Best Women Comic Creators

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Kelly Thompson is running a poll to find the greatest female comics creators. You should go vote if you haven’t.

Here’s my list fwiw, from most best to slightly less best (they’re all writer/artists.)

1.Ariel Schrag
2.Edie Fake
3.Ai Yazawa
4.Remedios Varo
5.Lilli Carré
6.Moto Hagio
7.Tove Jansson
8.Rumiko Takahashi
9.Kara Walker
10.Marley

I tried not to think about this too, too much, since I tend to think these lists are pretty arbitrary anyway. Edie Fake uses the pronoun he, but he’s told me he identifies as a woman, so I think it makes sense to include him. Remdios Varo and Kara Walker aren’t usually thought of as comics people, but I think they’re work can both be seen in the tradition of cartooning. Lilli Carré’s most amazing work in comics is arguably in the gallery setting as well. Marley isn’t much known, but I adore it…and I think my essay about her may be the one Comixology column I haven’t brought over to HU? Maybe I’ll post it here tomorrow.

None of these are superhero creators or webcomics folks, so I doubt any of them will make the final CBR list (except maybe Rumiko Takahashi?), which I think will be tilted to capes and a Kate Beaton or two. I suspect Gail Simone will top the writers list…not sure who would win the artists? Amanda Connor maybe?

Folks might be interested in the list of female comics artists who made HU’s all time greatest list a few years back. Feel free to list your picks below if you’re so moved (but vote in the real poll too!)
 

Remedios_Varo_(388484001)

9 thoughts on “Best Women Comic Creators”

  1. Here’s what I voted for:

    1. Moto Hagio
    2. Alison Bechdel
    3. Lilli Carré
    4. Roz Chast
    5. Lynn Johnston
    6. Debbie Drechsler
    7. Dori Seda
    8. Marjane Satrapi
    9. Rutu Modan
    10. Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki

    If I had to do it over again, I’d have included Posy Simmonds and Takako Shimura. I’d also have adjusted the rankings somewhat. But they’re all worthy authors.

  4. I voted for one of her stories in the HU poll. I’ve read A, A’ and Heart of Thomas since then, and I liked those, too. Even when I don’t care for a piece, her chops are pretty impressive.

  6. My lists were shaped by a feeling that strengths of writing and strengths of artwork are separable, at least in terms of what draws me back, physically and imaginatively, to these creators’ work. It also gives me more spaces.

    WRITERS
    1. Lynda Barry
    2. Phoebe Gloeckner
    3. Alison Bechdel
    4. Posy Simmonds
    5. Tove Jansson
    6. Katrin de Vries
    7. Dominique Goblet
    8. Dale Messick
    9. Debbie Drechsler
    10. Carol Tyler

    ARTISTS
    1. Anke Feuchtenberger
    2. Dominique Goblet
    3. Lynda Barry
    4. Gladys Parker
    5. Renée French
    6. Tarpé Mills
    7. Mary Fleener
    8. Phoebe Gloeckner
    9. Moto Hagio
    10. Nell Brinkley

    Names that made me wish we were voting for a Top 12 or 20 each: Kate Carew, Hilda Terry, Vanessa Davis, Geneviève Castrée, Shimura Takako, Edwina Dumm, Julie Doucet, Mariko Tamaki, Jill Tamaki, Aidan Koch, Amanda Vahamaki, et aliae……

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