Professors Examined Roles of Women in Comics
A new book explores the history of female creators and characters in the medium.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Comic Books
Portland State University professor Susan E. Kirtley and co-author Nhora Lucia Serrano have published a new book titled Women in Comics. The work examines the history of women in the industry through the use of specific archetypes found across the medium.
Why it matters
The book analyzes both the creators who shape the medium and the female characters depicted on the page. It provides a new lens for understanding the evolving representation of women in graphic storytelling.
This publication represents a single analytical volume released into a field with decades of historical content. No specific sales figures or unit counts have been provided for this new release.
The players
Susan E. Kirtley
Susan E. Kirtley is a professor at Portland State University.
Nhora Lucia Serrano
Nhora Lucia Serrano is a co-author of the book Women in Comics.
The details
Co-authors Nhora Lucia Serrano and Susan E. Kirtley utilize archetypes to map the history of women in comics. The research covers the contributions of female authors and artists as well as the evolution of women represented in comic book pages. The study highlights the dual perspective of women behind the page and on the page.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: The book was released.
Beyond the Bridges
This work continues the pattern of academic inquiry conducted by faculty at Portland State University. It adds a scholarly layer to existing pop-culture discourse surrounding the history of graphic novels.
Local readers can explore the history of the medium through the lens of this new academic text. The book is now available for those interested in the evolution of gender roles in graphic storytelling.
The takeaway
Readers interested in the history of women in graphic media can now access this collaborative study. Check local independent bookstores for availability of the new title.
Further reading
Learn more about the local literary landscape in our Comic Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Opb.
