As much as I love reading praise for my long-standing beloved MJ *and* Lois Lane, whom I am becoming very fond of the more DC comics I read, it really irks me that I have to see criticism of one mixed in with praise for the other. Of course, picking apart characters is what we do in fandom and there’s always a place for that kind of deconstruction. But to do it in order to leave one female character left standing? That bothers me.

But I’m probably reading this the wrong way and should just go off and imagine a well-written team-up of MJ and Lois that involves both of the resilient women using their professionalism, strength, and sense of humor for great justice!

In the Silver Age, when women’s roles became more suburban and restricted (“become a housewife and mother; leave work to the male breadwinner!”), Lois mutated into a more man-crazy (or, should we say, Superman-crazy) character, one whose goal was seemingly more to become the wife of the Man of Steel rather than her work. It wasn’t until recent decades that Lois reverted to her more feminist, classic self.

Mary Jane beats the Silver Age Lois, but against the others, it’s no contest — Ms. Lane wins.

(also, mary jane is by far the coolest. lois lane is old and busted, mary jane is the new hotness, to borrow a phrase.)