The Complete Wimmen's Comix

by Trina Robbins

In the late ’60s, underground comix changed the way comics readers saw the medium — but there was an important pronoun missing from the revolution. In 1972, ten women cartoonists got together in San Francisco to rectify the situation and produce the first and longest-lasting all-woman comics anthology, Wimmen’s Comix. Within two years the Wimmen’s Comix Collective had introduced cartoonists like Roberta Gregory and Melinda Gebbie to the comics-reading public, and would go on to publish some of the most talented women cartoonists in America — Carol Tyler, Mary Fleener, Dori Seda, Phoebe Gloeckner, and many others. In its twenty year run, the women of Wimmen’s tackled subjects the guys wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole: abortion, menstruation, masturbation, castration, lesbians, witches, murderesses, and feminists. Most issues of Wimmen’s Comix have been long out of print, so it’s about time these pioneering cartoonists’ work received their due. Presented as a gorgeous two-volume slipcased set, The Complete Wimmen’s Comix includes the ground-breaking 1970 one-shot, It Ain’t Me, Babe, the very first all-woman comic book ever published. Edited with an introduction by Trina Robbins.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Feminism, Art, Queer, Womens, Graphic Novels Comics

704 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2015

About the author

Trina Robbins is an American comics artist and writer. She was an early and influential participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the few female artists in underground comix when she started. Her first comics were printed in the East Village Other. She later joined the staff of a feminist underground newspaper It Ain't Me, Babe, with whom she produced the first all-woman comic book titled It Ain't Me Babe. She became increasingly involved in creating outlets for and promoting female comics artists, through projects such as the comics anthology Wimmen's Comix. She was also the penciller on Wonder Woman for a time in the '80s.

Trina has worked on an adaptation of Sax Rohmer's Dope for Eclipse Comics and GoGirl with artist Anne Timmons for Image Comics.

Trina designed Vampirella's costume for Forrest Ackerman and Jim Warren.

In addition to her comics work, Robbins is an author of non-fiction books, including several with an emphasis on the history of women in cartooning.

She is the first of the three "Ladies of the Canyon" in Joni Mitchell's classic song from the album of the same name.

Trina Robbins won a Special Achievement Award from the San Diego Comic Con in 1989 for her work on Strip AIDS U.S.A., a benefit book that she co-edited with Bill Sienkiewicz and Robert Triptow.

Reviews

[Dominick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four-star rating probably reflects more the historical significance of this work than its overall quality. There is a lot of good cartooning here, but there is some mediocre work, as well, and a few downright bad strips, especially earlier on. It is important for artists to have venues in which to grow and fail, but that doesn't make badly-designed and poorly-lettered strips any more easy to read. At times, one wishes to see somewhat more evidence of editorial intervention. Nevertheless, the very existence of this book is important--though perhaps less so than was the emergence and run of the original comics-because it makes available in one generously-sized volume a cornucopia of work by a stunning array of artists. If there's a major non-mainstream female cartoonist who's not in here, I am not able to think of her off the top of my head (though some are represented by only a small bit of work). And there is not only great stuff from cartoonists whose work I recognized but scads of impressive work by cartoonists I had never heard of. So, uneven but nevertheless an essential document.

[J.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous collection of every issue of Wimmen's Comix. It's a pricey collection, so I would've never had the opportunity to read it if not for being a juror for the Ignatz Awards last year. I'm incredibly thankful I was able to get my hands on it.

There were a few artists I'm familiar with (Phoebe Gloeckner, Lynda Barry, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, etc.) and many more with which I was not. As with just about any anthology, it was a mixed bag in terms of quality, style, tone, etc., but it was interesting to watch certain artists develop over the course of the series' run.

Very refreshing to have a consistently female perspective throughout, especially for that time period. Granted, there is no singular shared "female perspective", but the subjects tackled were ones not often appearing in the male-dominated comics of that time.

[Micah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this entire sucker in less than the 3 days I was spending in Spokane.
It was great as an anthology - there's some really nice growth in individual comic makers and it was neat to see Alison Bechdel and Lynda Barry's earlier stuff.
That said it's was also surreal to read from a post-wave feminist perspective - it's mostly comprised of white, feminist artists reflecting their culture in all it's weirdness. Readers can see the cultural shift of women going from secretaries in the 70's to powersuits in the 80's and these same women wondering if it was actually any better, as well as witnessing the pedantic drama that seems innate in every radical social scene. It feels like a time capsule of much things have changed and how much they haven't.

