My comics reading has been extra delightful lately for bookish reasons.
In the third volume of Saga, our heroes visit their favorite author in his writerly solitude and have some fan moments that made me giggle. But then they get to stay at his house for a little while and there are some fantastic panels of our badass hero, heroine, and the badass mother of the hero, having a relaxing evening reading. All of them. Sitting around each enjoying his or her own book. So awesome!
I am in the midst of the newest volume of Rat Queens and the Queens are at Mage University. Delilah goes immediately to the library and gets hyperventilate-y over all the books which makes the librarian on duty super happy. Then there are several panels in lovely dark purples and blues of her deep in the stacks reading books.
Reading in both Saga and Rat Queens is portrayed as something that is not unusual, weird or nerdy, but ordinary, good and relaxing. And it is being done not by bespectacled 98-pound weaklings but by smart, sassy, and dangerous types.
These aren’t the only comics in which readers are portrayed positively. It seems to be happening more and more often — Lumberjanes, Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl. Is it just my imagination or did this trend start along with comics becoming more female-positive and diversity focused? Coincidence or not, it is definitely a happy trend.
Now if only we could get Superman, heck the entire Justice League, to have a moment of relaxing with a book before or after fighting evil. And the Avengers. I want to see the Avengers reading too. I wonder what kind of books Black Widow likes?
I’ve only come to comics very recently, but I think you are right that there is a really nice mix of really diverse comics–subject-wise and hero/heroine-wise! I am just getting started on the 3rd volume of Saga-looks like I am in for a treat!
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A can of worms here. I wonder which superhero might be an Ayn Rand fan? There must be some…..or readers of Donald Trump’s autobiography? As you say, that is a good trend for book reading to be portrayed positively.
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Ian, ha! Sometimes I wonder about Batman…
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Danielle, oh yes you are in for a treat. I am glad there is so much diversity in comics. I think it is what has gotten me reading them and enjoying them!
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Oh God I want to start Saga so badly!
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Elle, do it! Don’t wait! they are short and gobble them up fun. 🙂
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Great thoughts! I had never thought about the kinds of books superheroes would like — I wonder…
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bikurgurl, I know! But with reading being so positively portrayed in comics lately it makes me start to wonder 🙂
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For perspective, my older son has a Superman comic book (1000 comic strips in it, I think?) which he read about 4 years ago. He’s since re-read it and is now getting the nuances of the narrative because he’s understanding so much more varied vocabulary, but also about the point in time these comics were written. It’s really very fascinating how much can be learned from old-school comics! Thank you for the read 🙂
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I believe you! I think about some of the comics I read as a kid and yes, they really do reflect the times they were written. I find science fiction tends to be like that too. It is really fascinating from a cultural and historical perspective
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SO true! My oldest is finishing up some *fun* summer reads (Carl Hiaasen Young Reader Books: http://www.carlhiaasen.com/young-readers.shtml ) and will be jumping into some Ray Bradbury for our Fall Reading! I can’t wait to share one of my favorites, Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles, with him!!
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What fun! your oldest is in for a treat and how fun that you get to re-experience reading those books for the first time through him 🙂
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Agreed! 😉 What are you reading this summer?
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This is perfect – in my Quarterly Report post (which is scheduled to post in a few hours) I was talking about wanting some recommendations for graphic novels. I’ve just started Lumberjanes but have not done Saga, Rat Queens, or Squirrel Girl yet. Thanks!
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Laila, fun! You have lots of good stuff to look forward to 🙂
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Just reading about it all was good!
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Thanks Charlie! 🙂
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Interesting thesis Stefanie about increasingly positive portrayals of readers … Though I think you should spare a bit of praise for poor old “bespectacled 98-pound weaklings”. Nothing wrong with us. We should be admired for showing the way!! 🤓🤓🤓
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whisperinggums, no slight intended for the 98-pound weaklings of the world 😉
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I am new to the comics world and these were two titles I picked up initially. I am loving Saga and Rat Queens, two really great reads. I’ve just finished Y: The Last Man V1 too, highly recommend this as well!
Great recap too, really enjoyed it!
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I’ve heard good things about Y and plan to give it go sometime soon once I am caught up with Saga and Ms. Marvel which won’t be long!
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I am loving it, such a great read. 🙂
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