Women in Comics: Cooking Comics (with Recipes Included!)

Since I first read Relish by Lucy Knisley, I have been fascinated by comics that integrate cooking and recipes with an engaging story. Though the books on this list are very different from one another, they all share a focus on the joy that can come from food and cooking. Whether you hope to one day be a professional chef or simply enjoy a good meal, these books are sure to nourish the mind as well as the body.

Kitchen Princess, Omnibus Volume 1 coverSpace Battle Lunchtime coverCook Korean cover

Kitchen Princess by Natsumi Ando and Miyuki Kobayashi – As a child, Najika met a boy who comforted her at her time of need. Now that she is older – and an expert with food – she is on a quest to find him, a quest which takes her all the way to the fancy Seika Academy. Once there, she must use her cooking talents to win over skeptical classmates and find the boy from her childhood. Along the way, she wins a prestigious cooking competition, helps to revitalize a café, tackles difficult topics like eating disorders and learns a lot about her special skills. This manga will appeal to shōjo fans and includes recipes and extras with each volume. Continue reading Women in Comics: Cooking Comics (with Recipes Included!)

Find a New Favorite Female Comic Artist or Graphic Novelist

graphic_novels2As a big fan of graphic novels and comics, I read across many genres from superhero comics to nonfiction to humor and beyond. While I love the work of many different authors, today I want to highlight some of the best work from female artists who create comics and graphic novels. The list below includes some books I have read and some I can’t wait to read, but they are all written or drawn (or both!) by women who are among the best in the field.

Memoir
JapanAiJapan Ai by Aimee Major Steinberger (2009 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2009 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2009 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers – This book, drawn in Manga style, chronicles Aimee’s trip to Japan, where she immerses herself in Japan’s particular cuteness. More of a journal than a traditional comic, this is fun book that will leave you dreaming of a trip to Japan. Continue reading Find a New Favorite Female Comic Artist or Graphic Novelist