Deconnick’s “Bitch Planet” focuses on the development of a single main character named Penelope.  From the beginning, it is evident that she does not fit into the world around her.  As a “. . . wanton obesity” it is clear that she is not accepted by those around her due to her physical appearance (DeConnick 177).  The graphic short story uses multiple different types of shots to draw the reader’s attention to certain elements of her character.  While the content of each panel is important, how it is displayed largely effects how the reader interprets Penelope as a character. In “Bitch Planet” Kelly DeConnick uses an establishing shot and close up to help define the character Penelope to the reader.

From the very first panel in the text the author sets the scene for the comic.  This opening shot quickly and succinctly characterizes the main character Penelope.  In the establishing shot, Penny is placed in the foreground (DeConnick 176).  The author places her in this part of the shot to add emphasis on the character from the beginning.  The reader’s gaze is directed solely on her; bearing a stern countenance, imposing figure, broad shoulders and a wide belly.  Every part of her character is displayed in a way that emphasizes her gruff nature.  All other women in the comic are portrayed as dainty, pretty, and thin.  Penelope is the contrasting figure to this.  Half her hair is shaved off. Her arms are thick and muscular and she is in an orange jumpsuit that makes her appear very masculine in nature. Additionally, the shot establishes the setting without having to use any text.  So as not to lose the reader’s attention, the setting is given to the reader instantly in this shot.  Cell bars are drawn through an array of blue rectangles on the back wall.  It is important to note that these cell bars are not even really defined in the picture.  They are purposefully captured in a way that even pieces of the guards can be seen through them.  If the author were to be completely accurate nothing would be visible past these bars; however, unlike real life their purpose is not to contain the convict.  The purpose of the bars is only to show that she is in a jail and therefore thin flimsy jail cell bars accomplish this while not taking away from the scene as a whole.  Text is not wasted explaining where she is because the main focus for the author is on defining Penelope as a character.  Even the guards in this establishing shot are drawn washed out to the point of where their eyes can’t be seen so they do not draw attention from her.

From this establishing shot the reader can even deduce Penelope’s emotions.  Fists tightly clenched with a deep stare that could kill conveys a deep sense of frustration.  If the image itself was not entirely clear the author also impresses this idea into the audience with a small line of text, “I can’t see you, but I feel you . . . judging me” (DeConnick 176).  The source of her anger is not due to her being in jail. Her frustration is rooted in other people judging her for her appearance.  This complicated overarching theme that society places too much influence on appearance is able to be conveyed only by her stance and minimal text in this establishing shot.  When looking at the importance of this shot imagine if the author instead used an extreme close up to display this scene.  No part of her appearance would be displayed to the reader leaving them to assume that she is only an angry convict when in actuality the short story is rooted deeply in societal issues.

A close up is used in the final panel to try and soften this hardened criminal displayed to the reader in the first panel.  After initially creating a character that is so strong and bold the author needs to make her more relatable to the audience rather than making her seem so aggressive.  This is where the author uses a close up view to give the reader a more personal connection to her as a character (DeConnick 199).  To further this relation, Penelope is seen gazing directly at the audience.  She is depicted in this way to try and connect directly with the reader in a positive way.  Up until this point the reader has mostly seen Penelope in a state of anger, or frustration.  The author does not want to leave the reader disconnected from Penelope, so instead the final expression given to the reader is a close up of her beaming directly at them.  By seeing every detail of this toothy smile the reader can much more easily connect with Penelope in the text.  She is no longer seen as a crooked felon.  Penelope is instead seen as a person fighting against societal norms.

Through both of these panels the reader is able to see how confident Penelope is in who she is.  Standing in a jail cell she states that she will never be broken because she will never change who she is due to how other people see her.  By establishing and defining her character effectively the author is able to convey to the audience they too should be confident in who they are.  The first panel serves to show the reader their role model.  Naturally people want to gravitate towards someone who looks as strong and in control as Penelope does.  By contrast the final panel uses a close up to get a less hardened and more personal context of the character.  Penelope is seen with a sly smile and staring at the reader giving the reader a much more personal connection to her than the initial scene.  The final image is used solely for the purpose of making her more relatable to the reader as a person instead of a closed off and stern convict.