Tomorrow afternoon I’m presenting a paper on Harley Quinn, gender roles and sexy costumes and cosplay at my department’s colloquium (if you happen to be interested and want details to go let me know – learning stuff is fun!!!). It’s actually kind of my dry-run to present the same paper at this year’s PCA/ACA in Seattle in a couple of weeks. This is what I have been tracking and tabulating all of that data on sales of female led comic books for the last few months.
Sometimes when I need to clear my mind I sit down and do some sketches. In this case I figured I might as well do some of Harley that I might use for my title card in my slide presentation. So I did two. I’m kind of curious if people have a preference. One or the other? Both? I’ll actually be addressing both costumes in my talk.
The other: http://www.chrismaverick.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Harley1.jpg
Not that i want to not drive traffic to the site. 😉 This is also the one i prefer since you’re soliciting opinions… Both are fantastic, but this one screams HQ to me, the other could be anyone. (Disclaimer– i don’t read comics as much… the other might be very recognizable to someone more versed)
So the “jester” outfit is her original “classic” one. that debuted in the cartoon.
The corset outfit is her current one… more or less, anyway… Currently she wears a variety of clothing, inspired by the dichromatic look of the original outfit, but changing every day.
They tend to be what I would call “riot grrl” inspired.
Thanks for the explanation… both are great as always!
I think more than anything it’s the mask/face of the jester outfit… cropped to just that, and she’s immediately identifiable. (to me)
Also: Dominique Hoche might be interested in this since she uses graphic novels in her literary classes. (I’m afraid i don’t know specifics, but she has it in her attention field now and can judge for herself. Also check out Chris’s http://www.chrismaverick.com/wp/2016/03/08/
I prefer the old outfit. But that is Harley.
Love these man!
Thanks!
Hope you find it interesting! ;D
I like both drawings, but in your shoes, I would likely go with the classic Harley because I think you want to avoid giving people the initial impression that the presentation is meant to titillate (unless it is).
It is… specifically the presentation is about the sexualization of the Harley character over time
I understood that the paper is about the sexualization of Harley over time. But my assumption is that you want to be seen as an academic talking about what’s going on here and how this relates to the larger context and what’s happening in the culture rather than someone going “Hey, isn’t this hot?”