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Girly ComicsExploring the wants and needs of female preteen comic book readers.

1Why are there no positive comics for young girls (aged 8-12) being produced today?The culture of the comic for girls has largely disappeared. Dr Mel Gibson

Remembered Reading: Memory, Comics and Post-war Constructions of British Girlhood. Some initial thoughts.2YoungFocusing mainly on ages 8-12Overlooked age groupLikely to be fluent readersPreteen audiences are often treated as idiotsImportant stage of growing-upSome investigation of teenage girls comics

PositiveStrong role modelsDiversity of characters and their social backgroundsInclusion of male characters besides being love interestsIncorporated learningEmotional involvementWell composed story tellingGenuine conflict

HistoryWhen (if ever) were girls comics good?What caused their decline?What are their contemporary replacements?

How innocent Jackie now seems compared to what teenagers have on offer to them today. Nina Myskow

5TheoryFeminism and Gender RolesImportance of Female CreatorsSexuality and RomanceCensorship and ParentingThe Role of the FamilyHistorical ContextClass IssuesConsumerism

The history of gender imbalance in comics is one of the most striking examples of comics squandered potential. Scott McCloud 6Progress?

Other CulturesOnly in Japan have women been able to cultivate comics into the countrys most empowering forum for female communication. Paul Gravett

Girls comics in Japan took off in the 1940s and remain popular todayGirls comics are mainly made by womenJapanese imports are one of the biggest factors in bringing girls to comicsMethodPrimary ResearchQuestionnairesArtist InterviewsConsumer InterviewsPotential /Reader Interviews

Secondary ResearchBBC and NHS education materialsRelevant organisations Trina RobbinsMel Gibson

9Current Trends

Popularity of mangaGrowth of graphic novel adaptationsGirls comics as advertisingClosure of Minx imprintIncreasing numbers of female comics creatorsMixed attitudes within the industryGrrrrrrrrrrl. (The End)