The Important Role Of Women In The Evolution Of Comics: Reviewed

Comix Creatrix, House of Illustration ★★★★☆

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 104 months ago

Last Updated 10 February 2016

The Important Role Of Women In The Evolution Of Comics: Reviewed Comix Creatrix, House of Illustration 4
One of several great illustrations in this exhibition. Copyright Alison Sampson, image courtesy of the artist.

Think women and comics, and many of us will automatically picture female superheroes with impossible proportions who look like they've just walked out of a teenage boy's dreams. But women have played a massive part in shaping the way comics are today and this exhibition celebrates the fact, by pulling together the work of 100 women in the field.

Early works show us Tove Jansson's creation The Moomins and Nell Brinkley's independent working woman — first published in the 1920s. There are also works by women writers and illustrators from across the world, including India and Israel.  

Some comics deal with heavy issues such as suicide bombing and the impact of cluster bombs, showing there are few limits to what a comic can explore. The section dedicated to sex and relationship bolsters this notion.

It's amazing how much well-researched information has been packed into the four rooms of the exhibition. Plus there are plenty of comics that visitors can pick up and have a flick through.

The space may be small, but there's easily enough here to while away a few hours.

Comix Creatrix: 100 Women Making Comics is on at House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square N1C 4BH, until 15 May. Tickets are £7 for adults. The gallery is open Tuesdays to Sundays.