Graphic novels suitable for a preteen with badass female characters

[8den]

Good call.
I would recommend all of Moore's work in that respect. None of the girls are any weaker than the men and there is a pretty good mix. Some of it may be a bit adult for an 11 year old though.
Tom Strong might be good. Tom might be the 'main character' but there are loads of bad arse women, and a great jaunt.
Apart from that, marceline and the scream queens might be a bit babyish for 11 (though it's what I read last night).

Um Lost Girls?

Seriously though I'd recommend the 1st few volumes of Promethea. (Actually just volume 1-2) after that wait till shes alot older.

 

[Orang Utan]

The Hilda books look lovely but might be a little bit young. I've ordered the first one for a look - it might end up going to her little brother instead though. Amazon recommended this based on it which also looks good so I've ordered that too

Has she read Chris Riddell's Goth Girl & The Ghost Of A Mouse? He is a brilliant illustrator, though it's not a graphic novel.

 

[weepiper]

Has she read Chris Riddell's Goth Girl & The Ghost Of A Mouse? He is a brilliant illustrator, though it's not a graphic novel.

No, and it looks good.

 

[Orang Utan]

He's ace. The Ottoline books are great, though for younger readers

 

[weepiper]

The Amulet series looks like just her thing too.

 

[Orang Utan]

The Amulet series looks like just her thing too.

Avoid Sailor Moon and Meri Puri!

 

[weepiper]

Avoid Sailor Moon and Meri Puri!

Shippy has that Manga?

 

[Orang Utan]

Ha! Maybe, they're just dreadful comics aimed at girlie girls. Very popular amongst 11 year old girls. I think your lass would vom at the sight of them though.

 

[weepiper]

Ha! Maybe, they're just dreadful comics aimed at girlie girls. Very popular amongst 11 year old girls. I think your lass would vom at the sight of them though.

Sounds like the sort of thing I want to steer clear of. Like Manga Rainbow Fairies *vom*

 

[Spanky Longhorn]

I don't let her watch Eastenders tbh

fair enough, it's a poor comparison on my part - they're completely different but are about adults with adult lives

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_and_Rockets_(comics)

check em out

 

[DexterTCN]

I'm not sure there are any graphic novels suitable for pre-teens, female or otherwise.

Books have a larger variety with thousands more apt, I would have thought.

 

[Orang Utan]

What a strange thing to say.

 

[Orang Utan]

For a start, graphic novels are also books. And of course there are suitable books for preteens. Some are made with preteens specifically in mind.
And there are novels and picture books too for all ages.
The OP asked for graphic novels though.

 

[DexterTCN]

And I gave my opinion, OU. It's not strange.

I encouraged my kids to read books (and watch certain movies) long before I promoted graphic novels, and pre-teen I didn't suggest any graphic novels. That may be my limited knowledge of them...but it isn't strange.

 

[weepiper]

She reads books, as I've already said. She's got a very high reading age and has exhausted most of the usual kids' fantasy/sci-fi options and a lot of the more appropriate adult ones too. She's expressed an interest in graphic novels herself because her dad likes them and I want to get her something that will interest her but not be too adult in tone as a lot of graphic novels are (sex and blood) so I'm looking for ones aimed at teen-ish age group. There appear to be quite a few.

 

[hobojones]

Some feminist on R4 said The Fat Slags were a good role model because they weren't ashamed of their bodies or their promiscuous lifestyle.

 

[DexterTCN]

weeps...if she likes superhero stuff...The Dark Knight Returns. It has a strong female character who is about 12, batman is like the ultimate father-figure for her...strong, brave, clever and so on. All the things a daughter feels. (I have 2)

 

[DotCommunist]

frank miller? really?

 

[Orang Utan]

And I gave my opinion, OU. It's not strange.

I encouraged my kids to read books (and watch certain movies) long before I promoted graphic novels, and pre-teen I didn't suggest any graphic novels. That may be my limited knowledge of them...but it isn't strange.

It's certainly strange to say that 'books' (by which i presume you mean books with just words in) are more 'apt' for preteens than comics. If they enjoy reading a comic book, then the comic book is apt. Kids should be encouraged to read just about anything and everything.

 

[Orang Utan]

weeps...if she likes superhero stuff...The Dark Knight Returns. It has a strong female character who is about 12, batman is like the ultimate father-figure for her...strong, brave, clever and so on. All the things a daughter feels. (I have 2)

 

[killer b]

Dark Knight Returns would be pretty heavy for a pre-teen imo, dodgy themes aside.

 

[DexterTCN]

It's certainly strange to say that 'books' (by which i presume you mean books with just word in) are more 'apt' for preteens than comics. If they enjoy reading a comic book, then the comic book is apt. Kids should be encouraged to read just about anything and everything.

I couldn't comment on girls' comics, I've never read them. I think weeps is talking about reading as a mode of development which is not just about reading.

 

[DexterTCN]

Dark Knight Returns would be pretty heavy for a pre-teen imo, dodgy themes aside.

Dodgy themes are something to be weighed by the reader. There needs to be some form of conflict and promoting a graphic novel where 'good' (however complex) triumphs (again complex) is a positive idea.

 

[Orang Utan]

I couldn't comment on girls' comics, I've never read them. I think weeps is talking about reading as a mode of development which is not just about reading.

I beg your pardon?

Why are non-comic books more apt for preteens? Surely if anything, it's the opposite.

All we had when I was a kid was TinTin and Asterix (though I loved them). There is now a bewildering array of choice.

 

[DotCommunist]

it's almost completely the opposite of what was asked for. A superhero story dominated by an avenging aristo with disturbing will-to-power themes.

 

[killer b]

Dodgy themes are something to be weighed by the reader. There needs to be some form of conflict and promoting a graphic novel where 'good' (however complex) triumphs (again complex) is a positive idea.

yeah, but frank miller is a vile misogynist cunt and a savage right-winger, which is all on display in his comics.

 

[Spanky Longhorn]

She reads books, as I've already said. She's got a very high reading age and has exhausted most of the usual kids' fantasy/sci-fi options and a lot of the more appropriate adult ones too. She's expressed an interest in graphic novels herself because her dad likes them and I want to get her something that will interest her but not be too adult in tone as a lot of graphic novels are (sex and blood) so I'm looking for ones aimed at teen-ish age group. There appear to be quite a few.

The Grant Morrison written New X-Men tpbs vols 1 and 2 are both ensemble pieces but lots of strong characters, serious themes, but fun action stuff as well.

 

[DexterTCN]

it's almost completely the opposite of what was asked for. A superhero story dominated by an avenging aristo with disturbing will-to-power themes.

Sorry DC, it has a strong, young female protagonist who makes her own decisions for what she sees as morally positive reasons. The graphic novel may work on many levels but you can't deny that not only am I correct but that her choices from her point of view are commendable.

 

[Spanky Longhorn]

Also I love Saga but you may want to skim it first

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_(comic_book)

 

[killer b]

I think I can guarantee that Frank Miller isn't what weeps is looking for. Probably best to move on rather than slugging it out though.