Geek Heroines : An Encyclopedia of Female Heroes in Popular Culture

Geek Heroines not only tells the stories of fictional and real women, but also explores how they represent changes in societal views of women, including women of color and the LGBTQ community. Geek culture stems from science and technology and so is frequently associated with science fiction. In the beginnings of science fiction, the genre was tied to "magic" and dystopic outcomes; however, as technology turned "geek" into "chic," geek culture extended to include comics, video games, board games, movie, books, and television. Geek culture now revolves around fictional characters about whom people are passionate. Geek Heroines seeks to encourage women and young girls in pursuing their passions by providing them with female role models in the form of diverse heroines within geek culture. Carefully curated to incorporate LGBTQ+ identities as well as racial diversity, the book defines geek culture, explains geek culture's sometimes problematic nature, and provides detailed fiction and nonfiction biographies that highlight women in this area. Entries include writers and directors as well as characters from comic books, science fiction, speculative fiction, television, movies, and video games. Provides readers with an intersectional approach to geek culture that incorporates a variety of female identities Details the historical problems of women's representation in geek culture including hypersexualization, bi-erasure, and transgender issues Focuses on how characters and real-life women empower female identifications Analyzes the geek community's history of sexism focusing on how social norms lead to one-dimensional characterizations Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Essays Sexism in Geek Culture Strong Female Characters The Importance of Character Representation Fandom: A Herstory Toxic Masculinity and Gatekeeping Entries Ahsoka Tano Alana from Saga Allison Blake Alysia Yeoh Amanda Waller America Chavez Anastasia (Dee) Dualla Anya Corazon/Spider-Girl Batgirl Batwoman Beatrice (Tris) Prior Bionic Woman Black Widow Broadnax, Jamie Buffy Summers Captain Kathryn Janeway Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel Carter, Lynda Cassandra Cillian Cassandra Igarashi/Urdr Cecilia Reyes Chell Clementine Cortana Daenerys Targaryen Dana Scully Day, Felicia Deanna Troi Denise Bryson Dimaline, Cherie Echo/Ronin Eckstein, Ashley Eleven Ellen Ripley Evie Frye Faith Firebird Fisher, Carrie General Leia Organa Hermione Granger Hit-Girl Imperator Furiosa Inara Serra Ironheart Jem Jemisin, N. K. Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk Jessica Jones Jill Valentine Jyn Erso Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel Kara Thrace/Starbuck Karen Beecher/Bumblebee Katana Kate Bishop/Hawkeye Katniss Everdeen Kendra Young Kitty Pryde Lara Croft Laura Roslin Leeloo Dallas Lieutenant Nyota Uhura Lieutenant Tasha Yar Lisbeth Salander Liu, Marjorie Lois Lane Lunella Lafayette Maria Hill Maxine “Mad Max” Mayfield Melinda May Michonne Misty Knight Neytiri Nicole Haught Padme Amidala Pantozzi, Jill Peggy Carter Princess Adrienne Raven Pirate Princess Rey Roanhorse, Rebecca Sabine Wren Sarah Connor Sarah Jane Smith Sarkeesian, Anita Sharon Agathon She-Ra Simone, Gail Staples, Fiona Storm Supergirl The Thirteenth Doctor Trinity Wachowski Sisters Willow Rosenberg Wonder Woman Wynonna Earp X-23/Laura Kinney Xena Zoe Washburne Glossary of Key Terms Index About the Author Geek Heroines not only tells the stories of fictional and real women, but also explores how they represent changes in societal views of women, including women of color and the LGBTQ community. Geek Heroines seeks to encourage women and young girls in pursuing their passions by providing them with female role models in the form of diverse heroines within geek culture. Carefully curated to incorporate LGBTQ+ identities as well as racial diversity, the book defines geek culture, explains geek culture's sometimes problematic nature, and provides detailed fiction and nonfiction biographies that highlight women in this area. Entries include writers and directors as well as characters from comic books, science fiction, speculative fiction, television, movies, and video games. * * Provides readers with an intersectional approach to geek culture that incorporates a variety of female identities * * Details the historical problems of women's representation in geek culture including hypersexualization, bi-erasure, and transgender issues * * Focuses on how characters and real-life women empower female identifications * * Analyzes the geek community's history of sexism focusing on how social norms lead to one-dimensional characterizations *