History of Women in Comics: Women of the World

As part of Women's History Month activities, we're shining the spotlight on women in comics and manga. Every Tuesday, we'll feature amazing women who have left a mark on the comics and manga industries. Today, we're traveling the world and covering women from different corners of the world who have made incredible impacts lasting multiple generations: Rumiko Takahashi, Marjane Satrapi, Tove Jansson, and Marguerite Abouet.

Rumiko Takahashi

Rumiko Takahashi is a highly acclaimed mangaka renowned for her influential contributions to the manga industry. Takahashi began her career in the late 1970s with the publication of her debut manga series, Urusei Yatsura, which quickly gained popularity for its innovative blend of comedy, romance, and supernatural elements. It has since gotten not one but two anime, a reboot happening only last year. This success paved the way for Takahashi's subsequent iconic works, including Maison Ikkoku, a romantic comedy series set in a boarding house, and Mermaid Saga, a dark fantasy series exploring themes of immortality and mythology.

Throughout her illustrious career, Rumiko Takahashi has received numerous awards and accolades for her outstanding contributions to manga. In 1980, she was honored with the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award for Urusei Yatsura, marking the beginning of her esteemed recognition within the industry. Takahashi's creative genius continued to be celebrated with the Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shonen Manga for Inuyasha in 2002, further solidifying her status as one of the most influential mangaka of her generation. Additionally, she has been recognized internationally, receiving the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material for Inuyasha in 2002 and the Inkpot Award for Achievement in Comic Arts at San Diego Comic-Con International in 1994. She's also one of a handful of mangaka inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame, achieving that in 2018.

Beyond her accolades, Rumiko Takahashi's impact on manga extends far beyond her awards and recognition. Her works have inspired countless artists and creators worldwide, influencing the landscape of manga and popular culture for decades. Takahashi's ability to seamlessly blend genres, create memorable characters, and craft compelling narratives has solidified her legacy as a pioneer in the manga industry, leaving an indelible mark on readers and fellow creators alike.

Image from Urusei Yatsura's Wikipedia page

Marjane Satrapi

Marjane Satrapi is an Iranian-born French graphic novelist, illustrator, and filmmaker known for her distinctive artistic style and poignant storytelling. Born in 1969, in Rasht, Iran, Satrapi grew up during the Islamic Revolution, an experience that profoundly influenced her work. She gained international acclaim with her graphic memoir Persepolis, which chronicles her childhood and early adulthood in Iran during and after the revolution. Persepolis received widespread praise for its candid portrayal of life under oppressive regimes and won numerous awards, including the Angoulême Coup de Coeur Award and the Prix du Lion at the Cannes Film Festival. Other major titles of her career are Woman, Life, Freedom and the Marie Curie biopic Radioactive.

In addition to her success with Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi has established herself as a filmmaker with adaptations of some of her comics. She co-directed the animated film adaptation of Persepolis which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 and received the Jury Prize. Satrapi's directorial debut, Chicken with Plums, based on her graphic novel of the same name, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2011. Her films continue to be celebrated for their exploration of complex themes such as identity, cultural heritage, and personal freedom.

Marjane Satrapi's contributions to literature and cinema have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors. In addition,  Satrapi has been the recipient of the César Award for Best First Feature Film for Persepolis and the Berlin International Film Festival's Grand Jury Prize for Chicken with Plums. Her work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, offering profound insights into the human experience and the enduring power of resilience in the face of adversity.

Image from Marjane Satrapi's Wikipedia page
 

Tove Jansson

Tove Jansson was a Finnish-Swedish author, artist, and illustrator best known for creating the Moomins, a beloved series of children's books and comics. Born in Helsinki, Finland, Jansson began her career as a visual artist, studying at the University College of Arts, Crafts, and Design in Stockholm. She initially gained recognition for her paintings and illustrations before transitioning to writing and illustrating children's books, inspired by her experiences and observations of life in Finland.

Throughout her illustrious career, Tove Jansson received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to literature and illustration. In 1953, she was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award for her lasting contributions to children's literature, becoming the first Finnish author to receive this prestigious honor. Jansson's Moomin books, characterized by their whimsical stories and charming illustrations, have been translated into over 50 languages and continue to captivate readers of all ages around the world. Her works have been adapted into numerous television series, films, and stage productions, further solidifying her status as one of the most influential authors and illustrators of the 20th century.

Beyond her achievements in literature, Tove Jansson's legacy extends to her broader cultural impact and influence on Finnish society. She was a trailblazer in challenging traditional gender roles and societal norms, often incorporating themes of individualism, tolerance, and acceptance into her works. Jansson's Moomin characters have become cultural icons in Finland and beyond, celebrated for their endearing personalities and timeless appeal. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of readers, artists, and storytellers, leaving an indelible mark on the world of children's literature and illustration.

Image from Tove Jansson's Wikipedia page

Marguerite Abouet

Marguerite Abouet is an Ivorian-French writer known for her contributions to literature, particularly her acclaimed graphic novel series Aya of Yop City. Born in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast, Abouet spent her childhood in Yopougon, a bustling neighborhood in Abidjan, which served as the inspiration for her celebrated series. She initially began her career as a legal assistant but discovered her passion for storytelling and writing while living in France.

Abouet's breakout work, Aya of Yop City, co-created with illustrator Clément Oubrerie, debuted in 2005 and quickly garnered international acclaim for its vivid portrayal of life in the 1970's Ivory Coast. The series follows the adventures of Aya, a young woman navigating the complexities of family, friendship, and romance in Yopougon. Aya of Yop City received numerous awards, including the Angoulême International Comics Festival Prize for Best First Comic Book in 2006, propelling Abouet into the spotlight as a prominent voice in African literature.

Throughout her career, Marguerite Abouet has continued to explore themes of identity, community, and social change in her works, often drawing inspiration from her own experiences growing up in the Ivory Coast. Her storytelling prowess and ability to capture the essence of everyday life in Africa have earned her widespread acclaim and recognition. Abouet's contributions to literature have not only entertained readers but also shed light on the rich cultural tapestry of Africa, solidifying her legacy as a trailblazing writer and storyteller.

Image from Marguerite Abouet's Wikipedia page

There are so many more creators I want to include in this article. I could write for days about all of the women that I read about in my research. I feel like I missed out on some form of childhood not knowing about these women and their impacts.

Please read through these sources to learn about even more amazing women. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it can be a fantastic tipping point for anyone wanting to learn more about this hidden history of the comic book industry.

Resources:

• She Changed Comics by CBLDF
• She Changed Comics Honors Trailblazing Women Creators
• How Female Writers Changed the Comic Book Industry
• 12 Women Who Have Helped Transform the Comic Book Industry
• 10 Women Who Changed the Comic Book Industry ( & How)
• Working in the Margins: Women in the Comic Book Industry
• Super Inkredible African Women In Comics You Should Know About

If you found this article insightful, please share it with a friend or someone else who might enjoy it! We'll have even more amazing women next week, but in the meantime, let us know your thoughts in the comments if you have read any comics by the creators above.