10 Masterpiece Comics By Women Every Fan Should Read At Least Once

When thinking of comics, most would think of DC and Marvel or other superhero stories, but the medium encompasses every genre imaginable, from thrilling action to introspective memoirs. Through visual storytelling, comics share moving narratives and character adventures that readers won’t want to put down. Some of the most memorable works push creative boundaries to tell stories that couldn’t have the same impact anywhere else. Among the creators responsible for pushing those boundaries are women who have written some of comics’ most influential and imaginative works. Their contributions can be found in every genre, with each publication sharing different perspectives and art styles. Many of these stories prove that comics can be just as influential or meaningful as the most acclaimed films or novels. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic is a graphic memoir that centers on her complicated relationship with her father, Bruce, a high school English teacher and funeral home director. Jumping between past and present, Bechdel reflects on her youth when she comes out as a lesbian in college and discovers that Bruce was also secretly gay and having affairs before his sudden death, which she suspects was a suicide. Fun Home is the graphic novel that helped prove comics could be taken just as seriously as any other medium. The way she approaches this personal story through memory, old diaries, photos, literary references, and even a local police report to piece together who her father truly was is beautifully done and masterfully captures the complexity of grief and strained family dynamics. Captain Marvel by Kelly Sue DeConnick Kelly Sue DeConnick’s Captain Marvel follows Carol Danvers as she leaves behind her identity as Ms. Marvel and embraces the mantle of Captain Marvel. When she’s thrown back in time to World War II, she fights alongside a team of female pilots that push her to question whether she’s truly worthy of the original Captain Marvel’s legacy and being considered an inspiration. DeConnick turns Carol Danvers into one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes while adding nuance to her character and background. The comic gives her a distinctive identity complete with grounded relationships and a history in the Air Force. Its impact extended beyond the comics and went on to influence how the character appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, turning her from an underdeveloped secondary character to a globally known hero. Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass is an alternate universe (AU) where 15-year-old Harleen Quinzel arrives in Gotham expecting to live with her grandmother. However, when she arrives, she finds that she has passed away and is taken under Mama’s wing, a local drag queen who runs a neighborhood cabaret. When a wave of gentrification threatens her new home, she needs to choose between two paths: community-led campaigns with Ivy or violent retaliation with the Joker. By reimagining Harley’s origins as a young adult coming-of-age story, Breaking Glass lets her grow on her own terms, beyond the traditional expectations associated with her character, without losing her rebellious spirit. The comic is genuinely heartfelt and has good humor, along with meaningful themes that make it a refreshing and worthwhile read. Roots of Madness by Stephanie Williams Taking place in 1905, Roots of Madness centers on Etta Knight, a brilliant Black chemist who is determined to develop safer hair-care products for Black women. Her research eventually leads her to the Meridian Fellowship in Savannah, Georgia, only to find that the research institute is a front for a secret society that aims to use Etta in their plans to weaponize cosmic forces. The comic's greatest strength is how Stephanie Williams blends historical fiction with Lovecraftian horror. With the basis of the story inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first self-made female millionaire, the comic becomes far more compelling. Paired with the cosmic horror elements Williams wove in, Roots of Madness delivers an unforgettably engaging and atmospheric reading experience. It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth by Zoë Thorogood Zoë Thorogood’s It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is an autobiographical comic that follows a six-month period of the author's life. She documents the battles she’s had with anxiety, isolation, depression, and suicidal ideation, all while navigating comic conventions and an international trip that ultimately ends in a devastating breakup. It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is absolutely worthy of being called a masterpiece and deserves to be read at least once by everyone who comes across it. Thorogood’s comic is beautifully authentic and raw as she bares a piece of her soul on every page. It’s brutally vulnerable and at times discomforting, yet undeniably real and resonant. Its artwork and narration come together to create an honest picture of mental health and all its messy, jagged edges. It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is absolutely worthy of being called a masterpiece and deserves to be read at least once by everyone who comes across it. Birds of Prey by Gail Simone Birds of Prey follows an all-female strike team, including the central trio, Oracle (Barbara Gordon), Black Canary (Dinah Lance), and Huntress (Helena Bertinelli). Over time, new members including Lady Blackhawk (Zinda Blake), Big Barda, and Misfit (Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe) join the team, whose missions range from battling villains to espionage to personal battles. When Gail Simone took over the series in 2003, she turned the team into a character-driven masterpiece that completely redefined how women were written in mainstream superhero comics. She injected personality, depth, and so much more, turning the team into memorable characters, saving the series from cancellation and opening the door to getting a major film, Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn), greenlit. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll Emily Carroll’s Through the Woods is an anthology of five short horror stories along with a prologue and epilogue, with each tale becoming increasingly more unsettling than the last. From three sisters stranded in a remote cabin to a newlywed haunted by something within her husband’s estate, each story takes the familiar and twists it into something terrifying. Carroll’s comic not only consists of beautiful art, but also keeps readers hooked from the very first page and is easily devoured within a single sitting. With stark colors and masterfully crafted atmospheres, Through the Woods stands out as a collection of dark stories that novels and films can’t quite match thanks to the deliberately constructed panels and fluid text boxes that add to the experience. Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin Far Sector takes place in City Enduring, at the edge of the DC Universe, a futuristic metropolis with 20 billion residents across three alien species, where citizens have experienced 500 years of peace by stripping away emotion. However, everything changes when someone is murdered for the first time in centuries, sending Sojourner Mullein, a rookie human Green Lantern and ex-soldier, to investigate the crime. Written by N.K. Jemisin, the only author to win three consecutive Best Novel Hugo Awards, Far Sector stands out as a thrilling murder mystery that also explores the cost of suppressing emotions and whether it’s truly worth it for their peaceful society. The comic is visually stunning and delivers sharp social commentary through a unique, self-contained take on Green Lantern lore. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel that recounts Marjane Satrapi’s childhood in Iran during the Iranian Revolution and subsequent Iran-Iraq War, as well as her teenage years in Austria. Through war, political upheaval, and religious oppression, Satrapi shared how each event shaped her family and country before eventually returning to her home country years later as a young adult. The story stands out for its ability to share heavy subject matter in a way that’s relatable and eye-opening to the complex conflicts taking place in the Middle East. With political repression and war standing alongside family life and youth, the memoir creates a story that humanizes history by sharing real experiences through the eyes of a child. Monstress by Marjorie Liu Monstress takes place in an alternate, war-torn world populated by immortal Ancients and persecuted Arcanics alongside humanity. The epic fantasy series centers on Maika Halfwolf, a teenage Arcanic survivor who looks human as she searches for answers about her mother’s murder. Her pursuit of the truth leads her to the Cumaea, a powerful order of witch-nuns, all while she battles against a monstrous cosmic entity living within her. The comic has gorgeous, highly detailed art that’s backed by an expansive world and complex characters. Monstress won multiple awards and deals with heavy themes from slavery, genocide, and war to the lasting impact of trauma and the cycle of hatred. With brilliant metaphors, rich worldbuilding, and unforgettable characters, Liu’s story is truly a masterpiece. comics