-thegeekifiedgirl drops some stats and backs them up with a solid argument.
-It’s interesting to look at which books CBR’s readers are actually interested in buying.
-… and Johanna at Comics Worth Reading’s personal take on the new titles from earlier this month also merit a read.
-Maid of Might highlights the fact that this relaunch (like most other relaunches?) was allegedly meant to bring in new readers rather than the same-old gradually shrinking group DC had been catering to for years. She and DC Women Kicking Ass both remember getting male friends and partners into comics.

More on this issue soon. In the mean-time, keep sending in your suggestions for links!

-Jill Pantozzi’s personal account of her reaction really brings home how important Babs is, and her interview with Gail Simone (writing the new book) about the reboot is essential reading.
-Andy Khouri’s ComicsAlliance editorial provides a look back over what makes Barbara Gordon so iconic.
-The ever-brilliant DC Women Kicking Ass recaps previous attempts to get her walking again.
-And finally the Oracle Create-A-Thon, a tumblr set up in response to DC’s decision, collecting fanart of Oracle “to support visibility for disabled characters in mainstream comics, and comics in general”. Some amazing stuff in there.

And a couple of non-Oracle links to round you off:

-I just found this handy illustration, from last year, of a particularly irritating sexist trope.
-And I fell in love with Cliff Chiang’s rendition of Wondy as Joan Jett, with Black Canary, Zatanna and Batgirl backing her up.

I doubt this will be the last from GW on Barbara Gordon’s reboot – watch this space. And if you’ve got anything for us on this, just send it to submissions@girl-wonder.org.

This week’s links, first the comics-related:

- Colin Smith’s detailed and engaging essay on FLASHPOINT #1.
- More FLASHPOINT fail: DC should really consider how this shit looks.
- Laura Hudson, Blair Butler, Heidi MacDonald and Jill Pantozzi form a roundtable on the “Geek Girl Phenomenon”.

And the non-comics:

- A pair of insightful posts by ginmar on rape culture and the myth of false rape accusations.
- The reprehensible decision by the equally reprehensible New York Post to publicise an alleged rape victim’s alleged HIV+ status.
- An Open Letter to Nice Guys of the World.

At Penguicon, we had buttons to give away. There were two small buttons, one for each camp: A green button that said, “YES, you may” and a red button that said “NO, you may not.” And anyone who had those buttons on, whether you knew them or not, was someone you could approach and ask:

“Excuse me, but may I touch your breasts?”

AHEM.
This comment rather sums up my feelings on this particular proposal:

“My body does not exist in the binary of SOME GUY’S ACCESS TO IT.”

Here is a brilliant satire of the initial proposal
And here is a round-up of links that have documented the responses.

The Fangirl Project is part photo book, part video documentary and all labor of love. In December 2006, photographer Love Ablan and writer/videographer Jennifer Zern decided to travel across the country in search of the female equivalent of a “fanboy” — a hardcore devotee deeply immersed in geeky interests like science fiction, fantasy, comic books, gaming, and the like. Eight months later, they’re still going at it. As certified fangirls themselves, the duo embarked on this project for several reasons: to shatter a few myths, to explore a fascinating and wildly diverse subculture, to document the flip side of a presumably male-dominated niche, and to have a good time meeting people with similar passions.Subjects are photographed in their element — either at home, at their favorite comic book store, or at conventions — and interviewed about their obsessions and their views on what it means to be a fangirl. The end product will be a coffee table-style portrait book celebrating the fangirl phenomena. Video interviews will be posted on YouTube intermittently. Photo exhibits in a number of cities will coincide with the book’s release.

So far they have an ever-growing Flickr gallery and they want more fangirls to participate and help the project grow. So go check it out and let your fangirl voice be heard!

I think that Diana would be proud.

In memory of our friend and fellow fanboy, Mike Wieringo, Project: Rooftop is announcing an open call for redesigns of Bart Allen, the super-speedster sidekick (and later mantle-bearer) of The Flash. Bart was co-created by Mike Wieringo and writer Mark Waid in the mid-90’s. ‘Ringo recently wrote some interesting stuff about Bart over on his blog.

Submissions should be emailed to editors@projectrooftop.com by Sunday, August 26th, with the subject line “Impulse,” “Kid Flash,” or “The Flash” depending on the era of Bart’s life you decided to build on. Be sure to include your name and website with your submission. We’ll showcase the best entries all next week. In addition to the Bart Allen fun, we’ll also be talking about some the best superhero costuming work from Mike Wieringo’s career.

Mike had a timeless appreciation for these awesome characters and enjoyed the heck out of online costuming/drawing events, so I think he’d really dig this kind of fun being held in his honor. Whether you consider yourself a friend, fan, or both, come join us in remembering Mike Wieringo, whose incredible artwork and unfailing kindness continue to serve as a source of unending inspiration and joy.

Dean Trippe

http://projectrooftop.com