Why are female superheroes not prevalent in movies/comic books?
As much as comic books and superhero movies are designed for the younger audience, nowadays the comic books and superhero movies have entered corporate entertainment as it appeals even to the older audience. Films such as Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and Iron Man become popular and continues to entertain the populations. Mostly, the superheroes in such comic books and superhero movies are male (Majhi, 2017). Thus, even as this form of entertainment becomes important and corporatized, it appears a significant part of the population is not represented, especially as superheroes. Apart from Wonder Woman, where the protagonist is a woman, most other superhero movies have women playing supportive roles to the villain. Although the discussion on why female superheroes are not common in superhero movies or comic books causes controversy, cultural reasons and lack of fans are significant reasons.
Culturally constructed roles deter women from featuring in movies as superheroes. In most societies across the world, women and men are treated differently, which has led to each gender dominating in specific roles. For instance, men are culturally perceived to be physically strong, while women are physically weak. According to Facciani, Warren, and Vendemia (2015), society expects the physically strong to offer protection to the weak ones. Veritably, in most cultures, parents mold their children since tender ages to take up specific gender roles that are in line with the societal expectation of that gender. Indeed, that could be the reason they are usually portrayed in superhero films as victims to be rescued. Thus, it appears women will have to wait a little longer before the society changes and embrace female superheroes in movies.
Besides, female superheroes have been missing in superhero movies due to a lack of fans. Studies show that most superhero fans are young men, and for some reason, men are not fond of female superheroes (Molony 2014). Due to that, the responsible entertainment companies such as Marvel Entertainment Group have been forced to align more on the production of male superhero movies that would earn the companies good fortunes. Since movie production is business, investors are not willing to invest in a product that will not generate any returns. The worst part has been the introduction of ratings where female superhero movies earn low scores among the fans. Consequently, the low ratings affect the sales and earnings from such movies (Fretheim, 2017). Hence, the female superhero movie still does not thrill most of the fans, who are young men making them uncommon.
In the final analysis, male superhero movies and comic books continue to dominate the entertainment spaces due to cultural issues and lack of following for female superhero movies. Most cultures have had distinct roles for men and women that seem to have adverse effects even in movie production industries. The preferences of the fans are also something to be considered by the entertainment companies. Owing to the low ratings and following that female superhero movie earn, the production of such films are loathed by the entertainment companies leading to female superhero movies and comic books being uncommon.
References
Majhi, G. (2017). Paradox of Gender Equality in Hollywood Superhero Movies. Arts & Education International Research Journal.
Facciani, M., Warren, P., & Vendemia, J. (2015). A content-analysis of race, gender, and class in American comic books. Race, Gender & Class, 22(3-4), 216-226.
Fretheim, I. M. (2017). Fantastic Feminism: female characters in superhero comic books (Master’s thesis).