https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/257c133d3f673aeca3d550564e1988be.tif d615d72132f8a445d73a4558207a1f79 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Comic Book Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 10 and 1/4 inches by 6 and 5/8 inches Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #102 Representative Page Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comics Strips Description An account of the resource Only taking up three pages in this Batman-centered issue of Amazing Heroes, “Batwoman: A Heroine History” almost appears as an afterthought as opposed to a featured article. However, despite its length, Fred Grandinetti’s piece is broken down into three sections. “Origins,” where Grandinetti lays out how the heroine got her start, as well as her abilities. “Bat-Relations,” which touches on various relationships Batwoman held. And “Dead… Yet Alive,” where the context surrounding Batwoman’s death is discussed. While the article is mainly a historical recap of the heroine, much of the Grandinetti's discussed Batwoman-history directly reflects a larger narrative surrounding problematic female representation in the comic book industry during the mid-twentieth century. Instead of being a symbol of strength and violence like their male counterparts, female superheroes emitted feminine qualities like love and domesticity. Hinted at in the “Origins” section of the feature, Batwoman’s abilities to fight crime reflect this conventional womanliness common among female superheroes of the time. Although the feature calls it her utility case, Batwoman carried a purse rather than wearing a utility belt like her male counterpart. And instead of arming herself with various weapons similar to the Dark Knight, she carries lipstick filled with tear gas, a make-up powder that makes others sneeze, and even an expanding hairnet. Similarly, DC’s most famous heroine Wonder Woman displayed the same conventional womanliness, often expressing themes of love and domesticity in her comics as opposed to the male-counterpart norms of ridding violence and crime. This conventional womanliness is continued into the “Bat-Relations” section of the article, which highlights Batwoman’s relationship with Batman. After she is mentioned to have played the role of damsel in distress countless times in the comics, the feature discusses a specific comic where Batwoman pledged her love to Batman in the face of impending doom. While Batman initially reciprocated the feelings, he later retracted them after the danger had passed. Once again, the female stands in for feelings of love, romance, and domesticity, while the male counterpart continually prioritizes fighting crime and saving the day. Furthermore, Batwoman’s love for Batman discussed in the “Bat-Relations” section highlights the prevalent masculine anxieties of the time. As Thomas Donaldson states in Ineffectual Lass Among the Legions of Superheros, “The industry degradation of female superheroes arose in direct response to a specific manifestation of postwar masculine anxiety, the condemnation of the comic book industry put forward by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham.” The main condemnation Donaldson is referring to is that of homosexuality between male superheroes, to which Wertham, the leader in the 1950s crusade against the comic industry, uses Batman and Robin’s relationship as prime evidence. Perhaps as a response to and commentary on these homosexual anxieties, Batman #122 (March 1959) was published - an issue that depicted a fictitious Batman and Batwoman marriage. In the issue, Dick Grayson has a nightmare where he sees the couple leaving the ceremony while Robin exclaims, “Gosh! What’ll become of me now?” Whether or not the creators were attempting to reassure everyone that Batman was heterosexual, this story directly uses Batman and Batwoman’s relationship as a source of anxiety for the young Robin. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Cover Artist: David Mazzucchelli Managing Editor: Mark Waid Art Director: Dale Crain Production Manager: Kim Thompson News Correspondent: J. Collier Production Assistant: Theresa Moore Typesetting: L.M. Gorell & Arlene Easter Circulation: Julie Strnad Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 09-1986 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Matthew Marshall Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Relation A related resource <a href="http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/40">Amazing Heroes Issue #102 Table of Contents<br /></a><br /><a href="http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/39">Amazing Heroes Issue #102 Cover</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 10 and 1/4 inches by 6 and 5/8 inches, B&W Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical, TIFF File Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 #102 Amazing Heroes Batman Batwoman DC heroine history Robin Wertham Wonder Woman