JiC: GATEWAY COMICS FOR WOMEN...ER, KINDA

[MattBrady]

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Marvel/MaryJane.jpg" width="200" height="301" border="0" align="right"><i>by Mike Sangiacomo</i>

Like just about everyone else in the comic industry, I’ve done my best to encourage women to enjoy comics. One woman in particular, my wife, Barbara.

I tried with other women, those of the “previous administrations” as we call them, but they never got it. Barb gets it and I have Brian Bendis to thank for it.

Bendis and I worked together at the <I>Plain Dealer</I> newspaper in Cleveland where he wrote and drew a weekly comic for our Sunday Magazine, which are selling for a fortune on Ebay. Nah, just kidding.

I knew him even before that when he was a sticky-fingered clerk at a comic store, but since Brian’s a dad now we won’t go into that. When Brian started writing <b>Ultimate Spider-Man</b> it was pretty easy to get Barb to read it, after all, she knew the author.

She liked it! And I didn’t have to tell her more than once not to fold the cover over while reading it.

She read the issues as they came out and when I felt she was ready for it, you can’t rush these things, I casually let my <b>Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks</b> edition lying around.

“Oh, what’s this?” she said.

“That, oh yeah, I was reading it and left it out,” I said, as she started looking through it. “Those are the first 10 issues of <b>Amazing Spider-Man</b>. You might like it, it’s what Brian based his book on.”

She read it and liked it.

Next came the movie, which she really enjoyed. She even bought me the special edition DVD for my birthday.

I got so excited about her progress into the world of comics that I convinced her to come with me to see the <b>League of Extraordinary Gentlemen</b>. Note to self: screen comic movies first. That didn’t work out so well and set back my plot to get her to read the <b>League</b> comic immensely, like I wasn’t having enough of a problem getting her over Kevin O’Neill’s art.

Okay, back to basics.

Clearly, I was moving too fast. Introducing a woman to comics is like hooking someone on drugs, slow and easy, no pressure. Giving her <b>League</b> after Spider-Man is like offering crack to a pot smoker, there are steps that must be taken first.

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Marvel/MARYJ001002D_150_t.jpg" width="250" height="192" border="0" align="left">Then the hardback <b>Mary Jane</b> by Judith O’Brien came out. Barb loves to read books with no pictures in them, non-graphic novels I think they are called.

This was great because she could tell me about it and I would not have to read it.

I will read it eventually, when I get the time, or when it comes out as an audiobook. Good God, do you realize how many comics I have to read every week?

Barb’s review of <b>Mary Jane</b> goes something like this:

“Great book. Judith O’Brien writes a novel from the perspective of Mary Jane. It includes plenty of Peter Parker and Spider-Man, but it’s Mary Jane’s story. It seems familiar, more like Brian’s book that the Stan Lee stories.

“In the novel, Mary Jane and Peter become friends when both are in the fourth grade,” she said. “They are split up when her parents divorce and she is sent to a different school, but they meet again years later when they go to the same high school.”

I was so proud.

She also liked the realistic depiction of girls in high school. I think Barb could relate to all the high school girl stuff much more than us guys can, which tells me that O’Brien whacked that nail on the head.

Finally, there was <b>Trouble</b>. The Mark Millar Epic comic that is supposed to be the adventure of Aunt May, Uncle Ben, Mary and Richard Parker back when they were hot-blooded teenagers.

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Marvel/TROUBLE_1_2nd_t.jpg" width="200" height="302" border="0" align="right">Marvel left itself a bit of plausible deniability since they never come right out and use last names, but hey, we all know who these kids are. My verdict was quick and succinct: that Aunt May was a hot little slut.

Barb had a longer, more considered analysis.

“The story was interesting but had a decidedly different slant than <b>Mary Jane</b>. The characters were less defined, more one-dimensional, like beer commercials.

“The PG+ comic was clearly aimed as much at the young guys in the audience, but said that teenage girls might like it as well. They just are not likely to be the same girls that like <b>Mary Jane</b>. Maybe their sisters.

“<b>Trouble</b> is <I>Lolita</I> while <b>Mary Jane</b> is <I>DeGrassi High</I>; one would work on HBO and the other on the WB.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Now, did I mention that Brian also writes <b>Daredevil</b>?

