Hi Res PinUp: Betty Ross 1982 (Patreon)

Yikes, this turned into a rant.  Be warned, social justice soapboxing ahead, so feel free to skip the writeup and just enjoy the art.

I've been working my way through the 1982 Incredible Hulk animated series, which, despite the concessions to Saturday morning network  TV standards (Hulk never punches anyone,  Bruce Banner's clothes magically self-repair when he reverts to normal, etc.) is one of my favorite sources of Hulk fiction.  While the epic music, recycled but dynamic transformation sequences,  scary hulk eyes and iconic roar, and Bruce's portrayal as confident and capable instead of just mopey are all factors, so is the portrayal of Betty Ross.  Decades before the MCU and the CW started frontloading their superhero stories with powerful, kick ass women,  Betty Ross was quietly getting s*** done, as they say.  She overpowered henchmen, battled a snake to deactivate a VR deathtrap, scaled a stone wall and dove into the Sienne to escape the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and participated in a top secret mission to transfer a shipment of gold for the US government.  And those are just the episodes I've seen so far.   In the infamous "Enter: She-Hulk" episode, it is Betty, not Bruce or Jen, who takes down the Supreme Hydra and foils his plot.  Yeah it's fund to imagine Betty as a grey or red She-Hulk, but this particular version doesn't really need it.

I understand the need for movies like Captain Marvel which make feminism a central theme--an action film that caters to women who have been waiting for a superhero movie that's targeted specifically at them.  And for the record I enjoyed it a lot.  But having a supporting character like Betty quietly being a strong, brave, smart, capable and essential member of the cast helps make the idea that women are just as good as men more normalized for the young kids of both genders watching the show.  It's a classic case of "show don't tell." And that's how change happens, folks.

It's especially ironic when you fast forward about a decade and watch the generally excellent Batman The Animated Series.  I only notice on a recent rewatch how often Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, plays the damsel in distress.  Funny since historically in the comics Betty was often a hysterical mess (especially before Peter David got a hold of her) and Catwoman is often cited as an early example of strong, independent female character right alongside Lois Lane.  

Anyway, end of soapbox.  Here's a pretty picture of the best Betty Ross.  Enjoy!

(The only problem with her, really, is the same as Lois Lane.  She's super smart otherwise, but she never figures out Bruce is the Hulk on her own--even when the Hulk shows up in Paris.  I mean, come on.)