It's a good thing that Sigourney Weaver (Alien, Avatar) was present at this Comic-Con panel, because any discussion of iconic women characters in contemporary pop culture must include Weaver's Ellen Ripley.

Entertainment Weekly editor Ben Svetkey, who moderated, wisely acknowledged this fact in introducing the actor.

Weaver, for her part, took to the stage saying what an incredible thrill it was to be there. Then she thanked the audience. "I think I owe you guys my career," she said.

Joining Weaver on stage were actors who have portrayed other female characters that have become iconic: Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost, V, Zoe Saldana (Star Trek, Avatar), and Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse, Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Svetkey noted that there are many male action hero archetypes with action heroes, but not so many for women.

Weaver said that the challenge that some writers take on — and she invoked Joss Whedon and James Cameron here — they're not trying to write a women action hero, "they are creating a woman character who has an integrity, a drive, a ferocity. . . . I wasn't playing a woman, I was playing a person"

Saldana said that women in the industry are fighting to become better writers and producers and directors, to teach how a woman should be treated, intepreted and written. "When you approach a character as a person," she said, "the objectives are the same."

But has it gotten any better for women?

Dushku said that it's about who actors work with. "That's the reason i went back to Joss when i wanted to find the next role," she said.

Mitchell said she'd been getting better roles — juicier roles — since turning 30. "I was described as sexy at 38. That's new and unique for me."  

Weaver added that she thinks society is changing much more quickly than Hollywood understands.

When asked what it would take to bring about action heroes that are gay and lesbian, Weaver challenged the audience, saying it's a mistake to look to Hollywood to break down any socio-cultural barriers. "You have to drive this," she said, insisting that the tools to do so are now available to everyone. "Hollywood is always running behind."