The heroes of the Marvel Universe have had so many storylines and incarnations that they’ve become loose templates open to a variety of interpretations.
Chelsea Cain has written an eight-issue arc of Mockingbird in which her version of Bobbi Morse, AKA Mockingbird, is sexy, smart, kickass, feminist, and hilarious. While it refers to previous Marvel events, it works fine as a stand alone series.
Cain’s version of Bobbi is a scientist, spy, and super soldier, who is recently and messily divorced from Clint Barton (Hawkeye), for whom she still has feelings.
She’s also in an on-again-off again relationship with Lance Hunter.
Here Bobbi provides the reader with a helpful infographic, explaining “I have a type.”
The story kicks off with Bobbi having to get weekly checkups at S.H.I.E.L.D.’s medical facility because she was saved from death with an injection of super soldier serum and infinity formula. S.H.I.E.L.D. is concerned about side effects. Bobbi is concerned about zombies.
As the arc progresses, the story involves the challenges of dealing with tween girls who have developed superpowers, and the challenges presented when Lance Hunter investigates the Hellfire Club and needs rescuing (this involves bondage outfits and the line “I would have been here sooner, but my spikes got caught in the curtains”). It also involves scuba diving and a cruise, couples therapy, and a horrible stalker ex. And corgis.
This comic run is incredibly fun. It’s snarky and sexy and funny and exciting. Bobbi is portrayed as a very sexy person who enjoys wearing sexy clothes in sexy poses, but so are the men in her life. In fact, as far as skin exposure go, Clint and Lance are much more scantily clad than Bobbi (and how very pretty they look, too). This book is kind to the female gaze, to say the least, and the one-liners are constant and gloriously sarcastic.
Throughout the comic, there’s a theme of feminism. Because of her involvement with S.H.I.E.L.D, Bobbi struggles to have control over her own body, which is constantly scrutinized by S.H.I.E.L.D.’s medical team. At one point a nurse says, “You gained a pound,” and Bobbi replies, “It’s brain matter. I read a book.”
Another issue uses the problem of “early-onset powers” among girls as a way to talk about a society that “still can’t talk about tampons.” In this same issue, we see a young Bobbi being dragged to an E.R.A. campaign by her feminist mom, and learn about Bobbi’s struggles with being a female superhero.
Bobbi is unapologetic about being attracted to both Clint and Lance and she’s always the smartest and most competent person in any room. She also has trust issues and commitment issues. She runs the risk of being the “professional woman who can’t get her personal life together” type and yet she seems pretty happy in her personal life aside from her divorce, which she clearly mourns.
The first five issues have been collected in the trade paperback Mockingbird: I Can Explain. Issues 6-8 are available individually at comic book stores or online. These issues take place on a cruise ship, contain some truly amazing cameos, and delve more into Bobbi’s complicated romantic life while tackling issues of consent and control.
Cain’s version of Bobbi is like what might happen if Buffy Summers and James Bond had a super snarky, super feminist baby. I adore her and I had so much fun with these eight issues. They were the perfect entertainment for a stressful day. The art has bright colors and a lot of movement combined with beautiful pen and ink lines. The dialogue is my favorite brand of snark. Also, I need this t shirt.
(Note: and if that one isn’t available, you might like one of these, too.)
Mockingbird is also available at Comixology.
This book is available from:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!
Did you guys hear about the humongous backlash surrounding the “feminist agenda” shirt? It’s pretty atrocious. The series’ writer got harassed heinously for it.
http://www.comicsbeat.com/comics-industry-stands-against-harassment-with-standwithchelseacain-hashtag/
Some pretty awful stuff, but definitely cements the need for comics like this.
Great review, great comic and stupid ass backlash. What a world. @Dora, definitely a need.
That backlash was such BS. Poor widdle boys, so afraid of the word “feminist.”
I’d love to read this, but if I bring this home, my 9 (almost 10) yo is going to be going, “Oh, look, a Marvel graphic novel. This must be for me.” To which, based on some of the nearly naked dude art (I can hear B now: “Mom, this guy has no pants on.”), I have to think I should be somewhat cautious of for at least a couple more years. OTOH, she read Patsy Walker: Hellcat with a song in her heart. Thoughts?
@Dora
Thanks for the link. Ewwww.
The book looks interesting, and I followed Carrie’s link and ordered a couple of great shirts!
Bought this as soon as I read this review yesterday, then read the book last night. Loved it!!! Does anyone know if they will be collecting the final volumes of the series in one book?
i didn’t get this cause i heard Cain retconned Bobbi’s rape by the Phantom Rider and instead said Bobbi lied about being raped when she got caught cheating on Hawkeye. that’s not cool. you don’t lie about rape.
http://www.cbr.com/so-mockingbird-let-phantom-rider-die-for-no-reason/
@Hope – Vol. 2 comes out in May but the individual issues that comprise Vol 2 are out now.
@Min – I don’t want to talk too much about the Phantom Rider thread because it’s a huge ginormous spoiler. But while I’m still wrapping my head around it it’s much more complicated that “Bobbi lied.”
@CarrieS – thanks! I saw the individual issues but the collections are easier on the wallet and if one is coming, I can wait. Also, @Min, I read your link and “Bobbi lied” wasn’t how I interpreted that article at all.
I have been a huge fan of Chelsea Cain ever since her “hippie handbook” and I support her all the way!
Cain’s issue #8 retcon of Bobbi’s rape was both abysmal AND stupid. No real connection to the original story, and it makes Bobbi look bad.