I work myself into a swivet about these comics (I buy youth/teen comics for a library system).
I applaud the concept. Graphic biographies of strong modern women are something that are needed.
However, everything about these comics is awful! The writing, the artwork, EVERYTHING.
So do I buy a book that doesn't meet my standards because I want to encourage the attempt? Or, do I not buy them, which reinforces the idea that there's no market for "girl comics"?
@LadyBossyBoots: Eh, If it were me I would just buy them. There's worse stuff out there and there has got to be some kind of merit in making them available to girls - even if it is just so that they get to see the concept of them.
And as you said, it also encourages the publishers to make more in this vein (hopefully better!).
I'd see if I could get away without buying the Sarah Palin one though. ;)
@LadyBossyBoots: And thinking about it, I don't think I would have thought they were bad when I was younger. Maybe being older my tastes are more sophisticated, but looking at it again - I think as a kid I probably would have liked it.
@applejuice: Surprisingly, I've found that kids are a LOT pickier about artwork than adults are. Particularly girls who read manga, who would seem to be the primary audience for these books.
The Female Force comics tick me off for just this reason (among others). It's like they haven't done any research into their audience, and don't bother trying.
@LadyBossyBoots: Yeah, I know what you mean. Also, weren't there any women around to illustrate them? (I mean, assuming it was a man as the picture depicts.)
Actually, that childhood sexual abuse vignette is extraordinarily well done for a comic. The cage imagery was probably intentional and definitely works for the subject. I also like the formless nothingness silhouetted in the doorway.
Why does black and white line drawn 3 year old Oprah look so much less horrifying than full color 3 year old Oprah?
@sayah: Oh God... we got that one in at work and it's hideous.
Let me give you the run down:
Stephenie was DIFFERENT. She wasn't as stylish, rich, or pretty as the OTHER GIRLS, who totally laughed at her, but inside her was a brilliant writer who grew up to show THEM ALL.
So I just this minute realized that in the awesome movie "Heathers", Veronica Sawyer's old best friend was Betty Finn. As in Betty and Veronica and Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.
For some reason my orthodontist's office was well-stocked with Archie comics, which was the only good thing about having braces. I always hated Veronica for being so rich and snobby, while I liked Betty for being more down to earth and kind. I would have been very disappointed to read of the impending nuptials while waiting for another torturous appointment.
I would probably be more angry about this turn of events in the Archie Comics world if I weren't so busy trying to figure out a disguise to wear to the comic book store...
11/27/09
11/27/09
I applaud the concept. Graphic biographies of strong modern women are something that are needed.
However, everything about these comics is awful! The writing, the artwork, EVERYTHING.
So do I buy a book that doesn't meet my standards because I want to encourage the attempt? Or, do I not buy them, which reinforces the idea that there's no market for "girl comics"?
These are the dilemmas that haunt my days.
11/27/09
And as you said, it also encourages the publishers to make more in this vein (hopefully better!).
I'd see if I could get away without buying the Sarah Palin one though. ;)
11/27/09
11/27/09
The Female Force comics tick me off for just this reason (among others). It's like they haven't done any research into their audience, and don't bother trying.
11/29/09
11/27/09
Why does black and white line drawn 3 year old Oprah look so much less horrifying than full color 3 year old Oprah?
11/27/09
11/27/09
I've made a few changes. I think they were necessary.
11/27/09
[www.comicsalliance.com]
11/27/09
@galtor: Oh my god, thank you for this:
11/27/09
11/27/09
ps.: every time I write Oprah, I want to add an "e" Operah
11/27/09
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11/27/09
The illustrator certainly has a style. I was right, Oprah DOES look like Stephenie.
11/27/09
11/27/09
Let me give you the run down:
Stephenie was DIFFERENT. She wasn't as stylish, rich, or pretty as the OTHER GIRLS, who totally laughed at her, but inside her was a brilliant writer who grew up to show THEM ALL.
11/27/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
08/14/09
That said... could they move to Utah, convert, and have a plural marriage? Cheryl could be his third wife.
08/14/09
whoa.
08/14/09
08/14/09
08/14/09
08/14/09