Fighting the forces of evil. Defending truth, justice, and freedom. Some of the strongest heroines in the comic-verse are featured in these female power comics for adults. Curated by Samantha Matherne.
Batwoman Vol. 1: Hydrology by W. Haden Blackman III, J. H. Williams III
hoopla comic
Issues #0-5
Part 1 of the Batwoman (2011-2015) series
The creative team of J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman launch the ongoing Batwoman series, as Batwoman (a.k.a. Kate Kane) faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City’s underworld–and new trials in her personal life. Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government agency suddenly taking an interest in her? These are some of the questions that will be answered in this long-awaited series!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vol. 1: High School is Hell by Jordie Bellaire
hoopla comic
freading comic
Issue #1-4
Part of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series
This is the Buffy Summers you know, who wants what every average teenager wants: friends at her new school, decent grades, and to escape her imposed destiny as the next in a long line of vampire slayers tasked with defeating the forces of evil. Only this time around, her world looks a lot more like the one outside your window. But the more things change, the more they stay the same as the Gang faces brand-new Big Bads, and the threat lurking beneath the perfectly manicured exterior of Sunnydale High confirms what every teenager has always known: high school truly is hell.
Captain Marvel Vol. 1: Re-Entry by Kelly Thompson
hoopla comic
Issues #1-5
Part 1 of the Captain Marvel (2019-) series
Captain Marvel comes home! Carol Danvers has spent months in space protecting the planet, but now she’s back on Earth. And New York City has never looked so good – until a powerful villain turns Manhattan’s Roosevelt Island into an apocalyptic wasteland! Cut off from the rest of the world, Carol needs a new crew – including Spider-Woman, Hazmat and Echo – to kick-start a revolution! But which face from her past is about to reappear and change everything? The life of every man, woman and child on the island rests on Carol’s shoulders. It’s time to show exactly why they call her “Earth’s Mightiest Hero!”
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Vol. 1 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
hoopla comic
Issues #1-5
Part of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series
On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, the young sorceress, Sabrina Spellman, finds herself at a crossroads, having to choose between an unearthly destiny and her mortal boyfriend, Harvey. But Madame Satan, a foe from her family’s past, has arrived in Greendale, and she has her own deadly agenda. Archie Comics’ latest horror sensation starts here! Compiles the first five issues of the ongoing comic book series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
DC Bombshells Vol. 1: Enlisted by Marguerite Bennett
hoopla comic
Issues #1-6
Part of the DC Bombshells (2015-2017) series
The incredibly popular DC Collectibles line is brought to life in these stories that reimagine the course of history! As Word War II rages across Europe, the Allied forces issue a call to arms for the greatest heroines the world has ever known, The Bombshells: Kate Kane, the all-American Batwoman; Diana of Themyscira, warrior Princess of the Amazons; Kara Starikov and Kortni Duginovna, defenders of Mother Russia; and Mera, royal daughter of the legendary Atlantis. With aid from their allies at home and abroad, these mighty women will turn the tide of war and defend those inviolable rights of Truth, Justice and Freedom. From writer Marguerite Bennett (Batgirl, Earth 2: World’s End) and featuring artists including Marguerite Sauvage (Hinterkind), Laura Braga (Witchblade), Bilquis Evely (Doc Savage), Mirka Andolfo (Chaos) and Ming Doyle (Constantine: The Hellblazer) comes DC Comics: Bombshells Vol. 1: Enlisted.
Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham
hoopla comic
Issues #1-5
Part 1 of the Fables series
When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters have created their own peaceful and secret society within an exclusive luxury apartment building called Fabletown. But when Snow White’s party-girl sister, Rose Red, is apparently murdered, it is up to Fabletown’s sheriff, a reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf, to determine if the killer is Bluebeard, Rose’s ex-lover and notorious wife killer, or Jack, her current live-in boyfriend and former beanstalk climber.
Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Hot in the City by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
comic
hoopla comic
Issues #0-8
Part 1 of the Harley Quinn (2013-2016) series
There are eight million stories in the naked city. Here’s one you might have heard: an out-of-town girl moves to the Big Apple after a bad breakup, looking for a new job, a new love, and a new life. Oh yeah, and she’s a criminally insane super-villain who just got jilted by a psychotic clown. Did we not mention that yet? She’s Harley Quinn, and she’s come to Coney Island looking to settle down and cut loose. But where Harley goes, trouble follows. Someone’s put a price on her head so big every bounty hunter in Brooklyn is looking for her. Now this newly minted Noo Yawker has to count on her motley crew of new neighbors and a few of her good old bad-girl friends to get the last laugh on whoever’s gunning for her.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink by Tini Howard, Brenden Fletcher, Kelly Thompson
hoopla comic
Issues #1-6
Part of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink series
The original Pink Ranger returns! Featuring an introduction by Amy Jo Johnson, the actress who portrayed Kimberly Hart. After leaving the life of a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger behind, Kimberly Hart finds herself pulled back into the fray. With her parents missing and their village overrun by monsters, she must reclaim her destiny and discover the power that lies within. She’ll have to call on some old friends if she’s to unravel this mystery and save this once sleepy village. From writers Brenden Fletcher (Batgirl, Gotham Academy), Kelly Thompson (Jem and the Holograms, A-Force), and Tini Howard (The Skeptics), and artist Daniele Di Nicuolo (Mirror’s Edge: Exordium), the Pink Ranger embarks on her first solo Power Ranger adventure!
Rat Queens Vol. 1: Sass and Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe
hoopla comic
Issues #1-5
Part 1 of the Rat Queens series
Who are the Rat Queens? A pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire, and they’re in the business of killing all god’s creatures for profit. It’s also a darkly comedic sass-and-sorcery series starring Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief. This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack!
Saga Vol. 1 by Brian Vaughan
comic
hoopla comic
Issues #1-6
Part 1 of the Saga series
From New York Times bestselling writer Brian K.Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, North 40), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in a sexy, subversive drama for adults.
Spider-Gwen Vol. 0: Most Wanted? by Jason Latour
comic
hoopla comic
Issues #1-5
Part of the Spider-Gwen (2015) series
Also collects Edge of Spider-Verse #2. The breakout character hit of the year is Gwen Stacy: Spider-Woman! In one universe, it wasn’t Peter Parker who was bitten by the radioactive spider, but Gwen Stacy! She’s smart, charming and can lift a car – just don’t tell her father the police chief! And now, in the wake of Spider-Verse, Gwen swings into her own solo adventures! And she soon finds herself between a rock and a hard place when the Vulture attacks, and NYPD Lieutenant Frank Castle sets his sights on bringing her down. Then, still haunted by Peter’s death, Gwen visits his only family: Ben and May Parker. But what really happened the day Peter died? Find out right here as the spectacular Spider-Gwen steals not only the spotlight, but also the hearts of comic fans worldwide!
Thor. Vol. 1, The Goddess of Thunder by Jason Aaron
comic
hoopla comic
Mjolnir lies on the moon, unable to be lifted Something dark has befallen the God of Thunder, leaving him unworthy for the first time ever. But when Frost Giants invade Earth, the hammer will be lifted – and a mysterious woman will be transformed into an all-new version of the mighty Thor. Who is this new Goddess of Thunder? Not even Odin knows, but she may be Earth’s only hope against the Frost Giants. Get ready for a Thor like you’ve never seen before, as this all-new heroine takes Midgard by storm. Plus: the Odinson clearly doesn’t like that someone else is holding his hammer. It’s Thor vs. Thor! And Odin, desperate to see Mjolnir returned, will call on some very dangerous, very unexpected allies. It’s a bold new chapter in the storied history of Thor. COLLECTING: Thor 1-5
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Powers of a Squirrel by Ryan North
hoopla comic
Issues #1-8
Part of the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) series
Eating nuts. Kicking butts. No ifs, ands, or buts. Thanos. Fin Fang Foom. Deadpool. They have all fallen to her squirrel-based might – all completely, indisputably in canon. Now the Squirrel super hero is about to face her biggest challenge yet: majoring in computer science at Empire State University! Oh, and also Galactus. But that college thing is the really hard bit. Can the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Doreen Green balance her studies with battling bad guys like Kraven the Hunter, Whiplash and – yes! – the Devourer of Worlds? And can she pull it all off without her new comp-sci friends seeing through her seemingly foolproof secret identity? With furry pal Tippy-Toe by her side and the best theme song in comics burrowing into your head, you’re about to find out why you just can’t beat Squirrel Girl!
*All summaries are courtesy of the publisher unless otherwise noted.
Shelf Analysis 