This article was originally written for Modern Myths, INC. and was posted on November 18, 2012. This is a reproduction for portfolio purposes.
The following is a letter I wrote in response to Tony Harris’ facebook rant regarding the “fake” female nerds who cosplay. I tried to break down his rant bit-by-bit (as many others have) and confront direct quotes, so anything in quotations is directly pulled from his wording. While this letter was written at a point where I was deeply entrenched in anger and frustration at his misogynistic remarks.
While my temper has cooled substantially, Harris’ words still frustrate me, as what he has said represents a huge portion of the nerd community. And while he has stated that his comments still stand (though he emphasizes that he is “only talking about posers” and not real comic fans), his words are just echos of what women everywhere in the nerd community hear every day. Not a convention has passed where someone does not ask me (while I am dressed as Power Girl, Squirrel Girl, Supergirl, or any other costume I might have) what I actually know about the character and “do you really like comics?” It’s insulting not only because it means my gender makes me subject to some set of litmus tests, but also because a man who wears a Green Lantern shirt will not get grilled on what he knows of the Lantern Corps and who his favorite GL is. Even when he has never read the comics in his life.
We live in a biased society where, honestly, men get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to “being a nerd.” Women must always prove themselves. That is our reality.
Accusations that women wear skimpy comic book costumes to please men are outrageous and very entrenched in archaic ideology. The implication that women are abusing comic art to game the system, and attract nerds who they deem “pathetic” is ridiculous. Examine the nature of super heroine character design and then accuse women of just trying to show some leg and get attention.
Finally, and most importantly, Harris has made a point (multiple times), that he has never drawn women in an over-sexualized fashion. While that’s true and (prior to this rant) I would have applauded him for that, it is essentially the same as arguing that having a gay friend means you cannot be homophobic, or being friends with a person of color means you’re not racist. Just because you have a mother/sister/girlfriend/wife, does not mean you are not a misogynist. When your words speak as loudly as Tony Harris’ do…
Dear Mr. Harris,
I can understand that you, and many comics fans, have a problem with cosplayers. Whether you find them distracting or think they are over-crowding comic conventions, you, and many others like you, seem to have serious issues with cosplayers, specifically female cosplayers.
I’m glad that you and the “Hetero Males” that agree with you have found an outlet for your feelings, and I fully believe in your right to speak your mind, but please keep in mind that freedom of speech does not mean freedom from the consequences of your speech.
I can guarantee that cosplayers of both genders are a significant percentage of the consumer base of comics, and likewise, women are also a significant (and growing) portion of consumers. By demeaning and insulting women in such a broad way, implying that their self-worth comes solely from their appearance (and also implying that women who cosplay are less than attractive), you are alienating all women except for, maybe, the women who are just as sexist as you.
Cosplayers add to the convention experience and bring many excited attendees. Cosplayers (used to) buy the comics you worked on. With the attitude you have expressed, I can now say I will no longer even consider a book you work on, and I am fairly certain that many other men and women feel the exact same way.
Demeaning women and objectifying them is not going to get them on your side. You may say that cosplayers like myself are pathetic or that the nerds that they “prey on” are pathetic, but I believe that you are the truly pathetic one in this scenario.
You’re scared, insecure, and intimidated by the fact that women can know just as much as you about a subject you love. You’re scared that women are fast becoming a very verbal majority in the realm of comics, from female writers and artists to hardcore fans.
Cosplayers are real nerds. You are just a slut shaming, sexist, opportunistic egotist.
You are what makes conventions terrible. You are what makes nerds look bad. You are the thing the keeps women from fully expressing their love of comics.
So thank you.
Thank you for coming out. Thanks for being sexist so others can see what that actually looks like. Thank you for policing things people love and asking for proof of their love. Thank you for policing nerds, and showing those who don’t know what policing actually is.
I can guarantee you that I know more about superheroes and comic books than many of your supporters. I wrote my college thesis on Power Girl, She-Hulk, Kitty Pryde, and Black Canary. I blog weekly about the plight of women in comics. Every waking moment for me is a celebration of comic books. I read them, I live them, I breathe them, I write and draw my own comics. Comics are not a hobby to me. Comics are a way of life. They may not be my job yet, but they will be.
You can “pleasure yourself” to me, if you like, but that doesn’t make my “head vibrate.” I don’t cosplay to please men, I cosplay to please myself. And I can guarantee that every woman (and man) who cosplays does it because they love the character, they identify with the character and they do it because it makes them happy.
Cosplayers are “a legion.” They work hard on their costumes, they put effort and time into perfecting them, but people like you sicken cosplayers because you don’t get it. You just pick on those you identify as weak and useless. But surprise! Cosplayers are one of the strongest geek communities in the world. Cosplayers are an asset to cons. You are the thing that draws negative attention and press to comic books and conventions.
And if my gender makes my motives suspect, if just by being female or just by wanting to dress like a comic book character means that I have to pass some snuff test of knowledge, then no thank you.
So congratulations. You’re facing an army of men AND women who think that you’re a jerk. You are not comics.
I am comics.
Ellie Hillis 
