Celebrating Women in Comics: Modern Stars You Should Be Reading

Today we're starting to wrap up our Women's History Month activities, we're shining the spotlight on women in comics and manga. Be sure to check out our past articles at the link above, and don't forget to view our GlobalComix Connects podcast this Friday with our guest Queenie Chan. For our article today, we'll be covering current and amazing women working in comics that you should be following, including Zoe Thorogood, Peach Momoko, Fiona Staples, and Joëlle Jones.

Zoe Thorogood

Zoe Thorogood, a graphic novelist and concept artist, hails from Bradford and currently resides in Middlesbrough, England.

Her academic journey began with a degree from De Montfort University, Leicester, followed by an internship at Splash Damage where she honed her skills in concept design. She later pursued a Master’s degree at Teeside University in Concept for Games & Animation while continuing her freelance career. In 2019, she attended a comics publishing event in London organized by Image Comics, drawing inspiration from her love for comics, and she recounts this event in her series It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth.

Inspired by narrative character design, Zoe has been working as a freelance concept artist since 2016, gaining recognition for her talent as both an illustrator and writer. Titles like The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott, and It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth have been met with positive reviews and love from both creators and readers. Additionally, her work was featured in Forbes’ ‘The Best Graphic Novels of 2022’ list. In 2023, she earned nominations for the prestigious Eisner Awards in the Best Graphic Memoir and Best Writer/Artist categories, as well as for the Russ Manning ‘Most Promising Newcomer Award’.

Most recently, Zoe shared a post on X/Twitter that she'll be contributing more to Hack/Slash. I know many were excited about this update and are looking forward to her newest work.

Peach Momoko

Peach Momoko, a Japanese comic book artist and writer known for her unique aesthetic, draws inspiration from the bishōjo phenomenon in Japan. Momoko's journey as an artist traces back to her high school days, where she was inspired by Atsushi Kaneko's works. Her first published comic book illustrations appeared in Girls and Corpses magazine in 2013 and 2014, marking the beginning of her professional career. She made her debut at Japanese conventions in 2015 and later ventured into American comic conventions, gaining widespread recognition for her distinctive style.

In 2020, Marvel Comics signed Momoko to an exclusive deal as part of their Stormbreakers program, recognizing her as a rising talent in the American comic book industry. The following year, she received both the Eisner Award and Ringo Award for best cover artist and introduced the "Momoko-verse" at Marvel, reimagining the Marvel Universe through Japanese folktales.

Fiona Staples

Fiona Staples, a celebrated comic book artist hailing from Canada, has left an indelible mark on the industry with her notable contributions to various comic series such as North 40, DV8: Gods and Monsters, and Saga. Renowned for her exceptional talent and unique artistic style, Staples has garnered acclaim as one of the premier artists in the field today, earning numerous prestigious awards including Eisner, Harvey, Joe Shuster, and many other awards. In a testament to her impact, readers of Comic Book Resources voted Staples as the #1 female comic book artist of all-time in 2015.

Staples's journey in the comic book world began with her first published work, "Amphibious Nightmare," featured in the About Comics anthology 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights 2005. She then ventured into series assignments, collaborating with writers like Andrew Foley for Markosia's Done to Death in 2006. Staples further showcased her versatility by contributing as an illustrator for WildStorm's Trick 'r Treat graphic novel and as a penciller, inker, and colorist for various projects, including The Secret History of the Authority: Hawksmoor and 2000 AD's Button Man.

A pivotal moment in Staples's career arrived in March 2012 with the publication of the first issue of Saga, an ongoing series co-created with writer Brian K. Vaughan. Vaughan, impressed by Staples's distinct artwork and unique style, enlisted her for the project, highlighting her unparalleled talent. As co-owner of Saga, Staples played a crucial role in shaping the series, from designing characters and alien races to providing painted covers and hand-lettering narration, further solidifying her status as a visionary artist in the comic book realm.

Joëlle Jones

Joëlle Jones, recognized among comic enthusiasts, has left an indelible mark on DC Comics with her contributions to iconic characters like Supergirl, Batman, and Catwoman. Beyond the realm of superhero tales, Jones has delved into independent projects, notably reviving her series Lady Killer under Zestworld after its initial run with Dark Horse Comics. Renowned for her distinctive style, Jones has garnered acclaim for her cover art in Marvel Comics and her storytelling prowess in writing and illustrating for DC Comics.

In April 2023, Jones took a significant step in her career by becoming a founding member of the comic book company DSTLRY, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the industry's evolution. In a thrilling announcement in January 2024, Jones was revealed to be among the artists selected for the 2024 relaunch of the IDW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, signaling yet another exciting chapter in her illustrious career. We're all looking forward to her take on such a classic.

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:

• Celebrate Women in Comics With Creator Owned Titles from Image, Webtoons, and More
• 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! Please check out our past articles for this year's Women's History Month series and let us know your thoughts in the comments.