Michael Sangiacomo is a statewide news reporter for the Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. His syndicated "Journey Into Comics" weekly column on the state of the comic book business, can be found in newspapers and at the Newsarama website. His monthly comic book column appears the first Saturday of each month in the Plain Dealer Arts page and is syndicated through Newhouse Newspapers. He also writes a twice-monthly audiobooks review column covering crime thrillers and mysteries that can be seen at <a href="http://www.audiobookstoday.com" target="_blank">www.audiobookstoday.com</a>. He currently is developing Nowhere Man...er, <b>Phantom Jack</b> for Marvel’s Epic imprint.

[GoatboyBBMA]

I started my girlfriend on Sandman which she devoured and wanted more. I mostly started her on comics that were not straight superhero. I then got her to read V for Vendetta which she loved and from then on I had to make sure to give her my comic books after I had finished reading them. Heh.

Right now her favorites are Y the Last Man, Fables, Strangers in Paradise, Gloomcookie, Hellblazer, and Lenore. She reads all the superhero stuff but those are the ones she wants to devour as soon as I bring them in. She also enjoyed the last Daredevil that came out. Bendis is an evil man for writing so many comics. Making me buy them all.

But it is great to get people to read comics. The books that are being produced today are the best we have seen in years. The art is top notch and the writing just keeps on getting stronger and stronger.

Anyway great article, I really enjoyed it.

[jawaplumber]

Great article, Mike. There's nothing like getting your girlfriend into comics. I've been on both sides of the fence in my relationships, past and present. It's annoying when they don't respect comics, and it's joyous when they do. It's even better when they actually love them, like my current girlfriend does! :)

By the way, I've been curious to check out the Mary Jane novel. Anyone else here read it?

[Philip A Moore]

Sandman Has worked for me to I have never had a girl friend but I have gotten a few people in to comics with it. I bought my sister the Ultimate Spider Man she liked it but is still not a fan of comics. Get a copy of Garfield or For Better or For Worst she'll were them out.

as far as comics that I that can get ladies reading I personaly recommend Fable's, Y, Alias (The Pulse) and Amilia Rules.

Amelia Rules is a great one to share because it does't write down to anyone and is never offensive. I have been able to share it with alot more people then any title I own.
most I've shared with don't touch comic books .
It helps that it looks like a sunday newspaper strip

good day ;)

[L'Zoril]

Heh. I started my girlfriend with Sandman. She's now in World's End. Man, girls love Sandman. Her favourite arc: a game of you. Her worst: dream country. I'm guessing next I'll give her Bone. I'm also thinking of Preacher, though it's too hardcore.

[PennyDrdful]

I haven't had a chance to check out the Mary Jane novel yet, but since you're all on the topic of what comics chicks read I thought I'd throw in my two cents seeing as I am a chick.

(and no, my boyfriend didn't get me to read them. I've been reading the X-Men since '92)

My current favorites:
Fables
Ultimate X-Men
Sandman
Transmetropolitan
Johnny the Homicidal Maniac
various manga
Channel Zero

[Tim]

My then girlfriend/now wife loved the Preacher series, so i wouldn't worry about it being too hardcore. The characters are well defined and the violence is so extreme and over the top that it gets humorous. One thing that my wife does insist on is that the series must be finished before she'll read it, because she doesn't want any cliffhangers, so something like Daredevil, and most superhero stuff is out. I'll reccomend it, but she says she'll wait until it's finished. Another book she really enjoyed was Pedro and Me by Judd Winnick. She would call me at work crying that Pedro was so sick. That is good storytelling when the reader cannot wait to share their feelings about a story and has to call someone.

[L'Zoril]

Originally posted by Tim
My then girlfriend/now wife loved the Preacher series, so i wouldn't worry about it being too hardcore. The characters are well defined and the violence is so extreme and over the top that it gets humorous. One thing that my wife does insist on is that the series must be finished before she'll read it, because she doesn't want any cliffhangers, so something like Daredevil, and most superhero stuff is out. I'll reccomend it, but she says she'll wait until it's finished. Another book she really enjoyed was Pedro and Me by Judd Winnick. She would call me at work crying that Pedro was so sick. That is good storytelling when the reader cannot wait to share their feelings about a story and has to call someone.

