But do we have to see her thong?

Dave, Lima, Ohio — Thu, 17 May 2007 17:30:54 GMT

Hi Will, Many Mennonites have long had a problem with the way the Left Behind novels portray Jesus. One Mennonite scholar in particular, Loren Johns (one of my seminary profs), has studied a bit on the subject of violence in the popular series. One article he wrote that you may find helpful on the subject is here: http://www.directionjournal.org/article/?1400 Peace! Dave

But do we have to see her thong?

Charles the Fewe — Thu, 17 May 2007 17:53:43 GMT

I can't believe how prudish people are about a SEXY FIGURINE! From the reactions I'd have guessed Marvel was printing rape-porn comics! Grow up people! I've seen sexier things on a Bratz doll.

But do we have to see her thong?

Married Former-Collector Who Dated Actual Girls In High School, Nashville, TN — Thu, 17 May 2007 18:34:54 GMT

You know, for most comic collectors, this is as close to a hot chick as they are ever likely to get. Please, have a little compassion, don't take this from them as well.

But do we have to see her thong?

DanE, Chicago, IL — Thu, 17 May 2007 18:39:18 GMT

The figurine thing seems to me to be more about peoples ignorance of the fiurine market, then about the physical appearance of the figure. Pickup a copy of Diamond's Previews and you'd learn that this figure is tame in comparison to the rest of the market. Most people I've fowarded the image on to seem to react more to the visual of her doing laundry then to her outfit(which I see non-protitute/strippers wearing all the time. Visit your local campus and be amazed if you don't recognize that outfit) Also the idea of "sexy" Bratz makes me lol. Giant headed sex symbols.....nice one Charles. The "Climate Change" link bothers me....like it always does. My biggest problem has been the steady decline in recent years of sites offering counter arguemnts and explination to Climate Change. I don't know if they are leaving because of consipiracy, or legal action, or if its just that my concerns about the inadequacies of the Climate Change argument may ACTUALLY be unfounded. I only went through a few of the 26 topics, but its the computer model one that really upsets me. They talk about how trust worthy computer models are, because people can track the stock market with computers, so why is it hard to believe that they can track climate change. I would associate it with the belief that if you solve a crossword your ready to take on calculus proofs. If climate models were so accurate, then why don't we get anything longer then 10 day predictions from the local weatherman, when climate models are projecting out thousands of years!?

But do we have to see her thong?

DanE — Thu, 17 May 2007 19:16:45 GMT

speaking of figures: presenting Zombie Spiderman http://www.marvel.com/news/toystories.1051?utm_campaign=front+page+tracking&utm_source=main+graphic&utm_medium=small+graphic+link&utm_content=%2Fnews%2Ftoystories.1051

But do we have to see her thong?

KM, Tallahassee, FL — Thu, 17 May 2007 19:48:32 GMT

I'm voting for John Cox!!! (will he be on the FL ballot?!?!?) :)

But do we have to see her thong?

Michael, Fresno, CA — Thu, 17 May 2007 20:32:23 GMT

Sad thing is I've seen Troll 2. You want really bad, watch Hobgoblins.

But do we have to see her thong?

J.R. PRESCOTT, LEESVILLE, LA. — Thu, 17 May 2007 20:34:12 GMT

Can I get one of those MJ dolls full-sized, and anatomically correct?

But do we have to see her thong?

J. Schultz — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:25:17 GMT

I see the Mary Jane figure as more of a retro and fun look back at the old pinups of the 40's. Like this one. (It's safe, but perhaps sexist) http://dortch.supremeserver5.com/images/pinups%20Feb%2005/belle%20ringer.JPG

But do we have to see her thong?

Alex, Lawrence, KS — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:35:28 GMT

Will, I think people need to remember that Mary Jane Watson came from a troubled childhood, and as a reaction mechanism was a superficial party girl. I think the figurine looks just like any superficial party girl on any college campus in America.

But do we have to see her thong?

