10 Greatest Comics Written by Women

For decades, women have been responsible for some of the most influential, acclaimed, and innovative works in comics. While discussions about the medium often focus on superheroes or long-running franchises, many of the most groundbreaking stories have come from female creators who pushed comics into new artistic and literary territory. Their work has helped expand what graphic storytelling can achieve, from memoir and journalism to fantasy and coming-of-age drama.

This list focuses specifically on Western graphic novels and comic series rather than manga, comic strips, or European bandes dessinées. Across a wide range of genres and styles, these ten titles showcase the extraordinary impact women writers have had on comics. Whether autobiographical, fantastical, or superheroic, each remains a landmark achievement in the medium.

10 Smile

When it was published in 2010, Raina Telgemeier's Smile quickly became one of the most successful graphic novels aimed at younger readers. Adapted from her own childhood experiences, the memoir follows a middle-school student dealing with a severe dental injury, orthodontic treatments, and the everyday challenges of adolescence. The book transformed the market for middle-grade graphic novels and helped introduce a new generation to comics.

The impact of Smile is difficult to overstate. It spent years on bestseller lists and became one of the highest-selling graphic novels of the twenty-first century. Telgemeier's accessible storytelling, expressive artwork, and honest portrayal of growing up resonated with millions of readers. While its premise sounds simple, Smile captures the anxieties of adolescence with remarkable authenticity and warmth, making it one of the defining comics of its era.

9 Lumberjanes

Created by Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, and Brooke Allen, Lumberjanes debuted in 2014 and quickly became one of the most beloved all-ages comics of the decade. The series follows a group of friends attending a summer camp where supernatural creatures, ancient mysteries, and bizarre adventures constantly disrupt ordinary camp activities. Its energetic tone and imaginative world-building made it an instant hit.

What truly set Lumberjanes apart was its focus on friendship, inclusivity, and teamwork. Rather than centering conflict on rivalry or romance, the series celebrated supportive relationships between girls. The comic earned multiple Eisner Awards and expanded into novels, merchandise, and adaptations. Its influence can still be seen across modern youth-oriented comics that prioritize diverse characters and positive representation without sacrificing adventure or humor.

8 My Favorite Thing Is Monsters

Emil Ferris's debut graphic novel arrived in 2017 after a long and difficult creation process, but the result was extraordinary. Presented as the notebook of ten-year-old Karen Reyes, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters combines horror imagery, mystery, history, and personal reflection into a singular reading experience. Ferris's intricate ballpoint-pen illustrations immediately distinguished the book from virtually anything else on shelves.

Set in 1960s Chicago, the story explores Karen's investigation into the death of a neighbor while simultaneously examining family history, prejudice, and identity. The book received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards nominations. Beyond its compelling narrative, Ferris's visual experimentation demonstrates how comics can blend fine art techniques with traditional sequential storytelling, creating a work that feels both intimate and monumental.

7 Far Sector

Written by N.K. Jemisin and illustrated by Jamal Campbell, Far Sector launched in 2019 as part of DC's Young Animal imprint. The series follows Green Lantern Sojourner "Jo" Mullein, who is assigned to a distant city inhabited by three alien civilizations. There, she investigates a murder in a society that has largely suppressed emotional conflict through technological intervention.

Jemisin brought the same thoughtful world-building that made her an acclaimed novelist to the superhero genre. Rather than relying solely on action, Far Sector explores themes of governance, justice, identity, and emotional expression. Jo Mullein quickly became one of DC's most compelling modern heroes. The series demonstrated that superhero comics could still offer ambitious science-fiction storytelling while remaining accessible to readers unfamiliar with decades of continuity.

6 Monstress

Marjorie Liu's Monstress, illustrated by Sana Takeda, debuted in 2015 and rapidly established itself as one of the premier fantasy comics of the modern era. Set in a richly detailed world inspired by early twentieth-century Asia, the story follows Maika Halfwolf, a young woman connected to an ancient and terrifying power. Political intrigue, war, and personal trauma drive the narrative forward.

