Comic books pulse through Christina Blanch's veins. They surround her as she sits cross-legged reading "Swamp Thing" on her iPad. "Batwoman: Elegy" and "Y: The Last Man" sit on the table in front of her. A black and white comic strip sticks out of her Captain America Bag sitting beside her on the ground.
Blanch met her husband through comics, and they helped form a bond with her son. She uses them as examples in her anthropology classes and serves on "Comic in the Classroom" panels at Comic-Con, an international comic book convention. She writes her own comic and most recently started teaching a gender studies class that focuses on gender roles in comic books.
"I've always been a comic book fan since I was a little girl," Blanch said. "I used to try and move things with the force from 'Star Wars,' or I would spin around in a circle and just wish I would turn into Wonder Woman."
Blanch took her love for comic books and developed a gender studies class to examine the gender roles and stereotypes printed in the pages of modern comics.
She and 16 students are reading six different comic books, analyzing them and hosting a discussion with the comic writer. The class also analyzes the representation of men and women in the comics and will look at consumer trends.
Blanch chose a variety of comics for the class. The comics focus on superheroes, zombies and everyday people.
"When people think of comics, they usually think of superheroes, but in reality there are comics in every genre," Blanch said. "I chose a diverse group of comics for the class, so they can see all sides of the spectrum."
The comic book world focuses mainly on appealing to male consumers by portraying women as full-figured beauties who fight crime in high heels and skimpy clothes. Men, however, don't get overly sexualized.
"I feel uncomfortable in most comic stores because they are directed towards men," Blanch said. "People think that women don't read comics, but a lot of consumers are women. I get all kinds of questions and odd looks when I am with my husband at conventions or in comic stores."
Some students started the class with a love for comics. Some, however, had never read a comic book before stepping foot into Burkhardt Room 220 on Aug. 23.
"I was really nervous about making the material interesting for the students who don't read comics," Blanch said. "That fear went out the window when I went over class time on the first day, and no one left or started packing up."
Senior Michael Winn said he was an avid comic book fan before starting the class this semester. The mathematics education major had already read four of the six required comics.
"I already owned some of the comics, so I read them over and caught a lot more of how much gender plays into comics like 'Batwoman: Elegy.'" Winn said. "The author did a great job of creating characters and not gender stereotyping them."
Winn said he decided to take the class last year after he went to an event Blanch spoke at.
"Being an education major, I wanted to take gender studies classes so it could help me in my profession," Winn said. "So when I heard of class, I thought it was perfect for me."
Currently in the class, students are reading comics and video chatting with the authors to further dive into the thought process that went into the characters and plot.
On Thursday, the class talked with "Batwoman: Elegy" writer Greg Rucka.
Student after student asked Rucka questions about the plot's development and the characters. They asked about Batwoman's wig, make up, costume and what Rucka thought about gender roles in comics.
"Comic books are inherently sexist," Rucka said. "It's hard to walk into a comic store and not have your eyes poked out by breasts, but we never see the outline of a superhero's penis. Comic editors would have a fit if we did."
The class is now reading "Y: The Last Man" by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. The comic depicts a world where there is only one man left on earth. The class will speak with Vaughan on Thursday via webcam.
-á
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