She liked Preacher? Excellent. I'll give her a big dose of Ennis and Dillon then after she finishes with Sandman. Thanks for the comment. BTW, I have the same problem with my girlfriend. She hates cliffhangers. She needs to know what happens right now. I don't have all the Transmetropolitan or Bone tpb's, so that's kinda out. Maybe Maus will work for her. The first comic I gave her was Pedro and me. She also loved it and called me telling me how bad she felt for Pedro.
I'm thinking the best book that you can give a girl to start reading comics is Pedro and me. It works like a charm.

[GoatboyBBMA]

She really enjoyed it and didn't mind the hardcoreness of it all. She also loved Transmetropolitan. That would be another book I would get people to read. And for superhero style reads, Planetary was good since it is not big time superhero like. League is another good one if you can get them to read it before they see the movie. Heh. And I still stand by V for Vendetta as another amazing read for new comic readers. My girlfriend also enjoyed From Hell and read it before the movie came out thank goodness. Promethea is another good book for a more laid back style of superhero too. As you can tell I am a big Alan Moore fan heh.

[gttom]

Originally posted by L'Zoril
I'm guessing next I'll give her Bone.

Must....resist....joke.....
:)

[Alan Coil]

What is DeGrassi High?

[Hot-Rod]

Originally posted by Alan Coil
What is DeGrassi High?

a pbs show from the late 80's early 90's. it was very good. it dealt with various teens growing up and the problems they faced. and it was filmed in canada.

[PennyDrdful]

I read Preacher and it was pretty good. I don't love it as much as I do say Transmetropolitan, but I'd definitely suggest it to others.

[MichaelCoughlin]

what the hell? how can anyone's wife/gf have time to be wasting reading comic books? don't you guys keep them in the kitchen cooking, or in some other room cleaning? if you're woman has enough time to read a comic book, she has to much free time! :) :) :)

wait a second, how come my gf left me last month. maybe i'm missing something here....

[toolverine]

Funny that this thread came up. My girlfriend just finished Preacher: Gone To Texas a few hours ago. She told me she though it was hilarous. Ennis rocks!

[cyrus]

Originally posted by L'Zoril
She liked Preacher? Excellent. I'll give her a big dose of Ennis and Dillon then after she finishes with Sandman. Thanks for the comment. BTW, I have the same problem with my girlfriend. She hates cliffhangers. She needs to know what happens right now. I don't have all the Transmetropolitan or Bone tpb's, so that's kinda out. Maybe Maus will work for her. The first comic I gave her was Pedro and me. She also loved it and called me telling me how bad she felt for Pedro.
I'm thinking the best book that you can give a girl to start reading comics is Pedro and me. It works like a charm.


The comments about cliffhangers are true for most new readers, but it's not really about cliffhangers. The true problem remains the hacked-to-22-pages storys. Thats the nice thing about Transmet and Preacher. They come in easy to find TPBs (or 'graphic novels') without stupid filler stories and/or filler art. I recommend these series to any new reader.
Or have you ever tried to explain the difference between the Uncanny X-Men, Ultimate X-Men and Ulimited X-Men series to someone who saw the X-movies? Try it, then you know the reason why Marvel COMPLETELY failed to attract new readers with these Movies. Think about it as 2 hour long commercials for the comics that the audience even PAID to see! It doesn't get any better then this doesn't it?
But anyway, I would never recommend the X-Men as a starting point into comics. Accessability is the key. That's what's great about Preacher and Transmet.

[CarlosTorres]

Another book that goes well with the ladies is True Story: Swear To God by Tom Beland, in which he tells his, well, true story about his romance with puertorican journalist Lily Garcia. A great book, funny and really worth of all the praise it gets.

When I go to the local Borders I see lots of women reading the Love Hina manga. Never read it, maybe someone can comment about it.

[Roman a clef]

My work was already done for me. My wife had already read Sandman long before we met, so the gateway was wide open. Let me tell you, though: I think the biggest mistake I could have made was giving her the Invisibles to read soon after we moved in together (giving her full access to my collection). Everything I've handed her since has been met with, "It was good, but it just wasn't Invisibles". She started to read Watchmen, but got hung up on Sally's poodle hair and couldn't (or wouldn't) finish. She loved League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Was on the fence about Cerebus (she didn't realize that the fourteen volumes I have aren't the complete series, and I think that put her off a little, to say nothing of Dave Sim's seeming anti-feminism). She loves Sin City. I'm working on getting her to read Meridian, Sojourn, Preacher, Starman, and Concrete. And if it's Vertigo, she's there. She's actually quite eager to read Promethea, and was happy to find out the series was ending soon (so she can read it). Same with my Bone collection. She tried Astro City, and while she appreciated what it was trying to do from a literary perspective, she just can't get comfy with the superhero thing. And NOTHING seems to beat fucking Invisibles.

