A Century of Women Cartoonists

by Trina Robbins, Dave Schreiner (Editor)

Surveys the contributions of women cartoonists from the end of the nineteenth century to the present

Genres: Comics, History, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Art

180 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1993

About the author

Trina Robbins is an American comics artist and writer. She was an early and influential participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the few female artists in underground comix when she started. Her first comics were printed in the East Village Other. She later joined the staff of a feminist underground newspaper It Ain't Me, Babe, with whom she produced the first all-woman comic book titled It Ain't Me Babe. She became increasingly involved in creating outlets for and promoting female comics artists, through projects such as the comics anthology Wimmen's Comix. She was also the penciller on Wonder Woman for a time in the '80s.

Trina has worked on an adaptation of Sax Rohmer's Dope for Eclipse Comics and GoGirl with artist Anne Timmons for Image Comics.

Trina designed Vampirella's costume for Forrest Ackerman and Jim Warren.

In addition to her comics work, Robbins is an author of non-fiction books, including several with an emphasis on the history of women in cartooning.

She is the first of the three "Ladies of the Canyon" in Joni Mitchell's classic song from the album of the same name.

Trina Robbins won a Special Achievement Award from the San Diego Comic Con in 1989 for her work on Strip AIDS U.S.A., a benefit book that she co-edited with Bill Sienkiewicz and Robert Triptow.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more "Show" then "Tell" this book is really a statement that women have been working within the comics medium for well over a hundred years, even if the male-dominated comic industry would like you to think otherwise.

It's largely a collection of reprinting with occasional commentary (once past the introductory chapters). Otherwise, this serves as a relative exhaustive account of women's contributions to cartooning. It's great stuff (although some of the older cartoons are a bit harder to read due to how they were formatted).

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of female comics/writers from the late 1800s through the 1990s, when the book came out. Rose O'Neil created the Kewpies (as in Kewpie doll) and countless others (Tarpe Mills, Dale Messick, Fanny Cory, Alison Bechdel and Robbins herself) followed in her wake. A very good look at the ups and down, constant sexism and frustrations working as a woman in what was considered, despite all the evidence to the contrary, a man's field.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to think there has been some pretty significant progress re: the inclusion of women in creating comics since the publication of this book. This one is pretty dated now, but it offers a wonderful look at women in comics throughout the 20th century. (not for women of color though, there were only two woc mentioned in the entire book)

[Jaq Greenspon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the equivalent of a crash course. Each of the creators gets a couple of paragraphs and then we move on to the next. Each individual chapter of this book could be a book unto itself, getting more into the details.

For what it is, it's great, I just wish there were more!

[Kristenyque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. Along side the history of women in cartooning you also get a historical lesson in the genre of comics/cartoons. I was shocked to see just how many women were active participants in the start of this art form and how they have remained a strong (although well hidden) factor. I was also extremely impressed with the images they created. (Carolyn Wells and Nell Brinkley are awesome!)This book is highly recommended!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The comics are the best part of the book. I wish there was more substance to the text. I feel I haven't learned all the much about the artists behind the comics. The ending chapter on the current (as of 1992) state of women in the industry was interesting. I did a quick survey of men and women currently doing comic strips and of the group I looked at, men seem to out number women 6 to 1.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the beginning, started to loose me by the end though. Two big pet peeves though: interjecting a two-page spead of pictures in the middle of a word-- it really threw off the continuity-- and some of the cartoons were really hard to read, which made it frustrating.
Otherwise, good coverage of an interesting subject matter

[reveurdart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been on a Trina Robbins reading binge this year. This book is essentially an updated version to Women and the Comics, with some differences.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of female cartoonists! Lots of interesting info and great representational comics.