good show guys, I agree with you on that the comic industry hasn't taken advantage of the female audience they have. My fiance reads as many books a month as I do and would probably read more if there were more strong female focused books out there.

I have been wondering, is the rise of female readers tied to the increase in indie and non-superhero titles or are women getting into the capes n' cowls? If they are, what titles are they reading?

First off, yay the pile of comics that you aren't reviewing are gone!

Although well thought out, the answer to the reader question is pretty much a "duh"...Of course there is still a gender gap. The demographics of who is buying comics clearly show the buyers are male, last I read, something over 90%. So of course the publishers continue to target that audience. They'd be foolish not to. I dont know that DC and Marvel have even one book you can point to and say "That book is targeted at a female audience." but there are plenty you can say the opposite of.

Scott Pilgrim is kinda 'gender friendly' both male and female characters seem pretty realistic- neither sex is stereotyped.

The gender gap is still present, and every month there are new books that serve to keep it that way, but thankfully, there are far more projects that help to ameliorate it. Unfortunately, the mainstream monthly comic industry is the slowest to change, so most new female readers are turning to mangas. Nothing wrong with that, anything that gets folks reading comics is cool by me, but as a mainstream fan, it saddens me that the Big Two aren't trying harder to adapt to the new demographics or find new readers.

Oh and yeah, All-Star Supes is the best. I was totally psyched to see a Superman: Man of Style-ish costume redesign for the issue! Talk about good timing. :)

All Star Superman, is hands down the best comic written in the 21st century. This is Morrison as his finest and although I am not a fan of Frank Quintley...there really is no fault with the art to complain about it. I usually dont for absolutes but this thing better go as an Absolute cause I anit buying it in any form other then that.

I agree. Gender-wise the industry is horribly lopsided. My wife reads comics. We both would like to see more realistic portrayals of female characters.

Did anyone actually go see My Super Exgirlfriend?

Hey Alex on your reveiw a day show you talked about how some writters should do the plotting and others do the scripting. Like Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis I was just wondering what you and the other guys think who is better as a plotter and who is better as a scripter.

Long time no see (talk?) guys. Still been watching your stuff, been a while since I've joined in any discussions.
Just wanted to say, I agree that a lot more girls are reading comics and the stories are getting better about not being all "Look at this! BOOBS!" but I think the general perception hasn't changed that it IS just over-weight guys, living in their mother's basement that are still the ones reading them. When I see a character on tv or the movies that reads comic books it usually is portrayed as the stereotypical geek, the nerd, whatever that does so. I also feel the same problem is portrayed in other stereotypes too, not just comic readers.