I really enjoyed the history of the super heroines. It was interesting seeing the differences between the heroines of the different decades. I'd recommend this to any comic book fan interested in comic book history.Now the bad. I know the title says "fashion, feminism..." but I could have used a bit less fashion and a bit more feminism. There were times the author would mention something clearly sexist but would brush over it to talk about something else. I would have preferred a bit more analysis on why the characters were treated and portrayed the way they were. Madid also completely avoid a very important elephant in the room. The Fridged female. The comic book woman who has been killed or maimed for the emotional growth of a male character. This is something that should have been discussed in a book that claims to be about superheroes and feminism. A great overview of the history of the comic book superheroine. Mike Madrid has a clear prose style that conveys the time and place of how comic book heroines came to be from the very beginnings of the comic book to what comic book heroines are today.From the long forgotten heroines of the '30's and '40's to the cogent observations of how power and relationship have shaped the perception of superheroines by both creators and the readers.I would totally recommend that any student of the comic book read this work.
An excellent primer on the history of the superheroine in comics.
—gallagahergirl
Good content, but I found the writing style boring.
—Zvrki
Given to me by mama on Christmas 2009
—TennisChick2593