Emma Popcorn shares her comic book recommendations to comic beginners, focusing on stories led by badass women.
Emma, like many, enjoys seeing characters like her represented in the media she consumes. In other words, she likes to see stories about other women! And, because of this, she never really had an interest in superheroes or comics because she thought they were just about heroes like Captain America, Superman, Batman, and just mainly lots of men.
However, this is not the case! There are plenty of female led comic book stories out there and these are Emma’s favourites for people who used to think like she did or for people who just need a new comic to read this summer.
Young Avengers
This Marvel comic is by two of Emma’s favourite comic creators, Kieron Gillen (writer) and Jamie McKelvie (artist). It is about a team of young heroes and was the first comic Emma ever read. It appealed to her due to it starring a few lovely ladies as well as a gay superhero couple.
Runaways
Another Marvel comic, it was written by Young Adult author Rainbow Rowell and concerns a group of young heroes, who discover that their parents are actually part of a secret evil organisation.
The Wicked and the Divine
While it isn’t a superhero story, this is Emma’s all-time favourite series, again by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie. It tells the story of how, every 90 years, 12 gods come back to life as pop stars and famous people and are loved and hated by the public, before dying in just 2 years.
AForce
Starring a superhero team made up of women from all sides of the Marvel universe, it brings together heroes that wouldn’t typically interact. The thing Emma particularly likes about this comic series is that it allows the women to be feminine while still kicking butt.
Gwenpool
This is a story about a comic fangirl who is born in our world but transported to the comic universe. As she’s a comic fan, Gwen knows all the heroes’ secrets and, because she knows this world isn’t real, she doesn’t care what happens, creating complete madness.
The Prince and the Dressmaker
This comic tells the story of a seamstress who befriends a prince who likes to dress up as a woman and ends up making all kinds of dresses for him. At its core, this is a beautiful coming of age story about love and acceptance.
Emma, you’ve inspired us to run out to our local comic book store and pick up some of these stories about some truly incredible ladies!
Want more?
Read about Jack Harries opening up about his struggle with mental health. Alternatively, find out Carly Rowena‘s tips for being healthy.
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