Here's a quick response to this:
Well, no, actually. Complaining about sexism in superhero comics is silly if you're just going to continue to buy bad comics that reinforce the negative portrayal of women in comics.
"Superhero comics can be better, and they should be better."
Absolutely, and my point is there are better superhero comics, that reflect your values. Instead of constantly making the same assessment of why the bad comics are bad, it seems like it might be worth pointing out that others are setting higher standards. The two conversations aren't mutually exclusive, but I think the former becomes somewhat cloying when separated from the latter.
"Except—new readers deserve the chance to weigh in on this issue, and they don’t deserve to be scolded for not being into cool comics."
New readers aren't the ones being scolded: It's the tried and true fangirls (and boys) who honestly don't seem at all interested in anything new, just the same things done over and over again and updated to their specific tastes. But even beyond that, in some cases, there are actually better, less offensive versions of these characters in earlier comics. It has nothing to do with "being into cool comics," it has to do with actually following through on your argument and supporting books that reflect your views.
"People are bringing attention to the comics and to the problem at same time, and in the process, finding new allies and enemies."
Except you're rewarding your "enemies," if that's what they truly are, with exactly what they want: attention and sales.
"...like the good little fangirl you are."
And yeah, if you thought that sounded unkind, that was my point. Fangirl, fanboy – no difference. All they want is your allegiance as a fan, and they don't care how they get it. All they want is your attention.
Or as a friend (female) pointed out to me earlier today, in reference to one of the comics being repeatedly lambasted: "What did we accomplish, but to take attention away from the fact that this is just a bad comic?"
