With March being Women’s History Month, we’ve come to realize that we often forget about their impact on the world of graphic novels. While graphic novels may not appear to be a female dominated world, rest assured that women have authored many a wonderful story in the sub genre. To celebrate their unique stories, hardships, and perspective of the world, these graphic novels have a lot to say and just the right pictures to help them tell their tales.
5. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
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This is a coming of age story set in a period of time when growing with a war in the backyard and political divide was the norm. Persepolis shows readers the life of a young girl who is growing into a rebellious teenager. Showing you what is in her head and her heat, this simple and effective comic provides a glimpse into a life that many have not had to go through.
In 2007, this graphic novel was actually adapted into an animated film, and was later nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
4. One! Hundred! Demons! by Lynda Barry
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From the words of Lynda Barry herself, this book is an “autobificitionalography”. A book that is true, but also not true. Filled with stories from her own life and experience, with some not-as-true stories sprinkled and mixed around for fun, this book is a thrilling recount of the various experiences of her life. Times Magazine once called this “a work of art as well as literature.” One! Hundred! Demons! is filled with descriptive stories of the little demons that plague your everyday life, and art work that is just stunning from beginning to end.
3. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
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5 spooky gothic tales await you in this graphic novel. Each story explores the mysteries of what can go bump in the night. This novel is perfect to add a little scare to your reading experience. Filled to the brim with descriptive images that showcase the mood of each individual tale, Through The Woods deserves to be on your TBR list at any time of the year. Descriptive, alluring, epic and unforgettable, it will keep you up at night after you read it under the covers.
2. Aya by Marguerite Abouet
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That’s what I wanted to show in Aya: an Africa without the … war and famine, an Africa that endures despite everything because, as we say back home, life goes on.
Marguerite Abouet
Showing a playful and carefree life of Aya and her friends, this graphic novel shows provides an insight into a story we rarely see. Set on the Ivory coast in 1978, we are drawn into the warm streets of Yopougon, or as its referred to in the novel Yop City. Kids watch the city around them change over time, with discos and open air bars popping up in the city. Date night is not so secret now, and everyone is gossiping about it the next day. Freedom and Joy are the things on Aya’s mind as she experiences what it means to grow up.
1. Vagrant Queen by Magdalene Visaggio
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At age 10, Eldaya is kicked off the throne. She was a child queen who was forced into ruling, then forced right out of it. After the coup, she had no choice but to run for her life, and has since then kept running. It seems as if someone is always after her, thinking she will want the kingdom back.
Having no desire to go back, Eldaya has been roaming the galaxy and taken up the profession of a smuggler. But when a friend-or msybe really an enemy-says she knows where Eldaya’s mother really is and how to find her, the journey home begins.
This young adult graphic novel is worth reading if you’re a fan of Star Wars, coming of age books, and the idea of galaxy exploration.
Female authors provide a unique perspective to the world of the graphic novel. The next time you’re in the mood for a comic, take the time to appreciate these unsung heroes of the genre. You may just unlock a whole new world of stories to enjoy.
*Disclosure: We only recommend books that we love and would read ourselves. This post contains affiliate links, as we are part of the Amazon Services LCC Associate Program and others, which may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
