2. Wonder Woman - First among warrior women, without her, there is no Xena, no Buffy, no Sarah Connor. As an idea, she is incredibly strong, but as a character she has had some problems. Wonder Woman has been relaunched several times in her publication history and with varying origin stories. She’s been poorly interpreted by the likes of Jodi Piccoult and no one can seem to figure out how to make a movie about her. However, Wonder Woman remains an icon of feminine power, which was the purpose behind her creation. Creator William Moulton Martson said, “Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world.” In spite of her problems, Wonder Woman continues to be the face of the warrior woman archetype and continues to inspire.
I agree with every single choice on this list except Mary Jane Watson. The more I read with her in it, and the more I watch the movies, the more I wonder what Peter Parker sees in her and what's so special about her.
Otherwise this was a fun way to wind down after Christmas dinner.
You have to go back to the original old Marvel Spiderman comics to meet the original Mary
Jane Watson. The one in the movies is a amalgam of Gwen Stacy & Mary Jane Watson.
Too bad you failed to mention how the idiot producers of Stargate Atlantis screwed up Elizabeth Weir by killing her off in a badly written publicity stunt to get rid of actress Torri Higginson so they could replace Weir with Samantha Carter. Then to add insult to injury, they screwed up Carter by wallpapering her into a desk job that kept her from doing all the cool stuff you mentioned!
And why didn't you include Atlantis's Teyla Emmagan? She's the leader of her people, a mother, and a warrior fighting the bad guys, even kicking one off a 50-story high tower!
At least you didn't make the mistake of including the whiny crybaby Jennifer Keller. She's one medical doctor who ought to have her license revoked!
I agree with most of the list, but wheres Faith the (morally ambiguous) Vampire Slayer and Tara
(who taught & mentored Willow to her full potential power)?
Part of the list is influence outside the character's own universe (i.e., our own). While Faith and Tara may be significant within the Buffy-verse, and have a high place within the fandom, outside of that, they don't have the recognition of a Buffy or a Buttercup or a Barbarella. Another issue with the list is that we want it to be representative of the available pool, which goes as far back as the 1920s with Metropolis and Aelita: Queen of Mars. There have been milestones for women all along, not just since the 1990s. Including every woman on every Stargate, Star Trek, Buffy, etc would only allow a few things to be represented, which not only isn't true to the concept, wouldn't leave room for the women who broke the path to their existence.
Part of the list is influence outside the character's own universe (i.e., our own). While Faith and Tara may be significant within the Buffy-verse, and have a high place within the fandom, outside of that, they don't have the recognition of a Buffy or a Buttercup or a Barbarella. Another issue with the list is that we want it to be representative of the available pool, which goes as far back as the 1920s with Metropolis and Aelita: Queen of Mars. There have been milestones for women all along, not just since the 1990s. Including every woman on every Stargate, Star Trek, Buffy, etc would only allow a few things to be represented, which not only isn't true to the concept, but also wouldn't leave room for the women who broke the path to their existence.
How about the Halliwell girls (Charmed)? Yes the series was POORLY written, directed and produced, but it was well acted and the girls represented female warriors with lives outside their demon fighting. Piper, to me is worthy of Heroship because she had kids and still fought the demon world. Again, this is not anywhere near Whedon, but in itself worth mentioning. (I had to sit through it cuz the husband loves Allysa Milano)
I like this list, although i think Farscape's Zhaan and the Doctor's Donna should have been included. They're both incredibly compassionate, strong and independent women.
Also, Mary Jane Watson is a damsel in distress, and she pretty much doesn't belong on this list. And Storm is a character that should have been higher on the list. I think Halle Berry is a good choice for Storm, but the fact that she pretty much didn't have anything to do in any of the movies, and the bad writing and directing didn't help at all.
So will there be a Top 100 Fictional Femmes of Genre Film and Television, 2011 Edition?
We skipped last year, but will get back to it for 2011.
I was wondering if you had ever planned to do a top 100 anime femmes? I see an occasional anime or cartoon femme in your line-up. If you do plan such an event I would like to suggest using Yawara. She is the perfect candidate for your list.
I was also really surprised to see the Powerpuff Girls on the list. I would expect to see Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts before the Powerpuff’s.