It’s no secret that the world of comic books is a total sausagefest—especially at the Comic Con gatherings around the world. It’s all guys. And a big group of guys who like comic books is hardly a honey trap for the ladies. But that may be about to change, and not where you’d expect it. Comic Con Dubai is a feminist revolution in the comic book world.
To many Westerners, Dubai is a conservative city in a conservative Arab state, which makes it an odd place for a convention of risqué Lycra-obsessed cosplayers and over-the-top entertainment. Even more bizarre: In a culture where ladies are told to cover up, Comic Con is attracting women in their droves. And they’re not just there to gawp—there were actually more women artists at Dubai Comic Con than male artists, which is in stark contrast to American Comic Con, which is often criticized for its lack of women.
On the floor, local women in traditional hijabs rubbed shoulders with scantily clad women who would fit in just fine at Comic-Con International in San Diego. And, perhaps appropriately, one of the biggest topics of discussion this year was Marvel’s introduction of a new female Muslim superhero, Ms. Marvel. Many Muslim attendees saw the new character as a progressive step for the comic book industry.
Watch and learn, America.
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