The fall of 2015 will welcome the arrival of a new league of superheroes as DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, Mattel, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products launch an all-girl group, according to the official press release from DC Comics.
The statement disclosed that the aforementioned companies will be releasing DC Super Hero Girls that would feature an "exciting new universe of Super Heroic storytelling that helps build character and confidence, and empowers girls to discover their true potential." This initiative currently aims to cater to little girls from ages six to 12 and will focus on "the female Super Heroes and Super-Villains of the DC Comics universe during their formative years-prior to discovering their full super power potential."
Some of the ladies included in this project are Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Bumble Bee, Poison Ivy, and Katana. Every character to be featured will provide viewers with their own distinct storyline which would center on her teenage life as well as her adventures following the revelation of her superhero abilities.
"DC Entertainment is home to the most iconic and well-known Super Heroes including Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl," DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson announced. "DC Super Hero Girls represents the embodiment of our long-term strategy to harness the power of our diverse female characters. I am so pleased that we are able to offer relatable and strong role models in a unique way, just for girls," she added.
Meanwhile, Brad Globe, the president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, shared that the development of such franchise that caters to young girls is an exciting project for the team. "Developing a Super Hero franchise exclusively for girls that includes all of the key components of a comprehensive entertainment experience-from content to consumer products-is something we are excited to be doing in conjunction with our great partners," he revealed. "It's really an honor to be part of this cultural moment and to be delivering a concept so rooted in a relatable and empowered theme that the characters of DC Comics are uniquely able to present," Globe stated.
Mattel CEO Richard Dickson also shared his company's enthusiasm to pursue such momentous task. "Partnering with the best and being the best partner is of paramount importance," he said. "Together with Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment, the DC Super Hero Girls franchise will further expand our already powerful girls portfolio. We know Super Hero is a culturally relevant theme and the DC Super Hero Girls franchise will engage and inspire girls, providing cues to explore heroic acts through play and into real life."
However, not everyone appears to be happy with this latest undertaking by the comic book giants. Jenna Busch, the found of the popular blog Legion of Leia, expressed her disapproval of the matter. "You all know how important I think it is to have female representation in comics and every other sort of media. However, targeting them as "for girls only" is just another way to be exclusive," she wrote. "Look, I appreciate the effort, but drawing yet another line between men and women is not the way to go. So, where are you going to put these products in Target? On the pink side of the toy section or the blue side?"
While Busch insisted that she is grateful for the effort taken by these companies, she also pointed out that this project "just shows how much they don't get it." She then went on to ask, "How about putting more women in the existing universe of toys and shows?" Busch further explained that the world do not "need little girls to feel like they get a corner of the fandom universe, but aren't a part of the "real" one."
