The Week in Villainy: Taking stock of super-villains

Mary Marvel: I stood second to no one -- no one -- in my enthusiasm for Mary Marvel's walk on the wild side. As you remember, I was one of the first to applaud the black-leather-clad Marvel sis.

But now, in Final Crisis #3, we see where the path of evil has led Mary. Straight to an anime hairdresser and Frederick's of Hollywood. (Click on the image to the right for a two-panel excerpt.)

The sexploitation of Mary Marvel was one thing. For months, we were treated to any possible excuse for drawing her so we could peep up her black, leather skirt. But that was still in line with comic superhero norms, for better or worse.

But this? Shaved head? Pink piggy tails? A lightning-bolt-cutout to accentuate her increased cleavage?

OK... I'll admit, I'm a little jealous that I didn't think of that last one for Lightning Lady.

But still... what made Mary Marvel intriguing as a villain was a good girl thrust into a bad girl's role. It had such conflict -- such possibility.

This. This trampy nemesis has none of that depth. None of that dimension. She's completely flat.

With or without the lightning-bolt cut-out.

Her VQ rating drops to a 1.

	2% (15)	SHAZAM! I love it!
	78% (408)	SHAZ-ouch! That's awful!
	18% (96)	I couldn't stop looking at Wonder Woman long enough to form a viewpoint.

Courting Disaster, my weekly comic about sex, love, and relationships updates every Friday. You'll laugh your pants off.

This week's question...

Two questions, this week...

A reader writes... Q: I am in a situation that I can't see my way out of. I share an apartment with my high school friend and make barely enough money to pay my half of the rent. We have always gotten along well until recently when it became obvious she was flirting with my boyfriend. I've told her to stop, but she denies doing it. It's mostly subtle things, smiles, dressing provocatively when she knows we'll be hanging out, sexy remarks, that kind of thing. I mentioned it to him, but he says he's never really noticed it. When I suggested we spend more time at his apartment, he refused because it's a dump, which is true. This is really bothering me but I can't afford to move out and my boyfriend isn't cooperating. Can you help?

Go on over and offer some advice.