Someday, articles recommending comics for girls will replace “The Kids Are Crazy About the Manga” and “Graphic Novels — They’re Comics For Grown-Ups” in newspapers and on the Internet (if not in our hearts and minds, of course).
This installment comes from Rudy Ascott at Associated Content, who writes: “It’s no wonder girls don’t read comics books. The comic book store is teeming with unwashed, testosterone drenched males, who generally all turn their head at the first sign of a female in the store. Even if the girl is willing to brave the perils of the comic shop, they’re treated to a large selection of huge boobed and often hostile female superheros.”
So he offers a list of his Top 5 comic books for girls, all available in trade paperback: Sandman, Fables, Bone, The Walking Dead, and Strangers in Paradise. No manga, though.
I’ll give Ascott credit: Four of them are standard “comics for girls” fare, but The Walking Dead is a new one. You can read his descriptions/explanations at the link.
August 24th, 2006 at 8:43 am
god forbid a girl might enjoy a superhero book. sheesh.
August 24th, 2006 at 10:20 am
I’m no longer a girl, but a middle-aged woman who has been reading super hero comics since I was 7 years old. And when I was a librarian in Hawaii a few years ago, several of my regular patrons were young teen girls who totally loved super hero comics. Granted, there aren’t a lot of us, but we’re around, guys. Sometimes you have to go to the library to find us - what an idea!
August 24th, 2006 at 10:22 am
The Walking Dead seems like an odd choice. I suppose it would depend on whether or not the girl in question likes horror/zombie movies.
Wait here’s a novel approach, why not give the girl books to fit her interests instead of some generic “Girls like this book.” comic. (Unless that is something you think she’d like.) *sigh*
When trying to get any of my friends into reading comics even music I always try to find a comic I think they’d like. I told my friend about Y The Last Man which he liked, which lead him to Runaways, then The Ultimates, then Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four, and now he’s making weekly trips to the comic book store. But if I had told this same guy to read Sandman he might never have picked up another comic. It’s all about knowing your audience.
August 24th, 2006 at 11:18 am
For the record, I shower every day.
August 24th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
My reaction to this list is not fit for publication on this blog. Family site and all.
August 24th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
I’m not sure why anyone’s surprised, man. Everyone knows chicks dig zombies.
August 24th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Pffft. Maybe I’ll read Sandman or Strangers in Paradise one of these days but Powers, back issues of Deadpool and the X-Men titles have me hooked. Nevermind all the other superhero stuff.
August 25th, 2006 at 10:44 am
I admit that a) I am a girl and b) I read two of those “recommended” titles. However, it is not because they appeal to a feminine audience that I enjoy “Sandman” and “Fables”. I have always been a lover of mythology and fairy tales, and both those books compliment that personal preference.
However, I also read several DC titles of the “superhero” variety. Like a previous poster said, know the audience.
Further, I don’t know what comic dives these girls are reportedly visiting, but the stores I visit contradict those stereotypes. In fact, there are even girls who -work there-.
I think the best thing for any female to do is try books until you find what you like…which is really what anyone does, regardless of gender.
August 26th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
I think this needs to be rethought. Instead of recommending comics for girls, why not isolate the comics that aren’t intended for anyone but a narrow subset of readers and then state that most of the others are for but guys and gals to enjoy?
August 28th, 2006 at 1:40 am
Why is it always “How to get girls to read comics”? It’s never “How to get your older brothers to quit making fun of your manga habit,” which my best friend really needs, or “How to get your mom to read comics, particularly the ones you draw,” which is something I’d appreciate. I’m a girl who already READS comics! Where are the lists for ME?
August 28th, 2006 at 4:40 am
What I want to know is this: if girls aren’t reading comics, who the hell is writing all that fanfic?
August 28th, 2006 at 4:53 am
Everytime another stupid man tells the world what comics women supposedly read, a hamster cries in pain. This is just another boys-club tactic to subliminally keep girls away from “their” comics and actually having some sort of impact on the spandex-crowd. Won’t somebody think of the hamsters?