Female non-superhero vigilante types?

[red_eft]

So! I have decided to go with "They Fight Crime* (*except when they commit it)" as my ladiesbigbang theme (if anyone has a more elegant way to work the criminals into the name, let me know. It's kinda clunky as is.) I'm thinking of splitting it into 3 parts- Cops (official law enforcement), vigilantes, and criminals. I've got enough cops, I think. (Although. Could I shoehorn Suki, from Avatar: TLA, into the role of cop? Except they didn't seem to be really general law enforcement; more like soldiers, so I dunno.)

It would be really easy to fill in vigilantes with all superheros, but that seems uneven to me, so I'm trying to think of more non-comic book women who fight crime without being law enforcement types. So far I have, um, Jessica Fletcher and that's about it. People who have watched/read Ladies' No 1 Detective Agency- would Precious Ramotswe fit into this category? I haven't seen the series yet, but in the book that I've read it seemed like she did less 'crime' and more 'sorting out personal issues' which doesn't match the theme, but I only read the one, and it was a long time ago.

Actually, I probably need more non-comic criminals, too- I've got Parker and Sophie, Mr. Yang (from Psych) and mmmaybe Alex Barnes? (I would need to, you know. Actually watch that episode of The Sentinel. I've only got through half of s1.) I dunno, maybe that's enough- I need five of each, so two comic book villains isn't too lop-sided. Still, more couldn't hurt.

Comments

[gloss]

For non-comic villains, Victoria from due South would be perfect. From here: Victoria Metcalf was, at one point, the only woman whom Fraser ever loved. She was the getaway driver for a botched bank robbery in which two men died. She fled into the Yukon wilderness where a young Mountie named Benton Fraser tracked her down. They both nearly lost their lives in the process, and a love sprung from that bond, yet in the end his adherence to the law won out and he turned her over to the authorities. She got a lenient sentence for her participation in the crime -- eight years as she turned in evidence. However, upon being released from prison, she sought revenge against Fraser. She burned down his father's cabin, shot Dief, tried to frame Ray for passing stolen money, and framed Fraser for murder. She escaped and is still at large. (1st season - Victoria's Secret)

For "non-comic book women who fight crime without being law enforcement types", I think Mma Ramotswe works, because she uses classic detective work on non-traditional cases. I'd also suggest maybe Wendy Watson from The Middleman.

[red_eft]

Oh my gosh, how could I forget Victoria? *adds to list*

And I've been *wanting* to watch The Middleman *adds to Netflix queue* Although Natalie Morales also plays one of the people I'm considering for cops, so that would be... interesting.

[axiom_of_stripe]

hah, i was just hitting "reply" to mention victoria. :)

and a thorough second on wendy watson!

[red_eft]

I can't believe I forgot her! Although I'm having a heck of a time finding Victoria's Secret screencaps. >:/

[axiom_of_stripe]

i have the season one dvds, so if there's anything you'd like me to cap for you, i'd be glad to help!

[red_eft]

Thank you! But I have them also so I should be okay; I was just hoping I could be lazy. Just have to dig them out of my garage- if I can't find them, though, I'll let you know. ^_^

[ratcreature]

I second Victoria from Due South for another non-comic female villain. If you have still a spot for law enforcement, how about Julia Ogden from Murdoch Mysteries?

ETA: Sadly for the female vigilantes I can only think of Miss Marple...

[red_eft]

I shall look into Murdoch Mysteries- even if I don't end up using her, it sounds like the sort of thing I'd enjoy.

I thought of Miss Marple, too, and then promptly forgot about her. I haven't read the Miss Marple books in awhile, though.

[gloss]

For non-comicsy female vigilantes, how could I forget Rosemary & Thyme?! It is one of my very favorites; they solve gardening problems AND murders!

[red_eft]

That sounds awesome! And is available on Netflix, whee. *adds* Although now I'll have to actually return the disc I have- I've been spoiled by watch instantly, le sigh. (life: so hard.)

[arduinna]

(here from reading back in your journal after being bowled over by the art you just posted, wow.)

You may be past the point where suggestions are helpful, but for vigilantes, how about Veronica Mars? She's a high school student who helps out her PI dad, and also solves cases on her own.

[red_eft]

Thank you!
Ooh, I meant to check out Veronica Mars when it was on, and then never managed to. *adds to Netflix queue*
ladiesbigbang isn't due until September, so I have plenty of time to watch!

[trascendenza]

Re: No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, I've only seen the TV show, but there are some episodes where she does stuff that I'd call closer to fighting crime than solving personal problems -- but, yeah, I think the majority are more along those lines.

Aeon Flux (from the cartoon) almost comes to mind as a vigilante, but she was more of a... rebel? At least from what I could understand. Hmm, or maybe Wendy Watson from The Middleman?

Mirror!Kira from ST: DS9 is a female villain, although a problematic one. Lots of female villains on the Stargates, too, though again problematic. There's a woman villain on the Invisible Man called Allianora, who I actually rather liked. Marianne from True Blood. Heroes had a lot of woman villains, a lot of whom they killed >:(