ABSTRACT
This chapter brings together the findings of the book and situates the developments in relation to the contexts of diversification, representational politics, and the cultural status of the girl, as outlined in the Introduction. Placing super-girl comics in relation to changing feminist politics, the chapter demonstrates that recent titles are moving away from a postfeminist ethos toward increased solidarity and a focus on community. The chapter then returns to the discussion of ‘fantasy difference’ and the problems associated with metaphorical explorations of oppression and power. Linking this discussion to the contexts of diversification and backlash surrounding superhero comics in recent years, the chapter argues that girlhood can be a force for positive change in the genre, as well as reflecting broader cultural shifts in representational politics and gender norms. The chapter concludes by restating a core finding of the book: that the changes embodied and enacted by super-girls increase dramatically following the debut of Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel.