The series has earned multiple Eisner Awards, including historic recognition for Liu as the first woman to win Best Writer. One reason for its success is the seamless combination of expansive fantasy mythology with deeply personal character development. Takeda's elaborate artwork enhances every page, but it is Liu's sophisticated storytelling that transforms Monstress into an epic exploration of power, identity, and survival.

5 Ms. Marvel

When G. Willow Wilson and artist Adrian Alphona introduced Kamala Khan in 2014, they created one of Marvel's most important new characters in decades. A Pakistani American teenager from Jersey City, Kamala gains extraordinary powers while navigating family expectations, friendships, and superhero responsibilities. Her debut series immediately stood out for its humor, heart, and cultural specificity.

Wilson's writing in Ms. Marvel allowed Kamala to feel like a fully realized person rather than a symbol. Readers connected with her enthusiasm, insecurities, and determination. The comic earned a Hugo Award and multiple Eisner Awards while attracting audiences far beyond traditional superhero readership. Kamala's popularity eventually led to appearances in animation, video games, and live-action adaptations, cementing her status as one of Marvel's defining modern heroes.

4 It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth

Zoë Thorogood's It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is among the most formally inventive graphic memoirs published in recent years. Released in 2022, the book chronicles six months in the creator's life while openly examining depression, anxiety, artistic pressure, and self-perception. Thorogood uses constantly shifting visual techniques to mirror emotional states and internal conflicts.

What makes the work exceptional is its willingness to expose uncertainty and contradiction. Rather than presenting a polished autobiographical narrative, Thorogood allows readers to witness the process of self-examination itself. The result is a deeply personal comic that nevertheless feels universal. Its critical acclaim reflected growing recognition that comics remain one of the most effective mediums for exploring complex emotional experiences.

3 Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands

Kate Beaton was already famous for her webcomic Hark! A Vagrant when she released Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands in 2022. The graphic memoir recounts her experiences working in Alberta's oil sands industry during the early 2000s. Seeking financial stability and a way to repay student loans, Beaton entered an environment shaped by isolation, economic pressure, and gender imbalance.

The book examines labor, class, environmental issues, and workplace culture with remarkable honesty. Beaton avoids simple moral judgments, instead portraying the complicated realities facing workers in resource extraction industries. Widely praised by critics, Ducks won numerous awards and was frequently cited among the best books of the year. Its combination of personal testimony and social observation makes it one of the most important nonfiction comics ever created.

2 Persepolis

Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis is one of the most influential graphic memoirs in history. Originally published in four volumes between 2000 and 2003 before being collected into a single edition, the work recounts Satrapi's childhood during the Iranian Revolution and her later experiences abroad. Through a stark black-and-white art style, she presents political upheaval through deeply personal storytelling.

The memoir introduced countless readers to both Iranian history and the possibilities of graphic nonfiction. Satrapi's ability to balance humor, tragedy, and political insight helped elevate comics within literary circles. The work's success led to an acclaimed animated film adaptation and widespread academic study. More than two decades after publication, Persepolis remains a benchmark for autobiographical storytelling and graphic journalism.

1 Fun Home

Alison Bechdel's Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic is widely regarded as one of the greatest graphic novels ever published. Released in 2006, the memoir examines Bechdel's relationship with her father, a funeral home director whose hidden sexuality shaped much of the family's life. The narrative also explores Bechdel's own coming-of-age and understanding of her identity.

What elevates Fun Home above many memoirs is its extraordinary structural sophistication. Bechdel weaves literary references, nonlinear storytelling, and meticulous visual symbolism into a deeply emotional account of family dynamics. The book received extensive critical acclaim, appeared on numerous best-of-the-century lists, and was later adapted into a Tony Award-winning musical. Its lasting influence extends far beyond comics, securing its place as one of the medium's defining masterpieces.