Comic books may seem like a ‘boys club’ at times but if you are looking for fascinating, thrilling illustrated stories there is no better time than the present for women to delve into reading and writing comics.

With comic book publishers of all sizes making more of a serious effort to offer more titles written by women, LGBTQ individuals and people of colour, there are some seriously good stories out there and we've rounded up some of our favourites.

There’s nothing novel about women creating great graphic novels. What we’re seeing lately though, is an unprecedented variety of high-profile, buzzworthy projects from female creators. Whether writing and illustrating stories about detectives, superheroes, or the trials of growing up, women are telling their own stories in exciting new ways, and you needn't be a female to enjoy the talent and fresh perspectives that these writers and artists are bringing to the shelves. Female creators are tearing up the sales charts right now, proving that graphic novel fans are loving what women are bringing to the table.

Publishing itself is historically a male-dominated industry, and graphic novels in particular have had a much higher percentage of male authors compared to female authors. However, that isn't to say there aren't many fantastic graphic novels created by women. Female graphic novel authors are taking the industry by storm and making sure their voices get heard. These days, we're spoilt for choice; there are so many incredible graphic novels by and about women, online and in print, and in every genre and format imaginable.

So let's celebrate breaking down gender boundaries in a male-dominated industry with some of the top graphic novels written by women.

The House that Groaned, by Karrie Fransman

Have you ever seen your own reflection and felt terrible? It’s a feeling that is all too common, with women, men, and children all across the world doing the exact same thing, day in, day out, uncomfortable in their own bodies and allowing their body image to detract from the experiences they should be enjoying in everyday life. The House that Groaned is one of our favourite graphic novels as it manages to ensure that, once you’ve read it, you’re at least feeling a little better in your own skin. You may not have an extreme to pinpoint and hang your identity from, but you’re still a very special person and Fransman expresses that in the best possible way.

£14.99 | Amazon | Buy it now

The Complete Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi

Drawn in beautiful and expressive black and white tones, Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution is one of the great modern graphic novels. Satrapi is brutally honest about her own immaturity, and her family eventually sends her away to spend the rest of her school years in Vienna. There, Satrapi recounts the feeling of being homesick and the depression she suffered, which forces her to return to Tehran. But as a fiercely independent young woman in a newly conservative city, Satrapi faces difficulties she never expected. With her bold line drawings, Satrapi conveys complicated emotions that are both unique and universal.

£6.79 | Amazon | Buy it now

Nylon Road, by Parsua Bashi

Described as a cross between Persepolis and A Christmas Carol, Nylon Road is the memoir of Iranian author Parsua Bashi and her struggles while growing up under Sharia law. Bashi was born in Tehran in 1966 and moved to Switzerland in 2004 after a divorce. She was forced to leave her daughter behind, as under Iranian law at the time, a woman asking for divorce had to give up custody rights.

The story is triggered by a little girl she suddenly sees one day in her kitchen. She realises that the little girl is herself as a child, and this leads to several flashbacks, a literary device that serves the memoir well, as it helps her tell a complicated, difficult story with humour and ease.

From £1.89 | Amazon | Buy it now

Through the Woods, by Emily Woods

There is a lot that can be said about Emily Woods’ ‘Through the Woods’, but it really is a graphic novel that has to be read to be fully explained.

The experience of getting through this dark and unsettling page-turner is one you’ll never forget, and it’s likely to be something you put on your shelf and return to at various points throughout the rest of your life. Containing five short stories and different art styles, this is a collection to unnerve even the most seasoned horror fans. If you’re looking for a graphic novel that has everything it needs to ensure you don’t have a peaceful night’s sleep, then go ahead and take on Through the Woods—just make sure you emotionally prepare yourself before doing so.

£8.64 | The Book Depository | Buy it here

Gothic Academy Volume 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy, by Becky Cloonan, Brendan Fletcher and Karl Kerschel

Girls rule the school in this off-beat Batman spinoff set at the prestigious Gotham Academy. The adventurous Olive Silverlock and her best friend “Maps” Mizoguchi navigate the tricky prep-school social scene while investigating secret societies, super-villains, and ghosts that roam the halls. With hints of Harry Potter, writer Becky Cloohan uses the long, weird history of Batman’s hometown as a backdrop, but still somehow manages to keep things bright and lively. Things are finally looking up in Gotham, with a whole new generation of heroes bringing a little light into Batman’s world.

£8.65 | Wordery | Buy it now

Ranma ½, by Rumiko Takahashi

Ranma ½ is a Japanese series by Rumiko Takahashi, one of Japan’s most popular Manga creators, which tells the story of a teenage boy named Ranma Saotome. Ranma is not a boy all the time: a curse transforms him into a girl whenever he comes into contact with cold water. The series follows Ranma as he dodges several obstacles in his quest to get rid of the curse. Takahashi was determined to break her usual habit of writing female protagonists, but wasn’t comfortable writing a male one either, which is why Ramma ended up being half female and half male.

£9.99 | Amazon | Buy it now

French Milk, by Lucy Knisley

If you’re looking for one of the best graphic novels by women, look no further than the incredible French Milk. Author Lucy Knisley explores the streets of Paris with her mother, while also dealing with the mechanics and ever-whirring cogs of their shifting relationships.

As her mother faces turning fifty, Lucy is grappling with her own issues that come with adulthood and independent life, quickly realising that life doesn’t get any easier as it goes by. Again, this is a graphic novel that will have readers questioning their own real-life relationships and analysing everything they’ve done with their loved ones in their life to-date.

£12.99 | Amazon | Buy it now

Ms Marvel, by G Willow Wilson

Massive changes came to the character of Ms. Marvel when a young, shapeshifting Pakistani-American named Kamela Khan became the first Muslim character to headline her own Marvel Comics series. There is so much to love about Kamela, who has to deal with a lot more than just fighting the many villains of the Marvel Universe.

Writer Willow Wilson, who converted to Islam, wanted to create a character who felt a sense of duty to her family and community in Jersey city, and who struggled with her faith while fighting crime.

Ms. Marvel continues to be one of the most unique takes on the superhero genre ever conceived. If you want a different kind of superhero tale, this is the book for you.

From £1.49 | Comixology | Buy it now

Bitch Planet, by Kelly Sue DeConnick

This image series is unlike anything else out there. A feminist take on 70’s exploitation films, Bitch Planet is a penal colony designed for the difficult women who refuse to comply with the patriarchal rule of Earth’s all-white, all-male “Fathers”. When a new batch of prisoners arrive, they’ll do whatever it takes to reclaim the power that society has taken away.

The series follows a group of prisoners, highlighting both their life in captivity where they have to struggle to survive, as well as who they were before they were arrested and sent to the Auxiliary Compliance Outpost.

DeConnick spins a masterful story about strong, independent women.

£6.20 | Forbidden Planet | Buy it now

Lumberjanes Volume 1, by Noelle Stevenson

Friendship to the max! If you’re looking for a girl-centric, all-ages adventure, Lumberjanes is an excellent place to start. At Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, mystery and excitement are the norm, with a diverse group campers more than ready to take on a variety of supernatural threats. The Lumberjanes are a little punk rock, very funny, and extremely tough, and the book is an awesome story of friendship and bravery from an creative team made up entirely of incredibly talented women.

£7.58 | Forbidden Planet | Buy it now

Verdict:

Good stories have a way of being life long companions and we think any one of these incredible graphic novels would be fitting friend to lean on time and time again.

Read more from Stephanie Yeboah at nerdabouttown.com

ESBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.

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