Barbie has always provoked strong emotions in some, but with the introduction of Bratz dolls, she seemed downright quaint. Well, she is quaint no more. With Mattel's September release of a doll based on the DC comic superhero Black Canary, Barbie is going to find herself back on the naughty girl list.Clad in black thigh-high leather boots and gloves, fishnet stockings and a motorcycle jacket, this S&M Barbie is stirring more than little girls' imaginations. A spokesman for the religious group Christian Voice finds this sexed-up plaything to be just too much. "Barbie has always been on the tarty side and this is taking it too far. A children's doll in sexually suggestive clothing is irresponsible – it's filth."
I agree that perhaps this isn't Barbie's best look and wouldn't buy it for my kid. But that won't be a problem because she doesn't want Black Canary. When I showed her this photo and asked for her opinion, she looked aghast. "She's not wearing any pants!" she exclaimed. Good girl.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
RB 7-17-2008 @ 3:38PM
How ignorant. Black Canary has been around since the 40's, it's not an S&M costume at all - it's supposed to look something like a pin-up. And to anyone who knows comic books this sounds crazy - it's like saying Wonder Woman looks like a hooker. I don't know if you've ever noticed, but Superman doesn't have any pants on either - shocking!
It's tiring to see adults project their own sexual hang-ups on things that aren't about sex at all.
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Ellie 7-18-2008 @ 7:03AM
Good Gravy, any girl from the sixties and seventies has to remember the darn fishnet stockings and how difficult it was to get the dang things on a barbie!!! LOL The boots came with it and dont forget the mini-skirt she had on as well!!! Black Canary? Yawn! nothing new as far as I can tell.
hjb 7-18-2008 @ 9:27AM
If you don't like it, don't look at it & don't buy it. If you can't/don't raise your children properly then it can become a problem, but its not. Talk to your children and be done with it. But we can either worry about this, global warming or the upcoming election, you decide. Will she cost more than a tank of gas, who knows.
Ariel1983 7-18-2008 @ 11:36AM
I agree with RB. Black Canary is a superhero whom has been around for a long time.I find nothing wrong with this doll, and as a Barbie collector, I will be purchasing this doll when it comes out. It sickens me that they refer to this doll as an "S&M" doll. If you don't like the doll for your daughters then don't buy it!
Honestly the doll is for Adult collectors! Why would a child need to play with it anyways!
Little Miss 7-18-2008 @ 9:35PM
Still, this isn't really appropriate for a young girl. Comic collectors will be all over it, but I wouldn't go buying it for a four year old.
JD 7-18-2008 @ 9:58PM
WELL SAID! DITTO, DITTO
me 7-19-2008 @ 12:26AM
I GOT IT! You gotta be a hermaphodite in drag!
sherry 7-19-2008 @ 2:37AM
if they want to drss barbie up like q slut i suggest the parent that truly love their children will eand not buy this trash or let it be brought into thei homes!!!!!!!!!!!
zheather00 7-19-2008 @ 8:16PM
When is the Kat Von D Barbie going to come out? I'll be all over that one.
Heidi 7-17-2008 @ 3:57PM
Perhaps this is irrelevant, but the boots aren't even knee-high, much less thigh-high.
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emmie 7-18-2008 @ 8:34AM
thanks heidi. i was thinking the same thing about the boots. they are only mid-calf.
Lissi 7-18-2008 @ 9:53PM
Hurray for Heidie and Emmie! Outside of every other concern, (and I'm siding with all the people who note that this Barbie will be an adult collectable, not something little girls ask for,) let's all note that "thigh-high" means above the knee where the thighs are! That bit of muscle below your knee is a calf!
Vickie 7-17-2008 @ 4:22PM
Aren't there numerous other disastrous things in the world today for people to worry about rather than a Barbie? Come on people, get a life. Please.
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SP 7-21-2008 @ 10:29PM
This is just one example of why our girls/boys are getting more and more sexually involved at a continually younger and younger age. And yes, I know what I'm talking about. I work with sex victims and sex offenders. If you think this is nothing to be concerned about then that is one reason why our kids values/morals and actions are going to h... in a hand basket!
gary 7-17-2008 @ 4:23PM
Now if they only made them five foot tall,id buy one.
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Kat 7-18-2008 @ 10:41AM
LOL Gary - Good one
John Palazzini 7-17-2008 @ 4:23PM
I love it. I have had it with these religious fanantic hypocrites whose lives are like sewers but ocntinue to see filth everywhere they look. Let them practice their hypocritical hatred, bigotry and divisiveness within the confines of their churches and let secular government handle civil liberties issues.
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sandra 7-18-2008 @ 8:42PM
You sound so full of hatred, what's on your crawl?
wdlathome2 7-18-2008 @ 10:08PM
Why are you making this Barbie doll into a civil liberties issue? It's a product made to be bought. If people want to buy it, that's their business, but what has religion to do with it? Some people find it a bit tarty for their kids. It's their civil liberty not to buy it, and it's Christians' civil liberties (and other people's) to have that opinion and make that choice. God knows the liberal left has stuffed enough mess down Christians' throats as it is in the name of "civil liberty". Christians probably have fewer civil liberties than anyone else, and Christians are about the only group left that it's okay to harass. Christians can't pray aloud in schools or any other government arena; moreover, they can't practice their religion without being tormented by liberal lawyers eager to strip away more Christians' rights in the name of "civil liberty" and eager to make a name for them selves. By the way, separation of church and state was meant to protect people's religious freedom (including the freedom to practice no religion at all), not strip them of it. I'm so sick of the liberal left attacking everyone who doesn't share their opinion. You talk about Christians being hypocritical and intolerant. Take a look in the mirror. Your comments prove you to be the very person you likely claim not to be; as a liberal, you probably consider yourself educated, open-minded and tolerant, but the moment someone's opinion differs from yours, you're ready to skewer that person. You're the very thing you claim not to be; YOU are hypocritical and intolerant of others' opinions.
Kathie 7-19-2008 @ 4:38AM
So in other words, if people are offended by a toy made for a child (NO WHERE in the article does it say that it's a collector's item and will not be sold right next to the other Barbies at your local store or in the ads that come in the Sunday paper) they need to keep their mouth shut because you say so? I don't think so. You obviously don't have a daughter, but if you do, so sorry for her.