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Comics for Choice: Illustrated Abortion Stories, History, and Politics
Comics for Choice is an anthology of comics about abortion. As this fundamental reproductive right continues to be stigmatized and jeopardized, over sixty artists and writers have created comics that boldly share their own experiences, and educate readers on the history of abortion, current political struggles, activism, and more. Lawyers, activists, medical professionals, historians, and abortion fund volunteers have teamed up with cartoonists and illustrators to share their knowledge in accessible comics form.
The stories in Comics for Choice showcase a wide range of abortion experiences from a diverse array of voices: trans voices, older voices, activist voices--relatable voices. With passionate pen strokes, artists share highly personal, moving, and even funny stories that defy stigma and stereotypes. From the days of illegal abortion services, to nationwide legalization, to modern-day struggles of clinic closures and unequal access, contributors give an entertaining primer on the history of abortion in America, and how far we still have to go. Readers will be encouraged to get involved--standing up for abortion rights, fighting abortion stigma, making links between intersecting forms of oppression, and learning about reproductive justice.
"In a time when reproductive rights are under attack, Comics for Choice is a truthful narration of what often gets lost--the history of abortion and the lived experiences of women and people who need abortion." - Cecile Richards, Former President of Planned Parenthood
Comics for Choice contains comics from exciting cartoonists like Sophia Foster-Dimino ( Sex Fantasy ), Leah Hayes ( Not Funny Ha-Ha ), Archie Bongiovanni ( A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns, Grease Bats ), Jennifer Camper ( Rude Girls and Dangerous Women ), Ally Shwed ( Sex Bomb Strikes Again ) and Kat Fajardo ( Gringa!, La Raza Anthology ), and reproductive justice scholars like Rickie Solinger, ( Reproductive Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know ) Renee Bracey Sherman (Program Director, We Testify), and Dr. Cynthia Greenlee (Senior Editor, Rewire ).
This updated edition includes a new cover and additional comics that address the changing landscape of abortion rights.
The stories in Comics for Choice showcase a wide range of abortion experiences from a diverse array of voices: trans voices, older voices, activist voices--relatable voices. With passionate pen strokes, artists share highly personal, moving, and even funny stories that defy stigma and stereotypes. From the days of illegal abortion services, to nationwide legalization, to modern-day struggles of clinic closures and unequal access, contributors give an entertaining primer on the history of abortion in America, and how far we still have to go. Readers will be encouraged to get involved--standing up for abortion rights, fighting abortion stigma, making links between intersecting forms of oppression, and learning about reproductive justice.
"In a time when reproductive rights are under attack, Comics for Choice is a truthful narration of what often gets lost--the history of abortion and the lived experiences of women and people who need abortion." - Cecile Richards, Former President of Planned Parenthood
Comics for Choice contains comics from exciting cartoonists like Sophia Foster-Dimino ( Sex Fantasy ), Leah Hayes ( Not Funny Ha-Ha ), Archie Bongiovanni ( A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns, Grease Bats ), Jennifer Camper ( Rude Girls and Dangerous Women ), Ally Shwed ( Sex Bomb Strikes Again ) and Kat Fajardo ( Gringa!, La Raza Anthology ), and reproductive justice scholars like Rickie Solinger, ( Reproductive Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know ) Renee Bracey Sherman (Program Director, We Testify), and Dr. Cynthia Greenlee (Senior Editor, Rewire ).
This updated edition includes a new cover and additional comics that address the changing landscape of abortion rights.
Paperback
Published March 22, 2023
6 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Hazel Newlevant
19 books104 followersHazel Newlevant is a Portland-raised, Queens-residing cartoonist. Their comics include Tender-Hearted, Sugar Town, No Ivy League, and If This Be Sin. They are the editor and publisher of the anthologies Chainmail Bikini and Comics For Choice. Their work has been honored with the Ignatz Award, Xeric Grant and the Prism Comics Queer Press Grant.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 21, 2023
3.5 Stars!
“In the United States, organisations that provide healthcare are run like for-profit businesses, and most take the corporate form.”
This starts off with three very short introductions, which is a bit like having someone introducing the person who is going to introduce the next person who is going to do another introduction?...
“One in six US hospital beds is in a catholic hospital.”
In keeping with the nature of such projects the quality and skill level is variable, with the art work often playing second fiddle to the overall message, which is understandable, as this is the main aim of this compilation.
