BLOG TOUR • My Favorite Superheroines (The Refrigerator Monologues)

[note note_color=”#96d9d8″ text_color=”#ffffff”]The Refrigerator Monologues is for anyone who ever got upset at the way women were treated in comic shows, movies or books.

The lives of six female superheroes and the girlfriends of superheroes. A ferocious riff on women in superhero comics.

From the New York Times bestselling author Catherynne Valente comes a series of linked stories from the points of view of the wives and girlfriends of superheroes, female heroes, and anyone who’s ever been “refrigerated”: comic book women who are killed, raped, brainwashed, driven mad, disabled, or had their powers taken so that a male superhero’s storyline will progress.

In an entirely new and original superhero universe, Valente subversively explores these ideas and themes in the superhero genre, treating them with the same love, gravity, and humor as her fairy tales. After all, superheroes are our new fairy tales and these six women have their own stories to share.

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I am deeply honored to be part of the Refrigerator Monologues blog tour. You combine Catherynne M. Valente’s writing with ladies in comics, I’ll be front and center with bells on!

I can write essays about all the super heroines I absolutely adore. I actually had a hard time pinpointing which ones are my all-time favorites. I just couldn’t narrow it down! They are equally awesome and my favorites. They’re all inspiring ladies.

There are four super heroines I hardcore adore to the point where I’ll be holding signs professing my love to them. They are forever in my heart.

MY FAVORITE SUPERHEROINES 

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My first superheroine love! Batgirl! <3

Yes, there are many Batgirls—Barbara Gordon, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown—but Babs will always hold a special place in my heart. She’s the Original! She’s been there since the beginning, and when she grew up to become the Oracle, I loved her more. She’s a great icon and mentor that I wish to have in my life.

You must read Barbara Gordon in: Batgirl: Year One by Chuck Dixon; anything by Gail Simone; and Batgirl by Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, and Babs Tarr

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Pretty awesome bird!

I didn’t fall in love with Black Canary until I read her solo run. This fishnet queen can belt a tune—on the stage and against enemies. Her voice is like a siren, seducing me into her web of awesomeness, and I don’t ever want to leave. I love her even more, knowing that she and Barbara Gordon are really good friends (*ahem* Birds of Prey).

You must read Black Canary in: Black Canary by Brenden Fletcher and Annie Wu, Green Arrow: Rebirth by Benjamin Percy and Otto Schmidt

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AMERICAAAAAAAA. The one and only, America Chavez.

The best Miss America ever. This kickass queer Latina is super strong, can fly, and can literally kick into space and time to create portals. She takes no shit. She’s a loyal friend. (Her and Kate Bishop have the best friendship ever!!!) She kicked space and time just because Kate asked America to so they can go get pizza.

You must read America Chavez in: Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, America by Gabby Rivera and Joe Quinones

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The superior Hawkeye. (Sorry, Clint Barton, but it’s true.)

Kate Bishop may not have super powers, but she is exceptionally skilled with a bow and arrow. She can do no wrong in my eyes. She has a fantastic relationship with Clint Barton and America Chavez. (Gives me a lot of emotions.) She’s the perfect archer to take over the name Hawkeye. She’s one of those characters I can really relate to.

You must read Kate Bishop in: Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja, Hawkeye: Kate Bishop • Vol. 1: Anchor Points by Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero

Now what are you waiting for? Get to reading!

ABOUT CATHERYNNE M. VALENTE

Catherynne M. Valente was born on Cinco de Mayo, 1979 in Seattle, WA, but grew up in in the wheatgrass paradise of Northern California. She graduated from high school at age 15, going on to UC San Diego and Edinburgh University, receiving her B.A. in Classics with an emphasis in Ancient Greek Linguistics. She then drifted away from her M.A. program and into a long residence in the concrete and camphor wilds of Japan.

She currently lives in Maine with her partner, two dogs, and three cats, having drifted back to America and the mythic frontier of the Midwest.

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Along with this blog tour, the publisher is giving away two finished copies of The Refrigerator Monologues! US only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• 6/6: The Novel Hermit – My Favorite Superheroes
• 6/7: Avid Reader – Superhero Looks
• 6/8: The Irish Banana Review – Superhero Makeup
• 6/9: Little Red’s Reviews – Q&A
• 6/10: Quarzfeather – Review
• 6/11: Megnificent Books – Q&A
• 6/12: Don’t Fold the Page – Review

Are you excited to read The Refrigerator Monologues? Who are your favorite superheroines?