The Appeal of The Femme Fatale

Hera, former call girl turned detective, part of the Hellfire Saga

Last time I spoke about my love and weakness for the Damsel in Distress motif, but I also said I had an equal love and weakness for the woman on the other side of the spectrum: the Femme Fatale.

Jacqueline Gold, former spoilt socialite, now head of the Gold Media empire...

Femme Fatales really came to the fore during the PULP and film noir era, with actresses like Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis and Ingrid Bergman all carving out their own screen legends. But unlike the Damsel, the Femme Fatale was strong willed, independent, unafraid to use her sexuality to get what she wants. And I have always been drawn to that kind of woman, even in comics. Instead of Supergirl, I preferred the hit first ask questions later of her Earth 2 counterpart Power Girl. Instead of Wonder Woman (in the 70s), I preferred Big Barda- a New God who relished the battle ahead.

In my work of course, I have several Femmes. Jacqueline Gold, Hera (above), Martha James and the various superhero versions of Rona Byron, all have that strong, independently willed inner strength and self-belief that can, and often does, lead them into danger.

Which motif do I prefer?

I can't decide. I think it depends on the story I am reading or writing at the time. To me, the damsel in distress and the femme fatale are indeed the two sides of the same coin...