Sexy Powerpuff Girls artist hits back at online critics

Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup are back! And they’re... totally hot babes?

 

At least, that’s what you’ll see on the variant cover of the upcoming sixth issue of IDW’s The Powerpuff Girls comic book. The image has been making rounds on the internet, where its sexualized depiction of the three main heroines of the beloved children’s cartoon has been drawing plenty of criticism.

 

It all started when the owner of one comic book store complained about the sexy Powerpuff Girls image.

 

“Are we seriously sexualizing pre-teen girls like perverted writing fan fiction writers on the internet???? is that what this sh*t has gotten to? DISGUSTED,” ranted Dennis Barger Jr. on his Facebook account.

 

He further called IDW out for “taking grade school girls and sexualizing them as way older… they are wearing latex bondage wear mini dresses, which on an adult would be fine but on the effigies of children is very wrong… especially on an ALL AGES kids book marketed for children.”

 

One of the commenters, Nancy A. Collins, echoed Barger’s sentiments, pointing out that “These characters are supposed to be 6-7 years old, aren’t they?”

 

They're 'legal' now

 

Of course, there were some who came to the cover’s defense, saying that if Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup were real people, they would be “legal” now.

 

The Powerpuff Girls pilot shows were first featured in Cartoon Network's World Premiere Toons in 1995 and 1996, making the characters at least 19 years old.

 

But if their creator Craig McCracken's earlier work is taken into account, they should actually be 22 years old. The animator developed the prototype versions of the characters for a 1992 cartoon short called "Whoopass Stew":

 

 

 

 

Cartoon Network, IDW respond

 

The controversy eventually reached Cartoon Network. In response, Cartoon Network is now pulling the variant cover of The Powerpuff Girls # 6, which was scheduled for release this February, according to Kotaku and The Mary Sue.

 

Dirk Wood, IDW’s Vice President of Marketing, held Cartoon Network responsible for the image. “That was actually a Cartoon Network-mandated cover, by an artist of their choosing,” he said. “I think they were thinking of it more along the lines of ‘female empowerment’ than the kind of thing you guys are talking about, but certainly, we’re sensitive to the issues here. We love making comics for kids, and always want them to be appropriate.”

 

In Cartoon Network Enterprises’ statement regarding the issue, they claimed that the variant cover was not intended for the general public, but for the customers of the comic store: “This particular variant cover for The Powerpuff Girls # 6 from IDW was done in the artist’s signature style and was intended to be released as a collectible item for comic book fans. We recognize some fans’ reaction to the cover and, as such, will no longer be releasing it at comic book shops.”

What's lost on many commenters, however, is the fact the the artist in question is a woman.

Controversial artist is a girl too

 

Comic books have long been criticized for their male-centric content and the usually male artists' propensity to draw women in a sexualized manner.

This has led to a widespread feminist movement for fairness and equality in the medium, including the famous Hawkeye Initiative.

But Mimi Yoon, the artist who was commissioned to draw the controversial IDW cover, is a woman herself—and finds the controversy over her work "ridiculous."

"I find all of the accusations for my Powerpuff Girls image sexualizing minors not only ridiculous but also embarrassing for the accusers," she said on her Facebook page.

She also hit back at Barger, her original accuser, by re-posting publicity photos of him at a strip club in Detroit.


Online support

Since the controversy broke, dozens of netizens—many of them women—have flocked to Yoon's wall to air their support and understanding.
"Just wanted to say that I thought your PPG cover was super cute and fun and sassy and totally appropriate for youngsters! Sorry some people's negative opinions totally overshadowed how much hard work and love you put into that cover. Don't let this make you second guess yourself. You are very talented and did a beautiful job!" said Jenny Frison.

"As a Detroit City comic retailer (and father of a 4 year old) myself, I just want you to know that we all dont feel the same way as other certain retailers," said Luren Becker.

"I promise this will no way deter me from doing what I love doing or change my views and ways, and I will always and forever passionately despise perverted, corrupted, and twisted minds and acts," Yoon said in response to her supporters.
 

The sexualization of cartoon characters

 

This is not the first time the Powerpuff Girls have been given a sexier, more mature look. One need look no further than the works of popular digital artist Stanley Lau, also known as “Artgerm”, who himself has turned the pint-sized superheroines into sexy, teenage champions of justice:

 

But the Powerpuff Girls are not alone in this. Many other cartoon series for children have been given the “adult” or “sexy” makeover, including Dora the Explorer, the various animated Disney films, and even, quite surprisingly, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. — TJD, GMA News