The problem is the puritanical nature of the US and in particular those who control it and make and maintain the rules, the country’s enduring obsession with religion means god, and god usually means the patriarchy and the patriarchy means men believing that they know everything, even when that extends to matters of the female body and what women chose to do with their own bodies.
The arrogance, the delusion and the control is breath taking and yet there are millions of people and too many powerful interests, who confuse ignorance for omnipotence and they not only claim to believe in god, but they actually believe they are god, and behave accordingly. The oppression and the delight taken in ridiculing women, blacks and the poor seems to be a right and privilege that far too many rich, white people have granted themselves.
“Comics For Choice” gives voice and a platform to a small selection of the many brave and inspiring souls in the US who have done some fantastic work with abortion and women’s rights over many years. Most of them are unsung and unheard of in the mainstream media. This is an important book and it has a lot to offer a lot of people, and I’d love to see it get the wider audience it deserves.
This is yet another book which puzzled and horrified me. I just can’t understand why America despises its women so much?...Having yet another pop at America and it’s many dark and twisted ways and the phenomenal flaws which continue to cripple it, is like shooting fish in a barrel, but this made me wonder, just imagine if America had even half the amount of tolerance, love and worship of guns as it did for women?...
“In the United States, organisations that provide healthcare are run like for-profit businesses, and most take the corporate form.”
This starts off with three very short introductions, which is a bit like having someone introducing the person who is going to introduce the next person who is going to do another introduction?...
“One in six US hospital beds is in a catholic hospital.”
In keeping with the nature of such projects the quality and skill level is variable, with the art work often playing second fiddle to the overall message, which is understandable, as this is the main aim of this compilation.
The problem is the puritanical nature of the US and in particular those who control it and make and maintain the rules, the country’s enduring obsession with religion means god, and god usually means the patriarchy and the patriarchy means men believing that they know everything, even when that extends to matters of the female body and what women chose to do with their own bodies.
The arrogance, the delusion and the control is breath taking and yet there are millions of people and too many powerful interests, who confuse ignorance for omnipotence and they not only claim to believe in god, but they actually believe they are god, and behave accordingly. The oppression and the delight taken in ridiculing women, blacks and the poor seems to be a right and privilege that far too many rich, white people have granted themselves.
“Comics For Choice” gives voice and a platform to a small selection of the many brave and inspiring souls in the US who have done some fantastic work with abortion and women’s rights over many years. Most of them are unsung and unheard of in the mainstream media. This is an important book and it has a lot to offer a lot of people, and I’d love to see it get the wider audience it deserves.
This is yet another book which puzzled and horrified me. I just can’t understand why America despises its women so much?...Having yet another pop at America and it’s many dark and twisted ways and the phenomenal flaws which continue to cripple it, is like shooting fish in a barrel, but this made me wonder, just imagine if America had even half the amount of tolerance, love and worship of guns as it did for women?...
July 1, 2023
This updated edition of Comics for Choice, released after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, beautifully illustrates over a dozen of personal stories from a range of people who have had abortions. Whatever the reason (rape, finances, health, or simply not ready, etc.), each story is unique and demystifies the whole concept of abortion. While some stories were heartbreaking and others empowering, the complex feelings of shame, guilt, and relief come through in all of them. Whatever your personal moral feelings are towards abortion, I believe many individuals may find strength, knowledge, and understanding in why some make this decision if they read this comic. Pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion. It simply means that each individual should have body autonomy.
"My body. My choice."
4.5 stars
"My body. My choice."
4.5 stars
April 7, 2025
My favorite chapter was small mistakes make big problems and I lowkey think it’s the most important story out of all of these
January 16, 2025
13. A collection of short stories: Comics for Choice: Illustrated Abortion Stories, History, and Politics, 2nd Edition edited by Hazel Newlevant, Whit Taylor, and Ø.K. Fox
List Progress: 1/30
As America is getting ready to usher in an hateful oligarch, it is a good time to remember what is at risk when fascists are running the show. Comics for Choice is a collection of comics about abortion that was first compiled and published in 2017, but the second edition was released in March 2023, after the fall of Roe vs. Wade and when many states had already put serious bans and restrictions on abortion into effect. Reproductive health and bodily autonomy are under attack in the United States, and there is real value in people sharing their personal stories about abortion, health care, and how the political landscape has impacted those things. Reading the collection as a solid unit, the stories can become a bit repetitive, but they all have value and the fact that there are many very similar stories is as much a sign of the scale of the issue as anything else.
