The... Evolution of Female Superheroes?

As I've become more accustomed to the superhero movies in my lifetime (since Marvel and D.C. are just cranking them out now), I've noticed something rather strange about the female characters in every movie. No matter who they are or what their personalities are like, the costume designer always finds a way to turn them into a sexual symbol. It's like the superhero industry is trying to say to females: "Oh, you can't be a kick-butt hero unless you wear outfits like this! After all, you gotta be eye candy for the male superheroes, too!"

I really can't complain TOO much, though. The outfits have improved over the past couple of decades. I mean, I remember the comic books from the 70s that showed as much cleavage and breast as they could allow. Sometimes it came down to merely covering up the nipples and then presto, female superhero! Granted comic books were mainly meant for men and the authors had to find some way to make the female characters interesting to them... so I guess that means almost turning the comics into a porn story? But what does that do to the self esteem of the women reading the comics? What does it say to them? 

Even in all of the movies that came out or are coming like "The Avengers: Age of Ultron", "The Dark Knight Rises", and "Batman vs. Superman", they are still making the female superheroes wear ridiculous outfits that almost no woman would wear into combat. Think about it: Scarlet Witch wearing a dress and high-heeled boots as she fights Ultron's army, Wonder Woman practically wearing a swimsuit as she assists Superman and Batman, and Black Widow... well... her outfit's not bad. Sure it's tight and shows quite a bit of cleavage, but all in all it's the most useable female superhero outfit in the business. 

It is quite hard for women superheroes to become popular without also showing off their body, though. The industry itself is centered around boys and men who mostly want to see action and things blowing up (thanks Michael Bay). And if you ask anyone who their favorite superhero is, almost everyone will respond with a male character (personally, my favorite is the Vision). But that's because you have a certain respect for that character or an admiration for that character. It's kind of hard to admire the female superheroes in movies when they most of the time serve as merely a hot piece of... well, you know. 

The industry is getting better, though. Much better. I did cheer for Scarlet Witch as she fought off Ultron's men. I applauded when Black Widow tricked Loki into revealing his plan and when she fought off three Russian thugs with only her bare hands and a chair. Hopefully this trend will continue and the outfits will become more realistic. Maybe with Captain Marvel coming out in a few years we'll be able to see that happen.