Boys aren''t the only ones to read comics, girls do too. From Betty and Veronica to Slutburger and Art Babe, Girls to Grrrlz explores the amazing but true history of girl comics.'
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Reviews from: ELLE
SF BAY GUARDIAN
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Female Funnies It's a long way from "Betty and Veronica" to "Slutberger, " but veteran cartoonist Trina Robbins scans a half-century of comics for female readers with zest and aplomb in from "Girls to Grrrlz, " a lively history whose decidedly feminist sensibility does not preclude sardonic affection for the kitschy romance comic books so popular in the 1950s. By the '60s even Marvel's spunky Patsy Walker had become a soap-opera heroine, who "spent much of that decade in tears."
Literary Supplement
by J. Tarin Towers
Once upon a time, every third periodical bought in this country was a comic book. Even if that doesn't surprise you, you may not know that at comics' mid-century heyday, girls bought most of them, or that more comics about you girls were produced than about superheroes or monsters.
From "Girls to Grrrlz: A History of Female Comics from Teens to Zines, " Trina Robbins' meticulously researched history of comic books written for girls and women, is filled with such lore not just about who was buying comics but also about who was starring in them.
What's delightful about Robbins' opinioned history aside from the gorgeous design and tasty art is that it begins in 1941 with Archie, the now 58-year old teenager. Using examples from '40s to the present day, Robbins applauds little-girl heroines, such as Little Lulu, and smirks at strange role models like Tessi the Typist. Robbins's smart and zingy narrative guides us through the ups and downs of girl-centered comics from fashion model and paper doll comics to "true romance" tales.
It's fascinating stuff, and if you're not already a comic-book hound, you may be tempted to become one.
Before comix got all high falutin' and renamed themselves "graphic novels," there was a posse of to-be-reckoned-with women rattling around the scene, giving the Marvel superheroes a run for their money. To be sure they've spannedT
About the Author
Trina Robbins has been writing and drawing comics since 1966. She edited the first all- woman comic book, It Ain't Me, Babe, and is the author of The Great Women Superheroes, A Century of Women Cartoonists, and Women and the Comics . Robbins lives in San Francisco.
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WALK into any comic-book store. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A. Ross
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Subtitled "A History of [Female] Comics from Teens to Zines", this colorful and attractive book attempts to chronologically plot the development of "girl" comics from 1941 into the '90s. Stuffed with page and cover reproductions, this is a history in which girl's consumed more comics than boys until the 1960s, ranging from preteen fare like Archie to more advanced romance and morality tale comics. In the '60s superheroes began to dominate the market, and the mainstream female comic largely faded into the background. Thus, the late '60s gave rise to "underground" women's comics scene that blossomed in conjunction with the feminist movement. Which eventually begat the full on "grrrlz" comics of the '90s.
This makes for fairly quick and simple reading under Robbins' pen, although one that could use a great deal more perspective and analysis. She is more interested in documenting the names or artists, and the plotlines of various comics than she is in a broader discussion of what it all means. She does touch on it from time to time, but these are more interjections (often a little whiny in tone) than a coherent theme. As with most Chronicle books, the production (design, layout, color, quality of reproductions) is outstanding. It's a breezy overview of the subject, but hardly a comprehensive history. I also found myself wishing for information on women's comics from other countries, for comparison.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.9 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
More of an overview than a history
24 Oct 2002
By A. Ross
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Subtitled "A History of [Female] Comics from Teens to Zines", this colorful and attractive book attempts to chronologically plot the development of "girl" comics from 1941 into the '90s. Stuffed with page and cover reproductions, this is a history in which girl's consumed more comics than boys until the 1960s, ranging from preteen fare like Archie to more advanced romance and morality tale comics. In the '60s superheroes began to dominate the market, and the mainstream female comic largely faded into the background. Thus, the late '60s gave rise to "underground" women's comics scene that blossomed in conjunction with the feminist movement. Which eventually begat the full on "grrrlz" comics of the '90s.
This makes for fairly quick and simple reading under Robbins' pen, although one that could use a great deal more perspective and analysis. She is more interested in documenting the names or artists, and the plotlines of various comics than she is in a broader discussion of what it all means. She does touch on it from time to time, but these are more interjections (often a little whiny in tone) than a coherent theme. As with most Chronicle books, the production (design, layout, color, quality of reproductions) is outstanding. It's a breezy overview of the subject, but hardly a comprehensive history. I also found myself wishing for information on women's comics from other countries, for comparison.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Shows that comics aren't just for boys
20 Mar 2001
By A. Whitney
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I was one of those people who thought that comics were all superheroes with overdeveloped muscles. I saw this in a bookstore and flipped through it, amazed at what a rich girl-comic world I had been missing. Makes me sorry I wasn't into comics when I was younger.
I agree with the Amazon review that states the author suffers from a bit of tunnel vision, but someone who was more periphery probably wouldn't have had the love to put this together.
As the title states, it is a "history of" comics for women so don't expect to see any comics fully reproduced. You will get a timelined commentary that will probably educate even the most knowledgeable comic reader.
Check out what you've been missing in comics for us gals.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, Informative and even a bit kitschy
11 Dec 2000
By Edward Aycock
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a great introduction the the world of "girls comics". I think some of the most fun in this book are the really backwards "girls comics" of the 50's that dealt morality on a black/white basis. It is fascinating to see the metamorphosis of the comics as they coincide with the women's movement, and the restrictions of femininity are broken. Trina Robbins is also one of the best people to write this book as she has been an illustrator for many years.
One of the best selling points of this book is that it is in full color, on glossy paper. You are definitely getting your money's worth with this book. Enjoy.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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