To be fair, Comics for Choice tackles the topic of abortion from many different angles. Most of the stories are people telling the stories of their own abortions, but some are from healthcare professionals, some are taking a historical approach, and some are speaking with people who were not able to access abortions and had to carry their babies to term. A couple of the most impactful stories are from people interviewing their own mothers. Being an anthology with many authors and artists, the art styles and qualities are quite variable, but most are evocative and emotional enough for the stories being told.
One hopes that this collection could begin to change the mind of a anti-abortion individual, but with a topic as hopelessly politicized as abortion, there’s only so much people are willing to move. Perhaps the bigger gift of Comics for Choice is making people who have had or needed abortions feel less alone. Abortion is normal, safe, and should be available for all those who need or want it, and if that is something you need to be convinced of, hopefully these collected stories can explain some of what you need to know.
Would I Recommend It: Yes.
List Progress: 1/30
As America is getting ready to usher in an hateful oligarch, it is a good time to remember what is at risk when fascists are running the show. Comics for Choice is a collection of comics about abortion that was first compiled and published in 2017, but the second edition was released in March 2023, after the fall of Roe vs. Wade and when many states had already put serious bans and restrictions on abortion into effect. Reproductive health and bodily autonomy are under attack in the United States, and there is real value in people sharing their personal stories about abortion, health care, and how the political landscape has impacted those things. Reading the collection as a solid unit, the stories can become a bit repetitive, but they all have value and the fact that there are many very similar stories is as much a sign of the scale of the issue as anything else.
To be fair, Comics for Choice tackles the topic of abortion from many different angles. Most of the stories are people telling the stories of their own abortions, but some are from healthcare professionals, some are taking a historical approach, and some are speaking with people who were not able to access abortions and had to carry their babies to term. A couple of the most impactful stories are from people interviewing their own mothers. Being an anthology with many authors and artists, the art styles and qualities are quite variable, but most are evocative and emotional enough for the stories being told.
One hopes that this collection could begin to change the mind of a anti-abortion individual, but with a topic as hopelessly politicized as abortion, there’s only so much people are willing to move. Perhaps the bigger gift of Comics for Choice is making people who have had or needed abortions feel less alone. Abortion is normal, safe, and should be available for all those who need or want it, and if that is something you need to be convinced of, hopefully these collected stories can explain some of what you need to know.
Would I Recommend It: Yes.
May 20, 2025
The good: 90% of the inclusions are some manner of informative and heart-rending (as they should be). The bad: 10% are wordy messes that should have either been rejected or revised. I feel like comics should make topics more digestible, not less, and this could have been harder-hitting if pared down a little. And at least two of the 10% were that classic "I'm calling this a comic but really it's just text blocks with a couple pictures." UGH. There was one (They Can't Get That From Us) that might have had great information but I couldn't even stand reading it thanks to this. The worst: the anthology STARTS with one of the least impactful, inaccessible, and most "what the heck am I even reading" entries, and I say that as someone who loves and understands videogames. Please skip the first three pages, for real. All criticism aside, this is still a fantastic collection.
Standout entries: Conversations, Underwater (so good!! "Fresh or brine?" 😂), Small Mistakes Make Big Problems
Standout entries: Conversations, Underwater (so good!! "Fresh or brine?" 😂), Small Mistakes Make Big Problems
February 1, 2024
An interesting variety of perspectives on the topic, from those who have had abortions to healthcare workers to activists. Some of the comics felt incomplete, like they needed a few more pages to reach their full potential. Oh well. Anthologies are nice for a reason; if you don’t like something, you most likely will like the next entry.
April 16, 2023
Short stories about abortion and women's rights. A wonderful look into the lives of women who have lived through such experiences. So glad these women shared their stories with the world. To educate and to relate.
May 9, 2024
Awesome book that shares a lot of personal stories from a variety of women about their abortions and help they received. I also really enjoyed the history aspect of it and learning about the “jane” movement. However the book is a little bit outdated since roe v. wade got overturned :(
August 12, 2025
I appreciate the variety of comic styles, diversity of voices, and range of abortion experiences shared in this inclusive anthology. Some pieces were stronger than others. Overall, this was a great read that shows the importance of standing up for reproductive justice. Would recommend!
April 17, 2025
Happily Ever After - Tomorrow X Together
July 31, 2025
Grrat comic anthology!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews