We’re unveiling our new collection of graphic novels and comic books at the library this month, and it’s a perfect opportunity to look at the plethora of women’s contributions and feminist representations within this medium, as well as some critical analysis of the fraught history of gender within comics. Join us, with these recommendations from the library:
Books at the Library
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
A classic graphic memoir from the legendary Alison Bechdel. Bechdel’s comic strip “The Rule,” from her self-syndicated feminist comic, Dykes to Watch Out For, became well-known for introducing what became known as “The Bechdel Test,” a tongue-in-cheek rule for evaluating representations of women in films and other media.
Boundless by Jillian Tamaki
“Mixing objective reality, speculative fiction, out-and-out fantasy, and a matter-of-fact feminism, Boundless explores the lives of women and how the expectations of others influence their real and virtual selves.” – from the publisher
Syllabus by Lynda Barry
“In recent years, Lynda Barry – half cartoonist, half guru, and entirely irrepressible – has created her own genre, handcrafting inspirational guidebooks about how and why to be creative… Scrawled out and doodled all over the page, collaged together with snippets of schoolwork, snatches of poetry, and drawings of weird-looking monsters, Barry’s notes [in Syllabus] double as dispatches from a fertile unconscious, and testify once more to the unfathomable depths of human invention.” – The Globe and Mail
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
“A ragtag crew travels to the deepest reaches of space, rebuilding beautiful, broken structures to piece the past together.
Two girls meet in boarding school and fall deeply in love―only to learn the pain of loss.
With interwoven timelines and stunning art, award-winning graphic novelist Tillie Walden creates an inventive world, breathtaking romance, and an epic quest for love.” – from the publisher
Nimona by Noelle Stephenson
“A brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic featuring…Nemeses! Dragons! Science! and Symbolism!” – adapted from the publisher
From Girls to Grrlz
A highly-illustrated chronicle of females in comics from the 40’s through the riot grrrlz of the ‘90’s.
The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen: Awesome Female Characters from Comic Book History by Hope Nicholson
“With vintage art, publication details, a decade-by-decade survey of industry trends and women’s roles in comics, and spotlights on iconic favorites like Wonder Woman and Ms. Marvel, The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen proves that not only do strong female protagonists belong in comics, they’ve always been there.” – Amazon.com
Want more awesome women-authored comics and graphic novels? Check out our full list of featured titles for this month: Women in Comics and Graphic Novels @ the Library.
The library’s new Comics and Graphic Novels collection is available in the library lobby now, or browse online: NMC Library’s Comics & Graphic Novels Collection.
Films
Stream these award-winning films from the library:
Wonder Women: The Untold Story of American Superheroines
“From the birth of the 1940s comic book heroine, Wonder Woman, to the blockbusters of today, WONDER WOMEN! looks at how popular representations of powerful women often reflect society’s anxieties about strong and healthy women.The film goes behind the scenes with actors Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) and Lindsay Wagner (the Bionic Woman), comic writers and artists, and real-life superheroines such as feminist icon Gloria Steinem, riot grrrl Kathleen Hanna, and others, who offer an enlightening and entertaining counterpoint to the male-dominated superhero genre.” – from the publisher
Drawn Together: Comics, Diversity and Stereotypes
“With a lively backdrop of superheroes, comic books, and animated comics, DRAWN TOGETHER brings together three talented artists–a Sikh, a woman, and an African American–who are challenging the racist stereotyping currently endemic in America through their work.” – from the publisher
Abina and the Important Men: An Animated Graphic History
“Based on an award-winning graphic novel, this is the powerful yet little-known story of Abina Mansah. Enslaved by a wealthy planter in Africa’s Gold Coast (modern day Ghana), she successfully fought for justice and freedom in the region’s colonial legal system.” – from the publisher
Beyond the library: cool stuff on the web
Stuff Mom Never Told You Podcast: Women in Comics
This podcast offers lively, research-based discussions around women’s history and feminism. Check out these two classic episodes that trace the history of women in comics, from 1896 to the present.
SMNTY Classics: Women in Comics Part 1
SMNTY Classics: Women in Comics Part 2
Liz Donnelly: Drawing on Humor for Change
In this TED Talk, New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly shares a portfolio of her wise and funny cartoons about modern life — and talks about how humor can empower women to change the rules.
Hark! a vagrant! by Kate Beaton
Just for fun, a hilarious and snarky webcomic about history, literature and beyond.