ShrikeBandit

Skirt or Shorts?

Added 2019-10-01 13:00:21 +0000 UTC

While doing some research on Blue Bulleteer I stumbled across this website:

And suddenly had access to two decades of Phantom Lady comics. Phantom Lady/Blue Bulleteer is one of my favorite characters. I love the "Good Girls" of the Golden age largely because the characters lack any powers thus making them rather vulnerable. They go up against hoodlums wearing leotards, mini dresses, and night gowns with mainly their wits and bravado.

Phantom Lady first appeared in 1941 wearing a yellow leotard and carrying a black ray that blinded her opponents. In the late 40's, Matt Baker took over the character and depicted her showing a lot more skin. She wears a cross-kini and jumper shorts in Matt's hands, but sometimes the shorts look like a mini skirt. I could never tell if she wore a skirt or shorts, so I put that to rest here...she's wearing a skirt!

Unfortunately, in the conservative 50's, laws were passed to reduce sexuality in comic books and the Phantom Lady's attire suffered. I've depicted just about every rendition of the character. Blue Bulleteer was a rendition of Phantom Lady created by AC comics when they DC threatened to sue them over rights to Phantom Lady, so, to keep consistency in his comic-verse, Bill Black changed her costume, and gave her a mask and guns instead of a black ray. Later, he evolved her into a powerful sorceress, Nightveil, further removing her from her Phantom Lady origins.