2023 EDIT:
Reread: An oddly charming and funny comic. There is a little more trans inclusivity than I remember, though it is perhaps too subtle, and it would have been better if someone turned out to be a trans man, and another nonbinary. More of that representation would have been great.
A comedy, and a thought-provoking, uplifting, hopeful "dystopia". Still a keeper.
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
How will women cope if all men die out?
Just fine, as it turns out.
'Woman World' is an absolutely hilarious anecdotal feminist comic. There are no male characters at all after the first several pages, where, further in the future, we see the fallout of the extinction of men due to a genetic disorder - leading to a fairly utopian society of human women getting along splendidly and trying their best.
In a world where the patriarchy no longer exists for real, women can love and support one another freely. Have some laughs, spend time together however they want, say what's on their minds and talk long and express themselves to their fullest, and get work done; without men interrupting them, criticising them, demeaning them, patronising them, harassing them, threatening them, abusing them, dictating their lives, making them feel small, taking up their space, and turning them against each other; turning them into competition, into "bitches", and their own worst enemy.
In 'Woman World', we witness the benefits of allowing people to be selfless, kind and caring toward others. So, without the stifling, unhealthy micro-and-macroaggressions of the patriarchy, women will be good at building a society; they will be productive; they will work; they will prosper; to make life better for other people. No wars, no greed, no ego, no entitlement, no narcissism, no pettiness, no cruelty, no discrimination - women get shit done. Like simple, proper healthcare, and bodily and reproductive rights.
Looks certainly don't matter in this world.
It's also great to see a premise like this where sperm banks are acknowledged, and they are put to use.
The women and girls of Woman World - in their area of Beyonce's Thighs - are diverse and LBGTQ. Though the one issue I have is that transgender people are mentioned in only one story, and then it is never brought up again. This is problematic as well as highly noticeable since, when discussing gender and sex through the modern lens, the trans and nonbinary communities must be considered. Because we know now that there are more genders than the straight line binary of male and female, and that there are limitless ways to be male and female, or neither. Also the coded African doctor from another village has no name; she's called "Doctor".
The art is reminiscent of 'Adventure Time' and 'Steven Universe'. Soft, cartoony and lovely for a comedy graphic novel.
'Woman World' is very funny, clever, introspective, subversive, and adorable. One of my favourite recurring plots is with the grandmother, the last of her generation to have known men, and her little hyperactive granddaughter, who believes that mankind, nay all of 21st century culture, is represented in 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' (to be fair, she might not be wrong). Of course there is so much more featured in this package, but I won't dare spoil any more of the fun.
It's smashing. Prepare to laugh, and think.
Final Score: 4/5
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