What Women Want in Women Characters: Women Characters Redesigned by Women SFF Artists

I saw this post, and loved it. I visit Muddy Colors all the time, particularly because it is run by a couple of my favorite book cover artists, Donato Giancola and Dan Dos Santos.

I really loved the redone Storm - gorgeous artwork.

I didn't like the Scarlet Witch redesign. BUT, I agree that it was more real.

In every other case, I saw more powerful, more empowered. And covering up did not sacrifice the sexy.

Beautiful.

Only point I would say is that some of the renderings work for one-time works. I don't think they could work (as presented) in a comic that needs to come out every month.

I loved the Storm redesign too. Laura did another post on Muddy Colors the other day titled, The No-Stilletos Rule.

The thing that bugs me about the collection is that some of them are sensible redesigns of nonsensical outfits. Like the original outfits of Red Sonia or Taarna the Tarakkian; Red Sonia's redesign actually looks alright, though Taarna's skintight metal bodysuit seems to fit more of the things people complain about with female armour.

But then you get the...questionable stuff. Like Princess Peach toting a rocket launcher, which is about as much of a fan redesign as it is saying "I outright detest the aesthetic of the entire series". Like Samus Aran dressed like a reject from a Fallout game, in an outfit that completely defeats the purpose of the Zero Suit (and I love that the writer cries "mansplaining!" when people point that out). Like Scarlet Witch and Phoenix in outfits that'd clash horribly with superhero costumes. Like Morrigan in an outfit that doesn't look remotely "practical" for someone who lives in the wilds and still leaves the middle of her chest exposed. And then there's the ones that look as "problematic" as the originals, like Tarrna's or Star Sapphire.

And then there's Seven of Nine's redesign. I don't quite know how to phrase my distaste at the idea of a "redesign" of a character played by a real woman...with smaller breasts.

lilyWhite said:

And then there's Seven of Nine's redesign. I don't quite know how to phrase my distaste at the idea of a "redesign" of a character played by a real woman...with smaller breasts.

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I think I agree regarding Seven. Part of what made her interesting was she was smokin', but unaware of that fact. Which created more than a few interesting social situations.

I don't like all the redesigns. I'm just glad someone has done it and it's there to be discussed.

I love functional outfits. Not sure how most of these comic book heroines can get the job done in stilettos and latex mini skirts. I think the women would want protective materials here instead of wanting to "look sexy."

That was terrific. Bookmarking it for conversations with game developers. The best part is that, for the most part, those are amazing re-designs. Nothing is lost but a lot is gained.

Just MHO --

I don't like all of them, but I like most of 'em. I liked the Scarlet Witch, for example. And I'd like to see a game with the entire Mario Kart world re-worked in the style of that Princess Peach. I think the whole game would be more fun and interesting to play. -- Or maybe a Steampunk version...

But to me, the most important part of the linked piece is right here:

"I am a woman, and I do not speak for all women."

Make that "I am X, and I do not speak for all X." and I think everybody should begin formulating all expressions of their likes, dislikes and other opinions from that position.

Wow, Storm looks incredible. Power Girl's outfit is pretty cool, too. All the artwork is lovely.

I object to the inclusion of Morrigan, though. She's vain. She's sexual. She's manipulative. She's a skinny, squishy mage. Yeah, her original outfit is skimpy, but it's practical and comfortable, and it looks exactly like something she'd pick out for herself.

Her redesign is badass, and the artist did absolutely beautiful work. But it's hard to imagine her trudging through a swamp in sweeping robes and no bra. It looks like something she'd wear later in life, as a powerful court sorceress.

I'm also of the mind that certain characters didn't need to be changed as they were.. Morrigan and Fran from FFXII (the climate she comes from and her species sort of explains her wardrobe) but most specifically the Samus Zero suit and the author's comments of "mansplaining"... it's not just the men who are aware of Samus original Metroid suit and the fact that nobody knew she was a woman until the very end...

But I did like the Princess Peach revamp, even if the bazooka is a bit overboard.

Alessandra Kelley said:

http://muddycolors.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-women-wantin-women-characters.html

I ran across these examples and was amused and entertained at how women fantasy artists redesigned the outfits of women fantasy characters.

Bye bye uncomfortable thongs and chainmail bikinis, hello clothes as interesting and useful as the men get to wear.

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Well, all right then! Someone should be my agent for my graphic novel Capon Frank, because the mc is a snarky miss
, Grimironie Von Farmer!

I loved these; it's amazing how some of these designs are still incredibly sexy without being porn (see: Emma Frost.)

And the redesigned Storm is amazeballs.