AmericanMuslimahConvert — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:07:24 GMT

As to the figurine thing, imagine how offended some of these people might be if they cracked open some of the actual comic books and got a load of how many characters such as Rogue, Jean Grey, Storm, and others are drawn and dressed. It's fantasy folks, and no more or less offensive than those silly "Axe" and "Tag" commercials that air every single commercial break. Yikes! As to the Muslim issue. I believe it's sad that it seems Americans float to one end of the spectrum or the other, being an American Muslim myself. If there is not complete racism and bigotry reflected in people's attitudes, there is an attitude of over compensation motivated by fear. All most of us want is to be treated like a normal human being. So what if we dress differently, or pray differently? I go to work, I love my children and my husband, I laugh with my friends, and I wince every time I hear of the loss of my fellow Americans brothers and sisters, and my fellow Muslim sisters and brothers. One of my favorite movie lines comes from a movie called "The Message" about Muhammed's life. In it the Christian king of Abyssinia says to the Muslim followers after hearing their testimony of what they believe, and drawing a line in the sand with his staff, "The difference between us is no greater than the line I have drawn here in the sand." It is incredible how complicated we human beings can make things for ourselves.

But do we have to see her thong?

Randall K, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:25:08 GMT

Hey Will, I've notived on the main page of MSNBC now we get little flags that say "NEW" or "UPDATED" when stories have changed. You know how sometimes you update a post, or maybe add something new, but don't change the main headline? Any chance you can get the IT wizards to flag your posts as "UPDATED" when that happens? Of course then you might get fewer pageviews, since I won't click the headline two or three times a day to see if anything new has been added......... Just a thought.

But do we have to see her thong?

Will Femia — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:26:38 GMT

J. Schultz, wow, good find. Amazingly similar. Alex, MJ was also the girl next door though, certainly in Peter's eyes. That's what seems out of place about the figurine to me.

But do we have to see her thong?

Will Femia — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:35:38 GMT

Randall, that's a good suggestion. From now on I'll add an asterisk to the headline for every time it's been updated since the original posting. Or at least updated significantly enough to warrant another click. I don't feel like I add that many updates and you'll still have to click through to see comments as they're added but you're right that it's worth having a system to note updates.

But do we have to see her thong?

delphia, kenai ak — Fri, 18 May 2007 00:42:11 GMT

My biggest problem with the MaryJane figure is not that it's sexy, but that it's SEXIST. Come on, barefoot and doing 'her man's' laundry in a bucket? You don't see how some women might find that insulting and demeaning? What's next in the line: barefoot and pregnant MJ slaving over a hot stove? It's 2007, not 1950.

But do we have to see her thong?

J. Schultz — Fri, 18 May 2007 00:54:42 GMT

It is kinda funny that we are debating whether MJ would actually do the pose in question or if it's appropriate for her character-- as if she is somehow a real person. I guess when you are a big fan you feel you own the character on some level. Comic Books are fantasies, mainly for the consumption of young men (not that it is right or wrong, they are simply the main consumer). Men dream about being able to fly, having super strength, having x-ray vision, and being a nerd yet still landing the supermodel. MJ is the Virgin/Whore. The girl next door who is also the super-model party girl. Now she's married and she plays the role of a different male fantasy - the loving and devoted wife who washes your clothes and still has wild, hot sex with you. Do we really want to see Mary Jane as a middle aged frump?

But do we have to see her thong?

Troy C., Spring Valley, MN — Fri, 18 May 2007 02:09:21 GMT

I've seen this story about the MJ figurine popping up all over the place, and just don't get the uproar over it. MJ has always been a sexy character for a variety of reasons, and as a long time Spider-Man reader this just doesn't strike me as the least bit odd or demeaning. A woman being depicted this way says nothing bad or hateful about that woman, especially one as respectable as MJ is written; it just means she can be sexy and feminine AND be a cool character to boot. Calling it misogynistic is wrongheaded at best and I see no way that is portrays some kind of hatred or dislike of women (quite the opposite to me, who doesn't think finding a woman attractive objectifies her). Besides, it's comics. Disappointment with Frank Cho drawing sexy women is like being disappointed that Monet didn't paint airplanes.

But do we have to see her thong?

