Creator of She-Ra slams criticism of new design for Netflix
J. Michael Straczynski, the co-creator of She-Ra has slammed critics of the new look character, after she was unveiled for a new Netflix series.
A reboot of the He-Man spin-off, a co-production with Dreamworks, will hit screens in November.
But in just the latest display of toxic fandom, there’s been a groundswell of fanboy criticism over her newly updated design.
Pleasingly, Straczynski is having absolutely none of it.
1/ As the guy who co-created the character of She-Ra and her universe alongside Larry DiTillio (though Mattel named her), a few thoughts. (Note: I am in no way connected with the current show, so I'm speaking both as an outsider to what is and an insider to what was intended). https://t.co/NVm3vqOoXQ
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) July 19, 2018
2/ We never considered or wrote for She-Ra as "the ideal woman." I don't think that phrase appeared anywhere in the bible we wrote, and certainly never in our discussions. We spoke, and wrote of, and considered her a warrior, first and foremost.
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) July 19, 2018
3/ So I think anyone who is looking back at She-Ra (or Adora) as the "ideal woman" is doing so through the lens of prepubescent (since it was aimed at kids) interest and kind of, understandably, imprinted on her like baby ducks. I get it. But that wasn't the creative *intent*.
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) July 19, 2018
4/ To the whole "idealized person" discussion, I would add that there is a significant distinction to be made in terms of how a character like She-Ra is discussed or seen versus how male characters are seen both in shows like this and in super-hero books in general.
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) July 19, 2018
5/ Yes, male characters tend to be idealized in form and proportion; but female characters tend to be objectified. There is a profound difference between those two, and failing to perceive that distinction is pernicious. That's why you'll rarely see a male superhero without pants
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) July 19, 2018
6/ By that I don't mean naked, I mean without leggings of some kind. But that's absolutely the rule for female characters (I say this as the guy who put Wonder Woman in pants during his run because seriously it's hard to fight otherwise). No leg hair for guy heroes.
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) July 19, 2018
7/ Anyway, just wanted to add some possible clarity to the discussion. If you're looking for writers to create your "ideal woman" that wasn't the intent, this ain't it, and we don't know you well enough to guess, and be aware that idealization does not equal objectification.
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) July 19, 2018
8/ That perspective is something I've always tried to bring to bear in my work, from so-creating She-Ra's personality to Delenn, Ivanova, Lyta and others on Babylon 5, all the way to Riley, Sun, Kala, Nomi and Amanita on Sense8. It's all about strength, smarts and wit.
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) July 19, 2018
The new series will feature Aimee Carrero voicing She-Ra, Jordan Fisher as Seahawk, Marcus Sribner as Bow, Lorraine Toussaint as Shadow Weaver, Sandra Oh as Castaspella, Karen Fukuhara as Glimmer, AJ Michalka as Catra and Reshma Shetty as Angella.
She-Ra first aired in 1985, as a female foil to He-Man, with the cartoon series centring around Princess Adora, the twin sister of Prince Adam.
Abducted at birth by Skeletor’s former mentor Hordak, she raises the Sword of Protection to transform herself into her super alter-ego.
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