Sexism and Comic Cons

Every year, tens of thousands of comic book, sci-fi, and movie fans flock to crowded convention centers and large arenas to reenact and cosplay some of their favorite characters.

Usually referred to as comic cons, they are events where families and people from all walks of life come together to share their love for fictionalized characters. From Star Trek to Poison Ivy to Sailor Moon, each cosplayer comes with a unique story to tell.

Southern California is home to a number of comic conventions, including San Diego Comic-Con and Long Beach Comic Con.

While these conventions are prepped with security and a zero tolerance policy for bullying and harassment, many female cosplayers continue to witness and experience instances of harassment and sexism in an industry dominated by male comic characters.

In this segment of "SoCal Connected," reporter Cara Santa Maria talks to female cosplayers and an event organizer at the Long Beach Comic Con about the presence of strong female characters in the industry and whether harassment against women is common at conventions.

Santa Maria also chats with DC Comics illustrator Cat Staggs about "Womanthology," a popular comics anthology featuring the works of over 150 female writers and illustrators. As KCET's Artbound writes, "There's a feminist movement emerging in the comic book world and its importance cannot be understated. 'Womanthology' is part of that."

Should more efforts be in place to protect cosplayers from harassment? Have you visited Comic Con? What was your experience like?

Featuring Interviews With:

• Laura Sirikul, cosplayer
• Annamaria White, Long Beach Comic Con
• Elsa Chang, artist
• Cat Staggs, illustrator