Top 10 Best Female Driven Comics
With all the talk about sexism in comics and the struggle for female characters to exist beyond their triple F cup bras, we’ve decided to highlight some of the more well-rounded (so to speak) comics and graphic novels out there.
These create strong characters of both genders, satirize contemporary stereotypes, and often give heroines a more natural and realistic appearance.
10. BIRDS OF PREY
The Oracle and her group of super-heroines fight crime in Gotham City, Metropolis, and later California. While some of them can’t shake the DC Comics sexpot syndrome, they are nevertheless all individuals with varying interests, strengths and weaknesses. This action-packed, estrogen-charged series ran for 10 years, from 1999 until February of this year. [1]
9. NINA’S ADVENTURES
Poking fun at gender stereotypes, creator Nina Paley describes her weekly strip as “semi-autobiographical” and “often experimental.” [2] She supports creative commons and posts all of her work online for free. (See Official Site Here)
8. NAUGHTY BITS
Forty issues spanning 13 years (1991-2004) follow Bitchy, a wild (though terribly named) anti-hero, neither sweet nor sexy. She is among the few leading women in comics permitted to be crass and rude, not to mention recklessly promiscuous, racist and homophobic – a compelling character you love to hate.[3]
7. LOVE & ROCKETS
Created by brothers Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, Love and Rockets ran from 1982-1996, and resumed publication in 2001. It addresses cultural and racial tensions through a cast of “ladies with strength, intelligence, independence, bitchiness, frailty, obsessiveness; in short, human qualities.” [4]
6. BATWOMAN
Originally introduced in 1956, Batwoman (a.k.a. Kate “Kathy” Kane) didn’t last long in the pages of DC Comics. She only made a few chance appearances between 1964 and 2006 (left). But now, after many years in the cave, she has finally reappeared (right).
She is described as “a lesbian socialite by night, and a crime-fighter by later in the night.”
Writer Greg Rucka said in a recent interview, “[Her sexual preference] is an element of her character. It is not her character. If people are going to have problems with it, that’s their issue. That’s certainly not mine.” [5]
5. PREACHER
Preacher Jesse Custer is possessed by a supernatural creature, Genesis, both an angel and a demon. On a quest to literally find God, who abandoned Heaven, he is joined by ex-girlfriend Tulip O’Hare. They are solid characters with a propensity for both strength and vulnerability. Tulip is shaped with an extensive backstory – and an equally extensive backbone. She is woman enough to take charge when she needs to, and Custer is man enough to shed tears once in a while. [6] [7]
4. Y: THE LAST MAN
A terrible plague has wiped off all the Y chromosomes in the planet. Ultra-feminist Daughters of the Amazon believe it was an act by Mother Earth to cleanse itself of men. The only problem is, life as they now know it is doomed. Yorick Brown is the sole male survivor, with his pet monkey, Ampersand. [8]
Perhaps this was a response to many feminists’ violent anti-male agendas, typically masquerading as the quest for equality. The women in this comic are strong and opinionated, but flawed – just as the men…were. This well-written, bold commentary on gender issues raises a lot of questions, and hopefully prompts some self reflection in the midst of entertainment.
NOTE: While the comic series ended in 2008, a film version is currently in development. [9]
3. PROMETHEA
Young Sophie is embodied by Promethea, a hybrid Egyptian/Greek spirit, whose intellect and raw power force Sophie to overcome weakness and naivety. With the evil mystic group The Temple on a hunt to exterminate Promethea, Sophie must learn quickly how to fend off her enemies. The action sequences, compounded with philosophical overtones, make for a very exciting and intellectually stimulating story. [10]
2. ALIAS
Former superhero Jewel (a.k.a. Jessica Jones) leaves her life of heroics to become a detective for Alias Private Investigations. Her past is layered, her character complex, and Marvel fans give her high ratings for strength, intelligence, and durability. [11]
1. IT AIN’T ME, BABE
” ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’ was the very very first ever in the world all-women’s comic. … It lasted only one issue, but it united the growing sub-culture of female underground cartoonists.” -Critic Arie Kaplan [12]
CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE:
WONDER WOMAN
On the surface, Wonder Woman seems like the embodiment of feminine strength and sex appeal. But if you delve into the history of this comic’s snide and sexist remarks against women, it all starts to feel like one giant back-handed compliment. Not to mention the fact that she’s become a sexual object just like the rest of them, epitomized with the 2008 Playboy Wonder Woman cover.
CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE:
HOTHEAD PAISAN
Armed and angry, Hothead Paisan is known as the “homicidal lesbian terrorist” with an “absurdist take on the sexist consumer culture which surrounds her. She sees the world through a misfit’s eyes and is simultaneously damaged and enraged by it.” [13] This comic might have made the list if it wasn’t so rigorously anti-male. While we support creating strong and witty female characters, it shouldn’t be at the expense of men. You can’t fight sexism with sexism.
