Like so many others I was terribly disappointed when Emerald City Comic Con announced its cancellation. Not only for fans, but for the creators that depend on such platforms to connect with the community and broadcast their works. Fortunately for us there is Hoopla, a free service that makes literally thousands of comic titles available at our fingertips. But where to start? And what if you crave something outside of the ultra-popular superhero universes? How about an independently published comic? And what if—and here’s the kicker—those comics were created by women?
Recently there has been some improvement in the number of women working professionally in the comic book industry, but only a very small margin of published comics are written and penned by women. As a fan (and one who identifies as female) I’m using this platform to introduce five of my favorite titles made by these talented ladies.
ElfQuest – Wendy Pini
American Library Association described ElfQuest as “One of the most important works in American Fantasy.” Debuting in 1978, ElfQuest is a unique saga of tribal elves surviving a harsh world with distrustful humans. Wendy Pini and editor/husband Richard Pini are often an unsung success story of self-published comics before the digital age.
Nimona – Noelle Stevenson
Who hasn’t thought playing sidekick to an evil scientist supervillain would be more fun? Noelle Stevenson’s stand-alone comic mashes fantasy and science fiction into an offbeat coming-of-age story. An animated feature of Nimona is currently in the works!
Castle Waiting – Linda Medley
Seattle resident Linda Medley’s beautifully illustrated ‘slice of life’ fairytale centers on the daily lives of the misfit residents of Castle Waiting long after the Princess ran off with the Prince. Heartfelt with a feminist touch, Castle Waiting is a treat for both avid comic readers and those new to the medium.
Scary Godmother – Jill Thompson
Thompson created Scary Godmother after looking for a Halloween-themed children’s book for her niece and not finding anything that she liked. “Scary Godmother is like your fairy godmother, but for Halloween. There’s really nothing scary about the Scary Godmother. She’s fun and macabre; reminiscent of childhood with a little bit of social commentary mixed in.” This lighthearted and colorful world is something that kids and adults can both enjoy.
Adulthood is a Myth: A Sarah’s Scribbles Collection – Sarah Anderson
Sarah’s Scribbles is a semi-autobiographical webcomic that debuted on Tumblr in 2013. Making common use of self-deprecating humor Andersen’s 5-paneled comic format focuses on adulthood, maturity, and the daily struggles of the modern introvert. And cats. There’s lots of cats.
~posted by Rye H.
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