Funny Ladies A Portrait of Women Cartoonists

Streaming video - 2015

WHY are so few women in the comics pages? That question becomes even more provocative as we watch four smart and witty role models -- Cathy Guisewite, Nicole Hollander, Lynda Barry and "Brenda Starr's" Dale Messick -- share their creative process. Viewers will find themselves looking at the comics, and the world, in a new way. Entertaining and informative, the cartoonists reveal fascinating relationships with their characters, who say or do exactly what their creators wish they could say or do in real life. Their feisty heroines speak their minds, allowing the cartoonists to explore the power of humor in storytelling. Within a few frames, the cartoonists manage to dig deep and explore a variety of subjects -- childhood dreams... and torments, the disarray of domestic life, the elusive nature of self-image, and the power of friendships to restore the spirits. Viewers will see that the comics can communicate unexpected truths about politics, stereotypes, self-esteem, relationships and aging. "POSITIVELY EMPOWERING. A perfect way to inspire discussion about the role of gender in humor, language use, and storytelling." - Professor Veanne Anderson, Department of Psychology, Indiana State University. more