I’ve spent a lot of time in these columns discussing what’s wrong with geek culture and properties. Now it’s time to show you why I love being a nerd in the grand old internet tradition of a “Top Ten” list.
10) “River Song didn’t get it all from you, sweetie.”
Madame Kovarian kidnapped Amy, stole her daughter, turned said daughter into a weapon to kill Amy’s best friend, and then expected mercy. This was a mistake.
9) “If you ever choose to rescue me again over catching the bad guy I swear I’ll scratch your eyes out.”
Catwoman telling off Batman for catching her when she fell while she is barely keeping conscious because she thinks he’s treating her like a sidekick? I love her so much.
8) “Everything doesn’t have to be about fear. There’s room in our line of work for hope, too.”
This is everything I love about Stephanie Brown, and every reason the Bat-family needs her.
7) “Owacle.”
This one little throw away line sums up how important Oracle was in the pre Nu52 DC Universe. She was the one who Batman relied on for intel about Gotham. She was the person who the most powerful beings in the world turned to. The Joker tried to turn her into a victim, she turned herself into the most powerful being on the planet.
6) “You may have created me… but you were never my father. Fathers are kind. Fathers protect you. Fathers raise you. I was protected by the monks of Azarath. I was raised by my friends.They are my family, this is my home, and you are not welcome here!”
Raven told off the embodiment of all evil, who created her to be his portal into this dimension, for being a bad father. If that isn’t badass, nothing is.
5) “Harry, call me old girl again and I’ll spit in your eye.”
Sarah Jane Smith is the feminist you want to be. She is smart, she is strong, and she will not stand to be treated as anything less than capable, even by a well-meaning friend.
4) “I would love to live with you in your castle… forever, just like in a fairy tale. I just couldn’t live with myself, so don’t pretend this is a happy ending!”
(This won’t embed, so click here to watch.)
This is the moment when Catwoman became my favorite character. She’s offered the chance for a stereotypical happily ever after and she chooses her self-respect instead.
3) “I am no man.”
I think I may have cheered in the theater.
2) “There’s the door, Spaceman.”
Wonder Woman telling off Superman, and she’s taller than him? Perfection.
1) Leia killing Jabba the Hutt
He demeaned her. Sexually exploited her. Turned a princess into a slave. So she choked him to death with the chains he bound her with. And in one of the first movies I remember watching? Of course I was going to be a geek. Of course I was going to be a feminist. And I still want to be Princess Leia when I grow up.