Now it's on to comics by my personal favourite superhero comics company, DC. These are my opinionated recommendations for indoor reading - for female diversity representation. Enjoy!
12. 'Sword of Sorcery, Vol. 1: Amethyst (The New 52 Sword of Sorcery #0-8)' by Christy Marx (Writer), Aaron Lopresti (Artist), Various Artists
A great action and adventure fantasy series that was sadly cancelled before its time. I know and admit that DC doesn't always make the smartest decisions. In fact its worst and best decisions are split 50/50. DC and Marvel are not so different. But rushed ending aside, the Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld reboot is definitely worth a read. My favourite things are present in this comic! Review here.
11. 'Starfire, Vol. 1: Welcome Home' by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti (Writers), Emanuela Lupacchino (Illustrator), Mirco Pierfederici (Illustrator's assist)
How about a nice and sunny DC comic for a change? A shining, positive love letter to Starfire, guaranteed to cheer you right up (and not because of any fanservice!) A beautiful, feel-good read, like relaxing at a beach with a Popsicle. Review here.
10. 'Power Girl, Vol. 1: A New Beginning' by Justin Gray (Writer), Jimmy Palmiotti (Writer), Amanda Conner (Artist)
Another fresh, fun, amusing, and colourful superheroine book. Headstrong, smart, funny, sassy, sarcastic, and brash - that's Power Girl! Review here.
9. 'Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Vol. 1'
What it says on the tin. It is early 2000s Wonder Woman at her best. Colourful and beautifully drawn, and intricate, clever and multilayered in its storytelling. It is also full of complex and well developed characters. The critically acclaimed Wonder Woman story, The Hiketeia, is included in this trade. Review here.
8. 'Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman Vol. 1' by Various
Contains ten multiple modern Wonder Woman stories. Each are feminist, diverse, exciting, entertaining, and relevant. I recommend the second volume as well, which is arguably better. My review of Volume 1 is here, and my review of Volume 2 is here.
7. 'Batgirl: Year One' by Scott Beatty (Writer), Chuck Dixon (Writer), Marcos Martin (Illustrator), Álvaro López (Illustrator)
One of my favourite Batgirl books, and one that resonates with me so much. I adore it for many reasons, including personal ones. Barbara Gordon, you are a hero and icon. Review here, but be warned, I get especially personal and teary-eyed, as well as fangirly, there.
6. 'Wonder Woman: The True Amazon' by Jill Thompson
A different take on Wonder Woman - and Diana's origins - and in my opinion, it works. Interesting, heartfelt, and tragic, even if the artwork takes some getting used to. Plus, no men in sight! It's Jill Thompson's labour of love. Review here.
5. 'Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass' by Mariko Tamaki (Writer), Steve Pugh (Artist)
Absolutely stunning and charming. Mariko Tamaki is brilliant. This is a YA graphic novel retelling of Harley Quinn and her origins, and almost everything about it is done masterfully. A must read for any Harley Quinn fan. Review here.
4. 'Supergirl: Being Super' by Mariko Tamaki (Writer), Joëlle Jones (Artist)
The best Supergirl comic ever made? It certainly made me finally start caring about her in comics. It's another YA graphic novel retelling of a superheroine's origins, that is just as good as Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass (by the same author!), if not better. Supergirl: Being Super is fresh, deep, smartly written, a little sad, and wonderful. Teenage girls will especially love it; it will resonate with that demographic. A touching coming-of-age story about self-discovery, that's all about Supergirl/Kara Danvers. DC finally gives her the respect she deserves. Review here.
3. 'Harleen (Harleen #1-3)' by Stjepan Šejić
Almost indescribable. An adult retelling of Doctor Harleen Quinzel's origin that is truly, brutally adult. Everything about it is mind blowing; not least of which is the artwork. A genius work of psychology and horror, it is a testament to the power and the relevance of the modern comics medium. It is sublime, intelligent, unnerving, disturbing, terrifying, and it will mess you up, in a good way. No fan of Harley Quinn should be without Harleen. Review here.
2. 'The Legend of Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Origins' by Renae De Liz, Ray Dillon (Inker and Colourist)
For a more fun and hopeful read, here comes Wonder Woman to the rescue! The Legend of Wonder Woman is one of the best origin stories I've read about the Amazon princess. It is a fresh, rich, lush, colourful, marvellous, spectacular, stunning, and pure epic. Legendary, indeed. A beauty to behold in my comics collection. Review here.
1. 'Batgirl, Vol. 1: The Darkest Reflection' by Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf (Artist), Vicente Cifuentes (Artist)
One of the first comics I've ever read - one of the first DC comics I've read. Library reading - way back in 2014 - is where it all started. This title is where I first fell in love with Barbara Gordon as Batgirl; and doubly, it is from this that I became a fan of Gail Simone. That Batgirl, Vol. 1: The Darkest Reflection - my gateway drug into superhero comics along with Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel series - is from the New 52 run, is especially outstanding. Great characters, stories, and artwork. It is also diverse, and explores serious issues such as PTSD. It is about coping with a lot in life, including trauma. It is about friends and family. This Batgirl "reboot" is my kind of action-packed, exciting, thoughtful and touching superheroine comic, that's just excellent and well realized. Review here.
There's yet more graphic novel recommendations to come!
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