Michelle Obama As A 'For Real' Comic Book Superhero

The terrific blog Mrs.O, devoted to chronicling Michelle's color of the day, who designed the ensemble, and whether she's wearing a skinny belt or a wide one, wrote yesterday: If we never see another story about bare arms, it will be more than fine by us.

I know where the Mrs.O ladies are coming from in terms of TMI on 'sleevegate', but I think they've missed the point about the very powerful symbolism of Michelle's bare arms.

The Modern American fashion world isn't known for being intellectual.(See today's Anne of Carversville Elan: The Moderns in Action.

Michelle Obama comic book, set for release on April 25, 2009Smart fashion gurus like Li Edelkordt or designer Rei Kawakubo, of Comme des Garcons, don't flourish in this country, because the meaning of fashion isn't important to us and we only like big ideas, so that everyone can wear the same trend, looking like clones of each other. They are called 'must-haves'.

This is why trend-searchers and meaning-makers like myself comb the streets of Europe, looking for clues to evolutionary changes in fashion and lifestyle.

Reality is that fashion is very relevant to our lives. Scientists affirm that we make snap judgments and character assessments of each other in seconds, based on our appearances.

So unlike the wonderful fashionionistas at Mrs.O, who J'adore and read regularly, I'm in the trenches on the "right to bare arms" subject for the long haul. Why? Because there's a much larger story going on here.

Beyond her love of bright colors and exercise at 5:30 am -- her relax time, she calls it -- Michelle is emerging as an American Superhero. I've been saying this all week, and voila -- popular culture confirms my point.

The Michelle Obama comic book, chronicling her path from South Side schoolgirl to White House First Lady will debut next month.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Bluewater Productions president Darren Davis says: "I feel like the guy who invented the Furby. The reaction has been insane."

Michelle is preceeded in the "Female Force" series by Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, already in their second printings. Demand for Michelle's comic book is so strong, that Davis has suspended taking orders, until the production catches up with orders.

I'm thrilled to say that unlike the New Yorker, who covered up Michelle's fab arms, The Obama comic, set for release on April 25, at a price of $3.99, brings them front and center, as a symbol of her fabulosity.

This is the beginning of something bigger: Michelle as our Modern-Day Rosie the Riveter.

Superhero girls challenge the fashion industry because they achieve their own iconic, Independent status on their own terms.

The popularity of Superhero girls is often based on values and action, not appearance. As much as we love fashion, we root for women who aren't defined by it.

These Smart Sensuality women are often highly sensual, kick-ass babes, with at least the image of being able to conduct their own on-the-spot, smack-down of the bad guys (or gals), in defense of the little people.

Trust me, this trend will go interesting places in the national psyche. We haven't seen anything yet. Let me give you a clue, as an example: Michelle and her passion for military families. Mull that one over in your minds. Any visions yet? A