When Superwomen Strike Back: Birds of Prey, Black Widow, and Contemporary Feminism in Comic Book Movies

Abstract

Since Superman was first introduced in Action Comics #1 in 1938, the world has been taken by storm with depictions of superheroes in comic books and films. While these masculine portrayals have provided men of all ages with positive role models to look up to and strive to emulate, with the exclusion of female-led stories from a rich roster of characters in the comics, it is hard for women to connect with these representations. Things changed with the 2017 release of Wonder Woman, directed by Patty Jenkins. Through Wonder Woman, heroic female role models saw an onscreen boost. With films such as 2020’s Birds of Prey, directed by Cathy Yan, and 2021’s Black Widow, directed by Cate Shortland, we see how feminist themes such as challenging the male gaze, fighting male aggressors, and creating female bonds are on full display in these films. Through a historical account of the various ways women have appeared in comic books and movies before Wonder Woman’s release, this essay explores how Yan and Shortland incorporate feminist themes in their films.