[Carol Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous!

[Stewart Tame · Rating 5 out of 5]

With two volumes, clocking in at around 350 pages each, this took a while to get through. I'm not complaining. If anything, I wish there were more. Wimmen's Comix was one of the premier underground titles, and outlasted a number of other famous titles from that era by a good decade or so. This two volume set reprints the entire run, as well as the single issue of It Ain't Me Babe, which preceded the entire run of Wimmen's. As the titles imply, these were books produced by all female creators. There is so much good work here by so many talented people ... Phoebe Gloeckner, Dori Seda, Trina Robbins, M.K. Brown, Diane Noomin, Carol Lay, Mary Fleener, Roberta Gregory, Alison Bechdel, Sharon Rudahl, Lynda Barry, Aline Kominsky, Krystine Kryttre, and more. Fantagraphics has done a marvelous job of production on these. The books are oversized, to give a better view of the art. The size of the original comics varied from standard to magazine sized depending on the publisher. The slipcase is nice and sturdy. One issue was printed as a 3D comic, so two pairs of glasses are included. There's a 2D version of the comic towards the end of volume 2, so they can be compared. I found the artwork to be a little clearer in the 2D version, but some of the 3D effects in the original are quite striking. Generally, the story quality improves over the course of the two volumes. Trina says as much in the introduction, something to the effect that, for many of these women, this was their first attempt at comics, and they either got better at it over time, or drifted away from comics for other pursuits. And there is so much good work here, that the few lesser efforts really don't matter. Wimmen's Comix is one of the all-time great underground anthologies--I'd say Zap, Rip Off, Weirdo, and maybe Arcade and Twisted Sisters would be the others. Raw, Escape, Drawn and Quarterly ... worth mentioning, but we're starting to get more into art comics than undergrounds. Slightly different feel. I'm starting to wander off topic, aren't I? Wimmen's Comix is awesome! Read it! Now if only I could persuade someone to do a deluxe reprint of the complete Weirdo ...

[Chris Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible collection, excellently edited and designed. It is very interesting to see the first issues and compare them to the latter work. The introduction provides good information and context. If you are interested in underground comics at all, or the history of comic's by women, you will find something to love here. Looks beautiful on our shelf, and will be great to return to from time to time in the future.

[Newly Wardell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could only get my hands on the second volume but I was blown away at how women represent themselves as opposed to traditional comic. If it's worth looking at it solely for that reason. There's a bunch of boobs and some insane jokes.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As other reviewers said, this is a period piece, and my rating takes that into consideration. Some pieces are timeless, some good but dated, and some just would not cut it these days. All in all, and excellent collection.

[StrictlySequential]

somehow receded back into my unread hordes at page 110...
{I combed out all +50%/+100p. read and shelved for motivation}

[Jeff Lewonczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A two-volume set collecting the full run of a pioneering anthology series spotlighting underground women cartoonists, which published 17 issues from 1972 through 1991. There's so much in here, and I read it over such an extended period, that it's hard to assess as a unit, other than to say it's magnificent. As with any anthology, there are both high and low points, but the range of voices and talents on display here is mind-blowing - from lesser-known contributors to those who have gone on to greater fame (Lynda Barry, Alison Bechdel). This is an important document in the evolution of counterculture through the two decades it covers, providing stories comical and serious, mundane and fantastical, covering topics and perspectives these artists' more celebrated male peers never touched. Essential reading for anyone who loves comics (or, I guess more accurately, comix).

[dejah_thoris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deliberately read this set slowly to savor each issue. The 3D reprint puts it over the top. (Yes, it includes a pair of those old school red and blue glasses.) Well worth the hefty price tag to read and re-read our foremothers' work. Thanks again second-wave feminists for breaking barriers, so we didn't have to encounter them.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the REAL underground that comics history need to revere, not the sexist and racist Zap.
wimmen's comix >>> zap

[Robert Hudder · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, this covered many years and all the issues of Wimmen's Comix. Of course, by its nature, the stuff was uneven or at least not necessarily to my taste. Being indies, there was a lot of sex, politics, drugs and ordinary angst. A lot of great artists and writers were featured and it was good to go back and visit them. A lot of queer and feminist content as well. Some of it felt dated because it was speaking to what was happening in an autobiographical way.

