Illustrator and cartoonist Hope Larson (Salamander Dream, Gray Horses) recently took a survey titled "Girls & Comics" for girls and women who read comics. Here are the results via her livejournal:
How old were you when you started reading comics?Most respondents read newspaper comics quite young, at age 4 or 5, but didn’t get seriously into comics until between the ages of 8 to 13. The most common age to become a fan of comics was 12. There’s a significant drop in girls coming to comics after age 14.
How did you first discover comics?Most respondents (about a third) were introduced to comics by a parent, usually Dad, and most started out reading Archie and newspaper comics.
The second most popular gateway to comics was TV: the X-Men cartoon, Sailor Moon, or a live-action show like Sabrina the Teenaged Witch, Smallville, or Buffy.
The third most popular gateway was through a male relative or male friend.
What comics were your favorites as a teen/tween?Superhero comics were the most popular category of comic, closely followed by manga. Goth/horror and webcomics were also popular.
The most popular comic named was X-Men, followed by Sandman, Batman, Rumiko Takahashi’s work (Ranma ½, Inu Yasha, etc.), Spiderman, Sailor Moon, Alan Moore’s work, and comics by CLAMP.
What appealed to you about your favorite comic?The thing that drew most respondents to their favorite comics was the characters: Either relatable, realistic characters (like the misfit X-Men) or “kick-ass” wish-fulfillment characters.
A compelling story and strong artwork were of nearly equal importance to teen readers, with the story being slightly more important.
Many also craved dark or “adult” subject matter.
Where did you get your comics?Most respondents acquired their comics from a variety of sources. More than half shopped at a local comic store, and about a third shopped at chain bookstores. The next most popular sources of comics were a grocery, newsstand or corner store, a library, or hand-me-downs/comics borrowed from friends.
Downloads & ScanlationsA quarter of respondents admitted reading scans, but saw them as a last resort and said they would prefer to read the books on paper. Reasons given for reading scans were lack of money and a desire to read manga which hadn’t yet been published in English.
ConventionsAlmost half of respondents attended cons, mainly anime conventions. Many mentioned engaging in cosplay.
Free Comic Book DayA quarter attended FCBD as a teen.
Comics-related Library Event5 girls had attended a comics-related library event.
Author Signing4 girls had attended an author signing.
What can authors, publishers, retailers do to better serve teen/tween girls?1) More and better female characters, especially protagonists. Girls want to see strong, in-control, kick-ass women calling the shots.
2) A welcoming atmosphere in local comic stores is key. Many respondents reported feeling uncomfortable in comic stores. They were stared at, talked down to, and generally treated without respect.
3) Pink, sparkly cutesy comics about boyfriends, ponies, cupcakes and shopping are widely reviled. Condescend to female readers at your peril, writers and comic publishers.
4) The hypersexualization/objectification of female superheroines makes female readers uncomfortable, and sexual violence as a plot point has got to stop.
5) Girls need good stories in a variety of genres.
6) Most girls don’t even know comics exist, or that they would enjoy them. Publishers need to advertise in mainstream media and comic shops need to reach out to girls.
7) Make comics for boys and girls. Comics with dual male and female protagonists. Comics with large casts that offer something for everyone.
8) Use licensed properties to lure new readers into comics.
9) Availability is a problem. Get more comics into schools. Get more comics into libraries—especially school libraries. Get more comics into bookstores, especially large chains.
10) There need to be more women creating comics and working in the industry as editors and publishers.