I see a peculiar pattern developing, though. Is it a coincidence, or do more women seem to be only willing to start reading something if they're sure they have the entire run completed? We had something of a debate over whether or not she was going to read Morrison's run on Doom Patrol, because it didn't start with issue one and the series didn't end when he left the book. And she very much prefers trade paperback collections over individual issues. She's been unable to explain her reasoning for either of these preferences. Are these commonalities? Any of you ladies out there care to illuminate us?

[L'Zoril]

Originally posted by gttom
Must....resist....joke.....
:)

Heh... good one

[JK Parkin]

I've been working on my wife for years. Started with Sandman, then moved her into Bone. She's also liked Starman, Peter David's Hulk & Capt. Marvel (esp. Rick & Marlo), Crossovers as well as Amazing and Ultimate Spidey.

Growing up she was never into anything of a fannish nature; she never saw the Star Wars movies until after we were married. Now she's the one buying the latest Harry Potter book and wanting to see the Matrix sequel.

[Dave_Garcia]

My girlfriend actually read Strangers in Paradise and Witchblade before I ever knew her, though that was restricted to the occasional foray into the comic book store to see if there was a new collected edition out.

She didn't really start reading a lot of things until I dragged her to the San Diego comic con three years ago. She got into the Crossgen books there, specifically Scion and Sojourn.

After that, she really got into Transmet, though she preferred reading the TPB's to reading it in singles (once she'd read through all the collections).

Now she reads Y the last Man, Global Frequency, The Filth, Lucifer, Hopeless Savages, and Fables. (She'll break my arm to get to the newest Fables, I have to make sure I read it before she gets home from work.) She really enjoyed Christine Norrie's Cheat, Pedro and Me, and Bendis' Fortune and Glory, and in general seems to prefer graphic novels to the monthly singles.

I keep trying to get her to read Sandman, but she hasn't yet. Ditto for Preacher, the Invisibles and a few other things, though that's mainly due to lack of time instead of lack of interest.

[devin hyde]

quote:Originally posted by Alan Coil
What is DeGrassi High?

Originally posted by Hot-Rod
a pbs show from the late 80's early 90's. it was very good. it dealt with various teens growing up and the problems they faced. and it was filmed in canada.

Actually it was a CBC (http://www.cbc.ca) show that was also on PBS. It started out as Degrassi Junior High, and followed the same group of students through junior high, to high school and the summer after grad. "The Kids of Degrassi Street" predated Degrassi Junior High, but I haven't actually seen that series. Recently CTV (http://www.ctv.ca) started airing "Degrassi : the Next Generation". I watched the first couple of episodes, and didn't think they measured up to the original. The premier did have a bit of a Degrassi High reunion, which was neat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Originally posted by Mike Sangiacomo:
Bendis and I worked together at the Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland... I knew him even before that when he was a sticky-fingered clerk at a comic store...

I was wondering about that. I just started reading Bendis' Fire, and when I flipped to the back I read "Mike Sangiacomo as Uncle Ringo".

[TemporalFlux]

Originally written by Mike Sangiacomo
Bendis and I worked together at the <I>Plain Dealer</I> newspaper in Cleveland where he wrote and drew a weekly comic for our Sunday Magazine, which are selling for a fortune on Ebay. Nah, just kidding.

I knew him even before that when he was a sticky-fingered clerk at a comic store, but since Brian’s a dad now we won’t go into that. When Brian started writing <b>Ultimate Spider-Man</b> it was pretty easy to get Barb to read it, after all, she knew the author.

This came out of nowhere, man; but it certainly sounds like a friendship of epic proportions. How lucky you must feel.

[PennyDrdful]

Originally posted by Roman a clef
I see a peculiar pattern developing, though. Is it a coincidence, or do more women seem to be only willing to start reading something if they're sure they have the entire run completed? We had something of a debate over whether or not she was going to read Morrison's run on Doom Patrol, because it didn't start with issue one and the series didn't end when he left the book. And she very much prefers trade paperback collections over individual issues. She's been unable to explain her reasoning for either of these preferences. Are these commonalities? Any of you ladies out there care to illuminate us?


