Marvel and DC are home to some of the most well-known comic titles; however, the medium has so much more than superheroes to offer. Independent publishers, like Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Oni Press, and Dark Horse Comics continue to push new titles forward that exceed the expectations of the medium. An independent title in the world of comics has a broader meaning than it does in other industries as it mainly means the IP is creator-owned, even when it is with a big-name publisher.
With the liberties that come with independent titles, it's wonderful to see women creators flourishing in the medium. Whether it's a charming slice-of-life graphic novel about sisterhood, a bloody thriller about an assassin turned housewife, a Webtoon that's become a global sensation, or something else entirely, these creator-owned titles are a must-read. While there are many other women to celebrate in the industry during Women's History month, these five titles are either relatively new or currently in publication, making it easy for new and old readers to support these iconic women in comics.
Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda Embrace Fantastical Horror
Writer Marjorie Liu and artist Sana Takeda are a powerhouse team, with their Image Comics series Monstress currently on its seventh trade paperback. The series is a multiple Eisner and Hugo award winner, and it embraces steam-punk, high fantasy, and the supernatural. Liu and Takeda's team-up does not end here, as their latest project -- The Night Eaters -- kicks off its new graphic novel trilogy with a bang.
The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night introduces readers to a pair of Chinese-American twins, who are struggling with their professional and personal lives. While their parents are in town to help, the twins realize there is more to their mom than expected after a terrifying night full of hard truths and the supernatural. Where Liu captures the heart of the family's tough love in her writing, Takeda delivers intricate art that is hauntingly beautiful. For those looking for a modern gothic, Liu and Takeda prove once more they are the team to turn to.
Tillie Walden Captures Slice-of-Life, Celestial Serendipity
Tillie Walden made a name for herself early in her career, earning an Eisner award for Spinning, a graphic memoir she created at 21 years old. Since then, she's continued to thrive in the world of independent titles. Even when she's working with a major franchise like The Walking Dead, Walden still delivers her classic, ethereal tone that lends itself to the softer slice-of-life beats readers love to savor in her work.
This is best seen in her graphic novel On a Sunbeam, which relishes in the vastness of space. Walden has been open about On a Sunbeam being the ultimate wish-fulfillment sci-fi story she could imagine. It is one populated predominately with queer people and full of environments that buck what's expected in the genre. Because of this, On a Sunbeam is a visual masterpiece that turns the galaxy into a celestial dream while still delivering a heartwarming story about found family.
Joëlle Jones Makes a Deadly Return to a Fan-Favorite Series
Joëlle Jones is no stranger to comic readers, especially DC fans. Along with working on popular characters like Supergirl, Batman, and Catwoman, Jones is also the writer and artist behind Yara Flor, AKA Wonder Girl. However, Jones' work with comics goes well beyond that of capes and tights. She's recently come back to the world of Lady Killer, the independent series she originally published with Dark Horse Comics before moving it over to Zestworld for Volume 3.
Lady Killer is about Josie Schuller, a housewife with a deadly secret: she's an assassin. Jones' artwork captures the high femineity often associated with the bombshells and housewives of the era Lady Killer takes place in, and she taps into an often underrepresented part of femineity in most media -- a woman's rage. This subverts the expectations of that time period, but it also exceeds the expectations of comic readers who have been dying to see more bloody, violent depictions of women challenging the system. Lady Killer does not disappoint as Jones continues to kill it with her comic work.
Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith Celebrate Sisterhood
There is a cozy corner in the independent comics world for slice-of-life narratives, and Wash Day Diaries fits right at home here thanks to writer Jamila Rowser and artist Robyn Smith. While Wash Day Diaries is Rowser's first graphic novel, she is already making waves as the founder of Black Josei Press. Smith also is making a name for herself, doing the art for DC Comics' Nubia: The Real One a few years prior to Wash Day Diaries.
Following four best friends in their twenties days prior to a concert, Wash Day Diaries captures the unbreakable bond between them. It also focuses on the little things in life that can pick people up even when they're at their lowest. In one book, Rowser develops the core friendship so well that readers will believe these women are their own ride-or-die friends. Meanwhile, Smith's art speaks for itself with many dialogue-less panels dedicated to those quiet, peaceful moments people may overlook in life. On top of all that, Wash Day Diaries is a love letter to Black women and sisterhood, one that leaves readers excited for what Rowser and Smith have next in store.
Rachel Smythe Twists a Classic Myth
Webtoon has become a game-changing platform for both comic readers and creators. Along with being easily accessible for anyone with an internet connection, Webtoon prides itself on being a solid starting point for online creators with its Canvas program. It's through that program that Rachel Smythe's Lore Olympus first got its start. Now, the series is one of the biggest stories on Webtoon.
Smythe retells the story of Hades and Persephone, taking some liberties in order to better suit the current time period while also delivering an engaging slow burn that keeps readers coming back for more. Her art is highly stylized, associating each character with a specific color, and in doing so, she creates a visual masterpiece that delivers rich expression and satisfying contrasts. Lore Olympus lives up to its name by spinning its own take on Hades, Persephone, and the rest of Olympus' pantheon.