Flutterby™! : Terrifica

Terrifica

2002-11-07 20:13:26+00 by Dan Lyke 15 comments

Ummm. Yeah. Terrifica, guardian of the single girl patrols New York after dark in a red cape and a mask, protecting vulnerable women from the advances of nefarious Lotharios:

"I protect the single girl living in the big city," says Terrifica, sporting blond Brunhild wig with a golden mask and a matching Valkyrie bra. "I do this because women are weak. They are easily manipulated, and they need to be protected from themselves and most certainly from men and their ill intentions toward them."

[ related topics: Sexual Culture Sociology ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment made: 2002-11-07 20:51:53+00 by: Pete

Best MetaFilter comment on that:

"I don't like the name Terrifica though, it doesn't really capture what she does. How about Captain Cockblock? (what?, a woman can't be a captain? shame on you...)."

#Comment made: 2002-11-07 22:02:55+00 by: Dan Lyke

Here's the MeFi thread, which pretty much covers the bases. I do like "Captain Cockblock", although I think "Commander" is the right rank...

The bad bit is that except for the "women are weak and inferior" bit, I like her schtick. She seems like yet another good intentioned person who will just end up reinforcing some of those bad stereotypes.

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 01:01:29+00 by: Shawn [edit history]

I think that is perhaps the saddest thing I have ever read.

I think the core concept might have been good at one time (although I generally don't believe in "saving people from themselves"). But all I see here is somebody who still hasn't worked through their own psychological anguish and is imposing it on others.

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 01:19:44+00 by: Dan Lyke

Doesn't the basic nature of successful superheroes involve deep psychological wounds? Batman is not sane.

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 15:42:27+00 by: Pete

Peter Parker is pretty well collected, at least in most tellings.

You're right about Batman, though.

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 16:48:57+00 by: TheSHAD0W

Peter Parker, well collected??

He was obsessed over indirectly causing the death of his Uncle Ben (and what a shame, the man was a genius with rice).

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 17:34:56+00 by: Shawn

Doesn't the basic nature of successful superheroes involve deep psychological wounds?

Not necessarily. There are many superheros who don't fit that mold. But I'll concede your point. The difference I see here is that Batman doesn't generally accost people who are not breaking the law, or scold victims for their "weakness".

The empowerment of women (and men) is a laudable goal, but this (IMO) is not at all the way to go about it.

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 18:24:34+00 by: Anita Rowland

I want to see first-person testimony from someone (not the reporter who interviewed her) who as actually seen this woman doing her thing in a bar or elsewhere. sounds fishy to me!

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 18:37:14+00 by: Pete

I'm sticking with my take on Peter Parker. His uncle's death showed him his responsibility regarding the powers he already had through no choice of his own. Batman was driven to develop his abilities after the fact, because of the tragedy that drove him over the edge. Parker just learned a painful lesson through tragedy.

thus ends another transmission from the basement of the science building...

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 22:47:47+00 by: milovoo

I wonder if she needs I sidekick, I think I would be really good at it. Perhaps it wouldn't be as lonely, and I'm good with gadgets.

-milo <milo@grumpycritter.net>

#Comment made: 2002-11-08 22:51:47+00 by: meuon

Milo. all good superhero's have a sidekick. Apply in person. :)

#Comment made: 2002-11-18 21:41:47+00 by: spencer

THE ROB NELSON SHOW IS LOOKING FOR TERRIFICA!! WE WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET HER ON THE SHOW!!! IS SOMEONE CAN FIND HER PLEASE CALL SPENCER ASAP AT 323.491.1967.

#Comment made: 2002-11-18 22:23:23+00 by: Dan Lyke

Anita, I think you nailed it. If "The Rob Nelson" show can't find her by tracking down the writer...

#Comment made: 2003-03-05 20:48:27.414441+00 by: milovoo

Sure but WHERE? does she have a fortress of solitude-kinda-thing? Or a Terrifi-cave?

-milo

#Comment made: 2003-03-05 21:13:15.410572+00 by: Dan Lyke

I'd think if you were going to try to find her you'd have to arrange a coincidence of some sort. You know, show in Spandex up at a bar where some hapless woman is about to stagger home on the arm of some greasy Armani clad Rolex wearing swinger, you say something, he starts towards you swinging, Terrifica shows up out of nowhere, he turns towards her and you clock the guy, lay him out cold. Terrifica looks towards you from the char she's just stumbled into and...

Cue the violins playing Tchaikovsky, and you and Terrifica walk out of the bar, arm in arm, while the swinger comes to, rubbing his jaw and wondering what hit him.

I mean, if you're gonna apprentice to a superhero it's gotta be that sort of event.