Superheroes get a dose of girl power for new exhibit

Comic books rarely turn their hyperbole-filled covers over to female superheroes. And the ones that do emerge tend to be either buxom sidekicks for established male counterparts (Batgirl, She-Hulk) or simply stuffing for costumes destined for ogling by adolescent boys (hello, Wonder Woman).

The heroines in NEXUS/foundation’s new video show “Supergirl!” may not sport capes and masks (much less stars-and-stripes bustiers), but they are definitely the stars of their own adventures.

The exhibition includes pieces by Jenny Drumgoole, whose own “good” and “badass” selves square off; Kate Gilmore, who fights her way out of self-devised traps; and Cintra Wilson, who sets out to destroy the world’s bad art, among others.

“I feel like we have these incredibly powerful women in society: Hillary Clinton running for president, Oprah Winfrey and Angelina Jolie making incredible humanitarian efforts,” says co-curator Blaine Siegel. “We’re often introduced to them purely through television and video, so taking this everyday medium and using it to show women commenting on culture and society seemed like a natural marriage.”

‘Supergirl!’
Through Feb. 5, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American St.
Free, 215-684-1946
www.nexusphiladelphia.org