The Best-Dressed Women in Gotham City by Jennifer K. Stuller

               As a young child enthralled with the bright colors, the ‘POW’s ‘WHAM’s and daring escapes of Batman, I never really look it to be more than just half an hour of fun about the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder.  I took it at face value and enjoyed the show.  Jennifer Stuller, the author of this essay, shed light onto a different purpose for the show, a way for social messages to be broadcasted.

               As can be inferred by the title of the essay, and following blog post, this essay addressed the issue of the role of women in Gotham City.  In the first two seasons, the only real female influence on the show was that of Catwoman.  Rather than falling into the normal role of arm candy for the male villain, Julie Newmar’s Catwoman turned perceptions of women’s roles in comics on their head.  Instead of being the trophy that stood idly by, Catwoman was able to accomplish what many male villains were not able to do, and ensnare Batman and achieve her goals independent of anyone else, though she sometimes employed henchmen.

               Later, in season 3, the creators of the show introduced Batgirl who at almost every turn saved Batman and Robin from yet another trap.  The Dynamic Duo were so often embarrassed, though not explicitly stated in the show, that they would often ‘thank’ her by saying, “We were just about to get out of that jam”.

               Though initially just an attempt to stay true to the comics and draw viewers back to a show that was hemorrhaging viewers, by bringing these two female characters in the fold, the creators were making a powerful societal statement.  When Catwoman would escape and Batgirl would ride in on her motorcycle and save the day, they were exhibiting that women could do exactly what men were doing, and often times better.  The show inadvertently used media to broadcast an important message to the viewing public.

               We find ourselves in a time when another form of media, the internet, is being used to inform the public of important issues.  From tweets, blogs, Skypes, TED talks and YouTube clips, information is being transmitted to millions of people around the world bringing issues to the consciousness of the people to inform anyone willing to listen.