Personally, it doesn't matter to me whether or not a story is completely done before I read it. I do however, prefer to buy trade paperbacks over the individual issues. The only thing that I'm currently buying that isn't tpb is the Ultimate X-Men series.

So, yes, I definitely prefer trade paperbacks versus seperate issues.

TPBs are usually cheaper and I won't forget the current storyline while waiting for the next issue to come out! ;)

[meverat]

I lent this girl Y-The Last Man double feature because she said that she used to be into comics because her brother collected them. She never read it. We sort of started a relationship but then she suddenly stopped returning my calls. 3 months later, the last time I emailed her asking to do something she wrote "I still want to give your comic back". A devastating moment. Symbolism at it's best.

[asukaikari]

I get all mad about this silly girls and comics stuff. Mostly because I don't like Y and Fables all that much. I had to get my boyfriend into comics and he likes that stuff.

"Introducing a woman to comics is like hooking someone on drugs, slow and easy, no pressure. "
What?

As for things being serialized - girls watch soap operas and buffy or whatever. I don't think they prefer tpbs because they need complete stories. But it's easier when you're getting into something because you don't need to keep up enthusiasm month after month.

Pretty much what you all are saying is not 'these are books for girls' - but 'girls like these books i give them, when i give them stuff that is good.' So yeah, boys or girls who aren't into comics like it when you give them stuff that's good.

People aren't drawn to superheros necessarily because a lot of the stories assumed you already care about the character. For instance, I don't read superman because I don't really care about him. When I try to pick it up, writers don't endear him to me because they assume 'he's superman, of course you like him'. But I love Kyle Rainer. I don't like Judd Winnick. But I read the book for over a year because I care about the character.

So I think to ease people (any people who don't read comics, not just girls) into superhero comics you need to start them on an arc that introduces the character as someone you should care about.

[IanZL]

If memory serves Ultimate Spider-man is what got my girlfriend hooked too. Actually no, scratch that, I think Ruse was the first thing she read because she liked how it was so different. Not long after that though I got her hooked on Ult. Spider-man and then Fantastic Four (I suggested she follow Waid) and then the Hulk. She hasn't really liked Daredevil though (the movie may have tainted her) or Amz. Spider-man though, eh, what can you do?

[MichaelCoughlin]

Originally posted by asukaikari
I get all mad about this silly girls and comics stuff. Mostly because I don't like Y and Fables all that much. I had to get my boyfriend into comics and he likes that stuff.

"Introducing a woman to comics is like hooking someone on drugs, slow and easy, no pressure. "
What?

As for things being serialized - girls watch soap operas and buffy or whatever. I don't think they prefer tpbs because they need complete stories. But it's easier when you're getting into something because you don't need to keep up enthusiasm month after month.

Pretty much what you all are saying is not 'these are books for girls' - but 'girls like these books i give them, when i give them stuff that is good.' So yeah, boys or girls who aren't into comics like it when you give them stuff that's good.

People aren't drawn to superheros necessarily because a lot of the stories assumed you already care about the character. For instance, I don't read superman because I don't really care about him. When I try to pick it up, writers don't endear him to me because they assume 'he's superman, of course you like him'. But I love Kyle Rainer. I don't like Judd Winnick. But I read the book for over a year because I care about the character.

So I think to ease people (any people who don't read comics, not just girls) into superhero comics you need to start them on an arc that introduces the character as someone you should care about.

There is something different to trying to get a male friend into comics than trying to get a female friend into comics. In general, women tend not to like big over the top action and violence. This isn't just true of comics, but movies etc... More often at "bad boys 2" you're more likely to see a group of guys than a group of girls. stands to reason it would be the same for comic books as well. something like "Ultimates" would be perfect to get the average guy into comic books. It's got it all, bad ass villians, cool hero's, chicks flashing people, and non stop action. Frankly, this is every guys dream!

But I'd be more likely to give a women the concensus choice, Sandman. but i wouldn't necessarily give some of my guy friends that same book, because these guys wouldn't want to read stories like that. it's not a straight out raw action comic. is it better? probably. but it's more likely just different. again, using movies as a perfect example. you're more likely to take a woman to see "The Pianist" than you are to see "Tomb Raider 2". Not that there aren't women who like the latter type of movie, but there are a reason certain movies are called "chick flicks." and others aren't.

truth be told it's probably because women have more discerning taste, while us guys will watching anything that features explosions and bouncing boobs...

