Comics/Graphic Novels

Read Harder Recommendations: Comics By An All-Female Team

Andi Miller

Staff Writer

Andi Miller is a proponent of fauxhawks, gaudy jewelry, country music, and writing. When she’s not publicly relating at her day job or teaching university English courses online, she’s a hardcore reader, social media addict, 10-year book blogging veteran at Estella’s Revenge, and host of Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. Her favorite literary snacks are comics, literary fiction, and foodie memoirs. Her favorite real snacks are Froot Loops, fried catfish tails, and serial Twitter unfollowers. Blog: Estella's Revenge Twitter: @EstellasRevenge

The Panels 2015 Read Harder Challenge consists of 26 challenge categories spanning the breadth and depth of all things that may be considered comics. Every week we’ll give you reading recommendations from one of the categories.

Female creators and creative teams are becoming more common in comics (about time), not only among stand-alone graphic novels and ongoing series, but lady creators are banding together to create anthologies that push the envelope of both plot and creativity. None of these suggestions should be missed.

Nimona cover

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

This book, originally a webcomic, is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever read. It’s about a girl who teams up with an evil mastermind set in a fantasy world, but nothing is as it seems. I can’t say enough great things about this comic; it’s one that everyone should read. — Swapna

thisonesummer

This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki

Summers mean a trip to Awago Beach for Rose and her family, but in This One Summer, it’s a fairly miserable time. Something is bothering Rose’s mom, and her dad is aloof. She spends the majority of her time with her free-spirited friend Windy exploring the town, spying on the local teens, and coming to some difficult realizations about growing up and navigating relationships. This is a “teen” graphic novel for everyone as it navigates those turbulent times with great sensitivity and someone for everyone to enjoy. — Andi Miller

The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg — Andi Miller

underwire

Underwire by Jennifer Hayden — Andi Miller

Smut Peddler by Amanda Lafrenais, Erica Henderson, ghostgreen, and a team of other creators — Katie Schenkel

Team Girl Comic with a roster of regular contributors including Amanda ‘Hateball’ Stewart, Gill Hatcher, Claire Yvette, et al  – Hattie Kennedy

heroic

Womanthology: Heroic edited by Jessica Hickman — Ardo Omer

Womanthology: Space by contributors such as Jennifer deGuzman, Stephanie Hans, and Ming Doyle  — Jon Erik Christianson

Other Resources

Wikipedia’s list of female comics creators

LadiesMakingComics.com 

Goodreads list of comics and graphic novels by women

Essential 8 Women Working in Comics
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