Reading Challenge 2022: Read a Comic Book or Graphic Novel Written or Illustrated by a Woman

In 2022, OPL invites patrons to take part in the Reading Challenge, opens a new window! For each challenge, OPL offers suggestions for titles to listen to or read. As you’re working through the challenge, feel free to tag @omahalibrary on Twitter, opens a new window, Instagram, opens a new window or Facebook, opens a new window to let us know which read you picked up this month!

While men have historically dominated the comic book world, women have long been involved in the making of comics and graphic novels. Use this challenge as a way to explore the many comics or graphic novels across a variety of genres that women have written or illustrated.

A lot of writers who do not usually write in the graphic novel medium have been trying their hands at it lately. One has been acclaimed horror and weird fiction author Carmen Maria Machado. She works with artist Dani for her comic debut, "The Low, Low Woods, opens a new window," a creepy and disturbing horror comic about witchcraft and lost memories in a 1990s small town in Pennsylvania.

"Invisible Kingdom, opens a new window" is an original creation from “Ms. Marvel, opens a new window” writer G. Willow Wilson. It is a dramatic and sweeping space opera about rebels fighting evil corporations. It shows the scale and imagination possible in a visual medium that is not constrained by effects budgets. There are many women writers in the genre of superhero comics, like Gail Simone, whose work includes "Wonder Woman, opens a new window," "Batgirl, opens a new window," "Birds of Prey, opens a new window" and "Domino, opens a new window."

Some of the best and best-known graphic novels by women are memoirs. "Fun Home, opens a new window" by Allison Bechdel is a critically-acclaimed and bestselling autobiography about growing up in a funeral home. It keeps a conversational tone to tell a deeply personal story. "Super Late Bloomer, opens a new window" by Julia Kaye is a hopeful and candid account of the author’s gender transition.

For more ideas check out this list,, opens a new window or request a custom reading list , opens a new windowtailored to your interests by OPL librarians.

Starting April 1, 2022, you may submit your completed reading log online, opens a new window or return a completed tracking sheet to any OPL branch to receive a pin and to be entered into a drawing for a book store gift card! All completed tracking sheets or online challenge form entries must be received by December 31, 2022, to be entered into the prize drawing.