Girlz 'N' Games Comic #95: Arkham Women

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Well you can consider this the 2011 Christmas comic for Girlz 'N' Games. I know it's not particularly festive, but, well, you remember what happened the last time I did a specifically Christmas comic? Ahem.

Anyway,I couldn't resist the opportunity to weigh in briefly on the Batman: Arkham City "Bitch Controversy". In a nutshell, Arkham City is a walled off portion of Gotham City, a "prison city" populated by thugs and the criminally insane. When Batman roams the streets and rooftops of Arkham City he gets called "A chicken... who should run home to his mommy." When you play as Catwoman, you regularly endure such verbal abuse as "Cat-Bitch!" and, more disturbingly, "Nice costume; now take it off!"

Arkham City has something like a 95% male population so you can kind of understand the sexualised taunts. But the disparity between the juvenile taunts of Batman and sexist ones of Catwoman is obvious, and a bit odd. Then again, a closer look at the female characters in Batman: Arkham City - and pretty much every single major female character in the Bat Universe pops up in the game - reveals a warped, one-sided view of women that penetrates much deeper than some dialogue. Minus the Virgin and Mother, almost every single cliche is there, from the Masochist to the Whore; from the Victim to the Nagger. And that's the point of the comic ultimately.

To be fair though, and to play Devil's Advocate, Batman is a real dick in the game too. While playing, listen to the sulky, selfish way he talks to his friends and allies.

Anyway, I was trying a little something different with the art style for this comic - going for a rougher, pencilled look - and I'm especially proud of the final panel.

That then leaves me with one final thing to say in this, the last GNG update for 2011: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all the readers out there! Have a great one.

Catwoman putting her thighs to good use.

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P.S. If you got a kick out of this Girlz 'N' Games comic, please "Like" the Girlz 'N' Games Facebook page.

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