Graphic Novel Review - 'Little Lulu: Working Girl' by John Stanley, Marjorie "Marge" Henderson Buell (Original Creator), Margaret Atwood (Introduction), Frank M. Young (Essayist/Historian)

As an avid fangirl of comics with female leads, I thought it was about time I checked out the one that largely, supposedly started it all, since the 1930s-1940s: 'Little Lulu'.

'Little Lulu', originally created by a woman, Marjorie "Marge" Henderson Buell.

I admit I'd barely heard of the character before, but I wanted to see if this comedic, comic little girl icon holds up, and lives up to the hype; to see if she is, indeed, timeless.

I got 'Little Lulu: Working Girl', a collection in colour, with an introduction by Margaret Atwood, and at the end, 'Girls Want to Get in Everything: Little Lulu Crashes into Comics' by Frank M. Young.

These are pretty much sketches and sitcoms in comic strip form, and their quality is hit and miss, in my opinion, but they are endearing, humorous, and clever overall. Even a little dark; whether overtly, or if you think about any of them for a few second afterwards.

'Little Lulu' is madcap, subversive childhood adventures, complete with clueless and oblivious adults, and Little Lulu herself - Lulu Moppet - is rather funny, contrary, cheeky, sneaky, selfish, obstinate, rude, daring, and defiant. She is willing to try literally anything, and will get into anywhere she wants, no matter what anyone else thinks.

I can see why she would be called a feminist icon; she's a troublemaker, rabblerouser, inventor, and pioneer, defying the gender norms of the 30s and 40s. She is smart, creative, imaginative, curious, and inquisitive. She is like a proto-Matilda Wormwood, Wednesday Addams, and Hilda. And a female Dennis the Menace.

Lulu is like a normal little kid, really

I have to wonder why Lulu and Tubby (a stereotypical fat boy who loves to eat all the time, though he is still funny in his own right) are best friends*. They are pretty appalling to each other. But then, that is how kids often are, especially in their playtimes and pranks, and maybe they only hang out together because nobody else will tolerate them, and their friendship is based on familiarity, and close distance from one another's houses.

Alvin, the little psycho, kind of reminds me of Onion from 'Steven Universe'. In fact, a lot of these comics remind me of a non-fantasy and sci-fi, slice-of-life 'Steven Universe'. As well as 'Dennis the Menace' and 'Hey Arnold!'.

I wish Dolly had appeared in more than one story. She appears to be Lulu's only female friend/frenemy.

So, 'Little Lulu' - I'm glad I finally got to know her, the little feminist rebel.

If you're like me and want to know about the history of female characters in comics (who are not superheroines), and the history of American comics, specifically comedic drawings for children (think The Beano, Harvey Comics, and Archie Comics), then I recommend you check out 'Little Lulu: Working Girl', or any of her collected issues.

Also recommended: 'The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen: Awesome Female Characters from Comic Book History', which highlights Lulu Moppet.

Final Score: 3/5

*You know Lulu and Tubby are going to hate-you-like-you, tsundere-date in the future.