Ms Male Character

So, Anita Sarkeesian has put out a new video in her Tropes Vs Women series, this one starting a new topic: The Ms. Male Character.



What's fascinatingly disturbing is the kind of responses this stuff gets. Right off, there was a "featured" video response with a subtitle of "Even when it's equal it's sexist." Which makes me think he didn't watch, or didn't understand, the video, judging by his title. The Tropes video is specifically about taking male characters and gender flopping them (not to be confused with Rule 63) and having their defining characteristic being female version of a male character. A good example, I think, is Silver Age Batman. His first sidekick, male, is Robin. Robin gets a distinct name, costume, and backstory. While his origin shares qualities with Batman's, it's still Robin's own and isn't dependent on any established characters. Robin is original. Batgirl on the other hand, shares her name and costume with Batman and her origin is tied to an established male character, Commissioner Gordon.

Then there's this shit.

Wonder Woman (since I'm using DC), on the other hand, is her own, unique character, with her own back story, costume, and powers. She isn't just a gender flopped version of a male character. And let's face it, there aren't too many of those, still.

And here's the thing, when your published materials are more inclusive, that's going to help your sales. When you're driving away half the population, you're only hurting yourself.

That's not to say there's not a place for niche stuff, but it shouldn't be the dominant force in your medium.

A word of caution, however. Most of us can tell the difference between genuine sensitivity and pandering, and we don't care for the latter. My rule of thumb is, character first, gender second, and race/ethnicity third.

Listening Material

"What do you listen to, while you work?" I have never been asked. I'm going to tell you anyway: podcasts.
Here is a list of podcasts I regularly listen to

Irreligiosophy
Cognitive Dissonance
Exposing Pseudo Astronomy
The Scathing Atheist

All but Exposing Pseudo Astronomy are atheist in nature and very sweary. Exposing is science based. I'm only able to follow parts of it, especially when it gets heavily into maths, but I like the host's voice enough to keep listening when I don't understand.

Oh, and obviously, release date on Anthroxenic has been pushed back. It's taking longer than I had anticipated, and I have to work with other people, which slows down the process a little more. But trust me, it'll be worth it. Working with an editor has been very rewarding and it shows in the material. It's probably going to a New Year's release. Maybe Christmas - maybe.

On Photo Referencing

Stop copying photographs!
Seriously, I keep seeing this. Even in tutorials, I see image after image that is just reproducing a photo. The point of photo references is not to reproduce the photo, but to use it to help with an image. The key word there, is "help."
Think of it like writing a paper, for school. If you just copy the encyclopedia entry, you're cheating and you're not really learning much. The point is to use multiple sources and points of reference to create something your own, hopefully something new.
Copying a photograph or another painting or drawing can be a useful exercise. But that's all it should be: exercise.  If all you know how to do is copy photographs, what are you going to do when you don't have references? Anyone can copy, it takes an artist to create, from nothing.

Some concept stuff and doodles and whatnot, nothing spectacular. I'm working out some details, but should have more to report, soon.

 Landing zone

News

Working on some new stuff, including more stuff for Martin Dunn's Con Artist Entertainment. I'll have more about that as it happens.
I Am Rage is finally available on Comixology, so I've added a link on the little portal panel.
And I've been posting most of my little art updates to Tumblr, so if you just want to see pictures, give it a follow or bookmark it, if you don't want to join Tumblr.
So, for now, I'll leave you with some teaser art and such like, after the jump.

Drawing A Line In the Sand

Feminist Frequency's Anita Sarkeesian, had a successful Kickstarter campaign for something called Tropes Vs Women in Video Games. The point of this was to create teaching aid/educational videos about common tropes that are... less than progressive, regarding women. Gamer culture being what it is, of course there was a huge outcry of MRA-style pants shitting.
Then the video actually came out. I finally got around to watching it. Well, watching them, because there are two videos, now. And other than a few lame attempts at humor, I really couldn't find anything to consider objectionable. The first two videos are exploring the Damsel In Distress trope. The first video is mostly dedicated to golden age games that use the trope. Bob Chipman AKA MovieBob, AKA Game Overthinker, put it rather well: "That was it? That's what all the controversy was about?"
Enter YouTube skeptic (and apparently gamer) ThunderF00t and his Feminists Vs Facts response. Three videos, so far and I couldn't make it beyond the three minute mark of the first video for all the strawman mouth-shitting, pouring out of someone who portrays himself as a critical thinker.
I think it's time we had a conversation that "feminist" does NOT mean "bull-busting bitch who wants to oppress men." It just doesn't. There may be some radical feminists out there that are crazy she-beasts, in need of putting down, along with all the other extremists, like any other fundamentalist, but feminism ain't what they sold you, on TV.
For years, I've avoided calling myself a feminist, for fear of all the baggage that comes with that word, but after this, we who want to see equality, need to own the word. Being a feminist isn't about what's between your legs - about sex. It isn't about gender. It's about equal rights. And that's a fight we should all be engaged in.
Also, fuck these dickless, MRA pansies.

A Shirt Is Fine, Too?

I stuck the Eve bomber girl design on a t-shirt, at Red Bubble.


You can even pick your own shirt color.