Female Thor is not the real problem

By the Eye of Odin! Thor is now a woman. What in the name of Asgard is going on?

Well, I’ll tell ya.

First, let me state that I understand that every once in a while the people at Marvel have to change things up to keep it new and interesting to generate sales. By that logic I have learned that they even once turned Thor into a frog…man, I’m glad I stopped reading comic books when my sons outgrew them back in the early to mid-90s. I don’t know if I could have handled the God of Thunder being an amphibian.

How would a frog be seen as worthy? Heck, how would a frog even be able to wield Mjolnir?? Never mind…

So, the powers-that-be decided making Thor a girl fits a story line. Okay. Got it. I admit that at first I thought it was just a ploy to keep fanboy cave dwellers enticed, because Penny from the Big Bang Theory doesn’t happen in real life. But after reading comments by longtime fans I decided I get the thought process of changing Thor up a bit every once in awhile.

Now the real problem – the lack of viable female characters being introduced to audiences in comic book form. Making Thor a girl for a short period of time for the sake of a current story line does nothing to fix that problem.

I was 12-13 years old when Marvel introduced Storm. They did a great job, and she is one of the most popular female characters in comic lore.

I was 16-17 years old when Marvel introduced two more popular female characters: Rogue and Shadowcat. Both have done very well.

In fact, BtVS creator, Joss Whedon, names Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) as an influence to his Buffy. New female characters can be introduced. Make sure they have cool names, a cool story and cool powers. It has been done, and it has been done correctly with huge success. The industry is lazy.

This isn’t just on comic books, movies are to blame too.

The movie industry has seen the popularity of The Hunger Games (female lead),

Divergent (female lead), Underworld, and a few others. Plus, someone like Emma Watson, and her fan base could definitely carry a franchise; or either of the girls from the Percy Jackson movies (Alexandra Daddario and Leven Rambin) could both be leads in action type movies. Jamie Alexander (Lady Sif) could do the same as a main character, though probably not as Sif.

Personally, I think YA literature has taken the lead in bringing strong female characters to the forefront. I hope that my Julie will get a chance to continue to build a strong female presence and fan base. Maybe someday the rest of the entertainment industries will catch up.

REVELATION

Book Three of my "THE HEART OF SERAS" series, REVELATION is available now!! Look for book four, THE DARK WARRIOR, soon :) 

                                                 

       The first half of Julie Ayers' junior year is going horribly wrong. Balancing life between Earth and Seras is taking its toll on her. She doesn't know who she can trust, her best friends are fighting, her basketball coach is harassing her, and things are about to get a lot worse. As the forces of evil in Seras strengthen their resolve against those that oppose them; Queen Pallanex moves to secure aid from distant supporters, and launches an attack on those that Marcus feels necessary to protect. William's plan begins to take shape to destroy Allon and give Pallanex power beyond Seras or Earth. As Julie already struggles to figure out the meaning behind Redderick Bobo calling her the "Betrothed", a much deadly secret is suddenly revealed that will shake her to the core.

This image of Danielle Campbell from the television 

show, "The Originals" is a great representation of how I see Julie Ayers. Smart, spunky, cute, and fierce. 

How about you?

                                                         

This is Stephen Amell from the
television show, "Arrow."
How about him as Marcus?

In REVELATION you will get to read the beginnings of Queen Pallanex as she rises from ambitious maiden to the vessel of the Elderess Eryx as she journeys back to her birth place.

Images I use to create my vision of Queen Pallanex

 

      Julie Ayers is a normal fifteen year old living in the quiet town of Sunset, Ohio. Her world is turned upside down by the arrival of the school’s new teacher, Marcus Campbell. 

Marcus Campbell has a secret. He is a warrior from a medieval dimension searching for the mythical "Heart"-a hero given to the people of Seras to rid their world of impending evil. Marcus’s quest is challenged when he realizes that the "Heart" is the vibrant teenage girl. Now, against his better judgment, he must try convincing Julie to go to his world and begin preparation to face whatever evil lies ahead. 

Journey to Seras is the first book in the five part The Heart of Seras fantasy series. It begins the adventures of the two unlikely heroes as they battle the dark forces of Seras.


                                                 Julie Ayer's freshman year of high school ended horribly. Now Marcus Campbell must try to convince her to return to Seras to learn the secrets of Seras from the mysterious immortal, Redderick Bobo. Going back to Seras is the last thing on Julie's mind. She wants no part of Seras, or her teacher. What secrets does Redderick Bobo have to tell? Who were the Elders known as "The Five Lions of God"? Why is Julie Ayers the chosen savior of Seras? Only returning to the dreaded dimension will answer these questions and more for Julie. Can she bring herself to forgive Marcus, and return to Seras? The future of Seras and Earth depends on it.