[asukaikari]

If "Chick flicks" which include the likes of like 'how to lose a guy in ten days' and stuff, mean women have more discerning taste then whatever...

Ultimates was my favorite book that year it came out. And not for any of the reasons you mentioned for liking it. Bruce Banner's motivations and Giant Man and Wasps' marital troubles, how Cap feels about it, the treatment of Cap in general. Those were all very good characters. I don't even like the Hulk or Cap and don't read their books, but the characterization in Ultimates was great. Further, it was like a WWII style comic that was put out at the right time.

I certainly can't speak for all women since I seem to be more in 'guy' stuff although I'm into like clothes and crying through Legends of the Fall as well. But I still believe that girls will like books that are good. Most of the girls I know will read anything Bendis. They love Alias and Powers and whatnot. And they have really strong female characters, so I suppose that's the draw, biut many people mention preacher as something girls like to read or whatever and there's no one whose more of a man's man than ennis. I still hold, they'll read what's good. Maybe most boys just have better appreciation of stuff that's fun and stupid. Or a different definition. Explosions and boobs is what they dig while girls supposedly like 'how to lose a guy in ten days'. but it's so hard to generalize. I'm sick of girls who only read Strangers in Paradise and Love and Rockets. I hate that because I read comics I'm supposed to like Y and Fables. I'm also in a bad mood and being unnecessarily bitchy about the whole thing =)

[L'Zoril]

Originally posted by asukaikari
I'm sick of girls who only read Strangers in Paradise and Love and Rockets. I hate that because I read comics I'm supposed to like Y and Fables.

Then what you are saying is that you are sick of stereotypes. The truth is that most of the people who read comics are men. Though it's true that the # of female readers is increasing, the vast majority of readers is male.

And besides, attracting girls to read comics must be difficult. If not, how come there are no more girls who read comics? I assume the reason for this is the old nature of comics: superheroes, boobs, explosions, huge end of the world fights. The average man is somehow naturally drawn to this (must be in the way society raises us) while your average woman is more attracted to Love and rockets and such.

Yet, as I said before, the number of female readers in increasing. And it has been increasing since the end of the 80's and the beginning of the 90's to be more accurate. This is more or less the date in which comic books opted to be more obscure. Sandman and the whole Vertigo line. The entire post Watchmen era.

I think that the reason why we have now more women reading comics is beacuase of this. Because the comic book world opened its line and started producing more stories apart from your old supes and spidey comics.

The truth is that if anyone wants to draw any girl into comics, Sandman or Love and rockets will come much more handy than say X-Men or Superman. If anyone finds a girl who digs Ultimates or Batman instantly then they've found a keeper.

[Mr Wesley]

I've slowly been able to introduce my wife to comics. She balked at monthly comics, but she does much better with graphic novels and collections. She loved Origin , Catwoman and Selena's Big Score. And now I've got her hooked on Runaways. She always asks to read it as soon as I'm done. (By the way, if you're not reading this comic, what's wrong with you?)

I think that is something that the Tsunami line has really done well: the diversity of characters and genres is really amazing. It helps that, while these comics take place in the Marvel Universe and they may star super-heroes and -villains, they're not in the super-hero genre.

[littlewolvie]

My wife loves comics as much as I do. Heck, it's what brougt us together in the first place and made me cross the ocean to Oklahoma (or in the middle of nowhere as I prefer calling it) to meet her. Her tastes differ from traditional Marvel super-heroes to Star Trek to Turtles and other 80's/90's nostalgia. Her absolute favourites are the X-Titles (especially the Claremont era and the Madureira/Kubert days). These days she's reading various Marvel titles (usually the more classic/traditional super-hero oriented books) and CrossGen. However, you won't catch her reading the more violent or vulgar stuff à la Punisher, Preacher, Authority or such.

[MikeHuffman]

My fiancee is too busy trying to round up girlfriends to bring over for three-ways, so, you know, she really doesn't have much time for comics.

Seriously, though, it's been my experience that when it comes to significant others and comics, the best approach is to avoid the hard sell. Mike's right — just leave something lying around that she might possibly be interested in. "Strangers in Paradise" — which I thought would be perfect — she didn't take to at all. But "Origin," "Ultimate Spider-Man" and, yes, "Preacher" have all interested her.

