sooraya Quadir (Dust). Maybe along with Helena Bertinelli (Huntress) and the more overtly Catholic versions of her outfit. Displays of faith as self-definition.
Maybes: Misfit’s fake Batgirl outfit from her first BoP appearances (copying trends, and how our own styles work better?). Black Alice stealing outfits as well as powers (how does how we dress empower us?). Canary inheriting her look from her mother – but can I explain the backstory on that in a coherent enough way?
This is all very Western – anyone got any other superhero characters who might be a good fit for this class? I have some Chinese students and it would be nice to include something they’ll likely recognize.
Temptation to end with that panel of Ragdoll in Wonder Woman’s tiara and boots: very high.
I apologize for characterization. I just had this scene in my head and... yeah. I don't know how this would ever happen.
Kitrina had just rounded the corner safely into an alleyway and stopped to admire her latest catch when a voice caught her off guard.
"That's not yours." She rolled her eyes with a sigh before turning. Of course. These things could never be simple. A look of disgust crept across her face, however, as she confronted the owner of the voice.
"The Flash, and... yeah. You're kinda in my city," he said, crossing his arms in an attempt to look tougher and less distracted by the skintight leather catsuit than he was. He was failing miserably.
"Well excuse me if not all jewelry stays in one part of the world," Kitrina snorted, a hand on her hip in defense as she held up the ruby bracelet in the other. "I've been looking for the match to a necklace I own and this is the first time I've seen something even come close." She didn't add that it had taken a few months of failed tries before she had finally been able to track the piece down to the particular store and had stolen it immediately out of frustration.
"Well---I'm, uh, sorry about that but, uh, you're gonna have to--- I'm gonna have to take it... back." C'mon, Bart, keep it together. Unfortunately, Kitrina had been taught to sniff out a man's weakness from a mile away by the best in the business and her lips suddenly curled into a brilliant, flirtatious smile.
"Oh?" She sashayed boldly up to the man, who, for lack of anything else to do, took a cautious step back. "You gonna make me?"
"Well, uh---I---I mean, I have to---" Mind thinking faster than tongue. Great.
Kitrina let out a light chuckle.
"Why don't we say you let me keep this tiny little bracelet and I'll uh... go on a date with you, hm?" She smiled again for emphasis.
"Date? But I couldn't---" Dude, but you totally could. "I mean, I'm not allowed to---with criminals---"
"Oh, well. Your loss." Suddenly Kitrina swung her elbow out, clocking the distracted speedster across the skull and knocking him out. He dropped to the floor of the alley with a loud thud!
"Pft. Amateur," she snorted before making a quick getaway. No way in Hell she was going ever let that happen again.
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