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Re: Brian Michael Bendis Question

[(Anonymous)]

OP asking you to clarify this though. Because that's the part I don't get is the blanket statement that he writes women poorly.

To me, Jessica Jones is a very complex and interesting female character who's pretty well conceived considering she's written by a man. In fact, I was really impressed by Alias and how deep it delved into her psyche and state of mind in a way that didn't feel reductive or unrealistic. And yes there is the back story with the Purple Man, but I actually quite liked the fact that she specifies that she herself wasn't sexually abused, only psychologically tortured witnessing the abuse of others. Her friendship with Carol, and her relationship with Luke, Matt and Scott (among others) all read as heavily considered and as fairly unique to me.

Also, the only female character I can think about who heavily factors into his DD run is Milla, and I thought she was again interesting and had a lot of agency until Brubaker took over and completely derailed that relationship. In fact, even Vanessa gets a bigger, meatier role to play during Bendis' run on the title.

So I'm just not really seeing how Bendis treated women that poorly. In fact, I would put a lot of his female characters miles above other writers who don't get the same level of hate in terms of the level of seriousness and respect he gives them.

That's why I really don't get what I'm missing. What specifically are people having a problem with when it comes to Bendis and women? I'm honestly looking to be convinced, because if there are problems there I'd like to really consider them as I read his stuff going forward, and as Jessica Jones gets released and inevitably triggers a whole new wave of discussion on the subject.

Re: Brian Michael Bendis Question

[(Anonymous)]

bendis is fully capable of writing good, solid female characters. the trouble he runs into is that when he fucks up he doesn't take criticism well at all. for example: on the topic of bobby being bisexual, bendis said "i wasn't TRYING to be biphobic, i have bisexual friends, i am not a hateful person, why are you guys being so hard on me???"

from what i've seen bendis tries to do a good job at writing but he values his own thoughts and intent more highly than criticism because he can't take it well at all.

Re: Brian Michael Bendis Question

[(Anonymous)]

OP again.

That makes sense to me, I guess. Still not sure where the deep seething hatred would come from based on that. I've certainly seen other writers (like Dan Slott, for example) get just as defensive. So it still seems a bit extreme to me.

Miller I get, because you can at least see the clear sexism there. In that case I totally understand why a lot of people can't tolerate it or resent the idea of people praising his work (even if I don't necessarily agree that the sexism overshadows other aspects of his work that are interesting).

The Bendis hatred just surprised me. That's all.

But I guess to each their own. Thanks to the commenters trying to clear it up for me. :)