A New Year, A New Battle

When I sat down to make my 2016 holiday cards, I wanted an image that rallied strength and hope for things to come, but also reflected on the year that's passed. And let's be honest, a little bit of a lot of us was hoping that someone would swoop down and save the day before inauguration. 

So you combine that tiny bit of optimism, with my recent Halloween costume, and my sincere love for the US Postal Service, and the card just sort of happened. Yes, that's right, my holiday card was inspired by a postage stamp. 

The hand-painted image of a very buff, wonder(ful) woman punching out 2016 recognizes the challenges 2017 offers, and vows to fight on. 

Stay strong. Game on 2017. 

Super Wonders

So if you're a loyal reader, you'll recall my December obsession with Wonder Woman, so I was pretty pumped when I saw that the UICA was doing a showing of Wonder Women! The untold story of American Superheroines as part of their Community Cinema series. 

Wonder Women! encapsulates the evolution of Wonder Woman— from the comic book superheroine of the 1940s to the 1970s television series starring Linda Carter to the blockbusters of today, it evaluates how representations of powerful women in pop culture reflect society's anxieties about women's liberation. 

The film recognizes the influence of Cat Woman, Xena: Warrior Princess, Sarah Conner, Jaime Sommers and Sunnydale High's Buffy Summers (and if you've been anywhere near me the last 3 months you'll know I've recently started and finished the complete Buffy series with great enthusiasm).

The documentary will be aired as part of the Independent Lens series. You'll be able to see the film online starting April 15. 

UICA does Community Cinema every month, on the second Tuesday. The free showing is followed by a public discussion on the topic. Join them next month—April 2nd!

In your Satin Tights... Stop a War with Love

In the last 24 hours I have watched 13 hours of the original Wonder Woman. The complete Season 1. (seriously if I hear these lyrics one more time I may implode).

Now from a women's studies point of view, this show is a big cluster. Male fantasy disguised as women empowerment; A superlady in lingerie? With her own Clark Kent disguise that transfixes the lovestruck Steve Trevor? It's too bad all her powers lie in her accessories, and without them she's like any other (Amazon) woman.

But I digress... let's talk about amazing 1975 graphics! Now I know it's 2012, and I shouldn't judge.... but I just can't decide if the graphics make the show awesome or embarrassing. All I know, is that they make it great. Check out the how they overlapped animation and human elements together for they opening sequence.

But it's really the amazing spinning effects to transform Diana Prince into Wonder Woman that truly blow my mind (click to see the originals). A few episodes into the series they improved upon these drastically by adding impressive explosions. Incredible that she never drew attention to herself with a burst like that!

The show is really like a long-legged time capsule of technology and pop culture—oh, and a hatred of Nazi's. Like real strong hatred. 

Well go on Wonder Women, the World is waiting for you. (and your satin tights)