I think for most fanboys, though, it's nice to just have someone who is supportive of the hobby, doesn't complain when you drop $30 (or more) at the comic shop on Wednesday evenings and doesn't mope when you say you'd like to take five days to go to the San Diego Comic-Con with a buddy.

Still, the worst is being with someone who doesn't even READ. I don't mean they can't read. I mean they just don't. No comics. No Mary Higgins Clark. No nothing.

I tell you this: If you are a fan of the printed word at all, and you find yourself with one of these people. RUN. Their vapid, empty lives will suck you dry.

Mike

[mpg]

I got my girl to read a comic book just last year...it was a Johnny the Homicidal Maniac!! and that was only because we watched the alien spy babies episode of Invader zim together...

so i showed her the jthm tpb....and i said ..this is what comics are capable off....

before she fell asleep...she was extremely impressed...(she gets sleepy)


But hey! ..If you want a REEEEEL test.....try to get your girlfriend to like BASEBALL!

were it not for sunflower seeds and spicy dodger dogs....i would never be able to watch a game again!

[Roman a clef]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MikeHuffman
Still, the worst is being with someone who doesn't even READ. I don't mean they can't read. I mean they just don't. No comics. No Mary Higgins Clark. No nothing.

I tell you this: If you are a fan of the printed word at all, and you find yourself with one of these people. RUN. Their vapid, empty lives will suck you dry.


Amen, brother. Amen.

[Libby]

I started reading comics when I was obsessed with the X-Files back in 7th grade. Then somebody online said Sandman was good, so I read that, too. I got hooked on it, and bought (or borrowed) everything Neil Gaiman had ever been involved in, and then branched out to other Vertigo comics. A few years ago, I got into Sailor Moon, which sparked my interest in manga. Still don't like superheroes much though. I don't really know what it is about them that I don't like. Maybe the characterization? I dunno. Also, there's no romance (at least not the kind I like). And the clothes are HIDEOUS.

I've never had any problem getting people to read comics. For my sister Cari, I just laughed really loudly while reading "Paradise Kiss" and eventually she cracked and asked what was so funny. Now she loves that series. My dad reads everything he sets eyes on, so I just left some of my faves lying around the house and eventually he read them. Sam, my other sister, was a piece of cake -- I just showed her how cute "Marmalade Boy" is, and now she's buying 5 or 6 Tokyopop TPBs a month, and recommending them to all her friends. Manga obsession spreads like contagious disease to everyone she meets! My friend Amber likes sort of subversive stuff, so I showed her "The Authority". We had a great time ruthlessly ripping apart the 2nd volume, too. :) Mom's a tough one, though -- anyone know of any good conservative romance comic books? Me neither. :(

Manga RULES. It's a piece of cake getting girls, at least my age (17) and younger, to read manga. It's really fun, fast, and cheap. It's something you can pass around to your friends and giggle over. I love talking to my little sister about whatever's the lastest development in the Peach Girl saga -- "Can you believe what Sae did this time?!" or whatever. The thing you've got to worry about is them getting stuck up about American comics -- this happened with a lot of Sam's friends. They don't like the superhero comics they've seen at Waldenbooks, so they figure all American comics must be inferior to manga. It's hard to get them to change their minds, too, because manga is so different from Western comics.

For example, my sister can't get into Meridian because of the coloring. It's too *shiny*. She say's it looks weird with how realistic the pencilling is. She does like the coloring in "Leave It to Chance", because it's more cartoony and the colors are softer. I never think about the coloring of the comics I read, and I've been reading them for a lot longer than Sam. It's so neat getting a new perspective!

[Shawn Fumo]

Libby, this is a very good point. I think I've read statistics lately that 60% of manga readers are now female. There's even some conventions lately like Shoujocon devoted to manga/anime targetting girls and women...

Lots of good stuff coming out or soon to come out... Paradise Kiss, Mars, Princess Prince, Basara, Please Save My Earth, Kare Kano, Marmalade Boy, etc...

One of the more interesting developments lately IMO is the release of some Shounen Ai (Boys Love) titles. There are stories featuring attractive boys or men in love with each other written by and for ladies. I've seen Fake already at many bookstores (involving two New York Cops)... Gravitation and My Sexual Harassment should be out soon if they aren't alreayd.

Shawn