Sleestak — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:42:09 GMT

Charles, the problem with comic books and the licensing opportunities derived from them today is that they are specifically marketed for a niche audience that is not large enough to support it. It is not about Victorian attitudes but rather how women are treated by the pop culture media in general, which is as little more than disposable meat-spitoons.

But do we have to see her thong?

susan, western KY — Sat, 19 May 2007 01:50:57 GMT

Jesus H: xrist almighty what a mata wichyu all!! Jeez

But do we have to see her thong?

Tim H., Wheat Ridge, Co. — Sun, 20 May 2007 11:29:48 GMT

Somehow, I don't know if this comment will prove to be embarrassing, but here goes anyway. I see my own wife in that MJ figurine. I was a young man once upon a time (I'm 57) and I met this beautiful girl who looks just like MJ in the figurine. Oh, sure, she was "the girl next door" societal ideal. But I knew, and she herself proved it, that things aren't always as they seem. Outward appearances (what the public *wants* to see) doesn't define a person, and that certainly isn't the case with my wife -- and guess what? She doesn't want to be defined by those feminists who take umbrage at what she considers the sly truth depicted in the MJ figurine. While men (for the most part) wish they could be like Superman (or any comic hero) in both looks and abilities, women (for the most part) wish they were the sexy vamps who can cause men to turn into drooling idiots with a mere glance. I'm not going to get into detail, but I think any healthy relationship which becomes intimate is going to eventually lead to role-playing of the sort depicted by the figurine. I mean, c'mon -- doesn't anyone remember the scene where she kissed Spiderman hanging there upside down in the pouring rain? There was a lot of sexual subtext there on many levels, not to mention the fact of how the rain made her clothing cling a bit too much in all the right places. To make a long story short, my wife has given me plenty of those laundry room taunts over the years. Same goes for various other domestic situations (as it were); washing dishes while I helped with the drying, weeding a flower bed while I was pushing the mower sans shirt. These sort of daily drudgeries can (and should) often lead to...the reason that males and females were placed upon this earth. I'm not taken aback by the covers of Harlequin romance novels (so-called bodice-rippers) with the ever-present image of Fabio or his successors. They are fantasies. And that is what the MJ figurine represents. While my wife didn't get a "Fabio" in me, I certainly did get an MJ. By the way, the MJ figurines sold out, thanks in large part to the publicity created by those who would rather they never existed in the first place. Sort of like what the government has done for Michael Moore's new movie, "Sicko." It will now make a lot more money than if they'd kept silent about the thing. Good job on the part of Fred Thompson there, too. Oh, and my wife has never felt like, nor has she ever been treated like a "disposable meat-spitoon." That term alone is more vulgar than almost anything just short of a certain Larry Flynt publication. Egads!

But do we have to see her thong?

John McCormick, Largo, Fl. — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:48:11 GMT

Is this column turning into dear abby? First it is humorous videos that you feel so aghast about and now spiderman statues? what next, are you going to ban swear words from the internet and make everything "child" safe and rated G... SHEESH it used to be a great column

But do we have to see her thong?

Chris Forzetting, Bakersfield, CA — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:56:28 GMT

The MJ character has always been very confident and sexy, so wearing revealing clothes like short shorts and halters would probably fit her personality. However, the poster who mentioned the washtub is right. It's a silly setup and a silly pose, and MJ has too much good taste to wear ripped jeans, even around the house.

But do we have to see her thong?

Yukon Sam, Sykesville, MD — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:24:16 GMT

Would Mary Jane hand-wash Spidey's long-johns? Probably not. Would she pose for tongue-in-cheek photos of said activity to tease her hubby? Yep, that rings true to the character. I think I would be offended if it were Lois Lane depicted in the same scenario, because it just wouldn't be in the nature of the character. But for Mary Jane Parker, newlywed supermodel? It works. But while I don't have issues with the MJ figurine, I'd rather read a comic focusing on Lois. She's a more complex and interesting character, less like an idle adolescent daydream and more like a real person. There's nothing wrong with a little cheesecake, but a steady diet of it will rot your teeth.

But do we have to see her thong?

anabelceja,moorpark,ca., — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:16:37 GMT

well i think that thongs feel great and i really thank who ever invented them