Since the beginning, comic books have portrayed in very much the same way; in the vast majority of comic books damsels in distress, as well as the typical 1950s housewife, and there weren’t very many popular woman hero comics. But I don’t think that comics were sexist, at least not during the time period when they came out. But now that we look back at the comic books and the way that they portray women with our 21st century mentality they come off as sexist. Even with the introduction of Wonder Woman as very strong and independent woman and as well as lead Superhero, there is still some sexist aspects in the Wonder Woman story according to the 21st century popular mindset. For example, Wonder Woman can’t be married because of the complications that would arise from her being married and having a family. But because of the popular belief in the 1950s that the role of women was to get married have kids and stay at home, Wonder Woman couldn’t just come out and say that she didn’t want to get married because it would alienate her from the general public. So i don't think that comics were necessarily sexist, they just depicted the roles of women in the time period, and now when we look back the comics, we don't agree with those roles or popular beliefs so we call them sexist.
A blog for and about the intersection of comic books and American history.