she thinks that boys are only into
video games and drinking? holy
fuck.

i think a comics anthology based on
the perception of women on men/boys
is a great idea.

gees.

When I read the topics involved, the gist of the theme as I understood it was not “stories by women about men,” but “stories by women about their interest in things that aren’t usually associated with women.” I do balk at the title – “guy stuff” just reinforces those stereotypes – but the fact that we usually associate things like NASCAR, sports and construction with men means that there aren’t enough women visibly involved to tip that balance over in the public eye, and/or that women who are into these things often find themselves in the minority. So where is the harm in these women bringing their involvement in these areas to light? A story about a woman’s experience being a record collector or video game nerd in a world of male peers doesn’t need to revolve around the men she comes into contact with. It can just as easily be about her own enjoyment and struggles, or how she got into it historically, or where she wants to take it, or even – wow! – her contact with other rare girls in the field. Who wants to write about something she’s not personally interested in? Stories about “guy stuff” (I know, gag) are not necessarily stories about guys.

Giving a topic to write about is no guarantee of what sort of content will be generated, especially in an anthology situation with multiple contributors. With all that said, I sincerely hope the editors think long and hard about how to title this collection, since I don’t want another “Sexy Chix.” “Guy Stuff” is a step backwards, when this collection could be a step forward.

To me, the wording of the title gives me an “ew” reaction. “The Girls’ Guide to Guy Stuff” sets me up to expect stereotypes–ya know, “GUY stuff.” And I don’t think in terms of guy stuff or girl stuff, unless you’re talking jock straps and tampons. (Actually, I’m not even one to equate “guy” with “girl”; maybe “guy” and “gal” or “boy” and “girl.”) To me, nearly all things–cooking, auto racing, fashion, football, etc.–are everybody things. I have trouble playing along with the idea/joke that certain things belong to one group more than the other . . . not how I raised myself and not my experience of the world.

HOWEVER, given all that, I am interested in submitting something (!) because I don’t believe in waiting for the perfect context or occasion to do something that may have a positive impact. Otherwise, things may never get done. It’s like waiting for the right administration to guide the country before expressing contrary beliefs. In fact, maybe this project is an ideal place to express something artistically, because I won’t be, as they say, preaching to the choir! How exciting and challenging is that!

I encourage other dissenting voices to submit something also, making this project something that you are proud of–something unique and unexpectedly delightful and egalitarian, maybe something twisted! Your little brothers love to bake? Your gay male boss reads “Playboy”? Your boyfriend spends most of his free time at the mall? Tell me about it!

Peace . . .

Right angle bracket #1 was supposed to be Anun’s statement:
“chris, try asking a woman? Try seeking out more works by women in general? It’s not like this has been alien territory hitherto unexplored.â€?

Right angle bracket #2:
“However, usually when women in comics do write autobiographical and slice-of-life work, it gets dismissed by male fandom as “chick stuffâ€?.â€?

Right angle bracket #3:
“Whose problem really is it then that guys don’t know what women really think about them and “theirâ€? stuff?â€?

Hi Anun, yes, I talk to women, and quite often their thoughts on men are discussed. I read many works by women, including Raina’s THE BABYSITTERS CLUB. I love comics by Raina (more SMILE in print please!), Vera Brosgol, Becky Cloonan, Chynna Clugston, Amanda Conner, Ariel Schrag, Carla Speed McNeil, Jen Van Meter, etc. The last novel I read was Marion Zimmer Bradley’s THE MISTS OF AVALON.

But does that mean that I know what every woman thinks about every man, or have no interest in more opinions or stories on the matter? Hardly.

I should point out that I am a member of Friends of Lulu, though I have never been on the Board of Directors, and am in no way involved in this anthology. In all fairness, I’m willing to pick up any anthology of talented comic creators who happen to be women, almost irrespective of its theme; this theme was unnecessary to reach me. I simply mentioned that it was a topic I (and my niece) would like to read about.

>

You’re absolutely right, that is true of far too many men. If this anthology reaches out and gets more of them to pick it up and read it, without using crass promotional tactics like calling the creators SEXY CHIX, I think that’s good. One of FoL’s goals is “to promote the work of women in comics.â€? I am uneasy about the “boobsâ€? topic though… but I trust that the book won’t have a Top Cow cover.

>

It’s men’s mistake. But the failings of men too often become everyone’s problem. I hope this anthology wakes more ignorant fanboys up.

Are you a FoL member? I think your perspective would be a good addition to the organization.

~Chris Lite

I wonder, is this whole anthology a way of telling the world that not all comics/manga by women need only display men in a sexual light? Personally, as a creator, I’ve no desire to make a comic with men as the focus unless it’s for the ’sexual entertainment’ of female readers. If FoL are trying to show that there is more to female-created ‘men in comics’ than just BL fodder, they might have been more clear about it instead of what looks like, as Anun says at the start: “Be proud! Be strong! Be happy to be a fangirl by still making your work revolve around men!”

And I missed the day that FoL gained the vast resources to market professionally to the wider mainstream non-comics reading audience. It’s a non-profit organization that half of male fandom isn’t even aware of, let alone mainstream society. But way to seize on a minor tangent and run with it, people. Do ignore the other stuff I said just because I dared to point out the reality of FoL’s marketing budget.

Isn’t this the strategy big comic publishers have had for decades? “Girls don’t buy comics, so why make comics for girls?”

Maybe Cosmo has never covered any comics because they haven’t seen any comics they’re audience would like. Maybe this FoL anthology could change that, and just maybe Cosmo would give the book a little review and spread a little awareness of FoL to women who don’t usually read comics. Comics SHOULD be marketed all types of people, otherwise the audience base will never expand. Sure, chances may be slim, but is it not worth a shot?

Even if all the stories were really really good, why take a chance? Everyone really needs to have the exact same opinion for a book to be worthwhile. That’s what art is all about. Right??

FoL is SUPPOSED to be a non-profit organization, intended to help promote the works of female cartoonists. There’s nothing in that mission statement that mentions encouraging women to write or draw things they want to, or think might be fun, or that could be percieved as “tongue in cheek.” They should stick to what’s in that mission statement and never evolve or try new things.

And besides, as Anun points out with his dismissal of making a book that could potentially appeal to readers of a mainstream magazine: outreach to non-comics readers has always been a waste of time. Which is why Free Comic Book Day should only be available to loyal comic shop customers over the age of 21. And Publishers Weekly should stop writing all those articles about how libraries, and even teachers, are embracing graphic novels and the limitless potential of sequential art.

Maybe there SHOULD be a limit to what is done in comics in regards to who is drawing them. Because if not, maybe people will snub their nose at what are intended to be light hearted projects.