Recently I was offered the new DC Super Friends magazine to review. I was told that it was aimed at young boys, and as I’ve a young boy and a slightly older girl, I thought it would be quite nice to look at.
Hm.
Well.
It was quite nice to look at. And it came with two excellent communicator toys, which meant the two small children could play at communicating, and they were very happy with that.
But when did super heroes move to a world completely devoid of females? No female superheroes. No female super villains. None that I could see in the crowds. Basically the entire comic is male. If that’s what you need to appeal to small boys, I’m a bit surprised, as my smallest Tigerboy manages very well with books with both men and women, boys and girls in them.
He plays with dolls. He likes music. He climbs on everything.
And he won’t be reading comics devoted purely to the male gender, no matter how educational they might be (and I admit this comic was quite educational. Or at least, my 3 year old girl enjoyed many of the activities. She probably didn’t notice she’d been written out of existence, but I’m not going to risk that seeping into her consciousness by entertaining any more of the comic in the house.)
I feel a bit ashamed of myself. Surely I should have realised this would be the case? Except that I thought in 2013 efforts might be being made to break down the barriers a little, instead of indoctrinating pre schoolers through comics.
What do you think? Did you see the comic? Am I overreacting? Would love to hear your opinions. Is this another Lego Friends flash in the pan?
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