For decades, female characters have played both strong and weak roles in comics. This panel aims to show how comic book stories and presentation have changed accordingly.
Wonder Woman. Mary Jane. Jean Grey. Storm. Black Widow. Scarlet Witch. They have been killed off when convenient, bolstered when the story requires it, and forced to submit when a male character is done with her serving as their foil. They have had impossible powers stripped away with the touch of a chain, and threatened the nature of the world's very existence with a single thought. Comics have played a role in society in supporting women and have also assisted rallying against them, both leading and following the waves of public opinion. Almost fully 50% of comic book readers have been female since the mid-90s, and comic book stories and presentation have changed accordingly.
