Nearly every gamer has tales about how the imaginary worlds and real-life friendships of their shared hobby has inspired them and gotten them through some rough spots. An upcoming graphic novel anthology takes those moments and turns them in even more inspiration in the form of beautifully drawn comics stories.


Due out later this year, Chainmail Bikini collects autobiographical remembrances and fictional stories from dozens of female writers and artists, all centered on the important role that gaming has played in their lives.

The anthology features work by MK Reed (The Cute Girl Network), Molly Ostertag (Strong Female Protagonist) and Elizabeth Simins (the creator of Manic Pixel Dream Girl who has made cartoons for Kotaku in the past). The whole gamut of gaming gets represented in these pages, with LARPing, CCG homages to Magic The Gathering and tabletop stalwarts Dungeon & Dragons and Vampire the Masquerade all showing up. The stories in the collection go from poetic to personal, with an impressive range of approaches and art styles. Take a look at some excerpts:

"A Certain Kind of Story" by Molly Ostertag:


"Achievement Unlocked" by Jade F. Lee

"Here Comes a New Challenger" by Kinoko Evans


"Manic Pixel Dream Girl Gaiden: Guitar Hero" by Elizabeth Simins


"Reticulating Splines" by Amanda Scurti


"Battle for Amtgard" by Maggie Siegel-Berele


"Rush of Blood" by Hazel Newlevant


You can find out more on the project's Kickstarter page here.