Lady Anti-Hero

I came across an interesting point on IGN today: There has never been a female protagonist in Grand Theft Auto.

The franchise has received more than its fair share of criticism - as one might imagine regarding a game about violent crimes - so, I don't mean to add to it. In fact, I understand where a woman may not fit into the classic Grand Theft Auto main character role.

However, the thought of an awesome woman protagonist intrigued me! Sure, she wouldn't do everything her male counterparts have in the past, but she could conquer in her own way. Aside from Rockstar breaking a gender barrier in gaming, a leading lady in GTA has plenty of potential...

Think of an former queen bee at rock-bottom out for revenge on the people who hurt her. What if she was the daughter of a mob boss or a gangster's widow? What if she was smoking hot, smarter than most men, and afraid of NOTHING? Suddenly, this bad idea sounds groundbreaking!

On the other hand, I may be a little biased. I'm a [very geeky] girl, and GTA is essentially a role playing game with a large male audience. I'm not sure how men in their late-teens to early-thirties would feel about assuming the role of a woman - regardless of how tough she is.

Not many guys are trying to play this.

I LOVE strong female leads! Fiona Glenanne (Burn Notice), Revy (Black Lagoon), Jo Lupo (Eureka)... There's something empowering about watching a fellow female take a gun apart and put it back together in 20 seconds! Grand Theft Auto, a game with virtually no boundaries, about low-level criminals rising to the top, would be a perfect arena for the next great strong female character.

...That isn't sci-fi or magically-enhanced...

What do you think? 

Does a woman belong in GTA? Or is it a man's world?

Share your thoughts on Facebook!

P.S. Someone started a petition to Rockstar for a female protagonist in Grand Theft Auto! Who knows? Maybe GTA VI?

The Villainesses of Gotham City

I read somewhere: "If you grew up in the 90s, you know Batman the Animated Series/The New Batman Adventures is the truest form of Batman." I'm not sure if everyone agrees with that, but I do! From the art to the dialogue, even if this isn't the truest form of Batman, there is just a certain allure to this show that has yet to be surpassed.

Though, there is one thing in particular that I love most about this childhood favorite: strong female characters!

Every time I watch something action-packed, I look for the strong female character. Whether they're heroes or villains, I admire strong women who challenge the "delicate flower" stereotype. However, the creation of strong female characters isn't always done the best way...

But the villianesses of Batman: The Animated Series/The New Batman Adventures are more than men in drag. They hold their own as criminals while maintaining both their femininity and individuality. The following ladies of crime are far from stock characters...

Poison Ivy

First, prior to becoming a villain, Pamela Isley, was a botanist. (Yay! Women in science!) As one of Gotham City's Most Wanted, Poison Ivy fights to protect the environment and often experiments with natural ingredients to use as toxins. Saving the environment; one less Batman at a time.

Harley Quinn

Harleen Quinzel was another successful woman - a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum - turned bad girl. Granted, she's not a solo act, but what other woman could hold her own in The Joker's freak show? Harley is a fantastic character because her relentless infatuation/love for "Mr. J." (regardless of how he treats her) gives her character relatable and depth.

Catwoman

Selina Kyle is a socialite with a thirst for adventure by day. But by night, she gets her thrills stealing from vaults and museums. Personally, I like that her entire reason for being a criminal is boredom. Aside from that, what sets Catwoman apart from the other women of this series is her relationship with Batman. He's head-over-heels for her, so each encounter is an inner struggle between his fight for justice and his heart.

Is there a television show you watch solely for the characters?

Let me know below or on Facebook!