BOOM! POW! KABAM!
The disguised hero skirts around a building keeping their eye on the villain wreaking havoc among the city, waiting for their next move. They pull out their superpower from within and capture photos of the criminal in order to seize the truth on film.
They frantically write down what they see and hear until they have the chance to inevitably and metaphorically pull the mask off the villain, putting them behind bars and revealing the truth to the people. The disguised protagonist once again wins the battle for democracy and freedom and helps give a voice to the voiceless.
Who did you think of when reading this? Did you think of Superman, The Flash, Spiderman, Batman, Captain America or another one of your favorite superheroes? Plot twist: it was about none of them but rather their investigative journalist girlfriends—Lois Lane, Iris West, and Gwen Stacey.
The unexpected hero
I have grown up watching these strong women on the big screen. I have grown to see them positively influence the world and fight for what they believe in and they continue to inspire me.
In many ways, they are heroes of their own: fighting for what they believe in while going up against people who may be bigger and stronger than them while investigating the truth and always fighting for the freedom of the people. And, just like their superhero boyfriends, they’re constantly striving and putting themselves in harm’s way to make the world a better place.
As a woman journalist, these characters mean everything to me. They show that you don’t have to be from an otherworldly place or get bit from a radioactive spider in order to help make the world a better place. Many times, we meet these characters chasing down the same villains as their super counterparts.
They reflect courage in their eyes when they chase down a story they’re passionate about. They just don a press badge, a notebook, and a recorder instead of a superhero suit.
As disappointing as “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” was for me, Lois Lane was the one shining light. She was always on a mission and helped fight alongside Superman. It was like watching two heroes fighting against a third. She inspired me my senior year of high school to continue pursuing my love of journalism.
Fighting our own villains
Unfortunately, journalists in reality are facing their own villain.
The term “fake news” has sadly become an omnipresent discussion lately. As a budding journalist it is intimidating to be entering the field that has been dubbed “an enemy of the people” by the current U.S. president.
Because of that, representing these strong female characters is becoming more and more important. Media is important. It’s impactful. It is what helps shape how people view the world and tells countless stories of individuals they have never met.
For the past couple of years, I have felt an eeriness floating in the journalism field. However, Lois Lane’s character, along with the other powerful women journalists found in both Marvel and DC Comics, has given me hope and pride for the field.
I may not have lighting speed, be able to fly, have super strength, or be able to shoot spider webs out of my hands that allow me to swing from buildings, but I do have the articles that I write. And the truth behind them.
Who cares about being like Superman? I want to be like Lois Lane.
Featured photo courtesy DC Comics
