5. Lois Lane - Superman’s Girlfriend or Independent Reporter? In her essay “Feminine Mystique: Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane in the ‘Silver Age’ of Comics” Vibiana Bowman Ctetkovic writes: “The character of Lois Lane was a product of her times, and as her times shifted so did she” (54). The truth in this statement becomes most apparent when carefully considering the changes that the character went through over the course of its existence. From the Golden Age of the superhero genre to a more recent reboot of Superman’s origin story, the character has been shaped by existing cultural and social circumstances. In the following chapter I will decipher how these circumstances have affected the character and how they were expressed in the comic
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Lois Lane is one of the most influential female characters of the superhero genre, and while not a superhero herself, she does remain a very recognizable figure, primarily as Superman’s romantic interest.
5.1 A Professional with Can-Do-Attitude: Lois Lane in The Golden Age Lois Lane was first introduced in Action Comics #1 (1938), which also features the first appearance of Superman. This first issue does not only establish the most significant characteristics and powers of Superman, such as his super strength and his indestructability (Siegel, “Superman” 3-4), but also the relationship between his alter ego Clark Kent and Lois. It sets the groundwork for a relationship that continues to be prominently featured in Superman’s stories until today. The first panel in which Lois is depicted, Clark asks her out on a date (Siegel, “Superman” 6), firmly implementing …show more content…
Nonetheless, she is still dependent on the male lead to save her: “The original portrayal of Lois was as a tough, successful reporter, who could handle many things on her own, but occasionally needed to be saved from imminent disaster by Superman.” (Kuchenmeister 90). Both characters were created roughly at the same time in history, but while Wonder Women tries to defy gender-specific stereotypes, Lois Lane enforces them. Another monumental difference between the women remains in their position in the comics. During the Golden Age of comic books, (Marston’s) Wonder Woman was a heroine in her own story, she was the protagonist, while Lois Lane was Superman’s love interest and the occasional damsel in distress. Wonder Women exerts power on her own, while Lois’s agency is confined by her dependence on the male
Lois Lane is one of the most influential female characters of the superhero genre, and while not a superhero herself, she does remain a very recognizable figure, primarily as Superman’s romantic interest.
5.1 A Professional with Can-Do-Attitude: Lois Lane in The Golden Age Lois Lane was first introduced in Action Comics #1 (1938), which also features the first appearance of Superman. This first issue does not only establish the most significant characteristics and powers of Superman, such as his super strength and his indestructability (Siegel, “Superman” 3-4), but also the relationship between his alter ego Clark Kent and Lois. It sets the groundwork for a relationship that continues to be prominently featured in Superman’s stories until today. The first panel in which Lois is depicted, Clark asks her out on a date (Siegel, “Superman” 6), firmly implementing …show more content…
Nonetheless, she is still dependent on the male lead to save her: “The original portrayal of Lois was as a tough, successful reporter, who could handle many things on her own, but occasionally needed to be saved from imminent disaster by Superman.” (Kuchenmeister 90). Both characters were created roughly at the same time in history, but while Wonder Women tries to defy gender-specific stereotypes, Lois Lane enforces them. Another monumental difference between the women remains in their position in the comics. During the Golden Age of comic books, (Marston’s) Wonder Woman was a heroine in her own story, she was the protagonist, while Lois Lane was Superman’s love interest and the occasional damsel in distress. Wonder Women exerts power on her own, while Lois’s agency is confined by her dependence on the male