Now, at the end of the day, I am not sure I would recommend this to many people. I know some woman who are interested in graphic novels and some men who are interested in indie comics and those are the obvious groups. All other, YMMV.

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very important and worth reading. I did skip some comics that were hard to read, like physically. I love getting the different views within feminism over time and if you are looking for a broad range of perspectives (this is a full run of an anthology comic that ran for twenty years) this is a good one! I discovered some new comics authors that I want to check out. I think one of the most fun parts is that you get to see women comics authors from different eras working together! Within one issue, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Alison Bechdel, and Julie Doucet are all featured! :D I also learned that the eighties style didn't full take hold until 1987.

A little expensive, but our library (and maybe others) have it too!

[Samantha Allwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

I splurged on this set and it’s the best purchase I’ve made in a long time. From a historical standpoint it’s incredible and interesting to think about. The subject matter itself made me feel less alone in the world as a woman. I found reading this to be an incredibly affirming experience. The importance of collective experience and relatability in a lot of feelings and events cannot be understated.

I’m so glad I have this collection because I can see myself giving it a re-read perhaps yearly.

[Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second run in the 80s loses some of the bite of its 70s original run as it becomes less about radical visibility of the women's lib movement and more about the mundane trappings of modern life but every single strip and artist in this collection is incredible. An essential piece of comix history.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of sad to see these older comics (60's-70's) addressing issues like feminism, equality, LGBTQ rights, sexism, and racism while having the constant depressed feeling that we still haven't made much progress.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why I was expecting more intersectionality, but I was. A perfect example of how white women need to do better--even today.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if it's just me or if the 3D issue is impossible to read for everyone, but there's a 2D copy of the issue at the end of the book if you give up!

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great collection. Very much a representation of a time and place, these comics still hold true today. Funny, poignant, and intelligent. Beautiful illustrations and amazing covers.

[Sarah Thornton]

No.

I understand the context of the work and how important it was, but I read it in one sitting and I didn't need to see that many dicks today (or ever).

[Dair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the best comix from the underground era. I don’t know why I hadn’t read this sooner, but this collection is beautiful and interesting.

[World Literature Today]

"In the early 1970s a vibrant group of women artists emerged, mainly on the West Coast, in the pages of Wimmen’s Comix. Their subjects, too, were often X-rated and included sex, drugs, relationships, women’s liberation, gay liberation, politics, and trenchant satire of American cultural institutions. The two volumes of The Complete Wimmen’s Comix provide a rich and complete overview of the development of the Berkeley-based publishing collective from a 1970 incubator issue of 'It Ain’t Me Babe: Women’s Liberation,' which preceded the establishment of Wimmen’s Comix in 1972, through the seventeenth and final issue, in 1992. With a rotating editorship and a mission to welcome new artists, the issues can be uneven in quality and drawing styles even while they give the reader a keen sense of the themes relevant to the historical moment, most especially women’s liberation. Despite the unevenness and the somewhat dated, if historically accurate themes, every issue has its gems, and those are the ones that stay with the reader.These volumes invite the casual browser as well as the aficionado to marvel at the talented spirit and energy of an earlier moment in the history of Wimmen as well as comix." - Rita D. Jacobs

This book was reviewed in the March 2016 issue of World Literature Today magazine. Read the full review by visiting our website: http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2...

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with any large collection of anthology style comics, there are some great stories, some mediocre, some wtf stuff, but overall, just seeing all these women's work being collected is fantastic and it has added many names to my list of creators to look for. Sad to see some themes still ring true - let's bring back 'consciousness raising' groups? and happy to see that some problematic representations of trans and poc seem so off base they probably wouldn't occur today if this floppy were still being published (reading it was just uncomfortable). The 3D issue was really cool.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

via NYPL - Amazing. Like many independent anthologies, yes, the comics can be mixed, but they get so much stronger as the series goes along and they're never less than ambitious and challenging. A wonderful volume.

[Mills College Library]

741.5 C73771 2016

[Secret Stacks]

This comic was discussed on Secret Stacks episode 16.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, my kind of comix

[Michael Duane Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've drawn some bizarre images with my character Lianna; now I don't feel so awkward. It's a different perspective, not always for the "Clean!" at heart. Often slaps the hypocrisy of the patriarchy in a variety of art styles. Some of these names I know, some of them are no longer with us.