Sources:
[1] “Birds of Prey” Birdwatching, CanaryNoir.com
[2] Nina’s Adventures – Nina Paley Biography 2005
[3] “Naughty Bits” Review (Anne Thalheimer) PopMatters.com
[4] “Love & Rockets / Artist Bio: The Hernandez Brothers”. Fantagraphic Books Online
[6] Tulip O’Hare: Character Profile, ComixFan.com
[7] Preacher: Comic Profile, ComicVine.com
[8] “Y: The Last Man” (John Hogan) Graphic Novel Reporter Online. January, 2009
[10] “Promethea: Book One” (Andrew Gilstrap) PopMatters.com
[11] “Jessica Jones.” Marvel Universe: The Official Marvel Wiki
[12] Kaplan, Arie. Masters of the Comic Book Universe Revealed! Chicago Review Press, 2006 (p.85)
[13] “Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist” (Todd Morman) StayFreeMagazine.org
This was a nice balance to the previous post regarding Comic-Con. The best thing about it was the inclusion of comments against man-hating. I’m glad it came up, because I have been reading every article on here and it made me think of all the times women generalize men negatively. Sexism that discriminates against or stereotypes women is sometimes used as an excuse for counter-attack, but reverse sexism only perpetuates a vicious cycle. I would enjoy reading more about this from you in the future. It would definitely affirm your desire for equality and awareness and silence anyone who views your work as blind feminism (which I don’t believe it is, even when thinking objectively).
I am so impressed I had to save it so I continously go back and read things I may have skimmed
Thanks, I’ll bookmark these! I will say this for Wonder Woman… I loved the tv show as a girl, and WW was my #1 hero (before Isis, Spiderwoman, She-Hulk, Princess Leia, and Charlie’s Angels.) When they started the play the reruns a couple years ago, I was surprised to discover how feminist it actually was–Wonder Woman was CONstantly rescuing the boys, and talking about how great women are, which when you’re 7 years old is the Height of Feminism. …So I like to give at least mini-props to the old WW show.
Hmm… I read blogs on a similar topic, but i never visited your blog. I added it to favorites and i’ll be your constant reader.
Dazzling article . Will definitely copy it to my blog.Thanks.
Inspired by some “Feminists’ violent anti-male agendas?” Hmmm, has a feminist walked into an LA fitness and shot a bunch of men lately?
I don’t doubt there are a small minority of feminists who dislike men… but I haven’t really seen them do anything violent. Would be interested if they actually existed… research required.
Something about that description raises a red flag for me.
I also wanted to recommend a comic to you, Morgan!
DAR:A Super Girly Top Secret Comic Diary (NSFW)
http://www.darcomic.org/2004/01/01/whatthefuck/
This diary follows Erika Moen as she tries to make sense of her sexual identity, find love, and much more. Also has a lot of fart jokes.
While the description may be hyperbolic, and doesn’t apply to most feminists, there are certainly plenty of women who have a rigorous hatred and prejudice toward men. It’s frustrating watching so many people recoil from the word “feminist,” just because some extremists have given it a bad name. The creator of “Hothead Paisan” writes with a violent mindset, even if she isn’t literally shooting men on her way to work. She has a vast following of people who celebrate the comic, which is even more unsettling.
Anyway, thanks for reading and contributing to the discussion, and for your suggestion of comic strip!
“Perhaps this was a response to many feminists’ violent anti-male agendas, typically masquerading as the quest for equality. ”
Maybe in that alternative universe, the Amazons kill a bunch of men. If it’s meant to reflect reality, however… then it’s just perpetuating the biggest and most persistent stereotype (other than the whole but feminists are gay! and hairy! oh my!) to discredit feminism.
Also, a fun study: ARE FEMINISTS MAN HATERS? FEMINISTS’ AND NONFEMINISTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD MEN, which actually say on average that feminist women have a more positive attitude about men.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122352953/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
On an unrelated note, Ampersand is a badass name for a monkey.
Y: The Last Man is definitely set in a dystopia, but then again, do all great female-driven comics have to portray women as sweet and wonderful? It’s well written, controversial, and initiates debate on gender issues more than anything else, which is why it’s surely worth mentioning.
Tank Girl isn’t on here? I can honestly say that Tank Girl uncovered the feminist in my then 16-year-old self.
No no, I wasn’t saying that at all. I was complaining more about the description than about the actual comic. I haven’t read this comic yet. If it just referred to a Matriarchal dystopia, then I wouldn’t have paused at that point while reading. (I’m a big fan of gender role discussions via sci fi.) But instead it refers to the Amazons as feminists who really do hate men, and violently so.
Over all, I’m saying the description matches an unfortunate stereotype that exists in reality. You’re saying you think it just refers to the alt universe, so I shouldn’t care. That’s fine, I hope I clarified enough. No where did I make an argument that the characters have to be perfect… if I did make that argument, I would have had a fit over Naughty Bits, wouldn’t I?
I’m actually a fan of Hothead Paisan, even if she is cray-cray and sexist. It’s still a fun read.
To quote this site: “On the surface, Wonder Woman seems like the embodiment of feminine strength and sex appeal. But if you delve into the history of this comic’s snide and sexist remarks against women, it all starts to feel like one giant back-handed compliment.”
Actually as far as Wonder Woman goes, she was created by William Moulton Marston, the actual inventor of the lie detector (part of the golden lasso bit.) Marston believed that women were superior to men and should rule over them (as was the case in his own marriage). Marston wrote, “Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world.” The other part of the bit with the lasso is that she gets to tie up men and force them to obey her commands. It was Marston’s whole S&M thing. The same is true on the flip side. When Wonder Woman is chloroformed and tied up (as she was every issue in Marston’s original comics) she looses her powers and becomes helpless. Dude had issues. Amazing stuff for the 1940’s.
not a fan of Naughty Bits, but the other ones are interesting. and Y The Last Man is probably the best comic of the decade. IT SHOULD BE HIGHER ON THE LIST. just my opinion