Of course such an ambiguous cover should not have been published. If it MAY be interpreted as disempowering to women, and this article shows that is the case, then the artist has not done his job right. Of course this could just be a problem with Mr. Jones having a loose grasp of the expressions of the human body, or the superhuman.

But what of the publishers who still hired him and the editors who failed to see how the picture could be seen as that of a scared child shrinking and shielding herself while looking up to an adult to comfort or explain things? Would you believe they are feminists, who are concerned with the progress of women’s rights in society? Or rather that they wouldn’t mind, so long as a traditional, and sufficiently sexualized cover such as this continues to sell comics?

And what context did it have? It’s a cover. It IS context.

You obviously have an axe to grind. This is an awesome picture that captured a young girl who could be in a Starbucks with her friends trying to figure out which of the 352 different types of espresso to pick, while she fidgets with her earring.

Yes, she is trying to figure it out. Trying to decide, “um… maybe a vente mocha.. or a ‘nilla cappuccino… no, I know… I’ll get a …um… an Orange Mocha Frapacino”

She doesn’t look terrified nor does she look anymore like a moron than any 17 year old, self-centered, narcissistic, belly showing, hip hugging pants (skirt) wearing blonde, little princess who is out with mommy’s Mercedes using daddy-ums Visa shopping with her other gal pals.

She also doesn’t appear to be “cowering in fear,” as you stated in your little rant. And where do you get “dumb” out of the image? Are all teenage girls dumb? … well.. don’t answer that. self-centered, yes, a sense of self-entitlement? Yes. All about them and their ridiculous little text-text-text-text universe? Yes. When I first saw the image I thought she was on her cell phone and thought the artist captured a PERFECT teen/hero moment. “Yes, even a superhero teen is addicted to cellphones, myspace and texting.” As I write my 16 year old daughter is sick in bed with food poisoning, asleep … with her cell phone clutched in her sick little hands.

I love this pic and will use it as our pic of the day on our website at Superherostuff.com. It’s unfortunate that you find pleasure in bashing a work of art as well. (yes, a work of art, notice the flesh tones, the yellow in the skirt and the belt. It’s straight out of Norman Rockwell if you look at the technical aspect of the art. Very well done.)

Also, she is not Robin or Superboy. Get a clue. You think just because you’re a woman that you have the self-entitled (there’s that word again) authority to write bile and hate while passing it off as trying to be funny? Boys and girls can BOTH look young, confused, and “in a moment of thought” yet look completely different of each other. No boy is going to be caught adjusting his bra strap or fidgeting with his earring. .. I know I never was… my bra straps were always strapless. HA!

I thought female rants went out in the 90s. Sheesh!