Female action heroes
Subtitle: a guide to women in comics, video games, film, and television
By: Gladys L. Knight.
Publisher: Greenwood
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Santa Barbara, Calif
Language: eng
Number of pages: 341
ISBN-13: 9780313376122; 9780313376139
Subjects: Women heroes in mass media
Description: "Catherine Gale, famously portrayed by Honor Blackman, was the first to wear a leather bodysuit on television. Foxy Brown is considered film's first black female action hero, and Chun Li in Street Fighter II the first female protagonist in a fighting video game. What do these figures have in common and what messages do they send?" "Female action heroes, like other fictional characters, not only reveal a lot about society, but greatly influence individuals in society. It is no surprise that the gradual development and increase in the number of female action heroes coincides with societal changes and social movements, such as feminism, nor is it a surprise that characteristics of female action heroes echo the progressive toughening of women and young girls in the media." "Female Action Heroes: A Guide to Women in Comics, Video Games, Film, and Television brings to the forefront the historical representation of women and girls in film, television, comic books, and video games. The book includes profiles of 25 of the most popular female action heroes, arranged in alphabetical order for easy reference. Each entry includes sections on the hero's origins, her power suit, weapons, abilities, and the villains with whom she grapples. Most significantly, each profile offers an analysis of the hero's story--and her impact on popular culture."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Preface; title: Introduction; title: Timeline; title: Bionic Woman; title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer; title: Catwoman; title: Charlie's Angels; title: Chun Li; title: Chyna; title: Ellen aka "The Lady"; title: Ellen Ripley; title: Emma Peel; title: Foxy Brown; title: G.I. Jane; title: Helen; title: Jen Yu; title: Joan of Arc; title: Kathryn Janeway; title: Lara Croft; title: Maggie Fitzgerald; title: The Powerpuff Girls; title: Princess Leia; title: Sarah Connor; title: Selene; title: Storm; title: Thelma and Louise; title: Wonder Woman; title: Xena: Warrior Princess.